7 Vacation Destinations That Make Social Distancing Easy
Desperate to get away from all of the stress that Covid-19 has brought to your life?
While travel restrictions around the world are starting to ease, it’s still important to practice social distancing, meaning that heading to a large and busy city wouldn’t be the wisest choice. Instead, check out these X destinations – they’re quiet and secluded, making them perfect for a socially distanced vacation.
Spicewood, Texas, USA
Rich in natural beauty, the rural town of Spicewood sits on the banks of Lake Travis. Many people know Spicewood for being home to music superstar Willie Nelson, but the town has so much else to offer too.
Things to Do
Although Spicewood isn’t big, there are a few major attractions here, including:
- Krause Springs – a swimming hole with natural caves, sunbathing rocks and waterfalls, as well as a rope swing for the truly adventurous
- Ziplining – in addition to ziplining through the canopies during the day, you could also try a night ride, when the trees are lit up with fairy lights and lanterns
- Pace Bend Park – the best place to go to explore the shoreline of Lake Travis
- Spicewood Vineyards – a traditional winery that offers tours and tastings
- Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area – the perfect place for some exhilarating mountain biking, along with incredible views
Where to Stay
There are a few accommodation options sprinkled through Spicewood, but for an experience you will never forget, book yourself in to Cypress Valley. This resort has five treehouses sitting at the top of majestic cypress trees, each one decked out to offer the ultimate in modern comforts.
Sip your morning coffee from your treetop deck, overlooking the ravine, and then end your day in the soak tub or the hammock – total relaxation!
The Maldives
If you’re looking for an exclusive, tropical beach vacation, you won’t be disappointed with the Maldives. This is possibly one of the most famous vacation destinations out there, and now is the perfect time to tick the Maldives off from your bucket list.
Things to Do
With over 1000 islands to explore in the Maldives, many visitors usually spend their time island-hopping, trying to fit as much as possible into their itinerary. However, in the time of social distancing, this wouldn’t be wise – you want to try to keep your movements to a minimum.
Fortunately, the Maldives makes this easy. Secluded outdoor activities are the norm here, whether you spend your days diving and snorkeling or simply relaxing on a quiet stretch of beach.
Where to Stay
Over-water villas are also extremely popular in the Maldives, and these tend to be much safer than a hotel, minimizing your contact with other people.
Soneva is a resort that offers luxury water villas, each one complete with everything from personal gyms and plunge pools to water slides and wine cellars, meaning that you won’t need to venture too far from your villa during your stay.
Musandam, Oman
Oman was seeing a rapid increase in tourism numbers before the Coronavirus outbreak, with more and more people from all over the world discovering what this amazing country has to offer. While many parts of Oman can get pretty crowded, Musandam tends to be one of the least-visited areas, partly due to the fact that it is an island that’s largely cut off from the mainland.
Things to Do
Its isolated location makes Musandam perfect for a socially distanced vacation. Explore the coastline on a traditional dhow cruise, and then spend some time adventuring underwater by snorkelling.
Renting a car here is a good idea – this gives you the opportunity to take short road trips around the island, driving through its small villages and historic forts.
Of course, to actually get to Musandam, you will likely need to first fly into Muscat. Although the capital city is quite a busy one, most businesses have put safety measures in place, meaning that a brief stint here is still doable. One must-visit spot in Oman is the Bareeq Al Shatti Mall, where you will find an OROGOLD boutique store – stop here to treat your skin to a luxurious VIP facial and free product demonstrations.
Where to Stay
If you’re looking for exquisite luxury, the Six Senses Zighy Bay is one of the best resorts in Musandam. It sits on a private bay and sandy beach, giving you the chance to soak up the sun without having to worry about other people nearby.
The resort is also known for its world-class spa. Unlike many others around the world, the spa here only uses natural products, combining these with a mixture of both Eastern and Western techniques.
The Algarve, Portugal
The Algarve is the southernmost region in Portugal, and it has certainly become much more famous in recent years. While most people stop off in Algarve after taking in all that the larger cities have to offer, there is definitely enough to do here to dedicate your entire vacation to the area.
Things to Do
The Algarve is known for its contrast and diversity, meaning that you will find plenty to do here, even while socially distancing. Spend time on the beaches, visit historic ruins, and stroll along the towering cliffs.
This is a region that is fantastic no matter the time of year – it’s known for having one of Europe’s best climates, and is enjoyable in all seasons.
Where to Stay
You will find several secluded resorts throughout the Algarve, each one perfect for keeping yourself well-isolated. However, if you really want to treat yourself, head to the EPIC SANA Algarve.
