This beautiful region of Europe is totally underestimated, locals go there to escape the tourists and have a great vacation

It's cooler there and the landscapes are varied… Everything to appeal to the locals who find far fewer tourists there.

France, Italy, Spain… Here are the top three in Europe for a great vacation according to (too) many tourists. Spain has conquered the hearts of French holidaymakers but also British and Germans in particular. There are several tens of millions of them. cross the border every year, whether in summer or summer. but also in winter to find sun, reasonable prices and long sandy beaches. Overtourism lurks, to the point that the authorities have taken some measures, for example in the Balearic Islands, to try to limit this incessant flow.

And the Spaniards themselves, where are they leaving? Not necessarily in the same place. The Exceltur association, which brings together many tourism professionals in Spain including hotels, travel agencies, reservation centers and transport companies, has published its latest statistics. According to her, hotels on the very touristy Costa del Sol on the Mediterranean coast have recorded growth in sales. a drop of almost 10% in the number of Spanish visitors this year.

Where are they going? The Spaniards have obviously opted for this. for another region, more or north and less touristy, the Basque Country and Galicia, two booming regions. Experts suggest that this trend could be linked to climate change , causing heat waves in southern Spain, particularly the last two summers. In summer, the north of the country is traditionally much cooler. But this is not the only argument since Galicia offers many advantages: the beaches are wide and varied and the cleanliness is excellent. water is recognized there. The temperature is a little cooler there since it is the Atlantic coast but the climate is more pleasant in midsummer. Galicia is often referred to as the Spanish Brittany by the variety of of its landscapes and its rich culture.

The city of Vigo also wins many votes like the archipelago of the Cies Islands, near Pontevreda. It offers superb beaches, beautiful hiking trails and the Spanish appreciate the relative tranquility compared to the most touristy places in their country. Hiking enthusiasts can also walk there on pilgrimage routes including the famous Camino de Santiago leading to Santiago de Compostela. Will it be the same in 2024? Spanish travelers have obviously made Galicia their secret paradise…