Fully booked hotspots, crowded beaches, and endless selfie spots? For summer 2026, we invite you to look for the opposite: places where you can truly exhale. Where nature is an experience — and luxury is found in quiet.
The desire for slower travel continues to grow. More and more people are seeking destinations without mass tourism, places that don’t appear on every bucket list — and precisely because of that, feel special. For those still searching for a hidden gem for summer 2026, we present eight remarkable places set far from the crowds — and all the more unforgettable because of it.
Forest Retreats – Where Design Meets Nature
Light filters through leaves, paths soften underfoot, and architecture becomes secondary to the landscape around it. Forest retreats offer immersion — places where contemporary design coexists with trees, water, and open sky. Mornings begin with birdsong instead of traffic, evenings with the scent of wood and earth. Here, luxury is measured in privacy, fresh air, and the quiet awareness of being surrounded by living nature.
Loire Valley Lodges, France
Hidden in a private forest about one hour from Tours, 18 stilted lodges rise above the woodland floor — each designed by a different contemporary artist. You’re not simply staying in nature, but within a poetic Gesamtkunstwerk. Breakfast is served on your terrace, surrounded by treetops.
Luz Charming Houses, Portugal
Just minutes from the center of the pilgrimage site of Fátima, yet tucked between trees and natural stone walls, Luz Charming Houses feels quietly removed. Among redwashed houses, olive trees, herbs, and shaded corners, the atmosphere balances grounding and lightness — close to the spiritual center, yet distinctly shielded from the crowds.
Alpine Hideaways – Retreats in the Mountains
Whether in the quiet volcanic landscape of the Auvergne, the Bavarian foothills of the Alps, the hills of Andalusia, or the green mountains of Asturias, the focus here is on stillness and nature. A morning swim in a clear lake or a hike through cool forests, afternoons spent in shaded spots with far-reaching views. Luxury lies in reduction — and in the certainty that you’ve found a place not everyone knows about.
instants d’Absolu – Ecolodge & Spa, France
Set on a high plateau in the Auvergne, directly on the shore of a quiet volcanic lake, this ecolodge feels elemental. Wood, linen, open space. In the spa, your view stretches across green meadows instead of calendar appointments. Those drawn to nature and French minimalism may find it difficult to leave.
Alpenloge, Allgäu Germany
A former schoolhouse has been transformed into one of the most charming stays in the Allgäu: eight suites, each individually designed, a kitchen focused on regional and seasonal ingredients — and nature in every direction. Ideal for those seeking quiet without giving up on style.
La Donaira, Andalusia Spain
Set on a 700-hectare estate in the hills above Ronda, La Donaira is a rigorously organic country retreat where agriculture, architecture, and hospitality intersect. The historic cortijo has been carefully restored; clay walls, natural textiles, and handcrafted furniture define the rooms.
At its core is a biodynamic farm: its own horse breeding, vegetable gardens, olive groves, and vineyards. The kitchen works with what the land provides, and the spa incorporates natural materials and wide views across the Andalusian landscape.
Solo Palacio, Asturias Spain
In Asturias, surrounded by meadows, forests, and the foothills of the Cantabrian Mountains, Solo Palacio stands as a 17th-century manor house thoughtfully converted into a small hotel. Historic stone walls and high ceilings meet restrained interiors and clean lines.
The property feels secluded yet remains well connected to hiking trails, river valleys, and Somiedo Natural Park. The region is known for its unspoiled landscapes, cattle grazing on lush pastures, and a cuisine deeply rooted in terroir.
