The following will explore a few of the top locals you might want to check out if you’re looking to take a step back and destress.
If you’re looking to get away from the chaotic rush that is modern-day living and want to go somewhere new where you can destress and reenergize, your vacation search process is going to have to reflect that. The world is filled with countless places to visit, but not all of them are relaxing. The following will explore a few of the top locals you might want to check out if you’re looking to take a step back and destress.
Nordfjord, Norway
While it was hard to narrow down the options in Scandinavia to just one pick (the whole area is filled with jaw-dropping landscapes and cultures that revolve around pleasant experiences in the great outdoors), Nordfjord won out. Tourists are able to take lengthy pleasure cruises along the fjord, where they’ll encounter glaciers, open sea, and mountains. The dramatic and moody landscape is the perfect place to feel the pulse of life outside of hustle culture and a never-ending to-do list. Spend afternoons hiking up cliffsides from which you can view spectacular scenery and then enjoy a hot drink back at your accommodation with a cozy novel. Enjoy the trek to Selja Monastery, a 12th-century construction built on the island of Selja by monks of the Benedictine order; the monastery contains a holy cave where a well with healing waters is said to exist. Witness the majesty of waterfalls and Norwegian Fjord horses, which are one of the oldest breeds in the world and an endangered species, and when your day is done, have a pint and feel the benefits of all that fresh air.
Sarasota, Florida
If a warmer climate is more your vibe, check out Sarasota. This Floridian city is filled with hikes, kayaking opportunities, dolphin sightseeing, and much more. It’s a particularly fantastic place for anglers as fishing in Sarasota is top-notch. Spend lazy morning after lazy morning out on the water with your fishing rod and nothing but the lapping of waves to keep you company. Getting away from land and all the hectic rushing that happens there can be exactly what you need when looking to destress. Finding activities with subtle motions (like fishing or kayaking) can also contribute to this.
Provence, France
Vineyards galore and endlessly stunning views of the Alps await people who travel to the Provence region of France. Filled with olive groves, lavender fields, and pine forests, the rolling hills of Provence are the perfect backdrop for mental wandering (a critical component of destressing). There are also villas and castles to visit, wine to taste, the famous white horses of the Camargue, the Roman city of Nîmes, lavender fields at the 11th-century Cistercian Abbaye de Sénanque, the village of Gordes, the Vallee des Merveilles and so much more. You could easily spend a month wandering this soothing landscape.
Lake Tahoe, California
If you’re someone who loves the cottage vibe, Lake Tahoe is the place for you to unwind. A pristine lake with mountain views and countless cabin rentals make Lake Tahoe the perfect place to sit on the dock, sipping your favorite drink as you daydream the day away.
Seven Sisters, East Sussex, England
Rolling hills in a lush, verdant green color and the moody English channel are part of what makes Seven Sisters feel so outside of this era. Think of every Victorian Romance novel you can and then realize that the landscape you’re picturing in the background is Seven Sisters. See if you can find a cottage rental and enjoy endless cups of tea and long walks in the fresh misty morning. The sound of the water crashing into the shore will help settle your soul as the sight of sheep blissfully scouring the hillsides reminds you of how simple life can be.
Photo by Keith Luke on Unsplash
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Maine has a ton of stellar locations to visit for a relaxing trip, but Cape Elizabeth, with its charming lighthouses and shoreside paths, is definitely somewhere near the top of the list. Biking is incredibly popular here, as are the beaches (which tend to be less crowded than in other Maine locations).
The above list should have given you a few ideas of places you can visit for the sole purpose of relaxing. You might have noticed that most of these locations have large bodies of water nearby; this is no accident. Study after study has found that being near moving water is one of the best ways for people to relax. The improvement in mental state is so measurable that studies are even finding people who live near water have an increased life expectancy due to the lower levels of stress they experience.
Main photo by Benjamin Davies on Unsplash
Tatiana is the news coordinator for TravelDailyNews Media Network (traveldailynews.gr, traveldailynews.com and traveldailynews.asia). Her role includes monitoring the hundreds of news sources of TravelDailyNews Media Network and skimming the most important according to our strategy.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
