Chris Tharp

While the ills of overtourism have been dominating the headlines in recent years, there are still plenty of destinations where you're guaranteed to escape the crowds. For a perfect example of this, look no further than Mongolia, the large, landlocked Asian nation that offers sweeping vistas, untouched nature, and nomadic locals known for their indomitable spirit and warm hospitality.

While North America has some terrific long-distance wilderness hikes such as the Pacific Crest and Appalachian Trails, Europe's Camino de Santiago is the king of the world's great walks. Known as the "Way of St. James" in English, this network of ancient paths winds across the Iberian Peninsula before converging in the town of Compostela in Spain's northwestern Galicia region. While it's a religious pilgrimage embraced by true believers, in the 20th century, the Camino also started attracted people seeking a taste of history and adventure, as well as those just wishing to challenge themselves.

With its wide boulevards, cool cafes, vibrant arts scene, and intoxicating architecture, Buenos Aires has long held a special place in the imagination of travelers. Argentina's comely capital, sometimes affectionately called "the Europe of South America," is home to about 3 million people and is famous for its rich cuisine, gardens, parks, and laid-back metropolitan vibes. This has long made it a magnet for tourists, which in turn has also drawn a more unsavory element: pickpockets.

Stretching for 43 miles among the rugged mountains of northern Idaho's panhandle, Lake Pend Oreille is the state's largest body of water and a hot destination for those seeking outdoor bliss. With depths of up to 1,158 feet, it's the deepest lake in Idaho and the fifth-deepest in the U.S., carved out from glaciers and floods during the Ice Ages.

While Texas' scenic Hill Country has no shortage of quaint old burgs, the tiny settlement of Luckenbach holds a special place in the collective imagination. Situated near the popular wine trail hub of Fredericksburg, this unincorporated community is today a smattering of old clapboard buildings on a sweeping dirt lot. It more closely resembles a ghost town than a cultural wellspring. It was, however, made famous through the 1977 Waylon Jennings song, "Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)."