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If you’re dreaming of a long holiday in an exotic location, you’re not the only one. Long-haul bookings rose by 14% between 2024 and 2025, with travellers expressing a desire to relax more and get immersed in their destination, delving into its history, culture, and cuisine.
The best destinations for a long holiday tend to involve more than just lying on a beach. They offer something for everyone – nature, wildlife, adventure, wellness. They allow you to experience life like a local, marvel at natural wonders, and discover authentic experiences and hidden gems. And, because you have plenty of time to switch off, you’ll return home relaxed and recharged – not stressed and needing another break.
So, if you have a few spare weeks (or more), where are the best places to visit? Ultimately, it depends on the focus of your holiday; are you more interested in a cultural excursion or a wildlife adventure? Or, if you’re looking for a bit of everything, some places particularly stand out.
Here are 10 amazing destinations for a long holiday. And, to plan your next trip, check out our holiday itinerary helper or find thousands of travel deals using the button below.
Note: It’s always worth checking the latest FCDO travel advice on GOV.UK before planning your trip.
1. Vietnam
Beautiful, diverse, affordable, and culture-rich, you can’t help falling in love with Vietnam. It’s a popular spot on the backpacking trail, but many travellers rush through, visiting only a couple of destinations. This long, slender country is made to explore slowly, and over a few weeks, you can travel from north to south (or vice versa), ticking off many of the best sights and attractions.
In the north, trek through misty highlands and rolling rice terraces, visit traditional hill tribe villages, tour the bustling capital, Hanoi, and cruise the otherworldly Ha Long Bay. Central Vietnam is home to historic Hue and the elegant riverside city of Hoi An, where you can feast on incredible street food. In the south, intoxicating Ho Chi Minh City deserves at least a few days, and the paradisal islands off the coast are the perfect place to unwind.
2. New Zealand
With a 27-hour flight time, the dramatically beautiful New Zealand is a destination to savour. Renowned for hiking and adventure sports, if you’d like to get active, there are a multitude of things to try. On the North Island, explore Maori culture, tour the dreamy Bay of Islands, admire volcanic landscapes and alien-like geothermal activity, and – if you’re a Lord of the Rings fan – visit Hobbiton.
The South Island, however, is where New Zealand really dazzles. The scenery changes vividly over short distances, making it ideal for a road trip, which is arguably the best way to explore if you have time. Travel through the snow-cloaked mountains and sapphire lakes of the Southern Alps, taste world-class wines in Marlborough, relax on the beaches of Abel Tasman National Park, and go skydiving and white-water rafting in Queenstown.
3. Mexico
If you’re drawn to the Americas, why not visit Mexico? Boasting a diverse landscape, colourful culture, fabulous cuisine, and idyllic beaches, it’s ideal for an extended stay, and its affordability is just another bonus. Mexico City is one of the world’s most exciting capitals, and you can explore for weeks and barely scratch the surface. If you’re a fan of traditional street tacos, you may never want to leave.
If you’d like to delve deep into this magnificent country, it’s tricky to resist the lure of the Yucatán Peninsula. Mexico’s Caribbean coast is home to warm turquoise waters, sugar-white sands, and magical Mayan ruins, offering relaxation with a side of culture and history. Isla Holbox, off the coast of Cancun, is the epitome of paradise, but be warned: a long holiday here may not be long enough.
4. Bali, Indonesia
For a wellness-focused holiday where you can relax, get back to nature, and perhaps find a sense of spirituality, there’s Bali. This idyllic Indonesian island boasts lush rice terraces; mystical temples; stunning beaches; colourful, healthy dishes; and some of the world’s best yoga retreats. The relaxed pace of life helps you savour your time here, and its affordability makes it ideal for a long stay.
Ubud is a global wellness hub, so whether you’re looking to do yoga, meditate, or simply try some of the world’s best vegan food, this is the place to do it. For nature lovers, Bali’s volcanoes and waterfalls beckon, and scenic hiking trails will take you past some of the island’s best sights. And for an active twist, the coasts of Canggu, Uluwatu, and Seminyak are beautiful and excellent for surfing.
5. Peru
Of all the South American countries, Peru is arguably the most suited to a long holiday. It has exceptional cultural depth, jaw-dropping natural beauty, flavour-packed food, and a truly fascinating history. If you like the idea of touring colourful colonial cities, hiking world-class trails, exploring rainforests and mountains, and visiting Incan ruins, this is the destination for you. And, yes, you can easily do all those things on one holiday!
