Is your definition of vacation a time to get away, unwind, and simply relax?
Not everyone is looking for an action-packed vacation full of activities that can be posted on social media every few minutes. For many, the idea of just stepping away from the routine and busyness of everyday life is a thrill of its own.
So if a relaxing vacation is exactly what you need, then it’s going to help to know the most peaceful destinations on the planet.
We’ll take a look at five of these top destinations
1. Tulum, Mexico
While others flock to Puerto Vallarta or Cabos San Lucas, those who want to relax and unwind head to Tulum on Mexico’s Caribbean Coast.
One of its major attractions for those looking to get away is Playa Paraiso, or Paradise Beach. This secluded, palm-fringed beach of gorgeous white sand bordering calm and clear waters remains relatively quiet.
Start your day either just lounging in the rays on the beach, or perhaps swimming and snorkeling among the fish. As the afternoon rolls around, you can enjoy a cool drink and authentic Mexican cuisine at one of the bars or restaurants along the beach. Explore here the nightlife in Tulum beach clubs.
If exploration is more your idea of relaxation, there are Mayan ruins towering over the sea in Tulum. In fact, Tulum was once a walled city that was built by the Mayans.
There is an abundance of well preserved archaeological sites to explore. Among the best are El Castillo, the Temple of the Frescoes, and the Temple of the Descending God.
You may also poke around the sacred caverns of LabnaHa Eco Park, or snorkel in the underwater caves at Cenote Dos Ojos.
2. Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada
If you crave the quiet of the mountains when you’re looking to escape your everyday life, then consider the small hamlet of Lake Louise.
Located just off the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) in Banff National Park, Lake Louise has a small shopping center with a grocery store, bar, deli, bakery, sporting goods store, and visitor information center.
They also have a wide variety of restaurants and accommodation options.
Lake Louise is much smaller and quieter than the town of Banff. And this smaller intimate setting allows visitors to truly take in the mountain views and perfectly blue waters — whether from a hiking trail or simply out the window of your hotel room as you relax.
3. Ubud, Bali
Although the town of Ubud in the uplands of Bali, Indonesia, is known as a center for traditional crafts and dance, it is surrounded by rainforests and terraced rice paddies.
It’s also dotted with Hindu temples and shrines, and the site of ancient holy sites including the intricately carved Goa Gajah (“Elephant Cave”) and the rock-cut shrines of Gunung Kawi.
You may be familiar with Ubud if you read Eat, Pray, Love. It makes perfect sense that Elizabeth Gilbert would have chosen this peaceful locale with its many options for relaxation.
When you plan your trip, check out some of the amazing yoga retreats in this area. And as one of Asia’s top spa destinations, you can indulge in a Balinese massage for complete surrender.
Finally, if you want to enjoy a good laugh, head to the nearby nature reserve of Monkey Forest Park and laugh along with the long-tailed macaques.
4. Blue Lagoon, Iceland
If you’re more drawn to the cold than the heat, then head to the Blue Lagoon in Iceland. This geothermal spa spot is by far the most popular tourist destinations that Iceland has to offer.
There’s really nothing else on the planet like this region renowned for its barren landscapes and cone-shaped volcanoes. Dark black lava fields with creeping grey moss serve as a contrast for the beautiful milky-blue water that makes up the lagoon.
Though it may sound chilly by description, the water remains at a temperature of 102 degrees all year. This makes it a wonderful place to bathe, soak, and replenish both your skin and your spirit.
You can soak in those warm waters even when the temperatures are freezing. And on clear nights during certain times of the year, you can even take in the incomparable beauty of the Northern Lights as you bathe.
The lagoon is located on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwest Iceland and is only a 15-minute drive from the Keflavík International Airport, and a 30-minute drive from the capital city of Reykjavík.
This makes it the perfect place to stop when you first arrive in Iceland, and before you leave.
5. Mendoza, Argentina
Mendoza, Argentina, is best known for its Malbec wines.
Though even if you’re not a wine connoisseur, you’ll find peace and calm in this sunny cosmopolitan city.
As you wander its tree-lined streets, you’ll find a number of world-class spas where you can spend the afternoon. Then dine later in one of their terrific restaurants.
Mendoza is less than a two-hour plane ride from Buenos Aires. But it couldn’t be any different from the larger bustling city. The laid-back energy of Mendoza encourages visitors to slow down and take their time. Long wine-fuelled lunches are the norm.
And it’s not unusual to drop dinner plans and lay out a blanket for a picnic instead. Watching the sunset over the Andes makes the perfect backdrop.
Downtown Mendoza is picturesque and it’s very easy to find your way around the city. Many would argue though that the true Mendoza experience lies in visiting the vineyards found in the small surrounding towns and rural areas.
There is no public transportation available to these more rural locales though. There are tour companies that offer all-day wine tours.
But you may want to rent a car or bicycle to make a truly relaxing day of exploring the wineries and the countryside. Just be sure you have a designated driver!
Kick Back and Enjoy Your Relaxing Vacation
Whether you’re going to sit back and catch up on your reading, practice yoga every day, or just walk in the woods, you have many destination options for your relaxing vacation.
We hope that it’s everything you ever wanted!
And for more informational articles and inspiration about enjoying a yoga retreat in Bali, keep checking back with us!
