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Canada Crowned as Top Destination for Relaxation

Recent findings from BookRetreats highlight the growing trend for travelers seeking serene getaways, emphasizing the importance of peace and solitude in vacation planning. Their newly published Holiday Relaxation Report reveals a list of ideal destinations around the world, showcasing where individuals can unwind and immerse themselves in tranquility.

Released in early December, the report assessed a total of 76 locations worldwide based on several critical factors: safety, solitude, serenity, nature, and wellness. Each destination was rigorously analyzed using nine distinct data points, such as the proportion of protected land, forest coverage, population density, levels of noise and light pollution, general peacefulness, and overall wellness offerings. Scores were then assigned on a scale of one to 100 to identify the top choices.

Notably, Canada emerged as the most relaxing destination within North America and the runner-up globally. Remarkably, it stands out as the only North American entry among the top 25 relaxation spots.

According to BookRetreats, “Nature is at the heart of the Canadian travel experience. The country boasts the largest collection of lakes and the stunning aurora borealis, making it an ideal retreat for those in search of tranquility.” Their statement references data from the Natural History Museum, which indicates that Canada, along with Finland, Sweden, and Norway, enjoys a high Biodiversity Intactness Index (BII) of over 90 percent, signaling robust and vibrant ecosystems.

While Canada may have placed second overall, it surpassed Australia in terms of wellness offerings, boasting an impressive 4,724 activities related to wellness across the nation. BookRetreats details a variety of experiences available to visitors: “From thermal springs nestled within the Rocky Mountains to serene retreats by the lakes in Eastern Ontario, Canada provides vast spaces along with unique opportunities to reconnect with nature.”

For those prioritizing solitude, Canada presents an appealing landscape. With an average of merely 3.9 individuals per square kilometer, it ranks as the fifth-best nation for solitude, trailing behind Iceland, Namibia, Australia, and the top-ranking Mongolia. In addition, the country stands ninth for safety and sixth overall for wellness.

The relaxation list features other notable destinations, including Iceland in the second position. Finland, New Zealand, Austria, Sweden, Estonia, Norway, and Portugal complete the top ten. While many of these selections lean towards Europe, there are additional global gems for wellness enthusiasts to discover, such as Botswana at No. 11, Japan at No. 15, Malaysia at No. 20, and Namibia at No. 23.

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www.travelandleisure.com