Peru’s capital, Lima, will give you a taste of this country’s unique cuisine, and the ceviche here is the world’s best. To learn about the Inca civilisation, head to the Sacred Valley, where you could spend months touring the various historical attractions. The multi-day trek to the lost city of Machu Picchu takes you past some of the country’s most impressive scenery, including the awe-inspiring Andes, deep, verdant valleys, and misty cloud forests.
6. Greek Islands
Not all long holidays need to be long haul. The Greek islands are only a four-hour flight away, yet they offer an almost endless array of cultural riches, historical treasures, and blissfully beautiful beaches. With over 200 inhabited islands, you’ll need years to see them all, but a few weeks is usually enough time to see the highlights of an island group. If you’re struggling to choose, the South Aegean islands are particularly dreamy.
Santorini, Mykonos, Kos, and Rhodes are some of the most popular islands, and each offers a unique charm. You’ll probably need at least five days on each if you’re looking to do them justice, though, as there’s so much to see and do. Stroll through whitewashed villages, visit sunbleached ruins, watch spellbinding sunsets, and enjoy fresh meze on the beach. For somewhere quieter, Sifnos, Amorgos, Syros, or Andros are just as wonderful.
7. South Africa
Can’t decide between a nature and wildlife excursion, a food and wine break, or a cultural escape? In South Africa, you can combine all three. This big, beautiful country offers an incredibly diverse mix of landscapes, and a couple of weeks here promises all kinds of adventures. Head off on safari, take a road trip, kick back on the beach, hike through mountains, tour sophisticated cities, and enjoy wine tasting.
Seeing the Big Five (lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo) is on most South Africa bucket lists, and a Kruger National Park safari is something you won’t forget. Foodies can tour the Cape Winelands and feast on gourmet cuisine, hikers can explore the rugged Drakensberg or Table Mountain National Park, and culture enthusiasts can spend days in Cape Town, one of the world’s most beautiful cities.
8. Japan
For a culture-packed holiday where you can be awed by natural landscapes, delve into thousands of years of history, explore vibrant, futuristic cities, and feast on delicious food, why not visit Japan? While it offers an unusually diverse range of experiences, the country is relatively small and easily navigable, so you can see and do an incredible amount in just a couple of weeks.
Japan’s former imperial capital, Kyoto, is a must-visit. You can spend days touring the old geisha district, watching tea ceremonies in tranquil gardens, and visiting ancient temples and shrines. Tokyo is where to get a feel for modern Japan, while Hokkaido’s national parks, the Japanese Alps, and Okinawa’s tropical islands are ideal for relaxation. The food is fabulous, and you can enjoy fresh sushi and mouthwatering street food wherever you are.
9. Italy
If you aren’t looking to travel far and you’re passionate about food and wine, few places rival Italy. To really understand the phrase la dolce vita – the sweet life – it’s key to feel relaxed and carefree, live in the present, and take time to savour the cuisine. You could spend years tasting your way around Italy, but a couple of weeks is enough time to see the highlights of the best foodie regions: Tuscany and Puglia.
In Tuscany, explore medieval hill towns, tour world-class vineyards, sample local dishes such as ribollita and panzanella, and visit glorious Renaissance cities like Florence and Siena. Head south to Puglia, in the heel of Italy’s boot, to soak up the old-world atmosphere. The beaches are some of Italy’s best, but if you can tear yourself away, the ancient cave city of Matera will leave you awed.
10. Australia
With a flight time of 24 hours and a mandatory stopover, there’s no sense going to Australia if you’re pushed for time. This continent-sized country is stunningly diverse, and you need at least two weeks to explore properly. Home to tropical rainforests, gorgeous beaches, desert outback, forested mountains, and coastal cities, a long break here allows you to experience multiple environments and diverse climates.
Because Australia is so vast, it’s best to focus on one area – and we suggest the East Coast. Queensland, in the north, is home to the Great Barrier Reef, as well as iconic Aussie animals like koalas and crocodiles. In the south, there’s the cosmopolitan capital, Sydney, and the deep valleys and forested peaks of the Blue Mountains. And, in between, there are laid-back beach towns and slick surf cities to stop off in.
Final thoughts…
Each of these destinations offers something very different, but you can easily stay away for a few weeks – or months – without getting bored.
If you’re mainly looking for relaxation, the Greek islands, Bali, and Mexico rarely disappoint, while if you’d like to get active and enjoy lots of hiking, New Zealand, Peru, and Vietnam tick the box.
Or, if you’re hoping to immerse yourself in a new culture, enjoy delicious local food, and appreciate the beauty of the natural world, Italy, Japan, or South Africa might be a better choice.
Are you thinking about a long holiday? Do any of these destinations seem particularly alluring to you – or do you have your own ideas for the best destinations for long breaks? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
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