Seven Not So Popular Destinations to Eye When Traveling Is Safe Again

Some habits are hard to break — but that doesn't seem to be the case when it comes to travel.  

Travelers' habits are changing — quickly and en masse. People are bypassing big cities in favor of smaller destinations that attract fewer tourists, and outside activities such as hiking and biking are attracting more interest than before.

To avoid crowds while spending time in the great outdoors, here are seven spots worth considering once it's safe to travel again.

Normandy, France

France has been the most visited country in the world for years, with travelers congregating in Paris in the interior, the French Riviera in the south and the country's world-famous wine regions dispersed throughout the lower two-thirds of the country.

But what of the north? Regions situated along the English Channel, such as Normandy, receive a small fraction of France's tourists, which makes them ideal for travelers wishing to experience the country while avoiding large groups.

Normandy is popular with World War II history buffs who come to see the famous D-Day beach invasion sites, as well as accompanying cemeteries and memorials. Others are enticed by the seaside beach towns of Deauville and Trouville, the cobblestone alleyways of Honfleur and the majestic tidal island of Mont Saint-Michel.

Like much of France, food is another draw. Normandy is famous for Camembert cheese, Calvados liqueur and tarte aux pommes (apple tarts).  

The 'other' islands of Greece

In the mid-1990s, Greece received about 10 million tourists a year, according to the World Bank. By 2019, that number had more than tripled.

Five regions accounted for 88% of all overnight stays in 2017, namely the South Aegean, Crete, Ionian...