I’ll just come right out and say it: the travel world is feeling a little chaotic in 2026. Every time I open social media, someone is elbowing their way through a massive crowd in Rome or dodging overtourism protests in Spain. On top of that, scrolling through global news can make anyone want to just …

We have all seen the exact same viral photos of overcrowded European plazas and shoulder-to-shoulder resort towns. If you are starting to feel a little burnt out by the standard tourist trail, you are definitely not alone.