The Ten Most Relaxing Places in Europe

Hillside Town, Provence, France

Many Americans visit Europe to sample its cultural offerings, hopping from museum to castle to cathedral in order to make the most of their long and expensive flights across the Atlantic. We tend to opt for the Caribbean or Hawaii when we want some R&R.  But there are plenty of spots in Europe that are better savored than glossed over.  Plus, wherever you go in Europe, you’re almost guaranteed the added benefits of charming architecture and delicious food.  So linger over an amazing meal, wander slowly through winding alleyways, and… just enjoy the view.



Provence, France:  Sun, dancing lavender fields, and amazing food and wine make it difficult to get motivated during a trip to Provence… but that’s ok – you’re on vacation. And once you’re here, you’ll easily slip into a routine of visiting open-air markets in the morning, taking your spoils to a scenic spot for a picnic lunch, and maybe seeing a site or doing a wine tasting before enjoying a leisurely dinner. A visit here is all about opening up your senses and soaking in the pleasures of your surroundings.



Norwegian Fjords

The Highlands, Scotland:  Britain’s most remote corner has a mystical spirit; it will lure you in with its misty forests, foggy lakes, and intriguing folklore. Like the scenery, the region’s inhabitants are slightly rough around the edges and completely unpretentious, making a stay here feel cozy and inviting. Spend your days taking in the region’s scenic beauty and visiting majestic castles. In the evening, head to the local pub and have some beers with ruddy locals, or curl up by a fire in your warmest wool.

Munich, Germany:  Munich has some pretty interesting sites, including attractive Gothic architecture, world-class museums, and a royal palace. But the sooner you learn that the best thing to do in Munich is laze around in one of the city’s many beer gardens, the happier you’ll be. Munich's beautiful and expansive English Garden contains several of these outdoor watering holes. German efficiency and orderliness makes this city clean, easy to navigate, and an overall pleasant place in which to spend a few days of your vacation. 



Puglia, Italy:  Though it’s on the verge of a tourism boom, Puglia can still serve as your next “get away from it all” vacation… if you go at the right time. Avoid July and August, when Italians flock to the region’s pristine white beaches.  But during the other warm months (and there are quite a few of them at the heel of this boot-shaped country), you’ll have the coastline to yourself. The region’s other main attractions are its food (some say it’s the best in Italy) and charming, Baroque architecture. You can round out your beach days by exploring seaside towns perched precariously over the water and by enjoying al fresco meals as you watch the sun set over the ocean. 


Ljubljana, Slovenia:  One of the most interesting things about this capital city is that there’s almost nothing to do here.  Though the city does have a number of Slovenian national sites, there are no famous, “must see” tourist attractions for foreigners. This, in turn, means that travelers should have little to nothing on their itineraries. But despite the shortage of notable museums and monuments, there are plenty of things to enjoy. Relax at one of the city’s many sidewalk cafés, spend some time meandering through the gorgeous old town, or take a short walk to the hilltop castle for some Alpine views.



Madeira, The Garden in the Atlantic

Fjord Country, Norway:  The Norwegian fjords offer some of the most strikingly beautiful scenery in all of Europe. Majestic cliff faces are divided by snaking rivers, which are impossibly blue from the glacial runoff. The breath-taking landscape will inspire you to relax and take it all in. More active travelers have plenty of hiking opportunities in this region; however, the best views are had looking up from the river. So sit back, and let your boat captain do the heavy lifting.


Madeira, Portugal:  In Madeira, you’ll feel hundreds of miles away from the rest of civilization – and that’s exactly where you’ll be. This island lies in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, and its landscape couldn’t be any more different from that of the motherland. Madeira is a sub-tropical hideaway and is known as the Garden in the Atlantic due to its lush flora and fauna. Travelers can visit blooming botanical gardens, play a round of golf, enjoy dramatic island vistas, and take a soak in natural, ocean-side lava pools. As a bonus, the island is still very European, which means that you’ll get to enjoy charming architecture and amazing cuisine.



The Salzkammergut Lake District, Austria:  There are many stunning lake districts in Europe, and all intrinsically offer opportunities for relaxing getaways. But there is something extra refreshing about Austria’s Salzkammergut area.  The rolling green hills, Alpine peaks, and crystalline blue lakes were the backdrop for the iconic film The Sound of Music and appropriately evoke the spirit of a young Julie Andrews, arms spread wide, bellowing the movie’s title song. Picture-perfect Hallstatt, perched on the shores of a pristine lake, is set back from the main thoroughfares, offering a more isolated and quaint experience.



