42 Travel Destinations That Are Perfect for People Who Hate Crowds

8. Puglia, Italy: The Quieter, Quirkier Side of Italy

If you love the idea of Italy but hate the tourist crush of Rome, Venice, or the Amalfi Coast, Puglia is the perfect alternative. Tucked away in the country’s heel, this region is a sun-soaked paradise of olive groves, whitewashed villages, and stunning coastline. Here, you can explore the whimsical, cone-shaped trulli houses in Alberobello, sip rich Primitivo wine in sleepy vineyard towns, or wander the baroque streets of Lecce without dodging hordes of tourists. Puglia’s beaches rival those of the Mediterranean’s most famous hotspots, but they remain blissfully uncrowded—even in summer.