Sometimes what you need from your vacation isn’t more, it’s less. It’s the things you’re not getting, what you’re not doing that matter, so you can put your feet up, get some much-needed R&R, your shoulders can drop just a little, your jaw unclenches, and you can take a slow, deep breath and exhale to rest your nervous system.
Tranquil travel isn’t about chasing highs or investing in a destination for an abundance of activities; it is chasing serenity, calmness, and peace so you can relax exactly how your body needs you to.
Boutique Hotels by the Coast
There’s no denying that if you want to calm down, the ocean is one of the places you need to seek out, especially if you avoid the tourist areas and the hustle and bustle of hotspots.
Choose locations that are tucked away on private shores. Nestled amongst the shoreline, like it was supposed to be there, offering you stunning views and a sense of peace you can’t get from being in a busy city centre. Locations such as the boutique Tulum resort are catered specifically for this reason.
Wellness & Spa Retreats
If you’re after a more cultured experience that forces you to down tools and get in touch with who you are, you need a wellness retreat. Rest is built into every feature by design, meaning you get to simply relax into your surroundings and take advantage of the amenities to help you shake off the stress of life.
Wellness & spa retreats commonly feature amenities such as thermal pools, hydrotherapy, breathing workshops, long massages, guided meditation, and yoga.
You don’t need to be fit, you don’t even have to be of a spiritual mindset; you simply need to be willing to switch off and embrace the ethos of the retreat, unplug, unwind, and enjoy a slower pace of life.
Secluded Cabins
If you don’t want to immerse yourself in any type of socialization and you crave silence — not just relaxation — then you need to embrace nature and all its benefits.
No resort, no other people in close proximity, just the night sky and the sound of wildlife and nature enveloping you every second of the day.
There are many properties available across the world that transport you to a completely different way of life and boast silence and seclusion as their top benefits. From treehouses tucked away in forests, lodges at the bottom of mountains, or cottages in the rolling British countryside, secluded cabins can be found anywhere and everywhere — removing you from life as you know it.
Mindfulness Retreats
If doing nothing isn’t something you can cope with, you can still embrace a calm vacation without removing yourself from society completely. Mindfulness or creative retreats offer you the best of both worlds.
You get to occupy your mind and time — painting, pottery, writing, journaling, meditation workshops, and more — while still removing pressure and enjoying a slower pace of life.
Choosing Stillness on Purpose
Choosing a tranquil vacation is an intentional act of self-care. It’s a conscious decision to slow your pace, soften your thoughts, and give your body permission to reset. Whether you find your peace beside the ocean, wrapped in forest silence, or immersed in mindful creativity, the most meaningful journeys are often the quietest ones.
Allow yourself to travel without an agenda, without pressure, and without the need to perform productivity. Sometimes the most powerful memories are made in moments of stillness, where time finally feels like your own again.
