5 hidden holiday gems to get off the beaten track
I am extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to travel. Extremely fortunate! This, above all, is not lost on me. And the more I see and experience the further I fall in love with our amazing world; in fact when I set up Wild Retreats it was with the mission to bring little known, incredible destinations to the people who were searching for them. For those who wanted to stop and look UP. To book the flights. To jump off the waterfall. To eat the weird looking food. To say YES to the things that are both scary and exciting. To feel the moment when you discover something so beautiful it absolutely takes your breath away.
And so, it is in this spirit I wanted to share with you five of the most incredible and little known places that I have visited in the past few years and fallen in love with. Drop them into your travel calendar quick!
This blog post contains affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase through some of the links I provide I can earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support!
1. LAMU ISLAND - KENYA.
A little North of better known Mombasa, on Kenya’s coast is an untouched gem called Lamu. It’s ironic that most of the world has slapped a travel ban on this little known part of the world because I have never felt safer anywhere than I did in Lamu. I loved wandering the shops in Shela and we asked a local guide to walk us around the Old Town which is steeped in history, culture and architectural beauty. It is what Zanzibar’s Stone Town used to be before it became overrun with tourists. A short boat trip takes you away from the “crowds” to even quieter, wilder places like Kizingo and Manda Bay. Paradise awaits!
For the more budget conscious check out Diamond Beach Village. Or, the incredibly beautiful and romantic Betty’s Suite if you’re traveling with your partner and looking for a little ooh la la!
Lamu sunshine
Exploring the Old Town
Kicking back in Kizingo
2. KEFALONIA - GREECE
I try to seek out places that don’t feel as though they have been overwhelmed with tourists and Kefalonia is such a place. I honeymooned here last year and fell madly in love with the island’s easy going attitude, excellent food and stunning beaches! The island has so much to offer itself but a ferry connects Kefalonia to surrounding islands like Lefkada, Meganisi and Ithica too so the exploring never ends. Enjoy a lazy lunch in Asos, then sun yourself in Myrtos, spot turtles in Argostoli or hike into the hills in search of wild horses.
Whatever you do, make darn sure you take at least a day out to hire a boat and find a hidden beach to lounge about on for the day too.
You can fly direct to Kefalonia from London Gatwick and I can recommend:
Korianna House (££)
Asos
Asos Harbour
Hire a boat to explore secret beaches and coves
3. SOUTHERN REGION - ICELAND
Accessing remote Iceland in the winter is tricky, but it’s so very very worth it! We held our Wild Winter retreat here and although the drive was a little hairy at times if you’re up for an adventure and you’re looking for a destination that will absolutely take your breath away then this is it! As Reykavik is a little pricey I’d suggest you rent a cabin in the Southern region and explore the golden circle highlights and further afield from here. Iceland is truly a wild winter wonderland and to date, one of my favourite places on the planet! There is a huge range of options for accommodation so hit up AirBnB and take your pick - make absolutely certain you find a cabin with a hot tub so you can watch the dancing Northern lights in style!
Iceland Roadtrip
An epic Winter Wonderland!
The Northern Lights
4. GENOVA - ITALY
Where do I even start. A little up the coast from the obnoxiously busy Cinque Terre is the magnificent city of Genova with it bustling streets, incredible palaces, history and food. Never have I felt the soul of Italy more than I did in this stunning city. My friend found a sweet apartment in Boccadasse and we started each day wandering down to the waters edge and enjoying an espresso and pastry in the sunshine. Then it was just a short bus journey into the city centre to explore the ancient churches, the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, the red and White palaces and the GELATO. Save my soul - the gelato!! It’s also well worth timing your visit on a Friday night when Boccadasse beach comes alive and you can sit on the seashore and drink a glass of wine under the moonlight. Once again AirBnB is your best friend if you want to live more like a local.
Boccadasse at sunset
Genova’s stunning churches
Morning coffee run
A short train ride (or hire a boat) to Cinque Terre
5. ACHARACLE - SCOTLAND
It’s no secret that I adore Scotland and my love for this region was instrumental in planning our Wild Highlands Retreat here. The more I explore the more magic I find; Acharacle is home to untouched beaches that you can only access by foot, quiet lochs, stunning wildlife and beautiful winding forest roads. Everywhere you look is a wonder and I strongly suggest at least you stay longer and drive further up or down the coast too because it just keeps getting better!
Don’t stay anywhere - rent a campervan and stay mobile.
Pack Well
I want to offer a quick shout out here to VIVOBAREFOOT, who make the kind of footwear you reeeeaaally should invest in ahead of your off-the-beaten-track adventure. I especially love their Primus Lite Bio shoe which is stupid comfortable and plant-based - it’s stylish, friendly on the planet and friendly on your feet. WIN!
Beaches in Acharacle
Incredible views everywhere you look!
The best way to explore the Highland lochs!
Some of my favourite pictures from our Kenya Yoga Retreat including our visit to Sarara Treehouses and Reteti Elephant Sanctuary