Forget the alarm early in the morning to make the most of as many hours as possible, leave home itineraries packed with destinations, and grant yourself a few hours without checking the clock or the smartphone. This is the philosophy of the stillcation, a new travel trend that places rest, contact with nature, and the real opportunity to slow down at the center, leaving room for a travel experience that is less planned and more contemplative.
A role in identifying the European destinations best suited to this kind of vacation was played by Inghams Walking, which analyzed almost 100 locations based on six parameters: the number of hiking trails, air quality, richness of birdsong, the possibility of observing the starry sky, population density, and forest cover. The result of the analysis is a ranking that rewards 15 destinations composed of places that are mostly not heavily urbanized and where quiet, natural landscapes and outdoor activities become an integral part of the travel experience. Among the top positions in the ranking there is also an Italian destination appreciated worldwide.
Wester Ross: The Perfect Destination to Slow Down
Taking the first place in the ranking is Wester Ross, a region of the northwestern Highlands of Scotland, where nature reigns supreme. Here the landscapes consist of mountains, sea lochs, and rugged coastlines: the ideal place for those seeking to move away from the hustle of typical tourist sites and rediscover a slower pace.
Here the population density is very low: only 1.6 people per square kilometer. For this reason it is easy, in this part of Scotland, to leave behind the noise and crowds of more populated towns.
Even the sky contributes to a feeling of isolation: the low levels of light pollution make Wester Ross particularly appealing to those who love stargazing, while nature offers numerous opportunities to encounter local wildlife. Making the experience even more special is the local culture, with the crofting tradition, Highlands agriculture, and Gaelic music.
The Dolomites Among the Top Destinations for a Stillcation
In the ranking of the best 15 destinations for a slow vacation in search of peace, there is also a globally beloved Italian jewel: the Dolomites, which take the fifth place, proving their value for a trip distant from rush and frenzy. Here the landscape invites you to walk, pause, and observe, with a network of trails that allows you to explore valleys, woods, and splendid viewpoints without necessarily following a strict schedule.
The ranking rewards precisely this kind of experience: not a destination to accumulate attractions to see, but a place where nature becomes the main activity of the vacation.
The Complete Ranking
After Wester Ross, in second place we find the French Pyrenees, part of the great mountain range that runs for over 430 kilometers between France and Spain. Their strength is characterized by natural acoustic landscapes, for which they achieved excellent results in the ranking. The song of its 319 bird species (it is indeed a great destination for birdwatching) and the sounds of nature contribute to a general sense of quiet that accompanies the journey.
In third place on the podium is Abisko, a small village in northern Sweden famous especially for the aurora borealis, offering luminous displays from September to April. It is also an excellent destination for trekking: it has the highest score for the availability of hiking trails, which allow you to explore the territory calmly without a predefined program to follow. After all, this is the essence of a stillcation: not having anything to check off from a list, but only a trail, a landscape, and all the time necessary to enjoy them.
Among the other destinations in the ranking we also find the Engadine Valley (Switzerland), with its Alpine landscapes and crystal-clear lakes, but also the Picos de Europa (Spain), which offer gorges, mountains, and wild routes. The Outer Hebrides (Scotland) are not missed, where coasts and pristine beaches dominate, Corsica (France), a mix of mountains and sea away from the crowds, Gotland (Sweden), with tranquil coastal atmospheres, and Kitzbühel (Austria), nestled among Alpine nature and elegant villages.
Kranjska Gora (Slovenia), moreover, is ideal for those seeking woods, mountains, and pure air, while St Anton (Austria) captivates with its Alpine scenery, Scania (Sweden) for its countryside and tranquil coasts, Bled (Slovenia) for the famous lake surrounded by mountains. Finally, Neustift im Stubaital (Austria) wins with stunning Alpine valley landscapes.
Here are the 15 best European destinations for a slow vacation, with the score obtained by each location (out of a total of 100 points):
- Wester Ross (Scotland): 44.74 points;
- French Pyrenees (France): 41.20 points;
- Abisko (Sweden): 40.86 points;
- Engadine Valley (Switzerland): 39.44 points;
- Dolomites (Italy): 39.20 points;
- Picos de Europa (Spain): 39.05 points;
- Outer Hebrides (Scotland): 38.96 points;
- Corsica (France): 38.18 points;
- Gotland (Sweden): 37.95 points;
- Kitzbühel (Austria): 36.86 points;
- Kranjska Gora (Slovenia): 36.38 points;
- St Anton (Austria): 36.32 points;
- Scania (Sweden) – 35.05 points;
- Bled (Slovenia): 33.80 points;
- Neustift im Stubaital (Austria): 33.65 points.