Hallstatt, Austria



Santorini, Greece:  This island’s magic cannot be spoiled by the throngs of tourists that visit each year. The striking sunsets that float over the sugar-cube-stacked towns and dip down into the expansive caldera are breathtaking and best enjoyed on a balcony, with a beverage.  Escape the masses by descending onto one of the island’s colorful beaches (they come framed by red, white, or black cliff faces and piercingly blue water). Boat trips to the volcano make pit stops at soothing hot springs; or, you can get a more “professional” treatment at one of the island’s many spas. Easy, scenic walks between towns and casual (but delicious) meals add to the island’s leisurely feel.

Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic:  You may not recognize the name, but if you’ve seen the popular James Bond film Casino Royale, you’ll recognize the scenery. Though identified as Montenegro, the setting for the movie’s glitzy casino was actually this Czech spa town. Spinning the roulette wheel might be the most physically taxing thing you do during your stay here. Daytime fun is all about taking a soak in one of the town’s many hot springs or strolling through the historic (and surprisingly peaceful) city center.



Sunset Over Santorini

Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland: The Hills Are Alive

Best For:  Natural Beauty, Outdoor Activities, Relaxation, Charm, and Public Transportation

Best Time to Visit:  Year-Round

The Valley Floor

As part of a European tour in 2009, I planned a two-night stopover in Lauterbrunnen so that I could go look at some pretty mountains.  I knew that the neighboring town of Interlaken had a reputation for attracting backpackers and frequenters of active-wear shops, so I booked a room in the village that seemed more my speed.  The minute I stepped foot in Lauterbrunnen, I realized I had made a grave planning error:  this place was magical, and I needed to spend the rest of my days here.  During the one day I had in the region, I was an outdoorsy superstar!  I went sledding on top of the Jungfrau (at 11,000 ft!), zip-lining amongst snow-capped peaks, and hiking under crashing waterfalls (though I passed on jumping off the cliff side in a flying squirrel suit).  Then, true to form, I saddled up at a café, ate raclette, and watched the world go by... and in this heavenly wonderland, that world mainly consisted of mooing cows.  So, go to Lauterbrunnen, even if you do just want to look at some pretty mountains, but be prepared to find that athlete lurking inside.

Top of the Jungfrau

Natural Beauty:  The Lauterbrunnen Valley is one of the world’s great visual stunners.  Nestled in the mountainous Berner Oberland, it presents a striking combination of landscapes.  Lauterbrunnen allows impressive views of craggy, snow-covered mountains with the soft, lush backdrop of rolling meadowlands.  Running the length of each side of the valley floor are two imposing cliff faces, adorned by no less than 70 different waterfalls.  This spot is especially striking during the warm-weather months, when the expansive valley floor has a vibrant green hue, made to appear even brighter against the electric blue sky and patches of yellow wild flowers.  Lauterbrunnen also makes the ideal base for exploring the region’s other scenic offerings.  Nearby Interlaken, true to its name, links two dazzling lakes:  Thun and Brienz.  Travel to the top of the Jungfrau for breathtaking views of the Aletch glacier and the nearby summits of the Eiger and the Mönch.

Outdoor Activities:  This year-round travel destination offers outdoor activities for both the warm- and cold-blooded sportsman.  Switzerland is the second-most-popular destination for adventure sports in the world (behind New Zealand), and nearby Interlaken is at the heart of the industry.  Here, adrenaline junkies can book guided tours for paragliding, hang gliding, skydiving, bungee jumping, canyoning, river rafting, or rock climbing, to name a few.  Outdoor enthusiasts with a more restrained sense of adventure can explore the area’s many scenic trails on foot or mountain bike.  Snow bunnies will want to take advantage of the many local skiing and snowboarding spots.

       

Looking Down into the Valley

Relaxation:  The valley’s astounding scenery encourages visitors to sit back and soak in their surroundings.  Travelers looking to slow down their pace have many options for relaxation.  Take a ferry ride on Lake Thun and enjoy the water’s serenity before stopping for lunch in one of many charming lakeside towns.  Or, ride the cog train up the mountain, stop in one of the ski towns, and find a café with a breath-taking view. 

Charm:  The quaint, chalet-filled, mountain towns scattered through the region are the cherries on top of this destination.  Lauterbrunnen has one main street with a bakery, cheese shop, small grocery store, bar, and a smattering of hotels and restaurants.  Loiter on one of the eatery’s porches for a twilight dinner, and your meal will almost certainly come with evening entertainment: a farmer herding his cows down the road, their bells clinking a serenade as you enjoy your fondue. 

