Cheaper and without the crowds. The best alternatives to Venice, Barcelona and other popular tourist destinations have been named

In 2023, the tourism industry finally blossomed, and the number of visitors to popular destinations increased to the level seen before the global pandemic. However, many travelers are looking for alternatives to their favorite resorts. This is because of the other side of the coin: popular destinations are overcrowded, and prices for services and entertainment have skyrocketed.

This is where the alternatives collected by the travel booking company Expedia come in handy. The list includes places that resemble popular cities around the world, but are less popular with tourists and offer cheaper prices, EuroNews writes. You may not see iconic sights or famous museums, but the experience promises to be unpredictable and special.

Girona as an alternative to Barcelona

Barcelona is the most popular city in Spain, so the authorities have been forced to limit tourism and reduce the number of cruises. Instead of fighting the Barcelona crowds, visit Girona, which is less than an hour away by train from Barcelona.

The city offers a wealth of architecture for history buffs, such as the majestic medieval walls, the labyrinthine Jewish Quarter, and the pale stone cathedral. According to the price comparison site Numbeo, meals in Girona will cost about 25 percent less than in Barcelona.

Bodrum instead of Saint-Tropez

If you're looking for sea and beach on a small budget, consider heading to Turkey's Turquoise Coast instead of France's Cote d'Azur. The coastline of the Bodrum Peninsula is lined with resorts with direct access to clear water.

In the city center, you will find social life in yacht clubs and mouth-watering Turkish cuisine. Here you can relax in a famous hotel, but there are also many more affordable places to stay. Boat rides and seaplanes will make a great entertainment program.

Treviso is reminiscent of Venice

Treviso is captivating with rivers lined with historic palaces and leafy weeping willows. The city is less than half an hour from Venice by train or car, and there is an airport nearby.

Instead of fighting the crowds in the lagoon city, enjoy the elegant arcades of Treviso. Wine lovers will appreciate the proximity to the vine-covered hills where high-quality prosecco is produced.

Procido is an alternative to Capri

The island of Capri off the Amalfi Coast in Italy has long been welcoming tourists to its chic hotels and upscale boutiques. For a much more affordable vacation, but a little more down-to-earth, visit the island of Procido off the coast of Naples.

Isobel Li, an Italian journalist and blogger, calls the island of fishermen's houses and pastel colors "accessible and less busy." A three-hour private boat tour costs about 1,100 UAH, and a five-hour night kayak tour costs about two thousand UAH.

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