Feeling overwhelmed by the volume of news and digital content in daily life? You’re not alone. A 2025 survey by Readly found that nearly half (44%) of UK adults have intentionally taken a break from news due to information fatigue, with many citing overwhelm as key reason for their avoidance. Huw Owen, Founder of TravelLocal, shares how local knowledge can ensure that even Southern Europe can be calm and quiet.... if you know where to go!
The Rise of Quiet Travel
As news fatigue and screen burnout hit record highs, travellers are craving meaningful escapes that offer more than just a change of scenery. According to recent research, the desire for restful, restorative travel is stronger than ever. In 2025 UK travellers are prioritising relaxation, meaningful experiences, and digital disconnection. The endless stream of information has created a craving for disconnection — not just from phones, but from the "always on" pressure.
That’s where the "quiet travel" trend comes in — unplugged experiences that swap screen time for soul time. TravelLocal’s curated trips embrace this philosophy, offering tailor-made itineraries where the only pings are from cowbells in the Alps or cicadas in an Italian olive grove.
“Sometimes I reach the end of the week and just want to throw my phone away. The idea of doom scrolling whilst on holiday feels both irresistible (by design!) but simultaneously shameful. If you're anything like me then right now travel is about reclaiming some headspace — away from a clickbait world that follows you around. Our local experts know where the noise ends and the peace begins.”
Huw Owen, Co-founder, TravelLocal
Where Travellers Can Tap Out
From the terracotta-hued hills of Umbria to hidden hamlets in the Swiss Alps, step away from the scroll and into the slow life where you can embrace silence, simplicity, and soul-restoring scenery. TravelLocals' fully customisable trips are built in partnership with local travel experts in the destination with each unique itinerary offering authentic experiences that highlight calm, culture, and connection.
Discover our suggestions of carefully chosen destinations in some of the quietest, most beautiful corners of Europe, where peace isn’t a luxury — it’s a lifestyle.
Greece – Mountain Silence & Island Stillness
Ready to trade crowds for charm? Discover Greece beyond the usual postcards. In Zagori, hike ancient trails between stone villages and Ottoman bridges nestled deep in the Pindus Mountains — perfect for slow travel and fireside evenings. Find serenity on the island of Tinos with its marble-carved villages, uncrowded beaches and Cycladic rhythm. And on the Pelion Peninsula, where forested peaks meet the sea, wander through timeless villages like Tsagkarada or Makrinitsa, a car-free village that offers stunning panoramic views and is known for its traditional stone mansions.
Trip Idea: 12-day mainland Greece discovery tour. Priced from £4,461 for 2 travellers (excl int flights)
Italy – Rural Roads and Peaceful Paths
In Puglia’s Itria Valley, slow down among olive groves and fairy-tale towns like Locorotondo, where trulli rooftops and local kitchens set the rhythm of daily life. Sip crisp white wine beneath vaulted alleys as elderly locals play cards nearby and the hum of cicadas fills the warm air. In Umbria, Tuscany’s quieter cousin, wander ancient Roman roads and spiritual hill towns like Spello, where the streets burst into bloom each June during the Infiorate flower festival. Trade the crowds of Amalfi for the coastal calm of Maratea and in Liguria, skip the Cinque Terre and head inland to Brugnato, a small, beautifully preserved village with cobbled lanes, pastel buildings, and a laid-back rhythm - and part of the “Borghi più belli d’Italia” (most beautiful villages in Italy) network.
Trip Idea: 13-day authentic tour of Southern Italy. Priced from £4,514 for 2 travellers (excl int flights)
Switzerland – Car-Free Villages & Alpine Tranquility
The Alps aren’t just a winter playground, Switzerland’s quieter side truly shines in summer. In the tiny, car-free village of Gimmelwald, you’ll be enchanted by the gentle clang of cowbells and the distant rush of waterfalls. Even the journey there is unforgettable: a cable car ride soaring above rocks and forests delivers you to this alpine haven at 1,400 meters. In Graubünden, discover the storybook village of Guarda, officially protected as a Swiss heritage site and renowned for its fantastic hiking trails. Or visit Bergün, nestled along the UNESCO-listed Albula Railway and easily reached by direct train from Chur. While in Soglio lose yourself among stone houses, sweeping mountain vistas, and a sacred silence.
Trip Idea: 13-day luxury trip through the Swiss Alps. Priced from £7,622 for 2 travellers (excl int flights)
Slovenia – Lakes, Forests, and Slow Country Life
Slovenia’s wild beauty is best found off the beaten path. In Kobarid, dine well and wander deeper - this Soča Valley gem blends serene river views, hidden waterfalls, and echoes of WWI history. The Soca river is also the perfect place to discover beautiful wild swimming spots. Štanjel charms with its terra-cotta rooftops and stone lanes, perched above the rolling wine country of the Karst. And high above it all, Velika Planina offers a step back in time, where herdsmen’s huts and wide alpine pastures invite you to unplug and stay a little longer.
Trip Idea: 9 days of exploring Slovenia’s natural delights. Priced from £5,039 for 2 travellers (excl int flights)
France – Scenic Routes and Storied Villages
Are you searching for the France you can truly feel? Discover lesser-known regions that invite you to slow down and savour every moment. In Occitanie, the elegant town of Uzès enchants with its winding medieval lanes and bustling Place aux Herbes, where the lively weekly market overflows with local flavours and friendly chatter. Just a short drive away, the southern Cévennes around Anduze beckon you to board a historic steam train that winds through chestnut forests and past dramatic gorges. Further east, the Jura Mountains offer a peaceful escape from the crowds where you can explore prehistoric caves once used to age the region’s famed Comté cheese.
Trip Idea: Spend 10 days on a self-drive trip through Southwest France. Priced from £3,374 (excl int flights)
Each TravelLocal journey is customisable and designed to reflect your own definition of peace — whether that means hiking through forests, cooking with locals, or simply watching the sunset from a vineyard terrace.
Travel with Purpose, Not Pressure
Unlike traditional tours, TravelLocal trips are built by locally-based destination experts with local insights in mind. Itineraries focus on smaller communities, independent accommodations, and low-impact experiences — creating trips that feel good for travellers and locals alike.
“Giorgos (TravelLocal’s local expert in Greece) tailored the 4 day and 10 day tours to our needs and interests and was considerate concerning our age and our budget. Once he was notified that my travel partner was a wine producer and we do classes about viticulture and how wine is made in other countries, he made 7 reservations for us at the 7 different wineries”
Jaqueline Morton, traveled to Greece in April 2025
Whether you're a stressed-out professional, a parent craving stillness, or just someone tired of the 24/7 news noise, these destinations offer more than just a break — they offer a reset and TravelLocal’s approach offers a new kind of luxury: clarity, connection, and conscience.
Explore all fully customisable itineraries and start planning your quiet escape at: www.travellocal.com
About TravelLocal
TravelLocal is a global platform that connects travellers directly with carefully selected local travel experts around the world. By empowering people to create personalised, authentic, and responsible travel experiences, TravelLocal helps travellers see the world - their way.
Media Contact:
Kathryn Rossiter
Kathryn Rossiter
