In “The Art of Travel”, Alain de Botton says, “If it is the pursuit of happiness that dominates our lives, one of the rare events that reveals the dynamics of this quest is our travels.”
The first and most essential question: What do I want from my holiday?
So, what do you want from a holiday – are you seeking to clear your mind or gain new perspective? Or to have an adventure and new experiences? Perhaps you just want to relax and revitalize or spend time with your family. To determine the holiday that’s best for you right now, ask yourself these five questions.
You have the answers to these questions!
A fairytale story: Europe’s Christmas markets
Across Europe, December heralds the opening of sparkling holiday markets in various cities and towns. Often set within picturesque medieval city centers, these lively markets feature stalls offering a vast variety of options – hot drinks and local specialties, Christmas merchandise, souvenirs, handicrafts, and even boutique and design items. Our favorites include Strasbourg’s Christkindelsmärik, operating since 1570, it is Europe’s oldest and biggest Christmas Market. We also love Brussel’s Le Marché de Noël and its many chocolate products. As well, the concept of “small Christmas villages”, set in different corners of Vienna, warms our hearts. A tour of Europe’s traditional holiday markets brings us into a festive environment that, somehow, provides a sense of hope, serenity and continuity.
To find out more about Europe’s Christmas markets and the best places to celebrate the New Year, click here.
Celebrate the New Year in one of these 12 delightful cities
The onset of each new year brings a review of the previous year (or years!), as well as plenty of hope, and new decisions, discoveries and stories. A change of scenery can be invigorating and inspiring! Consider heading for the countdown to the famous ball drop in New York City’s bustling Times Square, or making a wish at the Trevi Fountain in Rome… greeting the first day of the new year from an igloo in Finland or welcoming the first dawn amid Cappadocia’s otherworldly landscapes…
It’s all up to you. Check out our blog on the 12 most pleasant cities to visit for the New Year!
A solution to modern problems: A holiday in a quaint chalet
Spending time amid nature is an excellent way to “get back to ourselves”, to listen to our intuition and to simply take a break from the daily hustle and bustle. Imagine being snug and warm in a picturesque chalet with majestic mountain views – vistas that put our own issues into perspective and remind us of the joy of survival. A note: The philosopher Nietzsche wrote admiringly of certain animals that dwell in the mountains and have access to the mindset known as “ataraxia”. Ataraxia refers to calmness and moderation, which is a philosophical movement unto itself! Just think, a well-planned chalet holiday can provide all the freshness we need to inspire us during the first months of a new year.
For more information on embracing winter’s nature from a chalet, click here !
Experience the glory of winter: A ski holiday
We cannot discuss winter without mentioning ski resorts. Especially in Türkiye – with its magnificent mountain ranges – there’s an abundance of ski resorts. Whether you’re seeking luxe accommodations or more modest facilities, we’ve listed 14 impressive ski resorts in places ranging from Palandöken to Uludağ and Erciyes to Ovacık. For more details on skiing the snow-covered mountains of Türkiye, click here! And if you’re planning bringing your own equipment, relax – we take care of it. For information on flying with ski and other sporting gear, click on the sports equipment page.
All kinds of Valentine’s Days
Whether or not you’re in a romantic relationship, we hope that this year brings you love and joy! And, in any case, there is nothing stopping us from celebrating Valentine’s Day – with or without a partner. After all, some believe that Valentine’s Day originated from the pagan celebration of Lupercalia, a festival dedicated to Faunus, the Roman god of agriculture – and what’s not to love about growing plants? We have some unconventional suggestions – as well as traditional options – for observing this delightful holiday. Just click here. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Slow, green going: Slow cities of Türkiye
Spring delivers blossoms and renewal…thus we turn our gaze to the 21 Turkish cities in the Italian-founded “Cittaslow” network. These smaller towns, generally with a population ranging between 20,000 and 30,000 people, have historical, cultural and natural value – and a more leisurely sense of time. Check out our blog on Türkiye’s Slow Cities – Havens of Tranquility, and find out more about peaceful, inviting locales like Artvin, in Şavşat; Perşembe, in Ordu; Akyaka, in Muğla; and Gerze, in Sinop. Visit at least one and feel your spirit soar.
A little curiosity, a little courage: Little-known heavens on earth
Beauty isn’t always relative: There are places where nature’s generosity is experienced in full and it is a feeling like no other. An oasis in Egypt, a starry cave in New Zealand, penguins sunbathing in South Africa, a rainbow mountain in Peru… To experience even one of these sights is a miraculous gift. We hope from the bottom of our hearts that you get to visit one in this year… For more inspiration, click here.
Whenever you want: Visa-free travel
If you like to pick up and travel at the last minute, it’s worth keeping visa-free travel routes at your fingertips. We know that affordable flight tickets are the first step, followed by some light packing and the delight of embarking on a new adventure. Take note of these visa-free countries and treat yourself to a delightfully spontaneous trip. ☺
Remote workers: The best routes for digital nomads
The place of our birth does not have to be the place where “we live”. As the “work from home” model becomes more prevalent, some are working from home – in unexpected places. Given the current situation, it is almost mandatory to create a list of the best travel routes for digital nomads. We’ve focused on tropical locales along with one dynamic city: but they all have internet access!
See you in a few months – and here’s wishing you the happiest and healthiest New Year!
Give your loved ones an unforgettable New Year’s gift with an airline ticket gift card!
