Five Restorative Travel Escapes for a Slower Holiday Season

 Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature about Five Restorative Travel Escapes for a Slower Holiday Season.

The festive season can be a wonderful time of year, filled with gatherings, celebrations and the pleasure of spending time with family and friends. But it can also be a particularly busy period, and sometimes the greatest luxury is simply having a little time to yourself.

For some, that might mean exchanging the usual festivities for a change of scenery. For others, it is simply an opportunity to slow down, discover somewhere new and return feeling refreshed.

Whether you dream of sailing along a beautiful coastline, waking up to mountain views or spending a few days somewhere devoted to rest and wellbeing, travelling can offer a welcome change of pace.

So, if you are considering doing something a little different this holiday season, here are five restorative travel escapes to inspire your next getaway.

Five Restorative Travel Escapes for a Slower Holiday Season

Updated November 2026: This article has been substantially revised to reflect our approach to slower, more considered travel and restorative escapes.

 

1. A Sailing Holiday: Discovering the Freedom of the Sea

There is something wonderfully liberating about being out on the water. The gentle movement of the sea, the changing coastline and the opportunity to explore places that are best discovered by boat all create a different rhythm of travel.

A sailing holiday offers the perfect escape for those who enjoy a combination of relaxation and adventure. Whether you are an experienced sailor or prefer to leave the navigation to someone else, there are opportunities to explore beautiful coastal destinations at a gentler pace.

Imagine spending your days discovering secluded bays, stopping in small harbours for a leisurely lunch or simply enjoying the sunshine from the deck. In warmer destinations, particularly around the Caribbean, sailing can be an especially appealing way to spend the winter months.

And perhaps that is part of the attraction: rather than rushing from one place to another, the journey itself becomes an important part of the experience.

2. A Winter Sun Escape: Trading Grey Skies for Sunshine

For those living in colder climates, the prospect of exchanging grey skies for a little winter sunshine can be particularly appealing.

A change in climate can bring a welcome shift in routine. Mornings might begin with breakfast outdoors, afternoons spent exploring a coastal town or enjoying a long walk beside the sea, and evenings lingering over dinner in the open air.

The Canary Islands, Madeira, Morocco and further-flung destinations such as the Maldives all offer different possibilities for a winter escape, depending on how far you wish to travel and what kind of holiday you have in mind.

Of course, a restorative break doesn’t necessarily need to involve an elaborate itinerary. Sometimes the pleasure lies in choosing somewhere beautiful, allowing yourself time to settle in and enjoying the simple luxury of having nowhere particular to be.

If you are looking for inspiration, you might also enjoy our guide to 10 Best Places for Winter Sun Around the World.

3. A Mountain Hideaway: Embracing the Quiet of Winter

For a completely different kind of escape, consider heading towards the mountains.

There is something particularly appealing about a winter retreat surrounded by snow-covered peaks, pine forests and beautiful alpine scenery. Whether you choose a traditional chalet in the French Alps, a mountain hotel with panoramic views or a secluded cabin in the countryside, the mountains offer an opportunity to step away from everyday distractions.

Of course, a mountain holiday doesn’t have to revolve around skiing. Winter walks, snowshoeing and exploring traditional alpine villages can be equally rewarding, particularly if you prefer a slower approach to travel.

And after a day outdoors, there is something rather special about returning to a warm and welcoming retreat, perhaps with a fire burning, a good book and time to enjoy the surroundings.

For me, this is one of the pleasures of slower travel: allowing the destination to set the pace rather than feeling the need to fill every moment.

4.   A Desert Escape: Finding Stillness Under Open Skies

If you are looking for somewhere truly different, a desert escape offers a wonderful opportunity to experience a landscape unlike any other.

The vast open spaces, shifting colours of the sand and extraordinary stillness create an atmosphere that encourages you to slow down and appreciate your surroundings.

Dubai is an especially appealing destination for this kind of experience. Beyond its glittering skyline and vibrant city life, the surrounding desert offers opportunities to escape the bustle, stay in a desert retreat and experience the remarkable beauty of the landscape beneath the night sky.

A stay in a thoughtfully designed desert camp can combine the adventure of discovering a new environment with the comforts of a more considered retreat.

Days might involve exploring the surrounding landscape, discovering local traditions or simply enjoying the changing light across the dunes. Evenings bring a different kind of magic, with dinner beneath the stars and a sense of quiet that can be difficult to find in everyday life.

It is a reminder that sometimes the most memorable travel experiences are not necessarily about doing more, but about taking the time to notice more.

5.   A Wellness Retreat: Making Time to Reconnect

Sometimes the most restorative holiday is one that allows you to concentrate on your own wellbeing.

A wellness retreat can offer an opportunity to step away from familiar routines and make time for the things that often get overlooked in everyday life. Depending on the destination, this might include yoga, meditation, spa treatments, gentle movement or simply enjoying a few days in peaceful surroundings.

Destinations such as Bali, India and Costa Rica have long attracted travellers looking for more immersive wellness experiences, while Europe also offers some beautiful spa hotels and countryside retreats.

However, a wellness escape doesn’t need to involve a demanding programme or a complete lifestyle overhaul. It can be as simple as enjoying a slower morning, taking a walk in nature, spending time outdoors and allowing yourself the space to rest.

There is something to be said for bringing a little of that slower rhythm home, too. Our Summer Wellness Guide: French-Inspired Rituals for a Gentle Seasonal Reset explores some of the simple rituals that can help us find more balance in everyday life, wherever we are.

Finding Your Own Way to Slow Down

Ultimately, the most restorative holiday is not necessarily the one that takes you furthest from home or involves the most luxurious surroundings. It is the one that gives you what you need most at that particular moment.

For some, that might be sunshine and the freedom of the sea. For others, it could be the quiet of the mountains, the beauty of a desert landscape or the opportunity to spend a few days concentrating on rest and wellbeing.

And while the festive season can be a wonderful time to celebrate, it is also worth remembering that there is no single way to spend it. Sometimes a change of scenery, a little breathing space and the opportunity to experience somewhere new are gifts in themselves.

Wherever you choose to go, I hope you find a little time to slow down, reconnect and enjoy the simple pleasure of being somewhere different.

I hope you enjoyed this feature about Five Restorative Travel Escapes for a Slower Holiday Season and you can also have a look more of our travel features.

Subscribe below to receive future posts from The Velvet Runway, with new style, travel, and slow living inspiration from France and beyond, delivered directly to your inbox. You can select the categories that interest you so you only get content you truly love.