Travel
This New Travel Trend Promises You Won't Need A Vacation From Your Vacation—Here's Where To Go
Travel
This New Travel Trend Promises You Won't Need A Vacation From Your Vacation—Here's Where To Go
Quietcations are quickly becoming the new travel trend of 2025. With a focus on true rest and restoration—both mental and physical—you won’t need a vacation from your vacation again.
The goal of going on vacation is simple: to change up your routine, explore new scenery, and recharge your battery. While we might come back from a week away having enjoyed roaming the busy streets of Paris or hiking Machu Picchu, these adventures can take a toll—no matter where you go or what you do, the first few days home from vacation are often exhausting.
That’s why our interest piqued when we heard about a new type of getaway—the quietcation. This travel trend is about finding inner peace and relaxation, allowing you to return to your everyday life completely refreshed. It turns out this isn’t just another fad—there’s some science to back it up.
“Quiet time enhances our emotional regulation,” says Dr. Sachiko Nagasawa, a clinical psychologist and clinic director at Bay Psychology in North Bay, Ont. “It increases oxytocin, which expands our stress tolerance window and builds greater resilience (our ability to cope with and manage life’s frustrations and our emotional ups and downs).” It also promotes presence and intentionality and boosts our focus, she says. You’ll have a better foundation for dealing with everyday stressors, like your morning commute, running late to pick up your kids, or getting stuck behind someone slow in a checkout line.
We get it—not everyone will be as excited to go on a quietcation as they are for a trip to Europe. We’re not conditioned that way. “We live in a society that glorifies busyness, efficiency, and productivity, and stillness offers no immediate external reward, which makes it difficult to embrace,” says Dr. Nagasawa. “Many people avoid their own thoughts because they’re often filtered through worry, rumination or self-criticism, and when your inner dialogue is harsh or judgmental, leaning into silence can feel overwhelming rather than restorative. However, with practice or the support of a mental health professional, embracing silence can gradually become a powerful source of calm and clarity.”
So, how do we work toward finding comfort in silence so we can reap all of the benefits? Start with a few deep, mindful breaths in the morning before you get out of bed. Try not looking at your phone the next time you’re in an elevator. Go for a walk without listening to music or a podcast. Once you feel like you’ve built up a quiet time tolerance and enjoy your moments of solitude, book that quietcation. The range of what this time away looks like is totally up to you. From digital detoxes to soaking up the sounds of nature, places across Canada are offering wellness getaways that promise to give you a true reset.
Little Bluff Conservation Area
Picton, Ontario
Photo by Shutterstock (left, The June Motel (right)
Head to the rocky shores of Prince Edward County for a little R&R. This park has quite a few easy, short trails for wandering around that all lead to a beautiful view of Lake Ontario. After you’ve soaked it all in, stop by one of the many wineries in the area, like Exultet Estates or Black Prince Winery. An afternoon spent sipping on some vino in an open field with the sun shining down will definitely soothe your soul. Wrap your quietcation up with a night at The June Motel or Merrill House—it’s a perfect weekend getaway!
Thermea Spa Village
Whitby, Ontario
Photo by Thermea Spa Village
This day spa is the ultimate place to unwind if you’re short on vacation time. Located just an hour from Toronto, you’ll find saunas, baths (both hot and cold), and rest areas that you can cycle between throughout your stay. There are three restaurants on the property for when you get hungry (and, yes, you get to eat in your robe!). If you need a little something extra to unwind completely, add on a body scrub and clay mask, massage, or visit to a specialty sauna. The village has a no-phone policy and asks that you keep talking to a minimum.
Trout Point Lodge
East Kemptville, Nova Scotia
Photo by Trout Point Lodge
This ecotourism destination is dreamy—quite literally! The lodge is the world’s first certified Starlight Hotel and is located in the Acadian Skies & Mi’kmaq Lands Starlight Tourist Destination. You’ll want to book one of its curated packages, like the Getaway, Wellness in the Wilderness, or Wine Lover—all available for groups or solo tourists—that plan activities based on the type of vacation you’re looking for. Forest bathing, guided hikes, kayaking or canoeing, nature walks, wood-fired hot tubbing, and, of course, stargazing are just a few of the options. Every package includes gourmet breakfasts, four-course dinners featuring local and sustainable ingredients and overnights in the cabin-style suites. Don’t forget to pack your Night Sky Almanac!
Chimney Rock Ranch Wellness Retreat
Nanton, Alberta
Photo by Chimney Rock Wellness Retreat
Located just one-and-a-half hours south of Calgary, this adventure camp has breathtaking views of the Chimney Rock formations, long known as a spiritual destination. You can get the usual wellness services here, like massages and yoga classes, but Chimney Rock Ranch prides itself on its roster of outdoor activities. Spend your days rafting, roping, trail riding, and even attending equine-assisted animal therapy, all before digging into chef-prepared healthy meals and sleeping in the rustic-chic five-star lodge. You’ll leave feeling more connected to nature (and yourself) in a way you haven't before.
Spa Eastman
Eastman, Quebec
Photo by Spa Eastman
Situated on more than 300 lush acres overlooking Mont Orford, this total wellness destination suggests a minimum three-night stay to fully settle into the all-inclusive experience. A typical day includes three fresh, nutritious meals, time to walk the 15 kilometres of nature trails, optional activities like yoga, writing workshops and thermotherapy, and available add-ons like a digital detox or massage therapy. You’ll spend the night in a TV-free room where you can reflect on your experiences from the day.
Sparkling Hill Resort
Vernon, British Columbia
Photo by Sparkling Hill Resort
If your idea of the ultimate getaway includes watching the sunset while sipping a glass of wine in a big plush robe, a trip to this luxurious wellness retreat is in order. In addition to massage and aromatherapy treatments, Sparkling Hill has steam rooms, saunas and pools, a cryo-cold chamber, and daily fitness classes. You’ll find three dining areas throughout the resort, offering everything from fine dining ocean-to-table meals to a fresh pint on a patio overlooking Okanagan Lake. Rooms here have floor-to-ceiling windows that maximize the views of the surrounding mountains and waterways. Best of all, there are special Canadian resident rates to encourage national travel.
Northern Lights Resort & Spa
Whitehorse, Yukon
Photo by Northern Lights Resort & Spa
Sometimes, you’ve got to get away from it all—and we bet you’ve never been to the Yukon. Book one of the early autumn seven-night packages for an unforgettable adventure that will leave you in total awe. From witnessing the Aurora Borealis to exploring the Yukon Wildlife Preserve to a dip in hot springs, this isn’t like any other spa you’ve been to. The magic here is all about the untouched beauty the Territories offer. You’ll be surrounded by rugged terrain that you can take in from your private chalet. Your trip also includes three meals a day, expert-guided tours, and access to the saunas and trails.
Don't Have Vacation Time To Spare?
Here are a few ways you can take a quietcation at home:
- Start off your day with a morning walk—no more headphones allowed!
- Plan a hike this weekend. We love the AllTrails app for finding routes nearby.
- Agree with your partner on a "no phone day."
- Get a massage at a day spa.
- Spend your afternoon reading a book.
- Enjoy a solo dinner out.
Protect hair from sun
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