Are you looking for a trip that offers tranquillity and relaxation? We have plenty of tropical getaways, nature escapes, wellness hideaways and luxurious experiences to get you started.

Each one of these relaxing getaways allowed us to slow down, clear our minds and live in the moment. They are like little slices of heaven!

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Beach Getaways

Cec in a yellow bikini sits on a colourful beach towel under palm fronds, gazing out at the blue ocean waves in St. Lucia.
Relaxing beach day in St. Lucia

Hot sun, long beach days, and refreshing ocean swims - there’s nothing quite like the calm that comes with being by the water. We include tropical islands, coastal gems and cliffside hideaways that offer their own kind of seaside magic.

Canada

A table set with coffee, juice, and eggs benedict overlooks a rocky coastline and distant forested islets on a stormy day in Tofino.
Room service with wild Pacific Ocean views in Tofino

Find solitude in Tofino, a surf town located on the wild west coast

3 Day Tofino Itinerary

27 Fun Things to Do in Tofino

Greece

A rocky beach with straw umbrellas and blue sun loungers overlooks a calm bay on Hydra Island, where sailboats float near a rocky hillside.
Agios Nikolaos Beach on Hydra Island

Swim and chill on Hydra Island, a creative Mediterranean hideaway

3 Day Hydra Itinerary

18 Unique Things to Do on Hydra Island

Day Trip to Agios Nikolaos Beach - Hydra's Remote Paradise

France

Cec walks along a fenced sandy path away from the vast Atlantic Ocean in Cap Ferret with waves in the distance.
Cap Ferret's wide-open Atlantic beaches

Wind down in Cap Ferret, a bohemian-chic town with remote Atlantic beaches

11 Fun Things to Do in Cap Ferret

Italy

Rosé wine is poured into a plastic cup at a pebble beach on the Italian Riviera.
Lazy beach days in Camogli on the Italian Riviera

Spend slow beach days in colourful towns on the Italian Riviera

7 Fun Things to Do in Camogli - Where Italians Vacay for Summer

Charter a yacht and soak in the Amalfi Coast at golden hour

2 Week Italy Itinerary Including Amalfi Coast

Spend a blissful day in Capri, an island steeped in timeless glamour

How to Spend a Day in Capri

Maldives

Cec in a bikini sits in a hot tub with a glass of rosé, watching the ocean and sunset from an overwater villa on the Maldives.
Watching the sunset from our overwater bungalow at Kandima Maldives

Spend a dreamy week at one of the Maldives' private island retreats

Review of Kandima Maldives - A Lifestyle Resort Done Right

St. Lucia

Waves gently hit a quiet beach in St. Lucia, bordered by palm trees and a lush green hillside under a bright blue sky.
St. Lucia's volcanic beaches

Go beach hopping around the volcanic island of St. Lucia

1 Week St. Lucia Itinerary

Seychelles

Sculpted granite boulders rise behind a palm-lined beach with shallow turquoise waters under a clear blue sky on La Digue Island.
La Digue Island's ancient granite boulders

Explore the Seychelles' powdery beaches and ancient sculpted boulders

5 Day Seychelles Itinerary

3 Day La Digue Island Itinerary

12 Fun Things to Do on La Digue Island

10 Best Things to Do on Mahe Island

5 Beaches on La Digue You Have to See

Thailand

Cec lies on the remote sandy beach of an islet near Koh Lipe, surrounded by turquoise water, granite rocks, and lush green tropical foliage
Kayaking to islets near Koh Lipe Island

Enjoy tropical waters in Koh Lipe, Thailand's secret island paradise

8 Unique Things to Do on Koh Lipe Island

Wellness Escapes

Cec in a robe relaxing in a wooden spa room with a round window, hot tea on the table, and soft sunlight filtering in.
Forest spas on Salt Spring Island

From forest-fringed spas to hot spring hideaways, these escapes offer a path to rest and renewal. Whether it’s a sauna and cold plunge on a quiet island or a sound bath in the desert, each destination invites you to slow down in its own way.

