Armchair Travel: Peaceful places and open spaces

STORY BY Debbie 25th March 2020

As Britain prepares to self-isolate, there’s never been a better time to reflect, reset and draw inspiration from places visited and adventures to come. . From practising yoga overlooking the Pacific Ocean to soaking in Japanese hot springs, lust over these nine wondrous experiences and peaceful locations around the world.

Peaceful Places 

Okutama Forest Therapy – Japan 

Okutama Town, in the northwest corner of Tokyo, is the birthplace of Sjinrun-yoku, also known as forest therapy. Scientifically proven to reduce stress, lower blood pressure and improve one’s overall wellbeing, forest therapy is the practice of immersing oneself amongst the trees. Okutama offers certified forest therapists assistance during the therapy, allowing visitors to choose from one of five available therapy roads, including yoga in the woods, a relaxing pottery workshop or soba noodle making classes. japan.travel/en/uk

Yosemite National Park – Yosemite Mariposa County, California

With its giant sequoia trees, vast meadows, shimmering lakes and waterfalls and deep valleys, Yosemite Mariposa County epitomises peace and tranquillity, and is a far cry from California’s bustling cities and beach resorts. Mariposa County covers almost 1,500 square miles of jaw-dropping scenery, and visitors will find an abundance of nature set in the stunning Sierra Nevada Mountains and Gold Country. From fishing, hiking, rafting and climbing, Yosemite is the perfect place to realign with nature. yosemite.com

Yosemite Tuolumne County, California

Just north of Mariposa County is Tuolumne, the eastern gateway for Yosemite where outdoor recreation is in abundance. Travellers can embark on one of five peaceful hikes available around the stunning Hetch Hetchy Reservoir before visiting Amala Detox and Tea Lounge in downtown Sonora, which offers a variety of treatments including foot soaks, infrared sauna sessions and chromotherapy – a method that uses colours of electromagnetic radiation to cure diseases with a cup of cleansing green tea. visittuolumne.com

Kyushu - Beppu Jigoku (Hell) - Beppu City, Oita.png

Kyushu – Beppu Jigoku (Hell) – Beppu City, Oita.png

Let off steam in Oita – Kyushu, Japan 

Japan is the perfect location to inspire mindfulness and relaxation. Oita Prefecture, located in southern Japan’s Kyushu region, is home to a number of hot springs with snow-white clouds of steam festooning between the buildings at night throughout Beppu city. The resort town is home to a series of springs where the water temperature can reach over 150 degrees Celsius. Perfect for bathing in the warm colourful waters of blues and reds as a result of the minerals present, and taking time to truly relax. welcomekyushu.com

Baby Beach – Dana Point, California

Situated between LA and San Diego, Dana Point is California’s coolest coastal gem. Of the nine beaches in Dana Point, Baby Beach is the calmest. The little slice of heaven is nestled between Dana Point Harbor and the Ocean Institute, which block the waves so the water stays peaceful and undisrupted. Head there at sunrise or sunset to avoid the crowds and experience total zen. visitdanapoint.com

 

Practice Wellness

Discover the benefits of snowga – South Lake Tahoe, California

Gwyneth Paltrow’s recent Netflix series, The Goop Lab, saw employees head to Lake Tahoe to explore the benefits of cold temperature exposure and its impact on the immune system and mood. Practising the approach of Dutch “Iceman” Wim Hof, the team try snowga, meditation and total immersion in the freezing waters of America’s purest lake. Practice at home, or book ahead and find your zen amongst the snowy Sierras with Edgewood Tahoe’s new snowga – a fully immersive, outdoor yoga experience. tahoesouth.com

 

Denver - Red Rocks Yoga Credit Evan Semon.JPG

Denver – Red Rocks Yoga Credit Evan Semon.JPG

Yoga on the Rocks – Denver, Colorado

Keen yogis can practice their downward dog at one of the USA’s most iconic outdoor music venues – Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Surrounded by views of Denver and the plains, visitors can join up to 2,000 others at high altitude for a (literally) breath-taking sunrise yoga session. denver.org

Practice yoga by the Pacific Ocean – Cambria, California

Tula Yoga offers yoga classes in beautiful, peaceful and intimate locations in San Luis Obispo County, California (SLO CAL). Book a private class and wander through the pine trees in the coastal town of Cambria before reaching a beautiful park with panoramic views of the Pacific. Classes can be customised to your requirements and can include hiking and horseback riding in Cambria, Cayucos and Morro Bay. slocal.com

Santa Cruz surfers Credit VisitTheUSA.JPG

Santa Cruz surfers Credit VisitTheUSA.JPG

Relax and rejuvenate – Santa Cruz, California

With 29 miles of coastline, great surf, sandy beaches, redwood-covered mountains and a burgeoning culinary scene, Santa Cruz knows how to bring that chaos to calm. Chaminade Resort and Spa is one of the premier spas on the central coast and now offers a CBD cream full-body massage in its five-star spa. Located atop the mountains, visitors are encouraged to enjoy the serene surroundings and amazing views while experiencing one of the most on-trend, relaxing, calming practices around. santacruz.org 

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