6x quiet places to unwind

28 November 2019 | Reading time: 6 minutes | By: Kimberley |

When people think of a retreat, most imagine spending a long time in a monastery or sitting in silence for a week. But a retreat can be more than just that. A retreat is about finding yourself. It’s about finding peace, space and relaxation within yourself. So it doesn’t always have to last a week or involve intensive meditation. A walk, getting out into nature or simply being in a peaceful and serene area can be enough to start a new week with a clear mind.

There’s plenty of research showing that surrounding yourself with nature contributes to inner peace. Fresh air does you good and helps you to relax, let go, put things into perspective and find peace. So before you book a ticket to a Buddhist monastery in Vietnam, why not consider a weekend of seclusion in our own Dutch countryside? In my opinion, these are the six most special places in the Netherlands to find peace and tranquillity.

Want to completely unwind on the coast? Then visit the Vrouwenpolder in Zeeland. Vrouwenpolder is a small picturesque village with the quietest beach in the Netherlands. Who doesn't love a relaxing weekend by the sea? Honeyguide Laura wrote a blog full of inspiration for a holiday in Zeeland and as far as I'm concerned, Vrouwenpolder can definitely be added to this list.

Anyone thinking of Ede naturally immediately thinks of the Hoge Veluwe. This is a perfect place to unwind. Besides being a very pleasant and quiet area, Nationaal Park de Hoge Veluwe is also a great place to spot wildlife. But Ede has more to offer than just the Hoge Veluwe. With dense forests, vast heathlands and meadows, Ede counts the most diverse nature reserves in the Netherlands. Walk or cycle through the beautiful countryside to relax. Who knows, you might come across a shepherd with a flock of sheep, or walk past a real sheepfold. Look for various walking routes on the website Walking in Ede.

Do the singing of different birds calm you down? Then the Ankeveen l akes are a must visit to come to yourself. That the Ankeveen lakes are a popular breeding ground for birds is understandable. The peat landscape consists of puddles, strips of land and narrow ditches. Cycle or walk right through the area, along narrow paths and dikes overlooking the ponds. From mid-May to mid-September, it is also possible to take a boat trip through the quiet lake area.

Vlieland stands for tranquillity, undisturbed, pure and natural. It is therefore the ultimate destination for people looking for peace and quiet. The car-free island is full of cycle paths, making it very suitable for walking and cycling. Vlieland is the smallest inhabited island of the Wadden Islands. It is also the furthest from the coast. Vlieland is covered in greenery, forests, high dunes, long beaches and clear sea water. So plenty of places to relax. Want more on Vlieland than just relaxation? Discover Vlieland's historic character in the island's only village: Oost-Vlieland. With a beautiful old main street and many historical buildings, you can clearly see that it used to be a fishing village. All in all, definitely worth a visit!

Anyone who has not heard of a barefoot path is really missing something. A barefoot path is a walking route that has been specially constructed or selected for walking barefoot through nature. In doing so, you walk over different types of surfaces, from soft grass and fine sand to large boulders and logs. So take off your shoes and feel how the different landscapes give you a natural foot massage.

Besides the feeling, a barefoot walk also works as a therapeutic relaxation walk. So perfect for relaxing and unwinding. In the Netherlands, there are many different barefoot paths. My favourite is the barefoot path near Buitenpost. It is 2 km long and takes you along and through historic gardens from Roman times and the Middle Ages. You also walk barefoot along a tropical island, a fairytale forest, a vineyard and the sevanne.