Canada

Cedar plunge pool on a wooden deck surrounded by forest trees, dappled with sunlight and enclosed by a rustic gate on Salt Spring Island.
Refreshing cedar plunge pool on Salt Spring Island

Unplug on Salt Spring Island, a free-spirited West Coast nature escape

Salt Spring Island Weekend Itinerary

34 Fun Things to Do on Salt Spring Island

Day Trip to Salt Spring Island

Pamper yourself at Sparkling Hill, a spa resort owned by Swarovski

17 Best Weekend Getaways from Vancouver

Chile

Mountain retreat pool deck with bright pink flowers, blue lounge chairs, and dry mountains rising behind the valley in Pisco Elqui.
Our peaceful stay in Pisco Elqui

Soak up the Elqui Valley’s magnetic energy under star-filled skies

2 Week Chile Itinerary including the Elqui Valley

England

Stone cottage in the English countryside with tall chimneys, white roses, and classic honey-coloured walls.
Broadway Village in the English countryside

Escape to an elegant spa hotel in the English countryside

2 Day Cotswolds Itinerary

Indonesia

Cec lounging on a blue lounger beside pool in a lush jungle setting, with tropical plants and a blue umbrella nearby.
Our relaxing stay in Ubud

Find calm in Ubud, Bali’s spiritual heart in the jungle

1 Week Bali Itinerary - From Seaside to Jungle

Japan

Cec soaking in a private round onsen on a balcony surrounded by bamboo and lush trees at a traditional ryokan.
Soaking in volcanic hot springs at our ryokan in Hakone

Unwind at a ryokan in Hakone with steaming volcanic baths

2 Week Japan Itinerary including Hakone

Wine Country Retreats

Rolling vineyard hills with scattered homes and farmhouses under a partly cloudy sky in the Piedmont countryside.
Piedmont wine region in Italy

Rolling vineyards, peaceful countryside stays and long, leisurely meals - these getaways invite you to unwind and savour the good life.

Whether you're sipping rosé in Provence, tasting Malbec in Mendoza, or exploring Italy’s scenic wine regions, each retreat pairs world-class wine with stunning natural surroundings at a relaxed pace.

Argentina

Sunrise over a vineyard with rows of green vines and the purple Andes mountains, with one snowy peak glowing in the distance.
Sunrise in the Mendoza wine region

Unwind in the Mendoza wine region, where vineyards meet the Andes

1 Week Argentina Itinerary

France

View of church with a pointed steeple among terracotta rooftops in a village overlooking green fields and distant hills in Provence.
Picturesque hilltop villages in Provence

Sip rosé at scenic wineries and hilltop villages in Provence

7 Beautiful Villages in the Luberon Valley You Should Visit

3 Day Provence Itinerary - Hilltop Villages & Culinary Gems

4 Day Provence Itinerary for Nature, Food, Art & Culture

Italy

Cec in a bikini relaxes at a infinity pool edge with scenic Tuscan hills, golden grass, and blue sky in the background.
Poolside relaxing in the Tuscan countryside

Drink wine, eat Tuscan cuisine and relax in the Tuscan countryside

5 Days in Tuscany for Food, Wine & Relaxation

Discover Piedmont, a scenic wine region far from the crowds

3 Days in Piedmont - Italy's Underrated Wine Region

11 Unique Things to do in Langhe, Piedmont

Luxurious Experiences

Cec in a black swimsuit steps into a glowing spa hot tub with the Matterhorn mountain rising in the distance at sunset.
Champagne and Matterhorn views from the hot tub

Sometimes it’s worth splurging - especially on the experiences you've been dreaming about.

Whether it’s finally booking that luxury hotel you’ve had your eye on, picking out a new outfit for a special dinner, or celebrating a special milestone, a little indulgence can elevate your entire trip.

