By Ann Abel

Near the eastern edge of Portugal’s Algarve coast, there’s a yellow pyramid-shaped hotel that’s enormous enough to see from Tavira, more than 12 miles away. You can also see it from Spain, and although you can’t see it from space, the thought did cross my mind. Not in a good way.

It’s far from the only behemoth in the region, but there are also still some pockets that haven’t been developed so aggressively. And within those pockets, there are some sweet, soulful little hotels that are ideal for people who want to stay away from the crowds. (Also ideal for avoiding crowds: going in September or October, when the weather is still lovely—or lovelier, since there’s less likely to be heat wave—and most of the tourists have gone home.) Consider these places the antidotes to overtourism, and a cure for the common … continue reading

Ann Abel is a travel writer and editor and was a senior editor at ForbesLife. She writes for Forbes, Departures, Conde Nast Traveller, Robb Report, Afar, National Geographic Traveler, Islands, Hemispheres, Brides, Modern Bride, Well + Good NYC, and other print and online publications.”In the name of lifestyle journalism, ” she says, ” I’ve gotten a tattoo in Bora Bora, been bitten by a massage therapist, and flown small aircraft above three continents.” She lives in Lisbon.