10 quietcation ideas for food lovers

Travel has become noisier than ever with overcrowded destinations and packed itineraries. As everyday life grows louder – digitally, socially and emotionally – even holidays can begin to feel exhausting rather than restorative.

Cue the ‘quietcation’. A more deliberate approach to travel that favours quieter places – anchored of course by great, local food as one essential component. If you're seeking a touch more zen on your next break, these are some of our favourite destinations around the world for a quietcation...

For more travel inspiration, check out our guide to 10 unique walking holidays for food lovers and 9 cities that should be on every foodie's bucket list.

10 quietcation ideas for food lovers

Vipava Valley, Slovenia

Slovenia’s Vipava Valley, with its rich fertile soil, has always been known as a wine-growing region. Boutique wineries such as Lepa Vida and Vina Štrancar open their cellars for tastings of indigenous varieties such as klarnica, zelen and pinela. Visit during osmica – open-door periods which normally happen twice a year – when farmers welcome all for wine tasting and home cooking. Or try the wine train, where local vintners host tastings together as the train rolls through the valley.

An abundance of local ingredients means great restaurants across the region, from the Michelin-starred Gostilna Pri Lojzetu Restaurant to fine dining at Gostilna Žeja, or forgotten heritage recipes at Restavracija Grad Kromberk. Smaller inns offer Vipava dry-cured prosciutto, or jota (a hearty soup made from soured turnip) and Štruklji, sweet rolled dumplings using cherries, apricots or peaches from the surrounding orchards.

Go hiking for stunning views from high plateaus, take a walk over the 25 bridges spanning the multitude of springs in the area or simply amble among the ruins of Vipava Castle.

Stay at Theodosius Forest Village, where glamping and gourmet adventures go hand in hand.

Småland, Sweden

In the heart of southern Sweden you’ll find Småland. You can wander through peaceful forests, linger in lakeside cafés or settle in at quiet restaurants where nature and flavour go hand in hand. Foraging is part of everyday life here and the Swedish right of public access, allemansrätten, grants everyone the right to pick berries and mushrooms.

At Stufvenäs you’ll find yourself seated under Sweden’s largest oak trees next to the Kalmar Strait, dining over an open fire on dishes using fir shoots, birch leaves, mushrooms, lingonberries, rose hips and nettles. Silence here is interrupted only by birdsong and the king of the forest, the moose.

The area’s abundant apple and fruit orchards will help quench your thirst. Try Ängabacken's birch soda, a sparkling non-alcoholic drink made from pure birch sap, or head to Rudenstams for its cider or bubbly white currant soda. At the farm café you can also sample locally smoked trout and smørrebrød.

Stay at Asa Herrgård where you’ll travel through a quiet mossy path, foraging herbs, nuts and mushrooms along the way, perhaps picking up some local crayfish if they are in season. And then settle in under the ancient trees to prepare your meal and feast.

Lake Saimaa, Finland

Nestled in Finland’s pristine Lakeland, Lake Saimaa is emerging as a destination for food lovers seeking slow, nature-led travel. Recognised as a European Region of Gastronomy, the area appeals for both its restorative calm plus the great restaurants offering seasonal, locally sourced menus.

Start with a gentle walk over Pususilta Kissing Bridge to the Lusto Forest Museum and lunch at its new restaurant along the unique ridge landscape of Punkaharju. Try muikku (vendace) – these little freshwater fish which are pan-fried and served with mashed potatoes and lemon. For an immersive experience, take a Vendace Trawling Cruise, where local fishermen entertain you with stories of Saimaa’s fishing culture. You might also be lucky enough to also spot the ringed seal, which likes to feast on the fish.

A sauna can’t be missed. Try five very different experiences while tasting your way through various specialities like karjalanpiirakka, a rye crust pastry filled with rice pudding and served with egg butter, leipäjuusto, squeaky cheese, pulla, sweet cardamom-flavoured bread, and korvapuustit, cinnamon rolls. Coffee lovers should make a stop at Lehmus Roastery for kettu, otherwise known as bulletproof coffee.

