Best travel spots?
 

What are the best places that you have found that are not very touristy?

I used to roll my eyes at a question like this, but I am trying to get over it. the issue is understanding what is it you're really seeking? The metro park just a mile from my house isn't at all touristy, and it's a great place, but I don't think that you're asking about it. <BR> <BR>So, try these: <BR> <BR>Chateau Gaillard, Les Andelys (France) <BR> <BR>http://www.normandy-tourism.org/gb/0...A/Andelys.html <BR> <BR>The civic museum of Bassano del Grappa (Italy) <BR> <BR>http://www.x-land.it/museobassano/en...ndex_frame.htm <BR> <BR>I don't think you can buy a postcard, a t-shirt or even find any "tourist-associated" businesses anywhere near either of these. <BR> <BR>And both are very worth your while. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

I spent a wonderful day in the Tuscan town of Arezzo a few months ago. Compared to other towns in Tuscany, I don't believe that Arezzo gets all that many tourists. <BR> <BR>Arezzo has a very picturesque piazza, the Piazza Grande, a beautiful park at the top of the town overlooking the Tuscan countryside, and was the setting for the beginning of Roberto Benigni's movie <I>Life is Beautiful</I>.

I guess the question goes about those wonderful places that seemed to be still undiscovered but you thought some time later might be crowded. <BR> <BR>I think this has a wide answer, but I will try to point out some: <BR> <BR>Albarracin is a small town still undiscovered by masses because it is far away from main routes but really scenic. It is situated in Teruel province,(Aragon) Central Spain, its old houses painted in pink and red melt with the tortured landscape of Guadalaviar valley. An impressive castle makes the rest. <BR> <BR>Another place I found really beautiful but at the same time not crowded with tourists is Azores Archipelago ( Portugal ). <BR> <BR>The third spot would be Iceland. Such magnificent landscapes and far fewer people than you could expect seeing that.

I know a few nice places in the Western US wilderness. But if I told you were they were I'd have to kill you.

My answer: the Basilicata (also known as Lucania) region of southern Italy. Here's what you'll find there: Beautiful, rugged scenery; complex, culturally varied, interesting history; kind, hospitable, unjaded people; ancient folkways, pageantry, manners, and lifestyle still practiced in many parts; delicious, simple, robustly flavored cooking of wholesome natural food; in many parts (other than relatively famous places like Matera and Maratea), zero foreign tourists (except for you if you're fortunate enough to go there). <BR> <BR>P.S. Contrary to my usual practice, I'm posting my e-mail address, because I'd be glad to answer questions from anyone who might consider going to Lucania (Basilicata). I just returned from an 11-day tour of the region organized by a woman in New York, followed by a 4-day visit on my own to the small town of Accettura (birthplace of one of my grandparents), where I watched various phases "Il Maggio", also known as "La Festa di Sangiulino", a fascinating multi-day festa of ancient pagan origins centering around the "marriage" of two trees, one of which is carried for hours from the forest into town by 50 pairs of oxen, accompanied by folk musicians and people of all ages and walks of life from the town and surrounding countryside. (These days, this pagan festival is strangely combined with a more traditional patron saint celebration, which takes place on the 50th day after Easter.) I'd recommend both the organized tour of Basilicata and the independent visit to Accettura during the week of the Sangiuliano festa.