The Destinations Worth Knowing Before Everyone Else Does
The most rewarding luxury travel rarely happens at the destination everyone already knows.
Instead of Capri, Ischia
Capri has become a victim of its own reputation. Ischia, the other island off the coast of Naples, offers the same Mediterranean drama without the crowds, alongside thermal hot springs that Capri cannot match. The pace here is unmistakably local. The Mezzatorre is the property to know.
Instead of Monaco, Tivat
Monaco’s yacht culture and glamour come at a price that has become almost self-parodic. Tivat, a small coastal town in Montenegro, has spent the last decade building exactly the same marina culture and the same waterfront sophistication at a fraction of the cost. The yachts are getting larger every season. The prices have not yet caught up.
Instead of the Swiss Alps, Lake Bled, Slovenia
Lake Bled delivers the fairytale alpine scenery the Swiss Alps are known for, complete with a castle perched above the water, a serious wellness culture and outdoor pursuits that rival anything in Switzerland. It remains, for now, considerably quieter.
Instead of Koh Yao Noi, El Nido, Philippines
The White Lotus brought sudden fame to Thailand’s quietest islands. El Nido in the Philippines offers the same dramatic limestone cliffs and the same impossibly clear water, with far less attention. For now.
Instead of Santorini, Crete
Santorini’s whitewashed cliffs and sunset crowds have made it a victim of its own postcard reputation. Crete offers a similar visual drama and a serious collection of adults-only luxury resorts, without the high season crush. The villages and hidden coves reward those who actually have time to find them.
The challenge with discovering a destination before everyone else does is that eventually everyone else arrives. The travellers who consistently find these places are rarely searching for the next trend. They are simply looking for the same qualities they have always valued: space, authenticity, service and the feeling of having arrived slightly ahead of the crowd.