As we method the summer time journey season, many individuals will quickly be jetting off to iconic locations like Rome, Paris, Tokyo and New York Metropolis.

These cities are common for a purpose ― they’re filled with enjoyable sights, scrumptious meals and picturesque websites. However guests to such scorching spots also can anticipate huge crowds and peak costs.

There may be, nonetheless, one other option to discover thrilling locations with out these drawbacks. It’s known as “second metropolis” journey. However what precisely is it and the way do you are taking full benefit of this sort of journey? Under, journey specialists break it down.

“Second-city journey means skipping the preferred metropolis or area in an space and visiting the second-, third-, or fourth- (and so forth) most-known spots,” mentioned Phil Dengler, co-founder of The Vacationer. “Finally, you might be avoiding the standard and identified vacationer locations which are usually overcrowded. As a substitute of visiting Miami, you can go to Fort Lauderdale or Palm Seashore.”

Though the literal that means of the time period refers to a rustic’s second most well-known or populous metropolis, it has certainly expanded to refer extra usually to lesser-known locations. Over time, some have additionally interpreted “second metropolis” journey to imply tacking on one in all these much less common locations to a visit constructed round a traditional spot like Rome.

“Typically it’s the smaller, lesser identified metropolis in a area,” mentioned Laura Lindsay, a journey traits and locations knowledgeable at Skyscanner. “For instance, in Southern California, San Diego could be thought-about a ‘second metropolis’ and Los Angeles a main metropolis and on the East Coast, Boston could be the ‘second metropolis’ and New York Metropolis the first metropolis.”

“Second cities” won’t be the obvious selections for vacationers, however these extra under-the-radar locations can nonetheless provide sufficient sights, meals and cultural experiences to make for an exquisite trip.

“Second cities usually have fewer crowds, are cheaper, and provide a extra genuine expertise,” Dengler mentioned. “Whereas locations like New York Metropolis have a ton to supply, they will usually really feel hole and inauthentic with vacationer sights at each nook.”

Along with the affordability and better sense of calm, second cities also can present a particular attraction and extra distinctive journey expertise.

“The principle advantage of second metropolis journey is discovering hidden gems and off-the-beaten path places,” mentioned Ravi Roth, a journey knowledgeable and host of “The Gaycation Journey Present.” “I not too long ago traveled to Italy and Venice, and took an hour prepare experience to Verona, which provides unbelievable meals, landmarks and hidden gems. The most effective half was that it wasn’t overly populated.”

Visiting a vacation spot that isn’t overrun with vacationers permits vacationers to higher work together with the neighborhood that lives there.

“These journeys can present alternatives to attach with locals and turn out to be immersed within the tradition, which results in a deeper understanding of the town,” mentioned Gordon Gurnik, chief working officer at Hilton Grand Holidays.

Drawing from Skyscanner information, Lindsay famous that smaller island or coastal locations like Crete, Mallorca and Cancun are engaging choices for vacationers trying to go to Greece, Spain or Mexico.

“Understated second cities undoubtedly don’t stand within the shadows of their extra showy neighbors,” she mentioned. “Typically filled with native aptitude, wonderful meals, nice worth and a extra laid-back tempo, second cities are to not be missed.”

On this period of overtourism, turning to second metropolis journeys additionally assist mitigate the destructive impression that the journey trade can have on the surroundings.

“We have now seen an increase in individuals searching for methods to make tourism extra sustainable,” mentioned journey blogger Rocky Trifari. “The second cities development helps scale back the heavy burden on essentially the most incessantly visited cities whereas opening up the likelihood for vacationers to stroll a path (barely) much less traveled!”

“When planning a second metropolis journey, I like to recommend researching essentially the most populous locations inside driving distance of the highest one,” Dengler suggested. “Doing that betters your odds of with the ability to fly into a global airport, which are sometimes cheaper and have higher routes than regional ones.”

Certainly, a downside of second cities is that they generally require a dearer or inconvenient mixture of planes, trains and vehicles to get there. Be aware of transportation choices as you select a vacation spot.

“The most important con to second metropolis journey is that the preferred metropolis is the preferred for a purpose,” added journey blogger Sean Lau. “Chances are high, you may miss among the most iconic landmarks and sights of a vacation spot by going to the ‘second metropolis’ as an alternative.”

However even in case you aren’t seeing a rustic or state’s traditional websites, you may nonetheless have a satisfying and thrilling expertise in your second metropolis of selection.

“Decide a spot that has sufficient issues so that you can do and think about reserving a room at a smaller boutique resort or mattress and breakfast,” Dengler mentioned.

Wherever you determine to go, make certain to do your analysis forward of time.

“‘Second cities’ are typically not as developed because the ‘primary’ metropolis, particularly if you’re not in a really developed nation,” Lau famous. “This may imply you’ll must lease your individual automobile to get round, or this may imply that you must keep away from sure neighborhoods as a result of they’re probably harmful. And if you’re visiting a international nation the place English will not be frequent, the ‘second metropolis’ may require you to know slightly little bit of the native language.”