Where to go to avoid summer hotspots in Europe?

Jack Ezon, founder of travel company EMBARK Beyond, says he's advising clients looking to travel to Europe this summer to think differently. Here are some of the destinations Europeans are looking to visit.

The number of American visitors to Europe this summer is expected to surpass last year's figure by 55%, according to analysis by travel insurance provider Allianz Partners.

CNN Travel reached out to travel agents, experts and other locals in European countries to find out where they're heading to avoid the crowds...

North Jutland, Denmark

Known as “Cold Hawaii”, North Jutland is a region west of Aalborg, along the northwestern coast of Denmark, attracting many tourists for its sandy beaches.

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Scene in Jutland, Denmark. (Source: Visit Denmark)

“In the 90s, Danish surfers started settling in the area,” says Mads Østergaard of Visit Denmark .

Today, top entrepreneurs, artists and chefs are also abandoning big cities to enjoy the slow-paced lifestyle of traditional fishing villages here."

St. Moritz, Switzerland

Less than a two-hour drive from Italy's famous Lake Como, St. Moritz is a luxurious mountain town in Switzerland's Engadin valley, a quiet destination.

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St. Moritz, Switzerland. (Source: Vogue)

“St. Moritz often attracts celebrities in the winter,” says Jack Ezon. “But in the summer, instead of skiing in the Alps, you can kayak, swim and windsurf on the beautiful turquoise lake.

In addition, visitors can also enjoy many other activities such as white water rafting, hiking and mountain biking".

Camargue, France

In the south of France, international tourists often head to the Côte d'Azur, famous for its yacht-filled beaches and famous towns like St.Tropez, Nice and Cannes. However, the region also has a great location like the Camargue.

Camargue, France. (Source: Midi Libre)

The Camargue is not crowded and has very long beaches. So you can be completely alone by the sea, even in the peak summer months.

Alentejo, Portugal

When Arlindo Serrão, founder of diving company Portugal Dive , wanted to relax on the Portuguese coast, away from the tourist crowds in the cities, he left Lisbon for a special stretch of coastline in the Alentejo region.

“Everyone calls Alentejo the best-kept secret in Europe, but I don't know how much longer it can keep it,” he said.

Alentejo, Portugal. (Source: Portugal.com)

Alentejo has long beaches and great seafood without the crowds of the more popular Algarve destinations. It is also famous for its wine and unique hiking trails.

Montenegro

“Montenegro is less well known than Croatia, but it is easily accessible. It has stunning coastlines, rugged mountains and clear emerald waters,” says Dolev Azaria, founder of New York-based Azaria Travel.

Scenery in Montenegro. (Source: Migola Travel)

It takes just two hours to drive from Dubrovnik to Kotor in Montenegro. The seaside town sits at the end of a gorge, where you can swim in stunning emerald waters.

“The site evokes the gorges of Norway and Lake Como as visitors pass through towns, medieval fortresses, stone churches and small fishing villages,” says Dolev Azaria.

Aeolian Islands, Sicily, Italy

The Aeolian Islands consist of seven main islands, arranged like a string of pearls on the green waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the northern coast of Sicily.

During Italy's sweltering summer, Aeolians is far from deserted, but its remoteness means it doesn't get the same influx of American tourists as elsewhere.

Aeolian Islands. (Source: iStock)

Here, the islands of Filicudi and Alicudi offer the most remote and rustic experience (Alicudi has no cars, only donkeys to transport luggage). Plus, Mount Etna is one of Sicily's most beautiful and underexplored landscapes.

Senja, Norway

Senja is Norway's second largest island (besides Svalbard) but is rarely visited by tourists.

Senja, Norway. (Source: Happyroad)

In Senja, visitors can experience fishing at fishing villages like Mefjordvær located along the west coast.

On this island, visitors can rent a water cabin, enjoy a traditional cod meal or book a sauna session.

Zadar Archipelago, Croatia

The coast and islands around Zadar in Croatia offer a completely different experience to the more touristy southern destinations of Split, Dubrovnik and the island of Hvar, suggests Alan Mandic from Croatian travel company Secret Dalmatia.

Zadar Islands, Croatia. (Source: Toplist.vn)

Zadar has a beautiful beach that is almost like the beaches in the Caribbean. Visitors can stay in a lighthouse on the northwest side of the large island of Dugi Otok.

“Those are the places we go when we want to avoid crowds,” Alan Mandic said.

Pelion Peninsula, Greece

Andria Mitsakos, founder of lifestyle brand Anthologist , says she often visits the Pelion peninsula in eastern Greece in search of a quiet vacation.

Pelion Peninsula, Greece. (Source: The planets World)

A lush peninsula with dense forests and the Pagasetic Gulf surrounding the west coast, with coastal villages and fresh seafood everywhere.

In Pelion, Mylopotamos and Fakistra are must-sees, hidden in natural bays like turquoise gems under the shining sun.

Albanian Coast

Coast of Albania. (Source: luhanhvietnam)

Albania - a country on the Balkan peninsula, is a little-known place.

“Croatians and Europeans are discovering the Albanian coast,” says Alan Mandic of Secret Dalmatia, a travel agency in Croatia . “It’s great for its good food, affordable prices, hospitality, beaches and beautiful nature.”

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