The spots you won’t find in any travel guide. Curated for free by a nature travel specialist.
What would you do if you knew of a place where nature still thrives as it always has? Without parking lots full of RVs, without lines at the waterfall, without the same photo everyone else has already taken?
Places like that do exist. They’re in Portugal, Norway, Italy, Slovenia, and more. But you won’t find them on major travel sites or a random top-10 list. You’ll find them through people who know them. Go directly to request a free guide.
Nature Travel Lab has compiled a list of them for you.
A free guide featuring 10 carefully selected natural sites in Europe. From a deserted fjord plateau in Norway to a forgotten river valley in inland Portugal. Each featuring:
Curated by Madelon. 30 years of experience in nature travel, no sponsored content, no paid recommendations.
We’ll give you two as a gift to start with. But that’s not enough to skip the rest.
🇵🇹 Covão dos Conchos, Serra da Estrela, Portugal A mountain lake whose waters seem to vanish into thin air—literally right in the middle of the lake. No trick, no Photoshop. The Serra da Estrela has held UNESCO Geopark status since 2020, but Covão dos Conchos remains one of the least visited spots in the park. The road leading there is unpaved, but every meter is worth it.
🇳🇴 Femundsmarka — Eastern Norway While everyone else heads to the Lofoten Islands or Jotunheimen, Femundsmarka lies quietly waiting. Norway’s second-largest lake, surrounded by boreal forest and uncrowded hiking trails. In September, you’ll see reindeer there, not people. You’ll spend the night in a wooden cabin by the water.
The other eight? They’re even quieter.
Enter your name and email address. You’ll receive the guide right in your inbox. After that, we’ll send you occasional inspirational emails with nature tips.
"Finally, a travel platform that really curates. No lists of a hundred hotels, just places that matter."
NTL subscriber
Nature Travel Lab is a Dutch platform for small-scale nature-based accommodations and outdoor excursions in Europe. No commissions, no sponsored listings—just accommodations and experiences that we’ve personally selected based on quality, authenticity, and location.
Founder Madelon has been traveling through the lesser-known corners of Europe for over 30 years. The guide is her personal selection, not an algorithm.
Yes, it’s completely free. Just enter your name and email address, and you’ll receive the guide right in your inbox. There are no hidden fees or obligations.
The guide features ten specific natural sites scattered throughout Europe—from fjord landscapes in Norway to river valleys in Portugal and mountainous regions in Italy and Slovenia. Each location was chosen for its exceptional natural beauty, relative obscurity, and the opportunity for small-scale lodging. No city destinations, no crowded tourist hotspots.
Usually twice a month. Nature Travel Lab does not send out weekly newsletters. You’ll receive an email when there’s something worth sharing: a new article, a special offer from a partner, or a seasonal tip. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link at the bottom of each email.
Yes. Every location in the guide can be visited independently. We provide practical information on accessibility and the best time to visit. If you’d like to go hiking or biking with a local guide, Nature Travel Lab also offers guided and self-guided tours to some of these destinations.
Yes. Nature Travel Lab does not work with commissions or paid listings. All accommodations in the guide are selected based on quality, small scale, and authenticity. Partners pay an annual subscription fee to be listed on the platform—nothing more.
Through Nature Travel Lab, you can get in touch directly with accommodations and tour operators. We deliberately choose not to work with OTAs (Booking.com, Airbnb). You always book direct with the owner, which ensures lower prices and more personalized service.
The guide is free, and you can unsubscribe at any time. What have you got to lose, other than the places you’d never find otherwise?
Met een passie voor reizen en fotografie én meer dan 30 jaar ervaring in de reisbranche, deel ik graag mijn bijzondere natuur-reistips. Reizen is heerlijk en belangrijk, je ontmoet nieuwe mensen en culturen en het opent je blik op de wereld.
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Laat je inspireren
Ben je op zoek naar de mooiste wandel- en fietsroutes? Of wil je informatie over reizen met de trein of advies voor de mooiste roadtrips door de natuur. Laat je inspireren voor je volgende reis in het groen; ideeën om je eigen reis te plannen of te kiezen voor een georganiseerde reis.
