Why We Send Clients to the Quieter Alternative
Every well-known destination has a quieter version of itself nearby, and more of our clients are choosing it on purpose. Not as a compromise, but because it still has the atmosphere they're after. Here are four alternatives we find ourselves recommending more and more.
Milos Instead of Santorini
Santorini's appeal is obvious, but so are its crowds. Milos, a short ferry ride away, has the same volcanic drama, the same whitewashed Cycladic character, and considerably fewer people competing for the same sunset. It suits travellers who want the Greek island experience without the cruise-ship schedule dictating their afternoon. The infrastructure is a little less polished than Santorini, which is part of the point.
Milos
Takayama Instead of Kyoto
Kyoto's temples are extraordinary and, by mid-morning, extremely busy. Takayama gives you old-world Japan at a fraction of the volume. The Sanmachi quarter is lined with well-preserved Edo-era sake breweries that still hang cedar balls above their doors to mark the season's new brew, and most will pour you a tasting if you ask. The town also works well as a base for the thatched farmhouses of Shirakawa-go and the open-air onsen of Okuhida. If your dates allow it, the Takayama Matsuri in mid-April or early October is worth building a trip around.
Takayama
Sumba Instead of Bali
For clients who love Bali but feel they've done it, Sumba is the obvious next step east. The island has a living ancestral culture, a serious left-hand surf break, and almost none of the infrastructure that makes Bali feel increasingly familiar. NIHI Sumba sits above a stretch of coast with very little else on it, and is consistently one of the most talked-about resorts in this part of the world. It suits travellers who want Indonesia with the volume turned down rather than up.
NIHI Sumba
Koh Kood Instead of Phuket
Koh Kood is one of the last large Thai islands without a nightlife strip or any real traffic. What it has instead is empty bays, jungle and the Khlong Chao waterfall, worth a visit for a change from the beach. The lack of infrastructure is the point rather than a drawback. Go between November and April when the sea is calm, and build in a snorkelling trip out to Koh Rang National Marine Park while you're there.
The Right Alternative for the Right Traveller
None of these are consolation prizes. Each has its own character, and in most cases that character is the real reason our clients choose them. The better availability and calmer pace are simply what make it easier to enjoy.