5 Last-Minute Getaways for Summer

After two long years of closed down borders and restrictions, travel is coming back with a vengeance in summer of 2022 but with one important catch. Even though the number of tourists has bounced back, airlines and hotels haven't always been able to keep up. Travelers trying to make plans for some of the most sought-after destinations, such as Italy, are finding limited flight options and fully booked accommodations.

If you were dreaming of making a last-minute trip through the Italian countryside or to some other in-demand destination, don't fret. The Origin travel team has compiled a list of the five countries they recommend for a phenomenal holiday that isn't totally overbooked. Don't think of it as your plan B; as often is the case in travel planning, spontaneity is rewarded with unexpected surprises.

If sipping on wine surrounded by rolling hills of vineyards sounds like your kind of vacation, look no further than the Douro Valley of northern Portugal. The namesake river weaves through the mountains, making this not only one of Europe's best wine regions but also one of its most picturesque.

Sweet Port wine is the most well-known beverage from the area, but it's hardly the only wine produced in the Douro Valley. You'll be able to try plenty of reds, whites, and the lightly effervescent vinho verde—perfectly refreshing on a summer afternoon. With dozens of family-owned wineries throughout the region, you'll never be wanting for choices of where to go next.

Summertime in the mountains means cooler temperatures, hiking to panoramic viewpoints, and flowing rivers for taking a dip, and you'd be hard-pressed to find somewhere more breathtaking than Western Norway. The area around Vestland County is a natural wonderland, with summer activities ranging from leisurely trails to paragliding between mountain summits.

But Western Norway isn't just known for its peaks, as the coastline is jaggedly carved with some of the most striking fjords in all of Scandinavia. If you are visiting in the summer, you can't skip the chance to experience the fjords from the water. There are plenty of cruise options, but gliding between the cliffs in your own kayak is almost spiritual.

Get big city vibes but without high season crowds and scorching temperatures in Rio de Janeiro. The months of June, July, and August are the middle of winter in the Southern Hemisphere, but it never truly gets cold thanks to Brazil's tropical climate and winter is also the dry season, so even laying out on the beach can be a part of your plan.

To enjoy the best of Rio's cosmopolitan side, head to the central Lapa neighborhood. It's not only filled with the city's trendiest bars and restaurants, but you'll literally hear the rhythm of the city as samba music spills onto the streets. You'll also find all of Rio's biggest attractions concentrated around Lapa, including an aqueduct that looks as if it was transported from Ancient Rome (albeit much younger).

The Costa del Sol of southern Spain sets a high expectation with a name that translates to "Sunshine Coast," although with about 320 days of sunny weather a year, it fits. You could stay in one of the big cities like Málaga or Marbella, but the idyllic coastal towns with their white-washed houses overlooking the Mediterranean Sea look like something from a dream.

For travelers who crave the quintessential summer getaway—laying out in the sun, beaches that feel like bathwater, and nights warm enough to wear shorts and a T-shirt—the Costa del Sol is the place for you. This is Andalucía after all, and there is nothing more andaluz than sitting on the beach with an ice-cold beer and a paper cone filled with freshly fried seafood.

The stories of Greek mythology are tangible on Crete, where you can walk through the cave where Zeus was born or visit the ruins that housed the legendary Minotaur. Every beach is somehow more breathtaking than the last on over 600 miles of Mediterranean coastline, but move inland and it becomes dramatic mountains and gorges.

The food on Crete is both Greek and uniquely Cretan, with local cuisine that focuses on sustainability and ingredients that travel yards, not miles. Fresh seafood is a given on Greece's largest island, but it's also a major producer of organic wines and some of the highest quality olive oils. It seems like each town has its own signature cheese, so a tour to try as many of them as possible may be in order.

Chat with an Origin travel curator today to get personalized recommendations for your summer getaway. You may just be surprised by somewhere you hadn't even considered.