Stay at the Kuru Private Resort, which is also home to Finland’s ninth best restaurant, Solitary.

Isle of Mull, Scotland

Wild, windswept and beautifully uncrowded, the Isle of Mull speaks to those who love big skies, windswept seas and seasonal eating.

Head off the beaten path with a walking trail past Tobermory Harbour into Aros Park where you’ll find hidden waterfalls, emerald ferns and sparkling lochans. Venture back into town to pick up treats from The Tobermory Fish Company and Isle of Mull Ice Cream. Or drive north to Glenforsa Café for cullen skink, seafood chowder and more stunning scenery.

For a glimpse of Mull’s crofting heritage, join a Hebridean farm hike at The Fauld and lose yourself in local stories and flower meadows. Have lunch at Croft 3, a once-dilapidated ruin turned into an award-winning, low-carbon, community-focused restaurant. The menu is led by the landscape: lobster mornay or haggis with salsa verde, gorse flower negronis and sea buckthorn whisky sours.

For a peaceful spot to watch the cows go by, visit Isle of Mull Cheese’s stunning Glass Barn. Make sure you try Isle of Mull Spirit made from the sweet whey left over from the cheese-making process.

Stay at The Isle of Mull Hotel and Spa for unparalleled sea views and dinner at Òran na Mara seafood restaurant.

Matsuyama, Japan

The serene Dōgo Onsen, one of Japan’s oldest bathhouses, sets the tone for a restorative, slow-paced stay in Matsuyama. Take in panoramic views from Matsuyama Castle, hike to nearby waterfalls or find quiet moments of reflection in the beautifully tended temple gardens.

Fresh seafood from the Seto Inland Sea defines the local table – try taimeshi, sea bream steamed rice, mitsuhamayaki, a savoury pancake made with dried seafood, cabbage and fishcake, or matsuyamazushi, rice flavoured with fish stock and vinegar, topped generously with fish, shrimp and eel.

The region grows over 30 varieties of mikan citrus so expect to enjoy it fresh or as gelato, jelly, juice or even beer. Noodles are also big here. Goshiki somen is a local speciality of five thin noodles which include mandarin orange alongside barley, matcha and ume apricot, or opt for nabeyaki udon, thick noodles served steaming in a hot pot. You can even travel up to one of the remote villages to make soba.

Stay at the blissfully peaceful Yamatoya Besso for its traditional-style breakfasts and kaiseki ryori served in your tatami-clad room.

Dangs, Gujarat, India

Hidden in the forested hills of southern Gujarat, the tribal region of Dangs offers a peaceful escape combining food, craft and nature. Easy trails lead to breathtaking waterfalls – tick off visits to Gira or Girmal. Birdlife fills the teak and bamboo forests where you can spot (or simply listen out for) drongos, hornbills and bulbuls.

Villagers converge weekly at Waghai market, where forest produce, seasonal vegetables and local grains are traded alongside tools and baskets. Combine this with a visit to Waghai Botanical Gardens which houses 1,400 species of Indian flora across 24 hectares of gardens.

Bamboo is central to life here. In season you’ll find tasty peanut-stuffed bamboo curries or pickles at makeshift street stalls. Visit the Kotwalia tribe for a peaceful day of basket weaving or fishing with makeshift bamboo rods.

In the evenings, local haats (markets) will tempt you with smells of frying bhajias, fritters made with wild greens or colocasia leaves which grow in abundance here – 50 rupees will buy you plenty to devour with a wealth of chutneys.

Stay at Dang Forest Retreat. Rooms are furnished with locally crafted bamboo, and meals are lovingly cooked over wood fires – expect thalis of forest vegetables, millet rotis and lentils cooked every which way.

Assignan, France

Tucked away in the hills of the Hérault in the south of France, Assignan is a peaceful haven for food lovers surrounded by vineyards. Cycle along the quiet country roads with a cheese picnic picked up at one of the local markets.

