From cold water immersion in Iceland to ziplining in Slovenia and staying in a treehouse
March 26 2026, 00:01am
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Travel has a lovely, ever-evolving nature. For some, it is about exploring far-flung landscapes; for others, a carefully chosen destination closer to home. Increasingly, it is shaped by individuality and a desire for experiences that feel both considered and unforced yet also utterly worth the trip.
This selection brings together ten ideas that reflect that shift. From navigating the dramatic terrain of Iceland by road to slower moments in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, and activity-led escapes along Mediterranean shores to design-focused stays across the UK, each offers a distinctive way to step outside the everyday.
There are opportunities to seek out nature, explore culture or simply pause in well-chosen surroundings, alongside practical additions that make the journey itself more comfortable. The emphasis throughout is on variety and ease, allowing travellers to shape experiences around their interests and at their own pace. Happy travels!
Planning a self-drive journey across Iceland’s dramatic landscapes can be rewarding, but arranging reliable transport can prove more complex than expected. Car Rental Iceland simplifies the process by bringing together a carefully selected range of trusted local providers into one accessible platform.
Rather than operating its own fleet, the company collaborates with a variety of established car rental brands across Iceland, allowing travellers to compare vehicles, terms and pricing with clarity. This approach removes much of the uncertainty that can arise when navigating unfamiliar suppliers or conditions.
Although a relatively new company, Car Rental Iceland is supported by a team with extensive experience in the country’s rental market. Each partner is reviewed against a set of high standards, ensuring that customers are presented with dependable options suited to a variety of travel needs.
Whether you want a compact city car or a vehicle equipped for more demanding terrain, the service is designed to match individual itineraries, budgets and expectations. Travellers can make informed choices secure in the knowledge that essential details have already been carefully considered.
Find Iceland’s best car-rental deals at Carrental.is and follow on Instagram and Facebook
Set just beyond the bustle of central Marrakech, the Oberoi Marrakech offers a more measured pace against the backdrop of the Atlas Mountains. The resort draws on the architectural traditions of Moroccan palaces, with landscaped gardens and olive groves extending across its grounds.
Accommodation ranges from spacious rooms to private villas, many designed with outdoor terraces and pools that encourage time spent in relative seclusion. Interiors balance traditional detailing with a more contemporary finish, creating spaces that feel both rooted and refined.
Dining forms a central part of the experience, with a choice of restaurants including Rivayat, which focuses on Indian cuisine. Elsewhere, quieter moments can be found in the spa or simply within the gardens, where the setting prompts a generally slower rhythm to the day.
The Oberoi Marrakech presents an alternative to the city’s ceaseless energy, offering a setting where design, landscape and hospitality are carefully aligned.
Discover more at oberoihotels.com and follow on Instagram and Facebook
An active holiday doesn’t need to mean rigid schedules or relentless pace. Neilson Beach Clubs, located across destinations including Greece, Croatia, Turkey, Sardinia, Sicily and Mauritius, offer a more flexible approach, where activity and relaxation sit comfortably side by side.
Anchored by Neilson’s philosophy of offering holidays that boast a “good energy”, each resort is centred around a broad programme of all-inclusive activities, from sailing and windsurfing to tennis, cycling and fitness classes, all supported by experienced instructors and well-maintained equipment. Guests are free to shape their days as they choose, whether that involves trying something new or refining existing skills.
Time away from the water or the court can be spent unwinding by the beach, visiting the spa or enjoying meals prepared using locally sourced ingredients. Families are also well provided for, with age-specific children’s clubs offering structured activities in a sociable setting.
Neilson’s long-standing focus on active travel has been recognised through multiple industry awards, reflecting its consistent approach to combining movement, relaxation and a welcoming, informal atmosphere. A good energy indeed!
Find out more at neilson.co.uk and follow on Instagram
Set on the coast near the city of Rethymno, Uzenie All Suites Boutique Resort offers a five-star, adults-only retreat shaped by the rhythms of island life. The setting is understated, with the sea never far from view and a design approach that draws on the textures and tones of Crete itself.
Suites are spacious and quietly styled, creating a sense of ease from the moment of arrival. Days tend to unfold gently, beginning with a breakfast of local produce and extending into experiences that reflect the region’s traditions. Guests may try olive oil tastings, take part in cookery classes or spend time in the spa, where treatments draw on local herbs and long-established practices.
As evening approaches, attention shifts to the beachside restaurant where dining focuses on refined Cretan cuisine served in a relaxed, open-air setting.
Uzenie All Suites Boutique Resort presents an ideal introduction to Cretan hospitality where simplicity and setting shape the authentic experience.
Discover more at uzenie.com and enjoy a special rate and VIP perks with code TIMES26. Follow on Instagram or email us at info@uzenie.com to find out more
Tucked into the northwest of Slovenia, the Soca Valley is an ideal playground for anyone drawn to the outdoors.
If you’re partial to the life aquatic, the turquoise River Soca invites kayaking, rafting and the occasional dip in its hidden pools, while anglers can try their luck amid the flowing currents and canyon scenery.
