The Amalfi coast (Costiera Amalfitana), overlooking the brilliant turquoise blues of the Tyrrhenian sea from the vantage point of the hill-tiered, perfumed-lemon-groves-dotted Sorrento peninsula, has become famous the world over for its dramatic landscape. While great for the local tourism industry, this immense popularity has lead to thongs of tourists that make solitude a thing of the past. And of course everyone congregates along the tight coastal strip to take in the beauty of the unique coastline. However, do not despair – if you’re up for a bit of walking it is still possible to have it all to yourself, so to speak.
Early spring lake-side beaching
If you happen to be Germany in early spring, and crave a bit of sun, it’s slim pickings – the shores of the North Sea don’t really provide sunny beaches until the summer. However, if you head (quite) further south, Germany offers plenty of lake-side beaches as early as April.
Hiking over the German-Austrian border in the Alps (easier than you may think)
Deep in the south of Germany, close to the highest point in the country, Zugspitze, you can cross the border with Austria on foot. In fact you can walk over the border from the German state of Bavaria into Austrian Tyrol as many times as you wish. (Just don’t forget to switch your mobile data off as needed – if you’re using a German SIM card you’ll be roaming as soon as you cross the border.)