Its proximity to L’Étang de Thau offers a taste of the sea. Take a trip along the estuary to see oyster farms and indulge in giant oysters and mussels at the water’s edge of Le Saint Barth Tarbouriech. Equally stunning are the glistening pink waters of Gruissan, where the walkway is dotted with seafood shacks serving the smaller oyster variety farmed off the beaches of Narbonne.

Explore the birthplace of French vermouth at nearby Marseillan or amble through Béziers, Sète or Carcassonne which equally showcase the area’s cuisine – try hearty cassoulet, duck confit or aligot – a dish of mashed potatoes, cream and cheese.

Spend your evenings wandering between wine bars enjoying regional wines. The area is applauded for the diversity of its appellations including AOP Saint-Chinian and AOP Minervois with wine tours a plenty.

Stay at Château Village Castigno for breakfast in the village square, hidden swimming pools overlooking the vines and exquisite fine dining.

Paarl, South Africa

At the foothills of the dramatic granite domes of Paarl Rock, this historic Cape Winelands town is a food and wine lover’s dream. It is surrounded by vineyards and fruit farms, and offers a relaxed stay that blends heritage architecture with slow, countryside-led food and wine experiences.

Start with an e-bike tour from nearby Wellington visiting two to three wine farms and stopping for a long, lazy lunch at one of them. Or grab a coffee and sandwich to go from Sadie Coffee and try one of the many trails at Limietberg Nature Reserve, finishing with a dip in the amber rock pools. Meulwater Wildflower Garden is also close by.

The restaurant scene is rich but relaxed – just what you need on a quiet getaway. Try Bistro at Brookdale Estate for breathtaking views or Noop where you can try Kalahari gemsbok or springbok and west coast black mussels.

Stay at Untether – a contemporary haven just on the outskirts of Paarl where you can go for a farm walk with a local expert to learn about the vegetation alongside tales of old, or listen to nothing but the nature around you with some stargazing from the hot tub.

Ürgüp, Turkey

In the volcanic valleys of Anatolia, Ürgüp offers a quieter, more authentic alternative to Cappadocia’s busier towns. With its traditional stone architecture and calm streets it makes an ideal base for hiking through the peaceful valleys, exploring ancient caves or horse riding among the fairy chimneys.

The town is steeped in pottery traditions, showcased with testi kebabı, a slow-cooked stew of meat, vegetables, garlic and spices sealed in a clay pot and cooked in a wood-fired oven. The pot is cracked open at your table to release the rich aromas and tender meat. This is a centuries-old tradition from the surrounding local villages.

Ürgüp is also a grape growing region, so don’t miss pekmez, grape molasses. You’ll find plenty of village cafés serving gözleme, thin flatbreads filled with spinach, cheese, meat or potatoes, often with ayran, a yogurt drink, or pastirma, sun-dried beef cured with garlic, paprika and fenugreek. For a leisurely dinner, restored stone mansions like Zeferan offer fresh Anatolian meze, local wines from the foothills of Mount Erciyes and traditional desserts like helvası, toasted flour halva, or aside, a molasses pudding.

Stay at Avantgarde Refined Cappadocia where rooms and the hammam are carved into volcanic rock.

Flores, Guatemala

Perched on a remote island in Lake Petén Itzá, Flores is a charming town of cobbled streets and colourful colonial-style houses. Once the final stronghold of the ancient Itza Maya, it now serves as a peaceful base for exploring northern Guatemala’s lush jungles and archaeological treasures.

The town’s food scene reflects its Mayan heritage. Start at Mercado de Flores and Mercado Nuevo for a cultural immersion and to explore local snacks and street food like rellenitos de plátano, sweet plantain dumplings filled with black beans and cinnamon; chuchitos, corn husks filled with meat or vegetables and steamed; or chilorio, spiced pork; kak’ik, Mayan turkey soup; and pepián, spiced stew. All washed down with fresh tropical fruit juices.

Get out onto the lake with a boat ride at sunrise or sunset, or take a boat out to hike Mirador del Rey Canek, which offers views over the island. Flores is also close to Tikal National Park, Yaxhá and Uaxactún.

Stay at the Isla de Flores Hotel where you can take in the sunset at its rooftop bar.

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