On land, marked trails wind through the Julian Alps, offering views that stretch all the way to the Adriatic. Hikers can explore both nature and history, from serene lowland paths to sites connected to the Isonzo Front (which history buffs will know as a key battleground in the First World War). Cyclists are well catered for too, with routes ranging from gentle valley rides to challenging alpine climbs.
For those chasing a pure fix of adrenaline, the Soca Valley delivers. Paragliding over the mountains, parachuting and hurtling along one of Europe’s longest ziplines are all options, alongside adventure parks to test balance, speed and courage. There’s something for every kind of adventurer, from gentle wanderers to thrill-seekers, making the Soca Valley a pleasantly versatile escape into nature.
Plan your trip at soca-valley.com and follow on Instagram and Facebook
While travel might broaden the mind, crossing time zones can play havoc with the body.
Early departures, late meals and extended periods of inactivity can disrupt established routines, often affecting digestion and overall comfort. For many travellers this can lead to a sense of imbalance that lingers beyond arrival.
As travel practices evolve, internal wellbeing is becoming a more considered part of preparation. Alongside hydration and skincare, digestive support is increasingly included in carry-on essentials, particularly for long-haul journeys and changing schedules.
BioGaia Gastrus is a probiotic designed to maintain a feeling of a balanced lifestyle when taken daily while travelling. The chewy tablet is mandarin flavour and easy to incorporate into your travel routine, whether navigating airport transits or adjusting to a new place and unfamiliar cuisines.
By supporting consistency during periods of disruption it provides a practical solution to the disturbances of travel. The emphasis is on reaching your destination feeling settled, comfortable and ready to engage with the adventure ahead.
Visit uk.biogaia.com to get yours now and follow on Instagram
Framed by majestic glaciers and surrounding mountains, the Fjallsarlon lagoon in Iceland is characterised by drifting icebergs and a notably calm atmosphere amid the country’s dramatic landscape.
Fjallsarlon is also the name of a tour operator offering glacier and lagoon experiences in this quieter corner of the country’s southeast, a less-frequented alternative to the more crowded sites.
Fjallsarlon organises a range of activities designed to make the most of this memorable environment at close quarters, including Zodiac boat tours navigating between ice formations and guided glacier hikes across the ice itself.
For those seeking more distinctive experiences the options extend to ice floating excursions and overnight stays in floating accommodation. Each activity is structured to offer a unique perspective on Iceland’s outstanding glacial landscape.
After spending time outdoors, visitors can take a break at the Frost restaurant, which overlooks the lagoon and provides a perfect setting for rest and reflection.
Find out more about Fjallsarlon at fjallsarlon.is and follow on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube
A staycation can take many forms, from fireside evenings in the countryside to sea-facing escapes made memorable by salt air and shifting skies. Boutique Retreats is an award-winning luxury travel company with a curated collection of more than 250 properties across the UK, each selected for its setting and sense of character.
Its portfolio spans a wide range of locations, from the rugged landscapes of the Isle of Skye to the honey-toned villages of the Cotswolds and the coastal edges of Cornwall. Properties include country cottages, coastal hideaways and architecturally distinctive homes, often designed to make the most of their surroundings, whether through panoramic views, open fires or outdoor spaces suited to slower evenings.
Boutique Retreats focuses on creating a considered experience from booking through to arrival, with an emphasis on thoughtful detail and comfort. It continues to appeal to travellers seeking a more individual approach to time away, without leaving the UK.
Discover the collection at u.boutique-retreats.uk and follow on Instagram and Facebook
For those tired of cookie-cutter hotel rooms set in generic locations, Coolstays offers a way to find somewhere a little different.
Founded in the UK and available via its app and website, Coolstays curates a collection of hand-picked holiday properties across Britain, Europe and beyond. Each destination is carefully chosen for character, style or an unusual setting.
The focus is on accommodation that sparks curiosity – from treehouses, shepherd’s huts and woodland cabins to coastal cottages, design-led villas and even converted lighthouses and windmills.
Coolstays connects guests with independent hosts and small businesses, offering holidays that reflect the local character and atmosphere of a destination. Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend, a lively group celebration or an off-grid adventure, the platform provides practical inspiration and carefully selected options.
Each property is presented simply and clearly, making it easier to find a destination that matches both mood and itinerary, while avoiding endless listings.
Find your next extraordinary stay at coolstays.com and enter the competition to win a £250 Coolstays voucher at checklists.co.uk/win
Set within the rolling landscape of northern Croatia, Dvor Trakoscan (Trakoscan Castle) offers a glimpse into the country’s historical and cultural heritage.
Located just over an hour from Zagreb, the 13th-century castle rises above a lake and its surroundings, creating a setting that feels elegantly removed from the pace of the country’s capital.
Now operating as a museum, the castle preserves a series of historic interiors that reflect the life of the Draskovic family who once resided there. Furnishings, artefacts and architectural details provide insight into centuries of regional history, while the surrounding protected landscape offers the opportunity for exploration on foot.
Recognised as one of the most notable European castles in existence, Dvor Trakoscan has received awards highlighting its cultural significance and visitor experiences. Throughout the year a stream of exhibitions and events contribute to its ongoing attractiveness as a destination, while newer additions – such as an escape room themed around the castle – prove it’s a place where old and new meet perfectly.
Discover Dvor Trakoscan at trakoscan.hr and follow on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X
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