- Best tourist destination: Blue Lagoon, Iceland
- Underrated hidden gem: Whitsunday Islands National Park, Australia
- Best for families: Kauai
- Best for couples: Provence, France
- Best for solo travelers: Bali
A peaceful getaway can not only rejuvenate your body but also clear your mind, leaving you totally refreshed when it’s time to get back to the real world. And isn’t that the point of taking a vacation in the first place? For some, a relaxing vacation might mean soaking up the sun on a tropical beach, while for others it might mean walking a forested trail with few other people in sight. When you need to get completely out of your element, find some peace and quiet in these tranquil destinations, from the Canadian Rockies to the southern coast of England and beyond.
Blue Lagoon, Iceland
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By far Iceland’s most popular tourist destination, the Blue Lagoon is a geothermal pool set in a lava field, where you can enjoy a soothing soak even when the temperature outside is freezing. For a less-crowded experience, stay at the attached world-renowned resort, which offers the same warm, mineral-rich waters in a more private setting. Choose the Lagoon Suite for direct access to the waters from your room. After you’ve soaked your stress away, explore some of Iceland’s many scenic, empty landscapes during your relaxing vacation.
Whitsunday Islands National Park, Australia
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Australia is a massive country with lots of wide-open spaces for a relaxing vacation, but if you go offshore to the Whitsunday Islands, located off the coast of Queensland amid the Great Barrier Reef, you can visit one of the world’s most beautiful beaches. On Whitehaven Beach, the pure white silica sand and emerald waters create a gorgeous color palette that’s a feast for the senses. If you go north to Hill Inlet, you’ll see a mesmerizing swirl of white and blue, created by shifting sands and water.
Kauai
There are many relaxing places in Hawaii, but Kauai is particularly special. The so-called “Garden Island” is where you can find empty beaches like Lumahai Beach, as well as breathtaking landscapes like the vast Waimea Canyon State Park. You can also book a sunset cruise of the Nāpali Coast with a tour company like Holo Holo Charters to appreciate the island’s unique geology from the water. To help you make your vacation the most relaxing possible, there are many wonderful resorts on the island, including Koloa Landing, where you can enjoy sprawling grounds and spacious rooms and suites big enough for the whole family.
Provence, France
Lose yourself in gorgeous vineyards and captivating views of the Alps while you’re in this famous French region. Provence is celebrated for its biodiversity and famous for its olive groves, pine forests, and lavender fields, as well as its wine grapes. Nice, Marseille, the French Riviera, and Avignon are all popular places to visit while in the region. Settle in a lush countryside retreat like the lavender-surrounded Coquillade Provence Resort & Spa for ultimate relaxation.
Bali
In Indonesia, the island of Bali has become synonymous with yoga retreats in the jungles of Ubud and on the beaches of Canggu. You’ll find plenty of luxury resorts and hotels on the island, with all-inclusive options if you’d prefer not to think about costs during your escape. Beyond exploring historic temples and enjoying the relaxed, coastal living that travelers have come to expect from a trip to Bali, capturing the colorful sunset (or sunrise) along the shallow waters of Sanur Beach is a must-do.
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
What could be more idyllic than strolling along the coast and exploring lighthouses? This town in southern Maine is home to the Cape Elizabeth Light (or Two Lights Lighthouse) which has been active since 1874. In addition to the interesting history and classic New England architecture, Cape Elizabeth is one of the best places to get juicy lobster. You will find plenty of tranquility here on the rocks, and also at accommodations like the Inn by the Sea, one of Maine’s best luxury hotels with relaxing in-room amenities like cozy fireplaces and soaking tubs.
Banff National Park, Canada
Banff National Park is chock-full of amazing scenery and crystalline lakes, but Lake Louise might be the best (and most relaxing) of them all. Campers and hikers alike can settle by its perfectly blue waters and gaze at mountain views that seem almost too pristine to be real—luckily, they are. It’s quite possibly the perfect relaxing vacation for outdoorsy people, whether you want to knock out a moderate hike up to the Lake Agnes Tea House, a full-service cafe tucked in the mountains, or just set yourself up in one of Banff’s best hotels, like the castle-like Fairmont Banff Springs.
Tenorio Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
Located in northern Costa Rica, Tenorio Volcano National Park is one of the country’s most incredible natural wonderlands, and it doesn’t come with the crowds that tend to plague parks closer to the coast. Here, Rio Celeste is known for its vivid blue color; it’s caused by a reaction of the volcanic chemicals in the water, but against the tropical backdrop and rushing falls, it looks magical. Nearby, you’ll also find one of the most beautiful jungle hotels in the world, the Hideaway Rio Celeste.
East Sussex, England
Lovers of pastoral landscapes and dramatic coastlines will find their paradise in the southern reaches of England. Rolling green hills and proximity to the English Channel make East Sussex the quintessential countryside you’ve read about in Victorian novels. This is where the iconic white chalk cliffs known as the Seven Sisters are. For golfers who love nothing more than to unwind on the green, the nearby East Sussex National Resort boasts two championship courses.
Nordfjord, Norway
Nordfjord is one of the top destinations in Norway thanks to its breathtaking views. Visitors can take a long, slow pleasure cruise along the fjord and see a wide array of sights including glaciers, mountains, and the open sea—all in just a two-hour trip. If you visit during the winter, you may be able to see the northern lights, which will no doubt add to the already awe-inspiring scenery of the fjords.
The Ionian Islands, Greece
Some of the best Greek islands are in the Ionian Sea. You’ll likely find the most peace and quiet on the under-the-radar island of Paxos, where there are few resorts but many lovely vacation homes. On the island of Zakynthos, there are many other locales gorgeous enough to make anyone scrolling through your Instagram swoon with envy. One is Navagio “Shipwreck” Beach, where the remains of the cargo ship MV Panagiotis still sit after a storm ran the vessel aground in 1980.
Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Wild animals may not be everyone’s idea of relaxation, but adventurers in need of some repose may want to experience a luxury safari in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve. The Saruni Samburu Safari Camp offers a Wellbeing Space with a pool, spa, and dining areas. After a morning game drive, you can let the adrenaline simmer down with a spa treatment or a few sips of wine with a view.
Ise Shima National Park, Japan
Located on the coastline east of Osaka, Ise Shima is a national park that encompasses a thriving mainland forest and islands waiting to be explored. Peace and quiet don’t begin to describe the beauty of Ise Jingu, a grand Shinto shrine located in the park and dedicated to the Japanese goddess Amaterasu Omikami. Even though it’s a widely known tourist attraction, the shrine complex maintains its tranquility. It is one of the holiest places in Japan, and people often go there to revere its architecture, natural scenery, and historical significance.
Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
If you’re dreaming of serene blue and green waters, look no further than Ha Long Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll find lots of places to stay around this beautiful bay, but the best way to experience it is by hopping aboard a boat tour so you can catch every angle of this relaxing destination. Operators can arrange kayaking excursions, visits to limestone islands, and hikes through coastal forests, eliminating any planning stress.
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