Everyone travels for different reasons. Sometimes you just need to get away. Sometimes you want the rush of adventure. And sometimes, you’re looking to spark your interest in enjoying life again. The recently-turned-classic novel Eat Pray Love didn’t come up with the idea of a pleasure-focused, but it encouraged a new wave of travelers looking to experience the beautiful pleasures of existence while traveling. With that idea in mind, the following will explore a few stellar holiday ideas for those who are looking to enjoy what life has to offer.
For Wine And Beer Lovers
Many cultures around the world have developed their own methods for creating alcohol, and this means that part of traveling to a new place can be a wonderful excuse to drink to your heart’s content. Spending an afternoon in the French countryside on a winery tour or in the Scottish highlands on a distillery tour can be a luxurious aspect of any trip. Look for local breweries as well. If you’re traveling in a group, this is a great activity to have early on as it serves as a wonderful ice-breaker, and it keeps the party moving whenever you’re not vibing with a particular space.
Natural Spa Elements
Relaxation is always a fantastic focus for your vacation. If that relaxation time is also rejuvenating your body, even better. Some landscapes have natural elements that create stellar spa moments. Take, for instance, Iceland’s hot springs. There’s something truly energizing about sitting in steaming water in a cold environment. Blood circulation is boosted by the variety of minerals that are found in spring water, which are quickly absorbed by the body. This, in turn, promotes oxygen flow, which clears your mind and helps every part of your body function better. Hot springs also promote better sleep, reduce stress, and lift pain, and since the water has a high silica content, it can soften and smooth, dried skin. That’s a ton of luxurious benefits for simply soaking in some hot water before some beautiful scenery.
Hot springs aren’t the only natural source of the spa experience. Some locations have things like mud that can contribute to the spa experience. If you visit the Dead Sea, you’ll see all the tourists rubbing mud straight from the ground into their skin. The mud around the Dead Sea has minerals that are small enough to penetrate the skin. Again, this improves circulation and encourages a youthful glow to the skin.
Foodie-Focused Stops
No matter what cuisine you love the most, you can bet that there’s a place somewhere in the world where the very best of that food is available. If you’re new to the foodie scene and don’t mind spending for the perfect meal, you can pay attention to locations that have lots of Michelin-starred restaurants. The ten countries with the most Michelin-starred restaurants are:
- Japan
- France
- Italy
- Germany
- The United States
- Spain
- United Kingdom
- Switzerland
- Hong Kong
- Singapore
Singapore, in the number 10 spot, has 44 Michelin-starred restaurants. No matter which nation you choose on the list, you can eat magical-tasting food until your heart’s content. Of course, many renowned restaurants have a bit of a waiting list, so it’s a good idea to plan your trip well in advance if you’re looking to eat in the top location.
Museum Havens
A several-hour-long feast for the eyes definitely makes this list. The world is full of stellar museums with art that will take your breath away and leave you feeling connected to the heartbeat of collective humanity. Take the time to research the type of art you like and where you can find it if you have specific tastes. If you are open to suggestions, you might want to consider:
- The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- The Prado, Madrid, Spain
- The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), New York, USA
- The Vatican Museums, Vatican City, Italy
- The Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, USA
- The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia
- The Uffizi Galleries, Florence, Italy
- The British Museum, Longdon, United Kingdom
- Le Louvre, Paris, France
- Musee d’Orsay, Paris, France
- Egyptian Museum, Cairo, Egypt
The above information should have given you a few ideas of places to go on vacation when you’re looking to enjoy what life has to offer. Make sure to spend some time near large bodies of water if that’s an option, as studies have found that being near natural water can dramatically reduce a person’s stress. This, in turn, can help you enjoy your trip to the fullest and focus on the wonderful meals and stellar sights available to you.