News and Insights
Hitting grounded escapism running
November 12, 2026
Sure, travel has its stresses, from picking the perfect destination to the frenzy of getting to it, the cost of making memories, and the inevitable realization that vacations don’t last forever and life waits back home. Yet according to a report on holiday habits for 2025-2026 from the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), despite the political, economic, and environmental challenges circling the globe, 65% of UK travelers, say holidays are the most important time of the year, and 80% believe them to be significant for their mental health.
No surprise, then, that many travelers are now embracing grounded escapism – that is, travel designed to disconnect and mentally reset. In the same vein as “slow travel” and “calmcationing,” grounded escapism is a way to shake off stresses that seem to lurk around every corner these days, including those of traditional travel. Fortunately, many luxury hospitality outfits are happy to ground such escapes.
Allison Tong, director at FINN Global Travel’s Hong Kong office, has noticed more and more travelers skipping high-traffic hubs like Bali and Phuket for destinations with lower footfall but no-less natural beauty. “We’re seeing luxury travelers drawn to be among the first to visit places that haven’t been widely discovered yet.”
Tong notes Mandarin Oriental, Desaru Coast, just a quick ferry ride from Singapore and less than an hour from Johor Baru, where rainforest meets the South China Sea in southernmost Peninsular Malaysia. With only 42 keys and zen-like tropical minimalist design by award-winning Kerry Hill Architects, “it’s a place where people can really get in touch with nature while still within reach of major cities.”
High in the Bernese Oberland of Switzerland, family-owned Gstaad Palace is experiencing outstanding demand for Walig Hut, a rustic alpine chalet on a grassy perch more than 2,100 feet above the hotel. Dating from 1783, when it accommodated farmers and livestock, the luxury escapism of Walig Hut is as simple as it gets: cold running water, solar-powered lighting and woodstove heat. There’s no kitchen, but not to worry: Gstaad Palace provides menus for “Alpine Nights,” with complimentary sodas for youngsters and Schnapps for everyone else.
The recent commingling of Baillie Lodges and Tierra Hotels into Beckons has smoothed a path for escapists to ground in far-flung sights and scenes. Taking a collective approach to experiential travel, the new luxury lodge collection spanning three continents is promoting a desert to glacier package, Spirit of Chile, with unique stays at Tierra Patagonia framed by the peaks of the Torres del Paine Massif and Tierra Atacama amid one of the world’s driest and most remote deserts. It’s a value-add for travelers, explains Maite Conway, senior partner based in Los Angeles:
“Beckons is alleviating the pain points of travel, making it seamless for guests looking to disconnect to get from one lodge to another, while building trust and, one assumes, repeat business along the way.”
While lingering is key, grounded escapism can also unfold on the move. The Bahamas recently tapped local homeowner/ageless rock star Lenny Kravitz to promote the notion that travelers should explore beyond a single location to experience the true diversity of the 700-island archipelago in the North Atlantic. Launched last spring, “A Lifetime of Islands” resulted in more visitors wanting to go beyond key hubs to enjoy less-visited islands and cays.
The ultra-luxury cruise and expedition line Seabourn encourages travelers to eschew quick escapes for longer, more immersive stays through various Seabourn Journeys. Available pre- and post-cruise as land-based extensions of select voyages, the Journeys access inland destinations that can’t be experienced on regular shore excursions from ships. In summer 2027, for instance, guests bound for Alaska aboard Seabourn Encore will be able to engage Seabourn’s Denali Experience. This 8-day trip in and out of Denali National Park features luxury train travel, elegant accommodations and dining, and even flightseeing over the wilds of The Last Frontier along with way.
Similarly, though entirely different, the City Escapes collection from river cruise specialists AmaWaterways tempts guests to explore cities across Europe. Current destinations include Paris & the Seine, Vienna & the Danube and Strasbourg & the Rhine. AmaWaterways also has dedicated No Fly River Cruising for UK clientele, enabling travelers to reach selected river cruises via rail. Journeys typically start with Eurostar travel from St. Pancras International Station in London through Europe’s high-speed rail network to their city of embarkation, with private transfers included between the overseas rail station and the ship.
“The rail option appeals to travelers who prefer a low-carbon alternative to flying, and with generous luggage allowances and city-center arrivals, it provides a more-relaxed start to their holiday,” observes Christopher Gannon, a UK-based senior account manager. No-Fly itineraries include Flavors of Portugal & Spain, Tulip Time in Belgium and the Netherlands, and Best of the Danube through Austria, Hungary, and Slovakia.
“With small-group itineraries brimming with local experiences, such sea-to-land and rail-to-sea escapes encourage longer stays, as real immersions in destinations is where the magic of travel happens,” says Valérie Valliancourt, vice president in FINN’s New York office.
That sounds like something every traveler can enjoy.