Most Relaxing Cities of 2024
A vacation should be a time to relax and rest after all the hard work you do throughout the rest of the year. Whether your version of relaxing is kicking back with a glass of prosecco at a rooftop bar, reclining on a lounge chair at the beach, or stretching your legs on a hike through the forest, we have you covered. Here are our top cities where you can take a relaxing break.
Colmar, France
You’ll want to bring your camera to this picture-perfect city. You’ll be mesmerised by the charm of the old town and the half-timbered buildings. You can explore the Tanners district and Little Venice in the old town by walking or by hopping on the tourist train. While you’re in Colmar, you should visit Parc du Champ de Mars. It’s a nice place to escape and have a picnic, and afterwards, you can take a boat ride on the Lauch River. You should set aside some time to explore Colmar’s museums, such as the Unterlinden Museum, the Bartholdi Museum, the Museum of Natural History and Ethnography, and the Choco Story Colmar (where you can take chocolate making classes). This city is part of the Alsace Wine Route and is one of the best places to sample some Alsatian wine. Colmar is known for its unique cuisine, such as flàmmeküeche (an Alsatian take on pizza), bretzel (an Alsatian pretzel), bredele (a biscuit that is traditionally made at Christmastime), and coq au Riesling (the Alsatian version of coq au van).
Chefchaouen, Morocco
Chefchaouen, also known as the “the Blue Pearl of Morocco”, is well known for is blue buildings. This small city it the perfect place to get away from it all. You’ll have a wide range of accommodation options, from 5-star hotels to riads and eco-lodges. Wander around Uta Hammam Square in the medina (old town); it’s the hub of the city. In the general vicinity, you can unwind at a Moroccan hammam and try some Moroccan dishes, such as tagine. If you want some Instagram-worthy photos of the blue streets when it’s less busy, it’s best to get them at sunrise when it’s quiet. Many people come to Chefchaouen to experience the tranquillity of the great outdoors. You can check out the views at Ras El Ma viewpoint and hike in Talassemtane National Park or hike to Akchour waterfalls.
Punta del Este, Uruguay
If you love being near the water, Punta del Este is the city for you. This city isn’t short of beaches, but Playa Mansa, La Barra, Bikini Beach are tourist favourites. However, Playa Brava is visited by thousands each year who want to take a photo with La Mano (The Hand) statue. Punta del Este is a fantastic place to rent a boat for a fishing trip or for the chance to see sea lions at Isla de Lobos and do a spot of whale watching. You can even go snorkelling, scuba diving, surfing, windsurfing, and paddleboarding in the Atlantic Ocean. Golfers have the choice between having a round of golf at La Barra Golf Club or Cantegril Country Club. If you want to take a tour of the city, make sure you look out for the Casapueblo, the lighthouse, the Museum of the Sea, and the Lussich Arboretum.
Copenhagen, Denmark
If you’ve visited Copenhagen before, you’ll have heard of the concept of “hygge”—a sense of cosiness and contentment—which is something this Scandinavian city embraces wholeheartedly. Begin your relaxing vacation with a trip to one of Copenhagen’s best bakeries and grab yourself a Danish pastry and a cup of coffee. If you’re travelling there in the winter, take it back to your hotel or apartment, put your feet up in front of the fire, and grab yourself a fleecy blanket. On a nice summer’s day, you can take your pastry to the park and have a picnic. Instead of walking everywhere, hire a bike and cycle past the colourful houses in Nyhavn or hire a boat to explore the canals. If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, stop by Tivoli Gardens theme park. You may have heard for the concept of “friluftsliv” (a love of the outdoors), which you can experience by going to Jægersborg Dyrehave or Haveselskabs Have.
Ubud, Bali
Ubud is technically a town, but we couldn’t help but include it on this list. Ubud is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bali and it’s where most people go to relax. You can stay in a resort or rent a private villa, and spend your days taking yoga classes, getting Balinese massages, and visiting some of the tranquil temples. Pass the rivers and rice paddies on the Campuhan Ridge Walk and take a leisurely stroll through the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Take a trip to the town centre to shop on Jalan Raya Ubud (Ubud’s main street), visit Puri Saren Agung (Ubud Palace), and watch a performance of the traditional Tek Tok dance at the Bali Culture Center. Go in search of Ubud’s many waterfalls and stop by the Goa Gajah (the Elephant Cave).
Concord, Massachusetts
Concord may not be a big city, but visiting this place is something that everyone should have on their bucket list! Concord is a sleepy little town in the Boston area, but it is a popular destination to visit in spring and autumn. Book lovers may want to take a literary tour, where they’ll get to see the home and historic sites associated with famous authors such as Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Harriett Lothrop, and Henry David Thoreau. Take the time to visit the Concord Museum, Minuteman National Park Visitor Center, and the Old North Bridge. You can wander along the Battle Road Trail or Oak Hill Trail, and go swimming and fishing at Walden Pond. If you want to do a bit of shopping, you can head to main street or do a day trip to see the much busier city of Boston.
You may not have thought of it yet, but you should make sure that your vacation is covered by travel insurance. If you purchase it when you book your trip, you’ll be covered if your hotel or tour operator go out of business, if you need to cut your trip short, if you miss your flight, and much more. Having travel insurance means that you can truly relax and kick back on your trip without a care in the world.
