Looking for Peaceful and Affordable Travel Destinations for a Needed Break

Hey everyone, I’ve been going through a bit of a tough time lately and feel like I need to get away for a while to clear my head.

I’m looking for a peaceful, affordable overseas destination where I can unwind and reset. I’ve been thinking about Chiang Mai, but I’m open to suggestions. Ideally, I’d like somewhere that’s cheap, calm, and easy to book a flight using points. I'm hoping to travel within the next 6 weeks or so.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

Jesho

Comments

  • +8

    Bonnie Doon. The serenity

    • The serenity

      How is it?

  • Please share which points you've acquired

    • +1

      I have a good amount of Qantas (400k+) and velocity points (150k).

      • +2

        Norfolk Island?

        • Norfolk Island is definitely peaceful. Nothing much happens there.

          Probably the biggest event on the island is the day the supply ship arrives.

          • +1

            @johninmelb: And way less chaotic to get there. I wouldn't rate 10 hours in an economy seat in a full flight of cashed-up uninsured bogans as a peaceful start to a holiday… which you then have to endure again on the way home.

  • Shimanami Kaido.

  • +1

    Cambodia (esp if you go outside of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh)

    • Anywhere specifically you would recommend?

      • +1

        Kep and Kampot (but I’d also go to Siem Reap and Phnom Phenh). Cambodia is a quiet country, even the really tourist parts aren’t that touristy in the grand scheme of things.

        If you are looking at going have a read of this, it’s a very good blog and the food recommendations are excellent
        https://walkaboutmonkey.com/destinations/cambodia/

        • Thank you, I'll have a look at the website.

  • -1

    Grand Hyatt Nusa Dua is extremely quiet and far away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of Bali. Resort-style hotel with pools and beach access, tons of restaurants and lounge access for some tiers. 15 min walk to local area shops, theatre and other facilities. Or simply never venture off the resort if that's your thing.

  • +1

    Candidasa, east coast of Bali, or further north Amed.

    • This looks great, thank you. How do you book accommodation? Online or in person?

      • Directly with Candi Beach Resort and Spa. Stayed there several times now.
        Likewise with a place at Amed, but unfortunately it has closed since we stayed.

        • +1

          I stayed at Candidasa when I went to Bali years ago, was very nice and less touristy.

  • +1

    Somewhere in Vietnam maybe?

    • I've thought about Hoi An, do you have any other recommendations in Vietnam?

      • can you ride a motorbike (a scooter exp will suffice) or otherwise willing to sit pillion - Ha Giang
        some of the best driving scenery ive seen

        otherwise ninh binh, sapa and ha long (for the typical tourist thing)
        honestly just spend however long you have off working your way from N vietnam to south.

        Add in Cambodia as a side quest if you want to exp rural living.
        i loved Siem Reap but would recommend hitting up all the off-the-beat temples in their national park. compared to angkor wat, many of those had unadulterated beauty.

      • If it is happening in the next 6 weeks or so, it is still not a good time for beach in Danang/ Hoian (A visit is okay).

      • Make sure the destination have recovered from the recent Typhoon.

  • A resort in Kota Kinabalu? The Shangri-la there used to be amazing.

    • we stayed at the sutera, it was amazing ..

  • +1

    https://www.kayak.com/explore/MEL-anywhere/20241119,20241126…

    Change the dates and the budget and see what comes up

  • +1

    You could drink on a beach in Bali for pretty cheap probably. Get massages, people bring you'd rinks, wash your clothes, shave your face for you. I bet it's all very relaxing when done correctly.

  • depends if you are solo or family or couple.

    a nice resort in south east asia would be a great place to unwind,

    • Phu Quoc or Mua Ne in Vietnam,
    • Kota Kinabalu or Langkawi in malaysia
    • Jeju island in korea,
    • Borneo
    • Sorry it would be solo and would be looking to stay for 3-4 weeks so a resort is probably out of the budget.

      • +1

        i think any destination you pick will be suitable, as long as you find that peace you are looking for.

        for me i would start with an interest/hobby. and start there. i have done japan solo this way.. just me the food i love and the camera

        one thing i did with our kids on our last holiday, we picked 2 places one in the city and one in the country side. we brought a sketch pad and pencils, we sat for hours drawing the different things we saw that day.

  • George Town / Penang Malaysia

  • Cruise!

  • taipei

  • +2

    You're best to go to Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands

  • I've been to this place three times. It's so peaceful. I stayed in their accommodation the first time. The next trip I stayed in a hotel within walking distance. Yeah I don't do yoga but I needed something to stop feeling stressed out. I would wake up in the morning and wander down and do whatever class that was on. The last session of the day always includes some meditation. It's great as the sun is setting and listening to the waves. The seven day unlimited pass is $133 includes the class and starting price for accommodation. https://www.wetravel.com/trips/7-day-unlimited-yoga-holiday-…

    The teaching quality was excellent with local and international instructors. I ended up going back there a few times to unwind. I'd highly recommend. I bough the 7 day unlimited pass. It's still around $90. I'd do about 10- 14 classes in that week. So well worth it
    https://www.serenitybali.com/en/yoga/schedule/

  • Amother vote for the cook islands

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