The Mediterranean Without the Crowds | Lonely Planet

Fishing boats in the Old Port area ( Vieux Port ), Marseille

Even before the Romans laid claim to Mare Nostrum (‘our sea’), the eyes of the world have looked greedily at the Mediterranean in summer and swooned. This bluest of blue seas, a beautiful picture in a perfect frame, is irresistible once the sun comes out.

However, it can also seem like half of Europe has decided to join you on a summer tour of the Med making travel sweaty hard work, albeit with sensational rewards on offer for those who perservere. Fancy a crack at it this summer? Here’s how to uncover some more unusual parts of the European coast:

– Tom Hall, Lonely Planet Author