Sometimes, you want a vacation that’s exciting, high-octane and fast – with late nights, busy social calendars and urban energy. Vacations where you can dance the night away, wake up early the next morning and move on to the next place.
But other times, you don’t really feel like burning the candle at both ends.
You want a true vacation – a break from the everyday grind of work, social events and personal responsibilities. On these vacations, you may seek out the serenity of nature or the centredness of time-honoured traditions. You might find a stretch of calm beach or the monotonous crackling of a campfire. Anything that can help you unwind, turn your work-brain off for a week or two, and reconnect with yourself and your surroundings.
In this post, let’s explore six of the world’s most restful destinations. Below, you’ll find a curated mix of natural expanses, chill beaches and global wellness activities. Pack your comfiest merino wool travel pants and a good book – let’s start relaxing!
6- Forest Bathing Around Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver is a pretty chill city by most international standards. Filled with avid hikers, outdoorsy types and more yoga studios per capita than banks, it’s a city uniquely attuned to wellness and nature.
In other words, it makes a perfect basecamp for a relaxing trip. Strike off from Vancouver to surrounding spots like Garibaldi Lake, Capilano Canyon and Cypress Provincial Park, or visit the sprawling Stanley Park within the city limits. Take in the old-growth forests filled with towering spruces and pine trees. And practice what the Japanese call “forest bathing,”the experience of submerging yourself in the richly oxygenated natural atmosphere. Yes, you might break a sweat climbing up a mountain trail, but it will still be relaxing – at least in the spiritual sense!
5- Schvitzing in New York City
If nature isn’t really your idea of relaxation, don’t worry – head to the Big Apple for some R&R, big-city-style. New York’s frenetic energy might not be the most relaxing thing in the world (unless the sound of horns honking puts you at ease), but there are several respites from the madness. You just need to know where to look.
One of the best things about New York’s diverse citizenry is that each culture steps forward with its own relaxation rituals. Here, you’ll find Turkish baths, Russian banyas, Korean jimjilbangs and several LGBTQ-friendly spas. You can easily while away a few days touring the bathhouses and spas of New York City. Just remember to carry over some of that calm energy when you take the subway home.
4- Leaving Tokyo for Onsen Country
Arriving in Japan, you’ll probably touch down in Tokyo – the world’s largest megalopolis, home to a dizzying array of flashing lights and dense crowds. But if you take transit just half an hour outside the city limits, you will find countless peaceful onsen towns.
Onsens are Japanese hot springs, often chiselled into their natural surroundings and teeming with local foliage. Onsen towns tend to host several “ryokans,” guesthouses that serve delicate multi-course meals and feature traditional tatami rooms. Together, this mix of natural beauty, hot spring water and time-honoured tradition makes for a truly relaxing getaway.
3- Beach Hopping on Africa’s East Coast
Africa’s East Coast – including Tanzania, Mozambique and island nations like Seychelles –features some of the world’s most stunning beaches. Moreover, these beaches tend to be off the tourist trail. They are secluded, unspoilt and located near sleepy villages with friendly people.
If you’re planning a beach vacation for some R&R, look past the overdeveloped, overmarketed (and underpaid) tourist magnets in Mexico and Central America. Countries like Tanzania and Seychelles are well-equipped for beachside vacationers, and the beaches are arguably more relaxing than their Western Hemisphere counterparts.
2- Hammock-Swaying in Sumatra’s Eco-Resorts
The Indonesian Island of Sumatra is home to dense rainforests with stunning biodiversity. Here, you’ll find wild orangutans, tapirs, elephants and leopards co-habiting under the lush canopies. You’ll also find several eco-resorts within the jungle that promote environmentally responsible tourism.
Perhaps the most famous eco-travel lodges on Sumatra are in the small village of Bukit Lawang. Nestled in the rainforest, you can relax in a hammock amidst the chirps, buzzes and calls of the surrounding jungle. You can drink from a coconut plucked off a nearby treeand enjoy some home-cooked Indonesian fare to cap off your evening. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even book a jungle tour to safely (and responsibly) view the wild orangutans in their element.
1- Snorkelling Through a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives
You’d be forgiven for not knowing where – or even what – the Maldives is. The small island nation is tucked away in the Indian Ocean, southwest of India. True to its geography, the culture here is a mixture of South Asian, Arabic and African.
Travellers come for the culture, but they stay for the pristine reefs surrounding the archipelago, designated as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. If your idea of rest and relaxation involves lazily floating with your head below water, gazing at majestic sea turtles, (vegetarian) sharks and technicolored coral, then the Maldives is the place for you. It also helps that the beaches are gorgeous and the food is amazing.
As you prepare for your restful journey abroad, pack comfortable shoes, comforting clothing like merino wool, and some high-SPF sunscreen to avoid burning. And leave the tablets and computers at home. The digital world will be waiting for you when you get back.
