Are you tired of exploring mainstream attractions? 🫠
Find hidden gems to add to your summer destinations list.
Summer 2023…
“Early bookings suggest Italy, Spain, Greece, and Portugal could receive record tourism revenues this year”- Reuters.
“After three years of pandemic restrictions, travelers are flocking to Europe in record numbers, despite high airfares, limited accommodations, sweltering heat, and crowded sites.“- NY Times.
With summer upon us, Europe has become the hottest spot on the map! 😎 Tourists are back on track, seeking perfect holidays 🏖️, spot-on itineraries 🗺️, and ensuring they don't miss any of the "must-see" attractions! 😍 However, as a result, popular tourist spots are bustling with visitors 🚶♂️🚶♀️, making it increasingly challenging to find peaceful spots to relax and fully enjoy the season. 😌
Throughout my journey, I've been fortunate enough to stumble upon some hidden gems often overlooked in the must-see lists, or perhaps they didn't even make it onto those lists! 😄 However, these destinations are stunning and definitely worth a visit! 💫
In this newsletter, I have curated a selection of these hidden gems. Also, starting next Friday, I will share bi-weekly updates on new destinations that fit this pattern. 🗞️✨ So, if you're a traveler seeking unique places to explore, check them out! 🌍🌺
Praia de Amoreira 🇵🇹
📌 Location: Aljezur, Algarve, Portugal 🌊
Usually, whenever I arrive in a new place, I search for specialty coffee, so I did this time. ☕ I embarked on a quest for coffee in the Algarve region and stumbled upon some incredible spots. One of them, located in Aljezur, was far from our Airbnb.
The idea behind researching coffee shops is that every weekend, I plan itineraries around them so that we can start the day with a good cup of coffee. So I had the coffee shop from Aljezur, but I had no clue how to make the two-hour journey worthwhile for just a coffee. I turned to Google Maps and found a nice beach that looked like a good spot to visit, so I decided to add it to our itinerary for that weekend. 🗺️🏄♀️
And it was definitely worth it. First and foremost, the coffee shop was one of the best in the entire Algarve. The ambiance, the coffee, the cakes—everything was just perfect. 😍🍰
📌 You should definitely check it out: KOYO Speciality Coffees! ☕
Then came the beach. After enduring a bumpy ride of around 30-40 minutes, we arrived at a breathtaking sight. It was like a colossal mirror encircled by cliffs and dunes. The waves rhythmically crashed onto the shore, effortlessly merging with the sand.
Although this beach may not be considered among the top ones in the Algarve region, it is unquestionably worth a visit if you crave a serene and tranquil spot to soak in the sun and savor the ocean. We loved it so much that we returned several weeks later, only to discover other beaches, some perfect for surfing and an easy trail along the coastline, ideal for beginners, which offered breathtaking views of the coastline and the beach. 🌊🚶♀️📸
Capelada Mountains(Sierra de la Capelada)& Cape Ortegal 🇪🇸
📌 Location: Galicia, Spain
If you're on the Camino de Santiago, visiting La Coruna, or exploring Galicia, take a break and enjoy the Sierra de la Capelada. 🏞️ Galicia, as a region, is filled with hidden gems, and even though it may not be the typical destination for long-term travelers, it's like a precious gem in itself. 💎
From breathtaking coastal views to beautiful cities steeped in history, Galicia offers a sense of community, partly due to the El Camino trail and the numerous religious festivals and celebrations throughout the region. 🌄🎉
Now, let's talk about the Sierra de la Capelada. With its lush green grass, coastal vistas, scenic trails to explore, and a perpetually misty atmosphere, the place exudes a mystical vibe that is truly unique. It's something I have only experienced on islands like the Azores🌿.
🌊 Moreover, Cape Ortegal is close to the Capelada Mountains, so you can wrap up your trip there. While Cape Ortegal may not be a place to sunbathe or engage in specific activities, what makes it worth visiting is its location and the sensation of being at the edge of the world. The views are incredible, and sometimes the wind puts on quite a show! 🌬️😍
Durmitor National Park (Bobotov Kuk)🏔️🇲🇪
📌 Location: Montenegro
When it comes to Montenegro, beaches, and cities like Kotor often top the list of must-visit places for travelers, and it's understandable if you have limited time in the country. However, if you're a long-term traveler seeking to delve deeper into the heart of Montenegro, then Durmitor National Park is the perfect destination for you. 🌿🏞️
Durmitor National Park 🏔️ offers a perfect blend of inspiring landscapes and stunning canyons, making it an ideal spot for adventure lovers and hiking enthusiasts.
Many trails are available with varying difficulty levels, allowing you to find the one that suits your preferences. And if you prefer exploring by car 🚗💨, you'll discover a road that weaves through the mountains like a gentle river, offering a seamless and flowing journey.
To kickstart your trip, you can begin at the Tara Bridge, a quite popular destination, and then venture further into the park to explore its wonders. Here are some top trails you can embark on in the region: 🥾
Some other top trails can be found here: Durmitor National Park Trails 🌲🚶♀️
If you've never used AllTrails to discover new hiking routes, you can create an account using this link: Join AllTrails 🌳🌱. Don't worry, you'll find a lot of easy trails🦦.
In this newsletter, I added long-term listing options available in September 📅✨ in France🇫🇷, Portugal🇵🇹, Croatia🇭🇷, and Spain🇪🇸 since those are some of the best countries from where to enjoy late summer.
Since this newsletter aims to make your life easier and help you find long-term listings with less hustle, I will add the top 3 listings worth checking out each edition. The top will be created based on the following criteria:
💸 Affordability - the value-price rate of the listings
📍 Location - positioning inside the city or area and also the accessibility by plane or car
🛁 Facilities - from WIFI, working space, terrace, or even pool or other facilities
⭐ Reviews - the higher, the better
** Remember that these criteria can vary for each of you, so you can always check out the main database with listings and apply your own filters.
Nomad Listing's recommendations for September:
📌 La Ciotat, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Franța
💌 Don’t forget! If you enjoyed our newsletter, please subscribe and share it with a friend! We're here to help you find the perfect long-stay accommodations and make your travel dreams come true.🏡
If you have specific destinations or are curious about certain topics, just let us know! We're happy to consider them in our newsletter and provide tips and tricks for slow traveling. 🗺️✈️
Remember, our goal is to ensure that you find your perfect long-term accommodation without additional hassle.
Stay tuned for exciting updates, travel inspiration, and helpful information in our upcoming newsletters.
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See you next time, fellow nomad! 🤗