Looking for Peaceful and Affordable Travel Destinations for a Needed Break

jesho on 20/10/2024 - 17:59
Last edited 20/10/2024 - 18:41 by 1 other user

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

Travel

Comments

  • Dollar General on 20/10/2024 - 18:46
    +8

    Bonnie Doon. The serenity

    • ThithLord on 21/10/2024 - 09:06

      The serenity

      How is it?

  • sumyungguy on 20/10/2024 - 18:51

    Please share which points you've acquired

    • jesho on 20/10/2024 - 19:03
      +1

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

      • sumyungguy on 20/10/2024 - 19:20
        +2

        Norfolk Island?

        • johninmelb on 21/10/2024 - 17:56

          Norfolk Island is definitely peaceful. Nothing much happens there.

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

          • sumyungguy on 21/10/2024 - 18:04
            +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.

  • MTWallet on 20/10/2024 - 18:51

    Shimanami Kaido.

  • Gunnar on 20/10/2024 - 19:01
    +1

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

    • jesho on 20/10/2024 - 19:06

      Anywhere specifically you would recommend?

      • Gunnar on 20/10/2024 - 21:29
        +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/

        • jesho on 20/10/2024 - 23:46

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

  • Hybroid on 20/10/2024 - 19:01
    -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.

  • DashCam AKA Rolts on 20/10/2024 - 20:02
    +1

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

    • jesho on 20/10/2024 - 23:46

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

      • DashCam AKA Rolts on 21/10/2024 - 07:50

        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.

        • onetwothreefour on 21/10/2024 - 13:11
          +1

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

  • SmiTTy on 20/10/2024 - 21:02
    +1

    Somewhere in Vietnam maybe?

    • jesho on 20/10/2024 - 23:45

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

      • JDMcarfan on 21/10/2024 - 10:33

        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.

      • dinhoecotour on 21/10/2024 - 12:28

        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).

      • athuntershill on 21/10/2024 - 12:54

        Make sure the destination have recovered from the recent Typhoon.

  • Seaword on 20/10/2024 - 21:15

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

    • Archi on 21/10/2024 - 08:13

      we stayed at the sutera, it was amazing ..

  • soan papdi on 20/10/2024 - 21:36
    +1

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

    Change the dates and the budget and see what comes up

  • AustriaBargain on 21/10/2024 - 07:01
    +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.

  • Archi on 21/10/2024 - 08:16

    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
    • jesho on 21/10/2024 - 08:22

      Sorry it would be solo and would be looking to stay for 3-4 weeks so a resort is probably out of the budget.

      • Archi on 21/10/2024 - 09:54
        +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.

  • athuntershill on 21/10/2024 - 12:51

    George Town / Penang Malaysia

  • Moneyinthebank on 21/10/2024 - 15:03

    Cruise!

  • Thenarrator on 21/10/2024 - 16:13

    taipei

  • travelfez on 22/10/2024 - 15:28
    +2

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

  • koplik8 on 22/10/2024 - 15:42

    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/

  • nekro on 23/10/2024 - 17:48

    Amother vote for the cook islands

  • jesho on 16/01/2025 - 11:44
    +2

    Hi everyone, just a quick update: I joined a three-week tour of Vietnam and Cambodia. I chose the tour because I felt it would motivate me to explore the country rather than just relax at a nice hotel all day. There was also plenty of free time for me to do my own thing.

    Vietnam was a bit disappointing, as I found it to be quite touristy. While I did feel homesick towards the end, it was refreshing to be in a different environment for a few weeks. It’s amazing how much you can learn about yourself through travel.

    Thanks so much for all the suggestions, especially the idea of planning a holiday around an activity. It was definitely a helpful tip!

    • Autonomic on 16/01/2025 - 16:46

      Which tour did you go on?

      • jesho on 16/01/2025 - 17:24

        Gadventures, I would recommend them as a company but it seems that the quality of the tour guide will vary, we got lucky with ours i think. I also wasn't a big fan of a lot of the tours they included, they're just very touristy.

  • Protractor on 16/01/2025 - 12:59

    "I found it to be quite touristy."
    LOL. The entire world is a bit touristy nowadays. As soon as someone discovers a gem they sell it out on social media.

    Glad you enjoyed the break,anyway.

    • jesho on 16/01/2025 - 17:26

      Very true. I usually preface it with, 'I know I’m a tourist, but…' Still, there’s only so many times you can say 'No thanks' before it gets tiring. I actually found Bangkok much better in this regard. While it’s more developed and expensive than Vietnam, it had a really nice vibe.

      • Protractor on 16/01/2025 - 18:19

        True, and I reckon Japan is the next Vietnam as far as impact by ;you must go there' syndrome. Would be nice to think that would free up Vietnam, but humans are like foxes. One moves out, 3 move in.

  • Aamir1612 on 16/01/2025 - 13:01

    One and only INDIA 🇮🇳

    • jesho on 16/01/2025 - 17:29

      It was always on my list, but to be honest, this video made me a bit hesitant. I’m sure it’s not entirely representative, but it definitely doesn’t give off a peaceful vibe. Maybe one year following an Australian cricket tour.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFUIdcrgW6M

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