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@withoutthecrowds.bsky.social

Insider advice from two award-winning travel writers on exploring the world without the crowds.

78 Followers  |  55 Following  |  145 Posts  |  Joined: 13.11.2024
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Posts by (@withoutthecrowds.bsky.social)

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Skydeck Without the Crowds How to visit Chicago's famous Skydeck and The Ledge, its cantilevered glass-boxes, without the crowds.

Here's why some people pay $125 for a pizza. #theskydeck #theledge #willistower #chicago #travelsky #overtourism

28.02.2026 20:05 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Big Sur Without the Crowds Highway 1 along Big Sur is one of California's most iconic drives. Here's how to navigate Big Sur without the crowds.

After 3 years, Highway 1 through Big Sur is finally open again...mostly. Here's how to tackle California's most gorgeous, popular, iconic, drive. #travelsky #overtourism #bigsur #highway1 #visitcalifornia

26.02.2026 21:22 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

It's a conversation worth having. There's a new trend of "anti-influencers" being the new influencers. We'll see how that goes. For better or worse our posts are never about the money!

20.02.2026 23:48 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Krakow Without the Crowds Krakow, Poland's charming second-largest city, has become known as one of Europe's party capitals. Here's how to enjoy it without the crowds.

Most people go to Krakow for its party-scene and its medieval charms. But according to Joe Montezinos, the latest contributor to our site, life's best breakfast is the Polish city's biggest lure. withoutthecrowds.com/krakow-witho... #overtourism #travelsky #krakow #stradamhouse

20.02.2026 18:32 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Hi Joez58: The small businesses in the area (of which there are very few) could actually use more visitors. The most fragile areas are off-limits unless you're incredibly lucky and/or very rugged. But you're right that coping with overtourism is a balancing act, something we take very seriously.

15.02.2026 17:25 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

Understood -- let's hope that changes! And thanks for commenting.

15.02.2026 17:12 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Hi Rivera,
I don't think we set up the site with that intention and apologize for the inconvenience -- it sounds like a technical glitch that we'll look into. We'd like to make trip planning easy for you!
Sally & Bob

15.02.2026 17:10 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Sedona Without the Crowds Sedona, Arizona, attracts loads of travelers with its dramatic red rocks and New Age image. Here's how to beat the crowds.

The only airport hotel we actually love is in Sedona, AZ. #travelsky #overtourism #sedona #redrocks #visitarizona #skyranchlodge

15.02.2026 16:29 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Vermilion Cliffs: The Smart Traveler's Alternative An isolated spot in northern Arizona beckons trekkers and travelers with an otherworldly red-cliff landscape, a smart alternative to Sedona.

A red-rock landscape as spectacular as Sedona's, with a fraction of the visitors. The catch: To see the most spectacular part of it, you have to win a lottery. :/ #travelsky #overtourism #vermilioncliffs #visitarizona

11.02.2026 18:32 — 👍 522    🔁 47    💬 14    📌 1
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Cherry blossom officials say overtourism is the pits One Japanese town has canceled its cherry blossom festival due to the problems overtourism is creating for its citizens

Cherry blossom officials say overtourism is the pits. #travelsky #overtourism #cherryblossoms #japantravel

08.02.2026 21:47 — 👍 6    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0
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Nubia Region of Egypt: The Smart Traveler's Alternative The Nubia Region of Egypt preserves a unique North African culture shared through music, art, language, and hospitality.

These are the people who built more pyramids than the Egyptians. And they want to invite you in for tea. #travelsky #overtourism #nubia #nubianvillage

05.02.2026 16:05 — 👍 6    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 1
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Bar Harbor Without the Crowds Bar Harbor is a classic summer destination on the Maine coastline, known for lobster and Acadia National Park. Here's how to avoid the crowds.

Think Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park are too crowded? Our newest contributor, Lisa Horsch Clark, VP of Friends of Acadia, promises to find you a quiet spot on even the sunniest summer Sunday. withoutthecrowds.com/bar-harbor-w... #overtourism #travelsky #barharbor #acadia

28.01.2026 20:10 — 👍 6    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

Thanks for the feedback -- you're right, the monsoons can make things difficult. Always smart to use caution, especially in the backcountry.

27.01.2026 19:10 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Shoulder season is the new in-season The shoulder season, traditionally a great way to avoid tourist crowds, is increasingly popular. One solution: Travel during "dead weeks."

The new in-season for smart world travelers. #travelsky #overtourism #smarttravel

27.01.2026 16:38 — 👍 4    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Estremoz: The Smart Traveler's Alternative Estremoz, known as the Alentejo's region's "white city" is a charming alternative to overcrowded Lisbon, Portugal.

Really need a break? Visit this Portuguese city that's home to the patron saint of long-suffering wives. #travelsky #overtourism #estremoz #portugaltourism #saintelizabethofportugal

25.01.2026 22:10 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Maya Bay Without the Crowds Maya Bay began attracting boatloads of tourists after appearing in the movie, The Beach. Here's how to visit without the crowds.

The idyllic tropical setting that a movie almost killed. #travelsky #overtourism #thailandtravel #tropicaldestinations #setjetting

22.01.2026 16:51 — 👍 4    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Todos Santos: The Smart Traveler's Alternative Todos Santos, much quieter than Cabo San Lucas, is a peaceful Mexican resort town known for surfing, art, and boutique hotels.

