5 Best and Popular Travel Destinations to Get Relaxed
For some people going on holiday can involve a lot of stress. Planning the trip can take a long time, airports can be crowded and getting around your holiday destination can be intimidating. By the time you get back home, you’re more drained than you were before you left and you feel like you need another holiday!
Not all travel needs to be this way – if you want to completely check yourself out from the moment you arrive at the airport, there are plenty of places you can put your feet up and switch off in new surroundings.
1. Marbella, Spain
Are you familiar with a siesta? A siesta is a mid-day nap, and is almost tradition in Marbella. If you’re the kind of person that hits the snooze button twice, this city was made for you. Wake up late in the afternoon, stumble into one of the many tapas and sangria eateries that line the streets, get your fill, dip your toes in the water, and go right back to sleep. There’s no pressure here, and it’s remarkable how easy-going the locals are.
2. Stowe, Vermont
Much of Vermont is quiet and rural, and Stowe offers the best of the best. If you’ve ever wanted to live in a rustic nature painting, that’s exactly what Stowe is like. There are little barns on hillsides everywhere, and mountains stretching across the horizon. Things like horseback riding and mountain biking are commonplace here.
Local restaurants often source fresh meat and produce from the surrounding farms and prepare everything fresh each day, giving you simple and delicious meals in a laid-back atmosphere. If you want to indulge a little, Stowe isn’t too far from the home of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream – and nothing goes better with relaxation than a pint of Americone Dream
3. Chefchaouen, Morocco
At its heart, Chefchaouen is a sleepy market town. Everything is painted in soothing pastel hues, and you’ll see things like handmade blankets and ornamental dishes everywhere you go. The tea culture is strong in Morocco. Vibrant cafés are full of people sitting down and sipping a cup while taking in the surroundings. Meditate at the foot of the Rif Mountains and enjoy a quiet meal at one of the many boutique eateries lining the city’s stone streets.
4. The Australian Islands
Many people find cruises to be some of the most relaxing types of trips, so why not cruise to somewhere you’ve never been before? Get your kicks for a day or two in Sydney, and then hop on one of P&O Australia’s cruises out to the Australian islands. Hamilton Island in particular is great for relaxation – the island is used mostly for tourism, and it’s set up like a giant resort. A quick walk around the place will show you exactly why so many people choose to get married there – it’s gorgeous and serene.
5. Tallinn, Estonia
If you’re the kind of person that finds relaxation in peaceful walks through calm surroundings and deep contemplations out in nature, you’ll want to discover Tallinn. Tallinn’s old town boasts a rich medieval history, with much of the city preserved in its antiquated glory. To this day, Old Town is still walled and it retains a 15th century defensive tower named Kiek in de Kök. Lahemaa National Park is a site to see, boasting the best of Baltic nature with lush parks and majestic swamplands.
Everyone deserves to take at least one trip where they unplug and disconnect from all of the things that are stressing them out back home. Going to a place that isn’t jam packed full of tourists, especially if the locals have a relaxed disposition, is one of the best things you can do for your mind, body, and spirit.