(collective post)
Sometimes, the best way to reset is to get far from the noise, into nature, and away from your phone. A nature-focused escape doesn’t have to mean extreme isolation or a hardcore hike (unless you want that). It can be about quiet immersion, new landscapes, and experiences that leave you feeling more connected than when you arrived.
This isn’t about ticking off the world’s most remote spots, either. It’s about choosing places that make you feel alive, where wildlife, geography, and local life come together to offer something different.
If you’re looking to step outside your usual scenery, these five destinations are definitely worth considering!
The Azores, Portugal
Floating in the Atlantic off the coast of Lisbon, the Azores archipelago feels like it belongs to another world entirely. Think emerald-green calderas, crater lakes, steaming hot springs, and hydrangea-lined roads, without the crowds of mainland Europe.
São Miguel is the most visited of the islands, but even here, you’re more likely to run into farmers than fellow tourists. It’s a great place for slow hiking, whale watching, or just soaking in thermal baths after a day exploring volcanic landscapes.
Because the islands prioritize sustainability and low-impact travel, everything feels more thoughtful. Meals come from local farms and seas, accommodations lean small and eco-conscious, and the pace of life just naturally nudges you to slow down and take it all in.
Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique
When people think of African safaris, they often picture the big-name parks in Kenya or South Africa. But for something off the beaten path, Gorongosa in central Mozambique offers a more intimate, conservation-driven experience.
Gorongosa has become a model for community-led conservation after undergoing a complete transformation through a US non-profit organisation. Elephants, lions, and antelopes have returned in growing numbers, and the birdlife here is spectacular. The park’s diversity of ecosystems, including rivers, forests, and wetlands, means you get a wide range of scenery in one place.
A Mozambique safari here feels refreshingly personal. You’re not one of hundreds in a queue of vehicles. Instead, you might find yourself on a walking safari with a guide who grew up nearby, hearing firsthand how the park is tied to the local community’s future. It’s a slower, more meaningful kind of wildlife experience.
The Polar Circle
If you’re drawn to wide-open spaces and dramatic light, the regions above the Polar Circle offer an unforgettable dose of both. From Northern Norway to the edge of the Svalbard archipelago, the landscapes are pure cinematic: jagged mountains, deep fjords, frozen tundra, and long stretches of untouched coastline.
Depending on when you go, you might experience the midnight sun or the northern lights, both of which shift your sense of time in the best way. If you’re curious about the polar regions, discover Arctic expeditions for an unforgettable sailing journey through this magnificent landscape.
Activities onboard can be as adventurous or low-key as you like: kayaking through icy fjords, hiking along cliffs, or simply watching reindeer graze outside your cabin window. It’s a place where even doing nothing feels like a meaningful experience.
Tasmania, Australia
Tasmania often gets overshadowed by Australia’s mainland, but for nature lovers, it’s a paradise in its own right. Nearly half of the island is protected wilderness, and the landscapes range from ancient rainforests to alpine lakes to wild beaches that feel completely untouched.
What’s special here is how easy it is to get deep into nature without roughing it. There are world-class multi-day hikes like the Overland Track, but also plenty of shorter trails that still feel far from civilization. Wildlife sightings are part of the everyday experience; wombats, wallabies, and if you’re lucky, a glimpse of the endangered Tasmanian devil.
Beyond the wild beauty, Tasmania has a rich food and art scene. You can hike all morning and end the day with wood-fired local seafood and cool-climate wine. The blend of ruggedness and refinement makes it feel balanced, like you’re really living in the landscape, not just passing through it.
The Carpathian Mountains, Romania
For those craving forests and folklore over beaches and resorts, Romania’s Carpathians offer the perfect escape. The terrain is varied and lush, from rolling hills to deep valleys and pine-covered peaks. Villages here follow seasonal rhythms, and horse-drawn carts are a common sight.
You won’t find polished tourism infrastructure here, which is part of the charm. Hikes feel raw and uncommercialized, guesthouses are family-run, and the food is hearty and homemade. Wildlife is a real highlight too; this region has one of Europe’s largest populations of brown bears, along with wolves and lynx!
It’s a place to unplug fully, to walk for hours through forest trails without bumping into another soul, and to reconnect with a quieter kind of travel. And when the fog settles over the hills at dusk, you’ll understand why this landscape has inspired so many legends.
Where Will You Visit Next?
A nature-focused escape doesn’t have to be dramatic to be memorable. Often, it’s about the moments in between, like the stillness of a forest trail, the glow of sunset on unfamiliar terrain, the unexpected encounter with an incredible animal or a kind stranger.
Whether it’s the untamed coastlines of the Azores, the remote wilderness of Mozambique, or the icy serenity of the Arctic north, these places offer a different kind of nature-focused escape. Wherever you choose to visit, be sure to stay curious and let nature do the rest!
This post was published in collaboration with a content partner. The article is meant to inspire you how to live a slow, simple, soulful and sustainable lifestyle and may contain (affiliate) links to articles, websites or products/services that may be of interest to you.
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