These 5 peaceful destinations will make you ditch FOMO for good

Where calm replaces chaos — these five dreamy destinations redefine what true rest feels like.

In a world where vacations often feel like a race against time—packed itineraries, back-to-back reservations, and the constant pressure to “make the most” of every moment—travelers are craving something different. They’re choosing JOMO (the joy of missing out) over FOMO (fear of missing out), trading urgency for presence and bucket lists for quiet bliss.

A new list by Forbes highlights five of the world’s most peaceful, restorative destinations—places where nature slows you down, silence feels luxurious, and every moment feels intentional. These are landscapes designed to help you breathe, reconnect, and return home genuinely renewed.

Here are the five most peaceful and beautiful escapes, as listed by Forbes.

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1. Walk and Breathe with the Trees in Japan

Amid hyperconnected, screen-saturated lives, Japan offers a powerful antidote: shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing. It’s the gentle, meditative act of letting the forest heal you—walking slowly, breathing deeply, and reconnecting with nature in its purest form.

For a deeper experience, venture onto the Nakasendo Way, an ancient trail that once linked Kyoto and Tokyo. Moss-covered stone paths wind past tiny wooden villages, quiet teahouses, bamboo groves, and cedar forests. As you climb into Japan’s peaceful Central Alps, the only sound you’ll hear is the soft rhythm of your footsteps and the wind in the trees.

It’s a journey that slows your pulse and resets your inner world.

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2. Relax Your Mind and Body with Sound Healing in Australia

Laid-back, coastal, and effortlessly soulful, Byron Bay is Australia’s modern sanctuary for travelers seeking calm and deeper connection. Here, wellness unfolds naturally—through sunrise ocean walks, surf sessions, gentle hikes, and moments of stillness.

Begin your escape at Cape Byron State Conservation Park, where wallabies graze freely and the lighthouse stands guard over a glittering Pacific. Come from June to November, and you might spot humpback whales breaching offshore.

For a deeper sense of release, step into the mystical grounds of Crystal Castle. Wander the lush Shambhala Gardens, linger beside towering geodes, and settle into a soothing Crystal Singing Bowls sound bath. In just 20 resonant minutes, stress simply melts away.

Byron Bay is a reminder that healing can be as simple as listening.

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3. Seek Out Mood-Boosting Breaks in Scotland

The Scottish Highlands are not just a destination—they’re a feeling. This vast, untamed land of rugged mountains, shimmering lochs, ancient ruins, and endless moorlands has a way of renewing you from the inside out. Tranquility here isn’t found; it surrounds you.

The most intimate way to experience the Highlands is on foot. Walk the legendary West Highland Way, a 96-mile trail stretching from Milngavie to Fort William. Whether self-guided or with expert outfitters, you’ll wander through Loch Lomond, the wild slopes of Glen Falloch, quiet glens, and the dramatic beauty of Glencoe, one of Scotland’s most cinematic landscapes.

Each step feels like breathing fresher, deeper air.

Each view feels like a reset button for the mind.

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4. Discover National Parks in the United States

Few places offer the sense of freedom and spaciousness found in America’s national parks. From the fiery red canyons of Utah to the glacial wilderness of Alaska, these parks offer space—literal and emotional—to slow down and reconnect.

Drive through the Mighty Five of Utah—Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion—and feel the weight of the world lift with every canyon curve. Head north to Alaska’s Denali and Kenai Fjords, where icefields and snow-capped mountains dominate the horizon. Or wander through Montana’s Yellowstone and Glacier National Park, where geothermal wonders and turquoise alpine lakes remind you of the planet’s raw power.

For a nostalgic touch, rent a classic Airstream or camper van and craft your own slow-travel adventure. No schedules. No rush. Just the open road and pure American wilderness.

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5. Make Memories in Patagonia

If there is one place that redefines awe, it is Patagonia—a world of sharp granite peaks, windswept fjords, endless steppe, and glowing blue glaciers at the very bottom of South America. It is wild, humbling, and profoundly beautiful.

In Chile, trek the iconic W Trek in Torres del Paine National Park, where icebergs drift across milky lakes and the famed granite towers rise dramatically into the sky. In Argentina, explore Los Glaciares National Park and witness the thundering ice walls of the Perito Moreno Glacier, a spectacle that stays with you long after you leave.

Hut-to-hut trekking tours make the region wonderfully accessible—days spent wandering through untouched valleys, nights spent in warm refugios with stories shared over rustic dinners.

Patagonia isn’t just a trip—it’s a transformation.

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Where Will You Go Next?

In a world urging you to do more, these peaceful destinations invite you to be more—more present, more grounded, more connected. Whether it’s the quiet of Japanese forests, the soundscapes of Byron Bay, or the ancient mountains of Scotland, these places remind us that the most meaningful journeys are the ones that restore us.