On The Table Read Magazine, “the best entertainment eBook magazine UK“, embrace the luxury of slowing down with JOMO-inspired travel experiences with these holiday destinations for relaxing.
Forget the frenetic pace of bucket-list travel and overstuffed itineraries. In 2025, the art of slowing down is redefining luxury. Enter JOMO—the Joy of Missing Out—a travel trend that’s capturing hearts and itineraries worldwide. According to Hellotickets, a global platform for booking experiences in over 130 countries, travelers are craving slower, simpler, and more soulful escapes. Searches for wellness retreats, off-grid destinations, and craft-based experiences have skyrocketed, signaling a shift toward mindful travel that prioritizes presence over productivity.
This summer, JOMO is about disconnecting from the chaos and reconnecting with yourself. It’s about trading crowded landmarks for quiet trails, rushed schedules for unhurried moments, and Wi-Fi for wide-open spaces. This list of seven slow escapes embodies this ethos, offering travelers the chance to embrace stillness and authenticity. Here’s a deep dive into each destination and why it’s perfect for savoring the JOMO life.
Best Holiday Destinations For Relaxing
1. Silent Hikes in Slovenia’s Julian Alps
Nestled in the heart of Europe, Slovenia’s Julian Alps are a sanctuary of serenity. Imagine glacial lakes reflecting snow-capped peaks, quiet trails winding through emerald valleys, and the soothing sound of your own footsteps. The region, encompassing Triglav National Park, is a haven for travelers seeking total peace. Silent hikes here are designed to immerse you in nature without distraction—no guides, no chatter, just you and the landscape. Stay in a rustic mountain hut, sip tea by Lake Bled, or wander the trails of the Soča Valley, where turquoise rivers carve through pristine wilderness. This is where time slows, and the world feels whole again.
2. Overnights in Tuscan Monasteries
Tuscany’s rolling hills have long been a symbol of la dolce vita, but in 2025, travelers are seeking out its quieter corners. Historic monasteries, with their ancient stone walls and cloistered gardens, offer a retreat into simplicity. Picture candlelit dinners featuring farm-to-table cuisine, mornings spent strolling olive groves, and evenings watching the sunset paint the hills gold. Places like the Monastery of Camaldoli or Sant’Antimo provide not just lodging but a chance to unplug and reflect. These stays strip away the noise of modern life, leaving space for contemplation and connection with the land.
3. Cycling the Faroese Fjords
The Faroe Islands, a remote archipelago in the North Atlantic, are the ultimate JOMO destination. Cycling along the winding roads of the Faroese fjords, you’ll encounter dramatic cliffs, misty waterfalls, and grazing sheep that outnumber humans. The Nordic silence is palpable here, broken only by the sound of waves or the occasional bleat. Stay in a grass-roofed cottage in a village like Gjógv, where life moves at its own unhurried pace. The Faroes’ raw, untouched beauty invites you to linger, to let time stretch out, and to savor the freedom of having nowhere else to be.
4. Lost Villages in Northern Spain
Northern Spain’s once-abandoned hamlets, tucked away in regions like Galicia and Asturias, are being reborn as off-grid retreats. These car-free villages, often accessible only by foot or bike, offer a glimpse into a slower, more intentional way of life. Stay in a restored stone cottage in places like Aldea de Con, where electricity is solar-powered and meals are cooked over open fires. Days here are spent wandering meadows, foraging for wild herbs, or simply sitting with a book under ancient oak trees. These villages are a reminder that true luxury lies in simplicity and disconnection.
5. Pottery Workshops in Portugal’s Alentejo
In Portugal’s sun-drenched Alentejo region, time seems to move at the rhythm of the earth. Pottery workshops here invite travelers to slow down and create with their hands. Spend your days spinning clay under the guidance of local artisans, sipping herbal tea made from wild plants, and watching the sunset over cork forests. Towns like Évora and Monsaraz offer a backdrop of whitewashed villages and endless skies, where the pace of life feels unhurried and authentic. These workshops aren’t just about crafting pots—they’re about crafting moments of mindfulness and joy.
6. Cabin Retreats in the Finnish Woods
Finland, the land of a thousand lakes, is tailor-made for JOMO. A cabin retreat in the Finnish woods is the epitome of minimalist luxury: one lake, one sauna, one you. Tucked away in regions like Lakeland or Lapland, these cabins offer solitude without isolation. Wake to the sound of loons on the water, spend your day hiking through pine forests, and end with a traditional sauna session under the stars. With no Wi-Fi or distractions, you’re free to read, reflect, or simply sit by the water’s edge. In Finland, doing less feels like everything.
7. Micro Yoga Retreats in Southern Crete
On the rugged shores of southern Crete, micro yoga retreats are redefining wellness travel. Limited to just six guests, these intimate escapes combine daily yoga sessions with the soothing rhythm of the Mediterranean. Picture morning flows with a sea breeze, afternoons spent swimming in turquoise coves, and evenings sharing stories under olive trees. Places like Lentas or Triopetra offer a slower side of Crete, far from the tourist crowds. Here, luxury isn’t in extravagance but in the stillness—the chance to breathe deeply and let the world fade away.
What the Data Says
Hellotickets’ data paints a clear picture of this JOMO-driven shift:
- +45% surge in searches for wellness retreats and silent escapes (Jan–May 2025 vs. 2024).
- +60% increase in demand for rural or off-the-grid destinations, as travelers seek spaces far from urban hustle.
- +30% rise in bookings for craft-based experiences like pottery, foraging, and traditional cooking, reflecting a desire for hands-on, meaningful activities.
This isn’t just a trend—it’s a movement. Travelers are rejecting the pressure to “see it all” and instead choosing experiences that nourish the soul.
Why JOMO Matters
In a world that’s always on, JOMO is a rebellion against the grind. It’s about saying no to overstimulation and yes to presence. It’s about choosing a single, meaningful moment over a checklist of must-sees. Hellotickets is making it easier than ever to embrace this mindset, with handpicked experiences that prioritize space, stillness, and authenticity. Their platform offers seamless booking for escapes that deliver what travelers crave most: a chance to reconnect with themselves and the world around them.
Whether it’s a silent hike in Slovenia or a pottery workshop in Portugal, these experiences aren’t about ticking off boxes—they’re about tuning in. As Hellotickets puts it, “Travel experiences and the emotions they inspire result in lives lived more fully, lives lived large.”
Ready to embrace the Joy of Missing Out? Visit www.hellotickets.com/en-en to explore over 30,000 experiences, attractions, and events in more than 130 countries. From silent retreats to creative workshops, Hellotickets is your gateway to travel that feels real, restorative, and deeply personal.
About Hellotickets
Founded in 2017 by industry veterans Jorge Díaz Largo and Alberto Martinez, Hellotickets is a leading global platform for booking travel experiences, tours, and activities. With a mission to help explorers from 21 countries find more wonder in the world, Hellotickets is built on the belief that travel should inspire joy and connection. The company operates on a 4-day workweek and a fully remote model, with a team of over 80 employees living around the globe. Supported by experts like Chris Colbert (former Managing Director of the Harvard Innovation Labs), Pillar VC, and Techstars, Hellotickets is the premier destination for unforgettable moments.
This summer, let Hellotickets guide you to the luxury of less. Live large by slowing down.
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