Public Transportation:  Don’t bother with a car around these parts – the punctual and expansive Swiss rail system does not disappoint even amongst Europe’s tallest peaks.  Lauterbrunnen serves as an excellent transportation hub for exploring the Berner Oberland.  Interlaken, which is easily accessible from all of the major Swiss cities, is one stop down the mountain.  Heading further up the mountain, travelers can stop in their choice of ski villages, each connected to one another by a series of gondolas and funiculars.  Or, just head straight to the top of the Jungfrau, home to the highest rail station in Europe.

The Valley Floor

You could spend an entire lifetime taking in this region’s beauty, but some travelers like more variety in their trips.  Here are some suggestions for Lauterbrunnen trip add-ons: 

Consider heading southeast to Lake Como, Italy, via the charming Swiss cities of Lucerne and Lugano.  Lake Como is almost as beautiful as Lauterbrunnen and offers the added benefits of amazing food, a different culture, the chance to live in the lap of luxury for a few days, and the possibility of a George Clooney sighting.

Head southwest to gorgeous Lake Geneva.  Though not as ideal for sporty-types, you will get a touch of culture, nightlife, and shopping in the lux lakeside cities of Lausanne and Geneva.

Costa Rica: Viva la Pura Vida

Best For:  Natural Beauty, Ecotourism, Outdoor Activities, Relaxation, Family Friendly

Best Time to Visit:  December through April 

Waterfall in La Fortuna

I don't really do nature.  I look at it.  I appreciate it.  Then I go to a café, do some window shopping, or hit up a museum, and if the nature is still in my field of vision while I'm enjoying the cultural sites, I'll appreciate it some more.  So, a couple of years ago when my mom and I decided to skip out on Christmas, I was a bit skeptical about heading to the tropics.  But Costa Rica isn't your dime a dozen Caribbean spot.  The nature is so vibrant, the pace so relaxed, and the people so lovely, it even made me slow down and enjoy the pura vida (pure life), as the locals call it.  By the end of my week here I was scoping out spots for a retirement home.    

Natural Beauty:  Containing up to 6% of the worlds’ plants and animal species in an area roughly the size of West Virginia, Costa Rica has been called the most bio-diverse country on earth.  Varying landscapes offer travelers a visual smorgasbord of black sand beaches, lush rainforests, lava-spewing volcanoes, misty cloud forests, and grand waterfalls.  One of the great joys of a trip to Costa Rica is seeing exotic animals in their natural habitat.  It’s not unusual to spot monkeys hanging in trees or sea turtles inching along the beach.  Bird watchers may even get a glimpse of the rare resplendent quetzal.  Some of the most scenic inland parks include Monteverde and Arenal, while Manuel Antonio and Corcovada are coastal treats. 

   

Monteverde Cloud Forest

Ecotourism:  Costa Rica wrote the book on ecotourism.  With over 25% of its land protected by conservation areas and national parks, the country has led the way in wildlife preservation.  Here, conservation goes even beyond land protection – ecotourism is also in the details.  Hotel key cards prevent guests from leaving their lights on unnecessarily, products are made from eco-friendly materials, and trash bins offer multiple recycling options. 

Outdoor Activities:  Costa Rica is an adventure-lover’s playground.  Hikers, bikers, and rafters can take advantage of the countless trails and white water in the rainforests and parks.  Thrill seekers will not want to miss zip lining above forest canopies – Monteverde is best.  Water worshippers can enjoy scuba, swimming, snorkeling, or surfing on either of the country’s two coasts.

Guanacaste Beaches

Relaxation:  After trekking through the rainforest or battling the ocean waves, visitors will need some time to unwind and enjoy the pura vida.  Those visiting volcanic areas, such as Arenal (pictured right), can take a soak in one of the many hot springs, naturally heated by underground volcanic rock.  Sun worshippers can choose from remote beaches, such as those on the Caribbean and South Pacific Coasts, or more developed spots, like the Guanacaste or Manuel Antonio areas.

Family Friendly:  If you feel like you’ve missed out on international travel since starting a family, consider taking your kids to Costa Rica.  Children of all ages will love its attractions and will especially appreciate not being dragged to boring museums.  Many of the parks offer family-oriented activities such as butterfly gardens and hanging bridge tours.  And who doesn’t love the beach?