The modern world has given us a lot to be thankful for. But it’s also gotten us so tightly wound around its luxuries that people are increasingly finding it hard to unwind. There's a fatigue factor involved in sticking to lists and activities that modern travel often revolves around. This is why a sort of counterculture of travel has not so much sprung up as it has revived.
We're talking about trips that focus on going off the grid and living the simple, outdoorsy life. Of course, not everyone prefers the Robinson Crusoe lifestyle, but there's still a spectrum, and along it, travellers are finding levels that suit their needs. From soft travel to glamping to digital detoxes, there's something about slowing the clock down and letting nature wash over you that's affecting the modern traveller.
In fact, there's a term for this trend: the “self-care phenomenon,” where travellers ditch the hectic rush of the urban “to-do” checklist for the more leisurely, relaxing, outdoorsy atmosphere of nature trips that allow you to exhale.
In this article, we’ll explore the destinations that let you unwind, let your hair down and get away from the stress of everyday life, and how you can use your British Airways Avios points to get there.
What's Making People Choose Nature Trips?
We might all be uniquely different in our preferences, but there's a common thread that runs through us all: our bond with nature and the great outdoors. Perhaps it's a primal connection to our great cave-dwelling ancestors, but there's just something about sitting beneath the stars at night, gazing at the horizon that's not confined to picket fences, or boxed in by skyscrapers, that makes our hearts beat faster.
With that, here are the top reasons why people are so passionate about nature:
It Refreshes Your Brain
Not to be a nerd, but there's actual science behind why spending time in places with mountains, water, and trees around soothes us. Think of it as a “return to factory settings” for the brain. Studies have shown that spending time in nature lowers cortisol levels, leading to fewer racing thoughts and more peaceful sleep. That’s why people use nature sounds apps when they're trying to get a good night's sleep. But why use technology when you can go to the source?
Think about it: who wouldn't want to wake up from a good night's sleep, walk out on the porch in your jammies with a hot cup of coffee and watch the sky change colour? You have all the time in the world; there's nowhere else you have to be. By doing less, you're actually slowing down the clock and being in the moment.
Nature Is Its Own Reward
We've all done it: hung pictures of natural landscapes on our walls to bring a sense of calm into our surroundings. So, when you have the chance, why not just step inside the picture? That's what these nature trips allow you to do: take a break from your confined, urban setting and step inside the scenery where reality is sometimes only limited by the extent of what you feel like doing.
Up for a swim? Jump into the lake. Feel like taking a hike? Put on your boots and step out into the woods. Even if you don't have the energy to be active, there's so much just being out in nature that you can be a part of. You can sit on the deck and watch the sun come up or go down (or both) and still not count your day as a waste. You can stay up all night and count stars and still feel refreshed the next morning. That's the kind of binge watching that never leaves you groggy and tired the next day.
Staying in a Cabin Gives a Cosy-core Energy
Raise your hands if you have a childhood memory of building blanket forts with your cousins or siblings and telling stories by the fire. Turns out, those activities don't stop being exciting as we grow older; we just stop indulging in them because we didn't have the time or perhaps because we forgot about them.
That's why staying in a log cabin is like stepping inside a time capsule that allows you to become a child again. You can ditch all the modern conveniences and sit by the fireplace, wrap yourself in blankets and play board games. Even if the weather turns against you, it only adds to the vibe as you can cook together or read as the rain falling on the roof provides a soundtrack that can't be beat.
Less Is More
Much as we hate to admit it, sometimes there's no other way to say it. As cliched as it sounds, cabin trips are all about not doing anything and still feeling great. There's no stopwatch going off, counting down the seconds as you rush from one place to the next, as your mind gets fogged in a FOMO-induced panic. Staying out in the countryside in a cabin allows you to breathe and let yourself heal in a way that no amount of selfies in front of monuments and standing in lines to get inside a building to snap a blurry photo of a painting ever can.
You Get to Know the People with You
There was a time when trips were supposed to be about getting away from the noise, building connections with our companions and finding ourselves. Somewhere down the line, in a rush to get the most likes and shares, we forgot all that as we drifted away from real connections and constructed social profiles that seemed more but didn't reveal anything about the real us.
Cabin trips are all about building deeper connections by turning down the background noise so you can actually talk and listen. Even if you're on a solo journey, getting out into nature can help you achieve mental clarity. You can observe things more clearly, and what you jot down in your journal can help you learn more about yourself than a therapy session.