A Mexican beach town where nightlife means lingering over your dinner table. #todossantos #bajamexico #bajatourism #overtourism #travelmexico

18.01.2026 16:37 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Antarctica Without the Crowds Tourists visiting Antarctica, the most remote region on earth, are damaging its fragile ecosystem. Here's how to visit without the crowds.

Nothing like a summer's day — in January — to appreciate this tourism hot spot. #travelsky #overtourism #antarctica #cruisetravel

17.01.2026 16:49 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Lucca: The Smart Traveler's Alternative The walled town of Lucca gives visitors a taste of life in 16th-century Tuscany, and modern Italy charm, without the crowds.

Want to sing the praises of this walled, walkable city an hour's train ride from Florence? The works of native son Puccini can help with that. #overtourism #travelsky #italytravel #lucca #tuscany #puccini #historicitaliancities

14.01.2026 15:25 — 👍 5    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 1
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Kuelap: The Smart Traveler's Alternative The largest archaeological site in the Americas, Kuelap is 700 years older than Machu Pichu and far less crowded. How to visit.

Does this South American secret really need a cable car?
withoutthecrowds.com/kuelap-the-s... #travelsky #overtourism #perutravel #southamericantravel #adventuretravel

08.01.2026 16:38 — 👍 4    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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The Cyclades: The Smart Traveler's Alternative Not every Greek island is as crowded as Santorini. We have six alternatives that are even more delightfully Greek.

What's more Greek than Santorini? Try one of these six Cyclades islands. #bluesky #overtourism #cyclades #greekislands #greekislandstravel

06.01.2026 16:30 — 👍 5    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Hawaii's green tax scores a win, maybe Hawaii's new "green tax" levied on tourists aims to help offset the impact of overtourism and preserve the state's natural beauty.

Hawaii's new green tax is a win for the environment. Maybe. #overtourism #travelsky #hawaii #hawaiitravel #tourismtaxes

04.01.2026 16:34 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Musee Marmottan-Monet: The Smart Traveler's Alternative The Musee Marmottan-Monet, a treasury of Impressionist masterworks, is much less crowded than the Louvre and a serene stop on a Paris visit

Looking for art to relax with? This Paris museum of impressionist masterpieces admits no more than 250 visitors at a time. #travelsky #impressionism #monet #parismuseums #overtourism

29.12.2025 15:26 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument: The Smart Traveler's Alternative A vast wilderness of wind-and-water-carved rock formations whose middle-of- nowhere location keeps crowds to a minimum

Utah's Big 5 National Parks not enough for you? Try nearby Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. #travelsky #utahnationalparks #nationalmonuments #grandstaircaseescalante

28.12.2025 15:24 — 👍 193    🔁 21    💬 1    📌 1
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Huahine: The Smart Traveler's Alternative Huahine is a serene and spectacular Society Island that many people compare to Bora Bora before the crowds.

French Polynesia, as it used to be. #travelsky #overtourism #huahine #frenchpolynesia #pacificisland

27.12.2025 19:01 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 1
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Koh Ker: The Smart Traveler's Alternative Koh Ker, a mysterious temple complex in Cambodia, is much less crowded than its neighbor, Angkor Wat, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This Asian temple looks a lot like the Mayan step pyramids of Mexico's Yucatan peninsula. Coincidence or cosmic convergence? #travelsky #overtourism #kohker #pyramids #ancientcivlizations #adventuretravel

24.12.2025 15:26 — 👍 4    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 1
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Port Antonio: The Smart Traveler's Alternative A funky beach town surrounded by jungle, Port Antonio is one of Jamaica's most serene resort areas, much less crowded than Negril.

A peaceful Jamaican getaway that's worth going the extra mile. withoutthecrowds.com/port-antonio... #portantonio #overtourism #jamaica #quietjamaica #travelsky

23.12.2025 14:48 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 1
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Stirling Castle: The Smart Traveler's Alternative WHY VISIT STIRLING CASTLE Drawing on a principle known as the 90/10 Rule — whose variations have been used to explain everything from financial strategies to how far to go on a first date — the argume...

The Scottish castle where an early attempt at manned flight ended in the dunghill of history. #travelsky #overtourism #scotlandtravel #stirlingcastle #visitscotland

22.12.2025 20:20 — 👍 3    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0
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THE WILDEBEEST CALVING GROUNDS: THE SMART TRAVELER'S ALTERNATIVE One of the highlights of the great wildebeest migration is calving season in the Serengeti. Here's how to plan a visit.

Here's a place that's not too crowded. Unless you count the 8,000 wildebeest born every day. #travelsky #adventuretravel #africatravel #serengeti #tanzania

21.12.2025 17:25 — 👍 2    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 1
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The Garden District: The Smart Traveler's Alternative Here's how to visit New Orleans' Garden District, a beautiful, less-crowded alternative to the French Quarter.

The quiet part of New Orleans that some visitors fall so in love with that they never make it to the French Quarter. #travelsky #neworleans #NOLA #overtourism #gardendistrict

20.12.2025 20:24 — 👍 4    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0