This wellness resort is set within a stunning pine forest, and overlooks the Praia Falesia beach. With several restaurants, landscaped gardens, five outdoor pools and a fully-equipped wellness center, complete with an extensive menu of holistic spa treatments, you’ll find pretty much everything you could need right here.
As an added bonus, this is a hotel that is really committed to keeping its guests safe throughout this pandemic – they’ve altered their restaurant layouts, are operating at a limited capacity, and are taking pre-bookings for all facilities.
Hayman Island, Australia
You will find the Whitsunday Islands just off the coast of Central Queensland, and Hayman Island is the most northerly of them all. Located on the Great Barrier Reef, this private island is only about 294 hectares in size, but it truly is a tropical paradise.
Things to Do
Hayman Island is home to such a rich array of biodiversity, making it the perfect destination for nature lovers. Since this island is pretty exclusive, it doesn’t get too crowded, meaning that you will easily be able to socially distance here.
Water sports are popular, especially those that take you up-close to the Great Barrier Reef, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also one of the great wonders of the world. A trip to the famous Whitehaven Beach is also a must – you can only access it by boat, helicopter or seaplane.
Where to Stay
The InterContinental Hayman Island Resort is known for being one of the best on the island. In addition to a handful of different swimming pools, this resort also has one that’s seven times the size of an Olympic pool. You’ll also find several sports facilities, a beauty salon, restaurants, a retail mall, and more here.
The resort offers several activities for guests to take part in too, limiting your outside exposure. Whether you want to go catamaran sailing or try your hand at some fishing, the resort will help you with all of this.
Fogo Island, Canada
If you want to go somewhere where you really won’t see much of other people, then Fogo Island in Canada is the destination to choose. This is Newfoundland and Labrador’s largest offshore island, with the only way to access it being by ferry.
Things to Do
The beauty of Fogo Island is that there isn’t much to do here. Its dreamy location makes it perfect for exploring the great outdoors, with everything from the sea-cliff paths to the dense forests to the meandering coastline worth checking out.
The island’s art scene has also recently had quite the resurgence. The Fogo Island Gallery is a must for art-lovers, where you will find regularly-changing exhibitions from both local and residential artists. There are several other art galleries dotted around the island too, each one creating and selling beautiful pieces.
Foodies out there may be apprehensive after hearing that there are only about ten restaurants, cafes and pubs on the island, but don’t let this put you off. What the island lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality – expect fresh seafood from the harbor, foraged plants and berries, and locally-farmed meat.
Where to Stay
If you have ever heard of Fogo Island, then you probably also know about the Fogo Island Inn – the place that brought the island to the attention of the masses. This award-winning hotel actually sits on its own little island, and each guest room has floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase the dramatic views.
In addition to the scenery all around it, the hotel boasts a few extra features that make it extra-special:
- Wood-fired saunas
- Outdoor hot tubs
- A library
- An art gallery (the above-mentioned Fogo Island Gallery)
- A cinema
Gobi-Altai Mountains, Mongolia
The vast expanse of the Gobi Desert makes it easy to keep yourself away from others – perfect for a post-Coronavirus getaway. The Gobi-Altai Mountains are in the Gurvansaikhan National Park, where you will be able to try a variety of traditional activities.
Things to Do
Camel rides over the sand dunes aren’t just a fun activity here – they are a mode of transport. This is the most efficient way to get around the desert, whether you then plan on hiking up a mountain or looking for dinosaur fossils.
A few spots in the area worth a visit include:
- Yol Valley – the lushness of this region will surprise you, with steep valley having been carved out by an ancient river
- Tugrigiin Shiree – home to a famous dinosaur fossil showing two dinosaurs fiercely in combat
- Bulgan Sum – a small nomadic village that is famous for its organically grown produce
- Flaming Cliffs – these magnificent cliffs emit a mystical orange glow at sunrise and sunset
Where to Stay
Gers, otherwise known as yurts, are the most common form of accommodation in Mongolia, and the Three Camel Lodge has done theirs up in the most luxurious of manners.
Each ger opens straight out onto the desert and features hand-painted furniture and hand-made decor, while also being very sustainable.
In addition to cooking up delicious meals with ingredients from their on-site greenhouse, this hotel also offers a number of exciting activities to guests, such as:
- Camel and horseback rides
- Mongolian cooking classes
- Mongolian films in their private cinema ger
- Traditional massages and spa treatments in the dedicated massage ger
- A shop filled with authentic local goods
If you have started to get the travel bug after spending so much time indoors, you’re not alone. While it may not yet be safe to travel to and from many destinations, there’s no harm in planning a trip for the future. Social distancing is likely to be around for quite a while, even if and when Covid-19 gets under control, making it worth taking this into account when planning your next adventure.