Classic And Stunning International Spots We Recommend
Now that you've retrieved the fishing rod, the waterproof sleeping bag and your hiking boots from the attic, here are five stunning outdoor destinations you can fly to rediscover yourself. You can book flights with Avios for each of these, but reward flight availability can vary by season and demand, so it's worth planning ahead or setting Reward Flight Finder (RFF) Alerts to secure the best Avios options when routes open, especially if booking the BA Club Suite is a priority.
Lake Bled and Julian Alps, Slovenia
Lake Bled sits at the edge of the Julian Alps like a postcard brought to life. Its emerald waters are centred by a tiny island crowned with a church and framed by steep forested mountains. It's an easy entry point into Slovenia's outdoors culture, where days revolve around hiking trails that climb into Triglav National Park, gentle lakeside walks, kayaking across calm water, or cycling between alpine villages.
Accommodation leans into the back-to-nature mood, with cosy cabins, boutique lodges, and chalet-style stays that make it easy to switch off and slow down without sacrificing comfort. The atmosphere is just what you need with a tilt towards restorative rather than remote, which suits travellers looking for a digital detox without feeling cut off.
As for reward flight availability, you can fly from London Heathrow to Ljubljana for around 26,000 British Airways Avios return in off-peak Economy plus roughly £2 in taxes, followed by an easy 40-minute transfer to the lake, making it one of Europe's easiest nature escapes to reach from London.
Lake Como and Lake Garda, Italy
There's something about staying near a body of water that's so therapeutic and soul-reviving that you feel yourself exhale in ways you didn’t realise you’d been holding in. Northern Italy's great lakes capture this feeling perfectly. Think of alpine hills rolling down to deep blue water and elegant towns sitting along the shoreline, starting off with the famous Lake Como, which feels refined and cinematic, with historic villas, ferry crossings, and narrow lanes.
Nearby, Lake Garda feels more laid-back and outdoors-focused, with cycling routes, walking trails, and small harbour towns that invite long afternoons outdoors. It creates a balance between nature and an easygoing Italian lifestyle, making it ideal for travellers who want mountain views without giving up good food, cafés, and easy transport links.
You can fly from London Gatwick to Verona from 26,000 Avios return in off-peak Economy plus roughly £2 in taxes, followed by a 45-minute transfer to Lake Garda. These British Airways reward flights are often one of the lowest-cost ways to access Northern Italy’s famous landscapes, especially compared to peak-season cash fares.
Switzerland’s Alpine Lakes
You can't go more natural and outdoorsy than Switzerland with its alpine lakes, clear blue waters and dramatic peaks. If this is your first time, start with Lake Lucerne, and you'll be spoiled for life by its classic Swiss scenery. Take in the historic paddle steamers, mountain viewpoints accessible by cable car, and peaceful lakeside paths ideal for slow walks.
Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, Lake Maggiore surprises you by blending alpine landscapes with Mediterranean softness, dotted with charming villages and gardens. Across both regions, you'll find cosy chalets and mountain lodges that make ideal bases for hiking, scenic train journeys, or simply unplugging from everyday routines.
British Airways reward flights from London City or Heathrow to Zurich cost around 20,000 Avios return in off-peak Economy plus roughly £2 in taxes. You can then take an easy 90-minute transfer to reach these serene lake and mountain retreats.
Nissedal, Norway
If your idea of switching off involves silence, water, and endless forest views, Nissedal is hard to beat. Set in the Telemark region, the area is surrounded by hundreds of lakes, rolling hills, pine forests, and rugged rock formations, ideal for kayaking, swimming, fishing, and slow outdoor living. Rustic cabins scattered along the shoreline place you directly in nature, perfect for watching the light change across the water or setting out on scenic hiking trails that lead to panoramic viewpoints above the lakes.
You can book flights with Avios from London Heathrow to Oslo, starting from around 26,000 Avios return in off-peak Economy plus approximately £2, followed by a scenic three-hour transfer into the heart of Nissedal's calm, cabin-filled wilderness.
Nita Lake/Whistler Area, Canada
Tucked just south of Whistler Village, Nita Lake is a restorative base surrounded by alpine scenery, yet within easy reach of one of Canada's most famous outdoor playgrounds. The lake itself is peaceful and scenic, framed by forested slopes and dramatic mountain views, ideal for paddleboarding, gentle walks, or simply unwinding by the water.
Beyond the shoreline, Whistler's extensive trail network opens up opportunities for hiking, biking, and year-round outdoor adventures, with cabin-style lodges and nature-focused accommodations that provide a sense of escape.
Flights from London Gatwick or Heathrow to Vancouver start from around 198,000 Avios return in off-peak Business Class, plus roughly £499, followed by a two-hour transfer to Whistler. British Airways often operates these routes with the BA Club Suite, so don’t forget to use RFF's Club Suite Filter to help you identify them.
