Travel
fromwww.businessinsider.com
7 hours agoThe new vacation flex? Waking up without a hangover.
Sober tourism is rising, especially among Gen Z, who prioritize wellness and experiences over alcohol during vacations.
Sensei Porcupine Creek, located in the Santa Rosa Mountains, offers a tranquil environment with luxurious accommodations, a private golf course, and a world-class tennis facility, all designed to promote wellness.
On day five of an eight-day, 500-mile mountain bike race in Africa, Piers Constable found himself sprawled in the dirt for the second time. First he'd crashed on his left side, then on his right, until he was, in his own words, "muddied and bloodied," staring at a bike that was very much broken. He remembered a feed station a couple miles away and realized he had two choices: quit or run. He picked up the bike and ran.
The Guest Cabin at Wondernut Farm, Big Oak Flat Wondernut Farm's quaint one-room cabin (Courtesy of Nic Castellanos via Hipcamp) Overlooking the property owners' 115-year-old barn and garden, the guest cabin at Wondernut Farm is, perhaps, the perfect minimalist retreat for those seeking a bit of respite from our electronic devices. Glampers who choose to spend an evening or more underneath the tin steel roofed cabin can expect a cacophony of chorused musings to help wake them up everyday.
Rural Middleville is far from a bustling metropolis, best known for the Herkimer Diamond Mines, which are only open seasonally. But solitude is the allure in this town and at this Airbnb; it's a place to unwind and relax with no agenda. Cohosted by For The Love of Upstate, a host with a collection of restored properties in the area, the listing promised a private in-home spa, thoughtful details with comfort at the helm, and stunning river views.
Whitetail Resort is located in Central Pennsylvania and is a legit hidden gem for skiers and snowboarders in the mid-Atlantic region. This ski resort gets seriously underestimated by many. I was travelling from one resort to another, and Whitetail was on the way to my next destination. I almost didn't go because I was on the road for two weeks straight, but I'm so glad I did-it's way better than I expected.
For the traveler who finds romance in a curved wall, chases good lighting, and believes a space should quietly seduce, a good design-led vacation rental is the destination as much as the location around it. These are homes chosen for how they look, feel, and linger in our memory-where architecture, interiors, and setting shape the experience of travel itself. Across the sun-washed corners of Italy, Spain, Portugal, and beyond, today's most compelling rentals are as
Perched high atop a dappled-colored horse at Alisal Ranch, I stroked the equine's coarse hair in an effort to bond before sauntering off to an authentic cowboy breakfast. I was with a group of like-minded women in search of a wellness weekend but we chose to trade our spa robes for cowgirl hats and forgo mani-pedis for dusty trail rides. This was not a typical dude ranch experience. It seamlessly blended nurturing self-care, enriching workshops, nourishing meals, and fostering friendships.
As we plan our next break, research suggests we should look not to far-flung destinations, but to our own backyards. The staycation offers a compelling new model for deep mental restoration. This is not merely staying home, but a curated, intentional break grounded in the psychological science of recovery-one that challenges the notion that distance equals escape. In doing so, it provides a practical approach for rebuilding our cognitive and emotional reserves right where we are.
Back in chilly February, when you were bored at work, you didn't think twice about booking a wine tasting and zipline excursion back to back. By the time reality hits in July, you're desperately chugging water to try and stave off heat stroke. Just like that, your 'relaxing' getaway is not so relaxing at all.
Studio Stipfold designs AltiHut Cottage as part of first sustainable high-altitude hospitality ecosystem, combining a compact layout, fiber- architecture, and panoramic glazing to minimize impact while maximizing experience. At 3,014 meters above sea level, AltiHut stands as more than a mountain . It is a statement of responsibility, vision, and care for the planet. The project challenges the idea of adventure tourism by uniting comfort, awareness, and respect for nature. Every element, delivered by helicopter and powered by the sun, reflects a belief that hospitality can exist in balance with the environment.
This floating cabin is located on a stationary pontoon along the Sava River in the Sava Shipyard, one of the most renowned shipyards in the region. Measuring eight-by-six meters, this compact yet thoughtfully designed structure maximizes every inch of space. It is an open-concept structure that is created for leisurely afternoons, weekend stays, and intimate gatherings for their family and friends. All elements of the design are meant to give the family a peaceful retreat and haven from the daily grind.
I was wandering through West Asheville one day, past vintage storefronts and sun-washed sidewalks, when I noticed a doorway overflowing with green. Ferns spilled outward, vines climbed the windows.
You may dream of seeing the geysers of Yellowstone or the overwhelming greatness of the Grand Canyon, but chances are you have a handful of little wonders in your own backyard. State parks like Goblin Valley in Utah hold their own against the neighboring Arches National Park (or Canyonlands, for that matter), while Maine's Baxter State Park is arguably just as wild as the well-known Acadia National Park (Baxter doesn't even have running water!). Plus, state parks tend to be less crowded and more affordable-two things that bode well for overnight guests.
No doubt a response to the extreme digital connectivity of the world, but small and secret hotels have never felt more appealing than right now. The ultimate antidote to the 'see and be seen' scene. Extreme exclusivity is the name of the game here - where there's no waiting times for check-in, no scrounging around for a sun lounger, and staff greet you like family.
"Durango is a true gateway to wild places-mountains, rivers, desert, and culture converging in one vibrant basecamp," says Rajan Hansji, the founder of Terra Vi hospitality company.
A great deal of travel advertising targets the newlywed couple, the blithesome pair in search of that perfect honeymoon hotel, where a stay will ensure a happy marriage to come. But what if you just got out of one? Where is 2001 Nicole Kidman going, after signing the divorce papers from Tom Cruise? ( This meme has since been debunked by Kidman herself, but that's besides the point.)