If you love to travel, you’ll know that, while exhilarating, traipsing across the world can be quite the military operation. Yes, some people are relaxed enough to adopt a ‘go with the flow’ approach, but for most of us, even a European city break comes with its own packing spreadsheet and hour-by-hour itinerary to help us get the most out of a trip. It can be intense, but who can blame us? With an ever-rising cost of living and limited annual leave, it’s never been more important to feel like we’ve experienced every moment to full, from the first airport mimosa to the goodbye meal.

But what if it’s laid-back, restful holidays that we’re really in need of? The kind where we wake slowly and wander around town in search of fresh coffee and pastries before making a (light) plan for the day. What if, rather than rushing through the sights, we stopped and took it all in a bit more?

Forget 5am rises and the city that never sleeps. According to Pinterest’s 2024 trends report, this kind of gentle sightseeing is on the rise. Searches for ‘staycation hotel’ and ’slow life’ have steadily been on the rise as travellers crave rest stops, fewer nights out and more time in bed.

To go on holiday only to nap the sunny afternoon away may sound like a waste to some, but that kind of uninterrupted rest is clearly needed. According to YouGov statistics, one in eight people in the country feel tired all the time. For women in particular, three in five of us report feeling tired when we wake up, regardless of how many hours we get. Over the past few years, sleep retreats have been steadily on the rise, with more and more of us paying for all-inclusive packages that focus on improving our slumbers.

But now it seems that ‘slowcations’ are the new vacations – and 2024 might just be the perfect time to get on board.

So whether you dream of losing hours rambling through the English countryside or listening to the waves crash on a faraway beach somewhere, don’t forget to schedule plenty of R&R opportunities alongside your cooking classes, sightseeing and dinners out. Your mind and body will thank you. 

Images: Getty