AFAR Search

From Tourist Hot Spots to Less-Visited Wonders, Here’s How to Enjoy Iceland Without Fighting the Crowds

Walk through lava fields, see towering waterfalls, and dine on Nordic cuisine while avoiding the throngs of tourists in the Land of Fire and Ice.

September 11, 2025 12:08 PM

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Ali Wunderman

Aerial view of Beaches of Placencia in the Stann Creek District of southern Belize

Destination Spotlight

The Right Crowd-Free Beach for Every Month of the Year

Want a better beach trip? Go when everyone else isn’t. These destinations shine in the shoulder season.

October 7, 2025 10:31 AM

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Becca Blond

June 24, 2018. Xilitla, San Luis Potosí Mexico. Panoramic view of the Pools (Las Pozas) a surrealistic garden (Jardín surrealista) located in the subtropical rain forest of the Sierra Madre mountains.

Off The Tourist Trail

7 Ways to Escape the Crowds in Mexico

Here’s how to craft an offbeat adventure a little more removed from the typical places.

January 31, 2025 04:48 PM

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Meagan Drillinger

Waterfall in Iceland on a green mossy hillside

Travel Tips + Etiquette

Travel Editors Are Using Reddit to Plan Their Trips—Here’s Why You Should Too

Instagram is overrun by influencers and Yelp has its limits, but Reddit is filled with travel know-it-alls who’d love to help plan your next trip.

May 17, 2024 10:46 AM

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Lyndsey Matthews

Cities We Love

When to Travel to Mexico for the Best Possible Trip

There’s always something to do in Mexico—no matter what time of year you go.

January 22, 2025 02:26 PM

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Meagan Drillinger

National Parks

7 Underrated Utah Parks and Monuments for Avoiding the Crowds

There is plenty of natural beauty to be found outside Utah’s “Mighty 5” national parks, and most visitors miss it.

September 17, 2023 10:26 AM

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Erin Van Rheenen

Palm Springs, California - March 2018: Residential Desert Architecture

Off The Tourist Trail

Escape Crowds in Palm Springs With This Tucked-Away Bar, Oasis Hike, and Joshua Tree-Adjacent Adventures

These expert-found activities will show you the kitschy, authentic side of Palm Springs.

January 9, 2026 02:51 PM

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Joey Skladany

Wildebeest in Liuwa Plain National Park's honey-colored plains in Zambia

Hotels

The Great Migration in Africa You Haven’t Heard of Yet

In Zambia’s remote Liuwa Plain, tens of thousands of wildebeest sweep across restored grasslands—an epic migration you can still witness without the crowds.

September 10, 2025 11:38 AM

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Mazuba Kapambwe

Rocky hill with some trees, turquoise water with white rock jetty, buildings with orange roofs, and some boats

Where to Travel Next

Where to Avoid the Summer Travel Crowds in France

For surfing, stargazing, and slurping oysters, this is where to go in France on your summer vacation.

June 24, 2025 12:35 PM

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Sophie Friedman

Illustration of a blue station wagon with two dark skinned people in the front seats and two suitcases on the roof rack.

Travel Tips + Etiquette

TSA and AAA’s Tips on How to Handle Thanksgiving Travel

If you’re traveling for Thanksgiving, you’re not alone—so are more than 55 million other people. Here’s what to know before heading out.

October 25, 2024 12:08 PM

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Michelle Baran

The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree entices tourists and locals when it

Holiday Travel

A Guide to Surviving—and Enjoying—Holiday Travel This Year

The holidays are a wonderful time of year to travel—if you have the intel you need to do so stress-free. Follow these expert tips, insights, and ideas to hold onto the joy of the season.

October 28, 2024 08:30 AM

Beaches

10 Beautiful Beaches in the British Virgin Islands to Visit on Your Next Trip

Whether you’re looking to sunbathe, snorkel, or sip a tropical cocktail or two, the BVI has the perfect beach for you.

September 14, 2023 08:05 AM

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Terry Ward

Winter cityscape of Florence with Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore on the background, as seen from Piazzale Michelangelo. Italy.

Where to Travel Next

The Beauty of Traveling in Tuscany During the Off Season

One Rome-based journalist who has visited the Italian region in every season offers tips for those visiting.

September 26, 2024 08:15 AM

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Laura Itzkowitz

The Eiffel Tower is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world.

Travel Tips + Etiquette

Tips for Visiting the Eiffel Tower Without the Crowds

Nearly 7 million people visit the Paris monument every year. Here’s how to avoid them.

May 12, 2023 03:35 PM

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Billie Cohen

Retro Charm Lives on at These Independent U.S. Ski Resorts

Winter Sports

Where to Ski in the U.S. for Fewer Crowds, Lower Prices, and Local Charm

From Maine to California, these 6 independently owned ski resorts are low on crowds, high on retro charm.

January 14, 2026 02:44 AM

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Anna Fiorentino

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