Where to Go When You Want Seclusion Without Sacrificing Comfort
Where to Go When You Want Seclusion Without Sacrificing Comfort
Tourism can be a double-edged sword for the traveller. There’s the positive aspect: well-travelled places are often more easily accessible. They also come with the benefit of being well-documented, giving travellers the advantage of having all the information necessary to plan the trip of a lifetime. Well-known destinations are also busier, which can mean that they’re a little safer than some places with fewer travellers. These are good things, yes, but the bad things always follow. Well-known destinations may book up much further in advance, be overrun with the kind of tourist that makes everyone’s trip a little bit worse or become less authentic as they are exposed more and more to other cultures, development and modernity. The smart, seasoned traveller knows that the best way to experience new places is by choosing destinations that are remote, secluded and unusual. But, is it possible to fulfil these criteria and still enjoy all the comforts and luxuries that you would enjoy in a big city hotel? Of course it is! These destinations make certain of it.
1. The Cabin At The Old Grainery – The Peak District, Derbyshire
Quaint and charming doesn’t mean that there’s no first-class luxury involved! This is the case for those lucky enough to spend time at The Cabin at The Old Grainery. Nestled in a five-acre plot of thriving private garden and pasture land, this secluded countryside stay offers guests a place to get away from it all, literally and metaphorically. The views across the Peak District are unrivalled, and it’s the perfect place to travel with a small to medium-sized furry friend (the cabin is dog-friendly for smaller dogs) who loves a long walk.
Each morning you’ll wake up in a field of wildflowers: a perfect treat for a maximum of two guests and an incredibly romantic getaway to boot. Even in the cold months, this location is equally beautiful, if a little more frigid than usual. The deluxe king-size bed is one you’ll never want to leave. The interior style of the cabin is minimal, simple and handcrafted, as is the small but well-equipped kitchen. Enjoy meals on the deck for alfresco dining, nights around the firepit and, when the earth is warm, a soak in the outdoor tub that offers glorious stargazing at night. The cabin has its own private garden and is completely fenced in for maximum safety and privacy.
2. Private Dog-Sledging and Polar Luxury – Svalbard, Norway
Some locations are a little more remote than just a trip to the countryside. Some are so far from the hustle and bustle of daily life that a private jet, helicopter and/or sledge may be needed. Svalbard in Norway is known as the land of the bears, and its wild majesty really lives up to the title. Here, even while roughing it during the day, you’ll encounter the pinnacle of Arctic luxury. Imagine whooshing across pristine snowfields with the freezing wind in your face and a team of dogs speeding your passage. See the Northern Lights in all their glory in some of the last true wilderness in the world, and you’ll never, ever forget it.
Enjoy a private snowmobile excursion through towering fjords where you may just catch a glimpse of the white bears that Svalbard is named for, as well as other animals, like arctic foxes. Thrill seekers can explore the inside of ancient glaciers with a tour of the majestic caves. After all the excitement, unwind with typically Nordic wellness experiences such as a sauna with an incredible view. Once you’re relaxed and warmed to the core, enjoy exotic reindeer tartare to regain your strength for the next day’s adventures. Sink into a down duvet at the end of the night and watch the Aurora Borealis dance across the heavens in the not-quite-dark sky (this is the end of the midnight sun, after all) and dream of the exciting encounters you’ve yet to have.
3. Secluded Ryokan With a Private Onsen – Shuzenji, Japan
For the traveller who has been everywhere and seen everything, there are still a few surprises in store if you know where to look. Spending time at an ancient Japanese ryokan, which is an inn or hotel of sorts, is something that not many people get to experience. Hidden away in remote mountain locations, these beacons of restoration and wellness offer you a chance to step back in time. The Asaba Ryokan has been passed down through generations of the Asaba family for more than five hundred years and is now known as one of the most esteemed ryokans in the entire country. Though it has moved locations over time (it was founded in 1484), the ryokan is as beloved as ever.
Not only will you get a chance to indulge in the exquisite forest location and soak in the onsens (natural hot spring baths that have drawn travellers to ryokan for centuries), but you can also immerse yourself in Japanese culture and tradition by enjoying traditional performing arts like Kyogen comedy, Bunraku puppetry, Noh and Shinnai storytelling. The many suites and rooms are crafted in the traditional Japanese style, and the ryokan as a whole is geared towards a holistic, therapeutic, restful experience in the middle of nature’s most stunning nowhere.
A ryokan experience is something ancient and culturally significant to the Japanese people, so we advise thorough research of the appropriate attire, behaviour and language before setting out on your journey.
An Opulent Escape Awaits
Seclusion doesn’t always mean a rustic experience. These luxury getaways off the beaten path are the perfect trips for any traveller looking for a little oasis of calm and wishing to be wrapped in calm and comfort.
