As “calm-cations” surge in popularity, travelers seeking tranquility might want to head up to Canada.
Two North American destinations have been ranked in the top five for the best spots for serenity seekers by Travelbug, and both are in Canada. The award-winning holiday company rated 36 global destinations for world travelers interested in peaceful vacations.
Travelbug took into account four separate metrics: the quality of green spaces, the level of noise and light pollution, local congestion levels, and overall cleanliness. And our northern neighbor is the only country with two destinations in the top five, demonstrating its appeal as a place for escapes into nature.
Coming in tied for No. 3 in the world (and No. 1 in North America) is Banff, sharing the spot with Kyoto, Japan, and Cairns, Australia. The stunning town, located in the province of Alberta, was noted for its outstanding green spaces, scoring 80 out of 100, and its exceptional cleanliness, receiving a score of 76. With its dramatic views of the Canadian Rocky Mountains and pristine turquoise lakes, Banff is one of the most popular vacation destinations in Canada. The town, situated within Banff National Park, provides access to extensive hiking trails, waterfalls, and glaciers, and is a part of the scenic Icefields Parkway.
Just behind Banff and ranking at No. 4 is Whistler, which is notable for scoring a perfect 100 for the quality of its parks and green spaces, its exceptional nature, and outdoor offerings. Whistler is home to one of North America’s largest ski resorts, Whistler Blackcomb, and boasts thousands of acres of varied skiing terrain. The town itself has a pedestrian-only village and a laid-back energy.
Both destinations have moderate to high travel congestion due to their popularity with tourists. July and August mark peak season in Banff. (During the 2023/2024 season, Banff National Park was the most visited national park in Canada.) Whistler receives three million visitors annually, with 55 percent visiting in the summer and 45 percent in the winter.
The top spot overall went to Queensland, New Zealand, while the most peaceful beachside retreat with the lowest noise and light pollution is the Seychelles.
However, the big winner is Australia as the country is home to three of the top 10 most peaceful vacation destinations: Cairns, which is near the Great Barrier Reef, ranked No. 3; the Gold Coast and its many beaches took the seventh spot; and Sydney was ninth.
