An increasing number of travelers prioritize authenticity, tranquility, and places away not only from the crowds, but also from their own compatriots: in fact, 73% say they want to visit a place where none of their friends, family, or social media followers have been before — a figure that rises to 81% among Gen Z and post-millennials, according to a poll conducted by Skyscanner.
This desire for less crowded places goes hand in hand with a growing curiosity for new and little-known destinations: more than half of Italians (64%) would choose to visit an alternative destination this summer. Of the sample, 46% would prefer to spend their holidays in a quieter and less crowded place, while 36% say they plan to travel outside of peak season to avoid the crowds.
At the same time, cost is also a key factor: 23% of Italian travellers cite avoiding overspending as a main goal when planning their summer holiday. In this context, choosing alternative destinations and off the traditional itineraries can be the ideal solution to save money.
"We are seeing a very clear change in the travel habits of Italians: there is a growing desire for authenticity, tranquility and discovery," comments Stefano Maglietta, Trend Expert at Skyscanner. "People are no longer just looking for a postcard destination, but a place where they can really feel like they are in another environment — away from the crowds and also the family atmosphere of crowded places. Travel is becoming more personal, smoother and meaningful." To meet this need, Skyscanner has drawn up a list of the 10 destinations that are less known and less visited by Italians in 2026 — a guide for those who want to discover authentic places, far from mass tourism and, why not, even from their compatriots:
Maastricht, the Netherlands,
Belém, Brazil
Sainte-Marie, Madagascar,
Kiruna, Sweden
, Macau, China
Kastellorizo, Greece
Santa Cruz das Flores, Portugal
Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
Brno, Upper Czech Republic
, Norway
