ESCORTED TOURS BUCKET LIST ALTERNATIVES DESTINATIONS
Overtourism is the buzzword of the moment. Destinations as diverse as Venice and the Orkney Islands have struggled to cope with an influx of tourists, permits to hike the Inca Trail sell out faster than Adele tickets, and even success stories such as the centenary of the US National Park Service end up with traffic jams just to get in the gates. Travellers have clearly
embraced the idea of the bucket list, and are desperate to tick off as many of those must-see spots as they can, regardless of whether they have to stand elbow to elbow with other tourists to do so. But what else might they be
missing in their eagerness to post snaps at the peak of Machu Picchu or atop the Great Wall of China, trying to get a photo in that fleeting moment when the crowds have thinned? The big-ticket sites still have plenty to recommend them and they’re not disappearing from touring itineraries any time soon – and rightly so. But for travellers who want awe-inspiring sights without as many crowds, we’ve put together a few alternatives that are just as worthy of their attention.
1
SAVOURING PUGLIA The swap? Give margherita in Naples a miss for a slow-food tour
of the south Where? Puglia, southern Italy Why? Almost every region of Italy is famous for its foodstuffs,
but in the quest to find the best pizza in Naples or the best bolognese in Bologna, guests might miss the whole point of Italian food – to slow down and savour every bite. The rise of the slow-food
movement takes the opposite approach. Back-Roads Touring allows time to taste artisan burrata and other cheeses, stop for lunch at a hilltop farmhouse, and sample wines from the cellar of Castel di Salve. Book it: Back-Roads Touring’s Slow Food Tour of Puglia starts at £1,999 for six days, including boutique accommodation, local guides, some meals, two wine tastings and one olive tasting, but excluding flights.
backroadstouring.com
2
BUNGLE BUNGLES The swap? Switch sunrise at Uluru for sunset at the Bungle Bungle Range
Where? Kimberley, Western
Australia Why? Uluru is a classic component of a first-time Australia itinerary, but with the groundbreaking Qantas flight direct to Perth focusing attention on the wilds of Western Australia, it’s time to shake up that standard introduction to Oz. APT’s national sales manager,
Jessica Shelton-Agar, says: “While Uluru is undoubtedly one of the biggest drawcards for first-time travellers to Australia, if you’ve got a client that wants to experience something different, we recommend introducing
the Bungle Bungle Range, a maze of orange and black striped sandstone domes in the Purnululu National Park. “Like Uluru, it’s an incredible geological landmark in a remote outback location that plays host to a huge variety of wildlife species. Long known by local indigenous people, the Bungle Bungles were barely discovered by the rest of the world until the 1980s, so in tourism terms, they are still relatively unknown.” APT owns a series of wilderness lodges in the region, where guests can watch the sun set over the domes. Book it: APT offers a 15-day El Questro, Gorges and Purnululu small-group adventure between April and September, from £5,645. The price includes flights from Heathrow to Perth and on to Broome, accommodation, sightseeing, 29 meals, a driver- guide, transfers and park fees.
aptouring.co.uk
3
LENIN PEAK The swap? Skip Everest Base Camp and hike up Lenin Peak instead
Where? On the border of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan Why? Also known as Ibn Sina Peak, this is considered one of the ‘easiest’ 7,000m-plus summits in the world, offering the challenge of a steep ascent and extreme cold, but without being a technical climb. It’s the latest addition to Exodus Travels’ trekking collection, and is a worthy alternative to better-known treks.
Exodus head of product
development Andy Ross says: “Our trips to Himalayan trekking peaks such as Mera Peak and Stok Kangri have become increasingly popular, so we wanted to introduce another more serious climbing adventure for those wishing to challenge their limits and venture even higher. “Lenin Peak has the added
advantage of being very accessible, as you are taken all the way to base camp by 4x4, so your focus can be on acclimatisation. Add spectacular scenery and the draw of Kyrgyzstan, a country most people probably can’t even spell, and you have the makings of a truly memorable adventure.” Book it: Exodus’s Lenin Peak Ascent departs in August and starts at £3,269 for 25 days, including flights, meals, camping accommodation, porterage and a guide. It is rated ‘tough’ and requires strong physical fitness.
exodus.co.uk
4
YELLOWSTONE IN WINTER The swap? Bypass the Grand Canyon to chill out
in Yellowstone Where? Wyoming, crossing the borders to Montana and Idaho Why? The Grand Canyon is rightly feted as one of the natural wonders of the world, and everybody should see it at some time in their lives – but the US has more than one mind-blowing landscape worth hopping across the pond for.
1 March 2018
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