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Italy may be breaking all tourism records, but there are still beautiful hidden gems waiting to be discovered.
Wherever you go, locals seem to have their favorite getaway and this is certainly no different for one of Europe’s most iconic countries.
As hordes of travelers visit Venice, Rome and the Amalfi Coast, avoid being basic by giving a hidden gem on the coast that no one ever talks about a try.
Locals are in on the secret of this clifftop paradise that oozes fascinating historic charm and picture-perfect blue waters along white-sand beaches.
Sold yet? That’s certainly better than the hustle and bustle of Rome and the ‘Karens’ of Venice, who don’t even want you there.
Tucked away on the east coast of Calabria lies the breathtaking coastal town by Tropeaa lesser-known destination that should be high on travelers’ wish lists for the ultimate European beach vacation.
Where the locals go for sun and sand
Italians are rightly given license to be a little snobbish about beaches, considering how phenomenal they are in their country.
In other words, they know a great beach when they see one. Tropea does not disappoint and competes with many of its Mediterranean counterparts.
No, it’s not an island getaway like Santorini, but if you’re looking for perhaps the best alternative to the Amalfi Coast, Tropea is the place to be.
The beaches here attract a lot of people, but cannot be compared to other major destinations. It may sometimes seem busier simply because of its small size.
The reality is that Tropea remains relatively unknown, even to fellow Europeans. We all know that Brits love to leave London in search of epic beach holidays, but even fun-loving Brits haven’t seen the majesty of Tropea yet…
As travel around the world has reached new heights, hidden gems are becoming less and less common, so there may be no better time to plan your summer vacation with the locals.
Where history meets paradise
Tropea is a rare place where history meets paradise. Sure, Europe is home to countless historic cities, but not often are they surrounded by breathtaking, beautiful landscapes.
I mean, can you imagine if Rome was a beach destination? The crowd would be crazy!
That does not mean that Tropea is as important as Rome. It’s not, and there’s certainly no clifftop Colosseum to visit.
What tourists will find are other cool places that are well worth a visit and just as eye-catching for the gram.
It’s impossible to ignore the stunning, elevated views of Tropea, but they’re even more magical from a centuries-old church.
Besides the enchanting blue water, this is the main attraction Santa Maria dell’Isolalocated on top of a rock along the sea.
Best of all, it is free to enter, unless you want to enter the gardens. If that’s the case, expect to spend more than a few dollars.
The storybook city you’ve always dreamed of visiting
What is so attractive about Italy?
Well, that’s impossible to answer because it has such a wide appeal to all types of travelers: honeymooners, solo travelers, budget travelers, history buffs, and even digital nomads with their newly implemented visas.
However, chances are you have an image in the back of your mind of what you thought Italy would look like, and to be honest, it’s not busy streets full of selfie-takers outside the Pantheon.
In a perfect world, we’d all love to get to know the details of Italy’s charming storybook towns, and Tropea is the place.
The city center is to die for, lined with quaint cobbled streets filled with the scent of hearty Italian cuisine permeating the air.
Not to mention all the lovely terraces for a cup of cappuccino and fun places to stay, intertwined with a mix of mom-and-pop style inns, cozy boutique hotels and luxury waterfront resorts.
For now, Tropea has everything but crazy crowds, so do yourself a favor and take advantage of it while you can, because Italy is one of the most popular destinations in the world heading into summer.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
