Cornwall, UK is the world’s greatest sluggish journey vacation spot, beating different prime vacation spots like Algarve, Lanzarote and Dubrovnik, in accordance with new analysis by Sainsbury’s Financial institution.
Sluggish journey searches within the UK have risen 5.4 per cent on an annual foundation to 4,608 between April 2024 and March 2025, as extra travellers search significant native connections and restorative experiences over packed itineraries.
The financial institution’s Sluggish Journey Index takes under consideration plenty of metrics equivalent to journey costs, lodging, delicacies, proximity to nature and leisure throughout the 30 most frequented sluggish journey locations.
“Sluggish journey helps us to actually expertise a spot quite than speeding by it, permitting for a extra restful and enriching journey. In a world the place burnout is on the rise, this conscious method to journey might be a game-changer for bodily and emotional well-being,” wellness skilled Eloise Skinner mentioned in an e mail to Euronews Journey.
She added: “Spending longer in a single place helps us really feel extra grounded and current within the second.”
Different prime sluggish journey locations in Europe embrace the Algarve, Provence, Lanzarote and Oslo. County Mayo in Eire, Dubrovnik, the Balkans, Iceland and Tallinn additionally ranked extremely on the index.
Cornwall’s rugged coastlines and gorgeous seashores
Cornwall, positioned within the southwest of England, has an extended historical past of being one of many UK’s favorite vacation spots. Coveted for its breathtaking seashores, lush countryside and abundance of nature and outside actions, sluggish travellers have loads of alternatives to relaxation, calm down and recharge.
Travellers searching for outside adventures can pedal coast-to-coast on the Bissoe Cycle Path, or spend a quiet day in a sleepy coastal village like Portloe. Spend a day on a cruise ship, or get a style of pirate and smuggling life exploring Holywell Bay’s sea caves.
For wellness travellers searching for meditation, yoga and spa remedies, Cornwall has plenty of retreats equivalent to The Uncooked Retreat, Cabilla Cornwall, Bedruthan Lodge and Spa, and St Michaels Resort. Some highlights embrace a sensory spa backyard, hydrotherapy swimming pools and beautiful woodland settings. Pattern conventional Cornish fare like potted crab, saffron cake, or a cornish pasty—a handheld pie sometimes full of beef, potatoes and greens.
Cornwall additionally affords a number of lodging decisions for a spread of budgets, together with glamping and tenting choices equivalent to Willow Valley Glamping in Bude, The Beeches Glamping in Newquay and Mount Nice Eco Park in Porthtowan.
For many who desire a extra upscale expertise, historic resorts like The Alverton in Truro and Tregenna Fortress Resort in St Ives provide a phenomenal mix of up to date and heritage design, whereas nonetheless being simply accessible.
“When creating our index, Cornwall’s gorgeous shoreline, hidden gems and wealthy historical past that encourage travellers to decelerate actually helped safe its prime place. It affords guests ample alternatives for leisure and exploration at their very own tempo,” Stuart Brian, head of journey cash at Sainsbury’s Financial institution mentioned in an e mail.
Algarve’s conventional delicacies and turquoise lagoons
Portugal’s Algarve area bagged the highest spot for delicacies within the index, making it a must-visit for sluggish travellers searching for genuine culinary experiences in idyllic settings. Tuck into historically ready native seafood and contemporary natural produce on sun-kissed seashore terraces overlooking infinite blue waters.
Expertise a spread of vineyards which additionally provide countryside eating choices equivalent to Quinta dos Sentidos, Morgado do Quintão and Quinta dos Vales. Wine tastings begin from as little as €30 per particular person. The Algarve additionally has loads of quiet seashores, nature and cliffs to discover, with guests capable of cycle by the countryside or hike within the Monchique Mountains.
Keep in conventional farm homes (quintas) like Quinta do Pinheiro within the protected nature reserve of Parque Pure da Ria Formosa and Quinta da Donalda in Portimão or peaceable eco-lodges like Conversas de Alpendre in Santa Rita.
Provence’s vineyards and lavender fields
Certainly one of southern France’s hottest spots, Provence, affords a main sluggish journey escape, with the proper mix of delicacies, leisure and lodging. With rolling vineyards and enchanting landscapes, sharp coastlines and vividly purple lavender fields, Provence permits travellers to attach extra deeply with nature, whereas all the time having extra to discover.
Bask in Mediterranean flavours and leisurely meals in prime Michelin-starred eating places plating up garden-to-table dishes, or hunt for antiques and truffles in farmers’ markets or hop on a ship to the Calanques Nationwide Park, the place you’ll be able to hike, swim or kayak. Cycle alongside Luberon’s hills, or spend the day at a spa soaking in thermal springs in Digne-les-Bains or Aix-en-Provence.
Select from a spread of B&Bs, boutique resorts and countryside retreats like Moulin des Sources: Chambres in Les Gros and Chateau Le Cagnard in Cagnes-sur-Mer, or deal with your self to a historic mansion or restored farmhouse like Lodge de Tourrel in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence,or La Bastide du Tinal in Ménerbes.
Ocean remedy and volcanoes in Lanzarote
Immerse your self in dramatic nature on a sustainable and sluggish vacation in Lanzarote, one in all Spain’s Canary Islands. Referred to as “the island of a thousand volcanoes”, Lanzarote affords unbelievable landscapes, pristine seashores and uncommon ecosystems. Additionally it is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, which means that the island balances the sustainable use of pure sources and biodiversity conservation.
Marvel on the volcanic geysers in Timanfaya Nationwide Park, or style distinctive wines influenced by thelandscape. Study hundreds of flora species in cactus gardens, or unwind in plenty of spas providing seawater-based leisure therapies and volcanic sizzling springs, equivalent to Thalasso & Spa or The Hesperia, each in Puerto Calero.
Tuck into Canarian dishes made with contemporary, locally-sourced elements like papas arrugadas, a conventional boiled potato dish served with chilli pepper garlic sauce known as mojo rojo, at seafront eating places or native bodegas.
Secret fjords and stylish metropolis tradition in Oslo
Though a key Northern European capital, Oslo affords quite a lot of sluggish journey alternatives. Discover the Oslofjord’s gorgeous community of coastal landscapes and islands, excellent for sluggish walks alongside the waterfront, kayaking and ferry rides. Search out hidden lakes for swimming, picnics and nature hikes. Calm down in a floating sauna like KOK Oslo, beginning at NOK 240 (€20.2) for shared saunas.
Expertise sustainable harvesting tradition first-hand with eating places like Iris Expedition Eating, which prioritises high-quality elements from fjords and forests. Tuck into the nation’s nationwide dish, Fårikål, a cabbage and lamb stew, washed down with a sizzling cup of Nordic-style espresso and a kanelboller (cinnamon bun).
Travellers can select from a spread of countryside retreats in the course of forests, equivalent to Romskog Spa and Resort, which is one hour and 40 minutes away from Oslo, or hilltop houses and caravans for a unique expertise.