Latest news with #mindfultravel
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Travel + Leisure
4 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
This Lake Region Was Named the Most Relaxing Destination in Europe—With ‘Mirror-still Water' and Fairy-tale Vibes
Taking a vacation is good for you—it can help reduce stress and help increase your general outlook on life. But, if you really want to double down on those excellent vibes, you should head off to the most mindful and wellness-focused place in Europe. And the relaxation-focused brand Blakk Smoke knows exactly where that is. In June, the brand released the findings of a study it conducted in order to identify the most mindful travel destinations of 2025, or "places where stress melts away" if "disconnection is the goal." To find these laidback spots around the globe, the team parsed thousands of TripAdvisor reviews from the last three years using natural language processing and emotional sentiment analysis to determine the frequency of keywords such as "relaxing," "peaceful," "mindful," and "calm." Then, it analyzed the tone of each post, as well as the number of mentions of retreats, meditation centers, spas, and nature-based attractions each location had. The company noted that only recent reviews were included to "reflect today's traveler needs—think post-pandemic priorities, burnout recovery, and a growing desire to actually rest on holiday." After doing all that digging, it gave each place a "mindfulness score," based on its analysis. And Lake Bled, Slovenia, came out on top as the most mindful destination in Europe and the second most relaxing destination in the world with a score of 89. And really, its ranking comes as little surprise when you consider the beautiful scenery there. Lake Bled, located in the Julian Alps, is as fairytale-like a destination as they come, with what the study called "mirror-still water" that pairs beautifully with fresh mountain air and a view of the Church of the Assumption located in the center of the lake. The only place to outrank Lake Bled was Sedona, Arizona, which scored a whopping 92 out of 100, thanks to its "energy vortexes, red rock formations, and strong spiritual community." Lake Bled and Sedona were followed by the Lake District, England, at No. 3, which earned a score of 87 thanks to its "rolling hills, peaceful lakes, and literary inspiration." Rounding out the top 10 most mindful travel destinations in the world are Big Sur, California (No. 4); Santorini, Greece (No. 5); the Scottish Highlands, Scotland (No. 6); Asheville, North Carolina (No. 7); the Amalfi Coast, Italy (No. 8); Cornwall, England (No. 8); and Kyoto, Japan (No. 10). But if these somehow aren't enough options for you, you can always check out this list of the most relaxing destinations in Europe. Then, once you pick a spot, tell your boss you're going on vacation and put on that out-of-office notice for the sake of good health.
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Travel + Leisure
14-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
This Destination Was Named the Most 'Mindful' in Asia
Sometimes a trip is for all-out adventure: be it climbing a mountain, rafting down the rapids, or something in between, the adrenaline rush vacation certainly has its place. But for those looking for something a bit more mellow, now is the time to explore all the destinations that are perfect for "mindful" travel. In January, Blakk Smoke, a brand dedicated to "relaxation and wellbeing," released the findings of its study ranking the world's most mindful travel destinations. It named Kyoto, Japan, the most mindful destination in all of Asia—and the No. 10 most mindful destination in the world. To uncover these places where the pace is slower and the experiences are richer, the team created a Mindfulness Score, which it described as a "proprietary ranking based on sentiment analysis, keyword frequency, and mentions of mindfulness-based activities." Specifically, it calculated this number based on thousands of TripAdvisor reviews. It used natural language processing to uncover keyword frequency in reviews, including the words "relaxing," "mindful," "peaceful," and "calm." It conducted the sentiment analysis portion by looking at the "overall positivity in reviews related to tranquillity and wellbeing," and completed the mindfulness activity index by calculating the number of "mentions of yoga retreats, meditation centres, spa experiences, and restorative nature spots." It also prioritized reviews posted within the last three years to ensure the feelings are all current and relevant. Kyoto made it onto the list thanks to its high number of "Zen gardens, mindfulness traditions, and ancient temples." In fact, the top three attractions here, according to Tripadvisor, are the Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine (No. 1), Kinkakuji Temple (No. 2), and Kiyomizu-dera Temple (No. 3), proving just how important mindful places are to this destination. "Fushimi Inari Shrine is truly a must-visit when in Kyoto. The peaceful atmosphere, surrounded by lush greenery, offers a tranquil escape from the city's hustle and bustle. Walking through the thousands of vermilion torii gates helped create a calming and serene walk," one reviewer wrote of their time at the shrine. Scenic views of the Sai-hoji Temple in Kyoto during the summertime. Susmita Baral/Travel + Leisure "The golden temple shining over the water is just one of those sights you have to see for yourself—photos really don't do it justice. Even with the crowds, the whole place felt so calm and peaceful," another wrote of their visit to the Kiyomizu-dera Temple. And one more visitor shared that their "family visit to Kiyomizu-dera Temple in Kyoto was one of the most peaceful and visually stunning experiences of our entire trip to Japan. Set atop a hill with a breathtaking view over the city, Kiyomizu-dera offered us a beautiful blend of history, culture, nature, and spirituality—all in one unforgettable stop." Other destinations to make the list include Sedona, Arizona, which took home the No. 1 spot, followed by Lake Bled, Slovenia; the Lake District, England; Big Sur, California; Santorini, Greece; the Scottish Highlands, Scotland; Asheville, North Carolina; the Amalfi Coast, Italy; and Cornwall, England in ninth place. Want more? Check out these 14 tranquil destinations to dream about for your next trip.
