As crowds swell across popular European destinations, emerging Mediterranean locations are offering a quieter alternative for travellers willing to plan smart - and they don’t have to miss out on mobile connectivity while there thanks to providers like Yesim.
Europe remains a bucket-list destination for many New Zealanders, but some of the continent’s most iconic locations are now grappling with the pressures of overtourism.
Greece’s Santorini, famed for its whitewashed buildings and caldera views, now attracts more than 3.5 million visitors a year despite being home to only 15,000 residents.
In peak season, long queues, crowded viewpoints and stretched infrastructure have also become unwanted parts of the experience from Mykonos to Paris and many other sought-after European destinations.
For travellers flying halfway around the world in search of culture, food and atmosphere, that can come as a surprise.
As a result, a growing number of Kiwis planning European trips are looking beyond the usual hotspots.
Neighbouring Greece, Albania has long sat just outside the mainstream European travel circuit but is quickly emerging as one of the continent’s quieter contenders.
Beaches in Albania’s Riviera such as Ksamil, Dhërmi and Jale offer turquoise water and a dramatic coastline. Ancient ruins and Ottoman-era towns remain relatively untouched by mass tourism, giving travellers an opportunity to experience the Mediterranean at a different pace.
Nearby destinations such as Montenegro and parts of North Macedonia are also gaining attention from travellers seeking a more relaxed alternative.
But heading off the well-worn path can come with practical considerations, particularly when it comes to staying connected.
The connectivity question
Mobile data is now woven into almost every part of overseas travel, with navigation, banking and boarding passes often depending on a reliable connection.
Daily roaming packages from New Zealand providers can cost several dollars per day, quickly adding up over a multi-week trip.
Buying a local SIM card is often cheaper, but that can mean navigating language barriers and unfamiliar plans after a long-haul flight.
Newer travel tech is starting to play a role, with many modern smartphones now containing an eSIM, a small chip embedded directly into the device.
Travellers download a digital profile to that chip, allowing them to activate a data plan without swapping hardware.
Innovative providers such as Switzerland-based Yesim are part of a broader shift towards making connectivity more flexible for international travellers.
After downloading the Yesim app, users can install a data profile before leaving New Zealand and activate it once they arrive overseas.
The company works with more than 800 local operators across 200-plus destinations, automatically connecting devices to available networks.
Yesim’s ‘Pay & Fly’ option operates as a pay-as-you-go model, meaning travellers are charged for the data they use rather than a fixed daily rate.
A $0.60 trial package offers a low-risk way to test whether a device is compatible before committing to a longer plan.
You can then sign up to a package that gives you the data you need. For example, 30 days in Albania with 10GB of data will cost US$19.20 (about $32), while 7 days of unlimited data in Montenegro will cost US$28.80 (around $48).
Using the promo code GETYESIM15 new users can get a 15% discount.
Families and groups can also manage multiple eSIM profiles from a single account, simplifying logistics when several people need data access.
The digital profile sits alongside an existing physical SIM, enabling travellers to continue receiving calls and texts to their New Zealand number while using overseas data.
Why 2026 could be the sweet spot
For Kiwis planning their next overseas venture, 2026 presents an opportunity to explore up-and-coming locations still shaping their tourist identity.
While overtourism is reshaping parts of Europe, it’s also prompting travellers to rethink when and how they stay connected.
Modern connectivity tools such as an eSIM mean that choosing less popular destinations doesn’t always mean sacrificing convenience.
For those willing to look beyond the usual routes, the Mediterranean dream remains very much alive, just slightly further off the beaten path.
This story is sponsored by Yesim.
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