Canada

Cec in a peach dress stands on a rocky shore in front of turquoise Lake Louise, surrounded by forest and glacier peaks.
Staying on the lakefront of the iconic Lake Louise

Stay in a luxury mountain resort right on the shore of Lake Louise

4 Day Lake Louise and Banff Itinerary

Italy

Ari in sunglasses enjoys a bright Aperol spritz and a plate of caprese salad at a harbourside restaurant in Portofino.
Enjoying a leisurely lunch along the harbour of Portofino

Experience the glamorous glitterati lifestyle in Portofino

How to Spend a Day in Portofino

Morocco

An outdoor pool at a kasbah in the Atlas Mountains, surrounded by red sunbeds, white cabanas, and rounded green mountains.
Our Kasbah stay in the Atlas Mountains

Escape to a Kasbah in the heart of the Atlas Mountains

5 Day Morocco Itinerary

Peru

An inviting poolside lounge area with white chairs sits beneath a shaded pergola, backed by green mountains in Peru’s Sacred Valley.
Sol y Luna in the Sacred Valley

Stay in an earthy-luxe hotel in the mystical Sacred Valley

Review of Sol y Luna - The Perfect Honeymoon Destination

Singapore

A lively rooftop infinity pool scene at Marina Bay Sands with people swimming and sunbathing under blue skies, overlooking the Singapore harbour.
Marina Bay Sands rooftop pool spanning three towers

Lounge sky-high at Marina Bay Sands' iconic rooftop pool

Fabulous 2 Day Singapore Itinerary

Switzerland

A chandelier hangs in front of a snowy mountain village view in Zermatt, framed by large windows, a bed and thick modern metal beams.
Our boutique hotel stay in Zermatt

Stay in a luxury boutique hotel in the Swiss Alps

12 Things to Do in Zermatt in Summer

21 Things to Do in Zermatt Winter

Things to do in Zermatt for Non-Skiers

Thailand

Cec in a bold, patterned dress stands by the river at night, gazing at Bangkok’s lit-up skyline and city reflections.
Ready for a night out in Bangkok

Spend an extravagant weekend in Bangkok

3 Day Extravagant Bangkok Itinerary

UAE

A rooftop pool with golden Roman numerals overlooks the hazy skyline of Dubai, with Burj Khalifa visible in the distance.
Spa and pool day at Raffles Dubai

Step into Dubai’s world of next-level luxury

Fabulous 2 Day Dubai Itinerary

Soak up sun, sand, and splendour in Abu Dhabi

1 Day Abu Dhabi Itinerary

2 Day Abu Dhabi Itinerary

11 Things to Do in Abu Dhabi in Summer

USA

Cec in a white dress stands beside a red vintage convertible parked in front of the Hotel Californian's grand entrance.
Arriving at Hotel Californian in Santa Barbara

Cruise down the coast in a convertible to Santa Barbara

Scenic Road Trip to Santa Barbara

Explore more relaxing destinations.

See our round-up of the dreamiest trips we've been on:

29 Relaxation Travel Ideas to Clear Your Mind

There are millions of travel blogs out there, so what makes Groovy Mashed Potatoes a bit different?

  1. All our recommendations come from our personal travel experiences - we only share things we genuinely think are awesome and worth your time.
  2. All together we've travelled to 58 countries, which has shaped our understanding of authentic travel experiences.
  3. Our travel itineraries are simple and designed to make planning your trip fun and stress-free.
  4. We feature a mix of unique experiences, from off-the-beaten path places to popular activities that live up to the hype.
  5. We cover things we are passionate about: food, nature, road trips, hiking, architecture, art, design, music, fashion and restorative experiences.
  6. We love highlighting places that feel current and have a great local energy.
  7. Instagram does not influence where we travel. We love taking photos of the places we go to, but it doesn't dictate where we go.
  8. All the photos on our site were taken by us during our travels (except for the occasional accommodation pic).

Read more about who were are here.