When your responsibilities pile up and your self-care routine lies forgotten, getting away for a while can fix that. Even a quick weekend trip is enough to revitalize your spirit and renew your energy. But if you haven’t used up your vacation leaves yet, might as well get the most out of them and go for a week-long journey.

Traveling, however, especially abroad, is by no means stress-free. You’d work within a certain budget, take care of some travel requirements, and most of all, ensure that you’re healthy enough for the activity. So if you’re too tired to deal with all of those, have a travel buddy who can help you out, or pay a travel agency to take care of everything for you — as long as it fits your budget, of course.

As for your destination, it’s ideal to choose a relaxing, peaceful, and safe place that’ll keep you away from reminders of work and other sources of stress. Busy cities may not be a good fit for this list, though we all have a different way of unwinding. Still, your tired brain and body can definitely use some peace and quiet. So here are the best destinations for a stressed-out traveler:

1. Iceland

If your idea of a perfect getaway is seeing extraordinary sights, consider booking a flight to Iceland. The European country boasts breathtaking landscapes, black sand beaches, hot springs, glacial lagoons, steaming volcanoes, and other incredible works of nature. But the ultimate sight to watch in Iceland is the Northern Lights, which appear when you visit between late September and mid-March.

Iceland isn’t very populated, making it practically heaven for introverts who just need a break from people and activities involving crowds. Its capital city, Reykjavik, is inhabited by only around 200,000 people. But the place is far from dull; it’s in fact quite lively, especially during summer nights, when the sun doesn’t set. So if you’re fonder of longer days and shorter nights, Iceland is your country.

2. Ireland

Ireland prides itself in its scenic views and low crime rates, like Iceland. The only catch to going here is you’d enjoy it too much. The Irish are very hospitable and known for their charm and humor. Approach any of them for some assistance, and they’d be more than willing to offer help or advice.

If you’re fascinated by castles and natural wonders that look straight out of a fantasy movie or novel, you’ll never want to leave Ireland. Test your daring by exploring the Cliffs of Moher in Country Clare. At the bottom of it are the churning waters of the Atlantic Ocean. If that’s a little too daunting for you, try seeing Connemara instead, a landscape of slate-colored lakes, marshy lands, sheep-filled mountains, rocky coastlines, hidden bays, and quaint little towns. See the Waterford Greenway as well, a centuries-old railway that resembles the Scottish countryside used to depict the Hogwarts Express departing for Hogsmeade Station in the Harry Potter films.

But fantasy fan …

Even though Finland is off the beaten path, it is no doubt a place you will enjoy going to. You cannot reach Finland by train but only by boat or air travel. However, you are expected to make your travel more sustainable.

If you are looking to travel to Finland, you should consider using the services of Matkaporssi. However, you should first read what other people that have booked trip to Finland with the company have to say about them on Suomiarvostelut before patronizing them. Here are tips on how to do so:

Travel lighter

It is advised you look at the weather forecast in Finland before you travel. There are four different seasons in the region and the temperature changes a lot. Ensure you take layers of clothing with you. This helps you to be more versatile in your clothing. if the weather gets colder, you are already prepared, and if it gets warmer, you can simply take off a layer of clothing. Also, have a thorough look at your suitcase and take out everything unnecessary. You will find high-quality products in Finland if you need anything.

Use public transport

In Finland, public transport is very affordable and accessible, as most cities are interconnected by train and bus routes. In the country’s capital, there is the single-lined metro which you can try out. Also, Helsinki is home to a big tram system,  a beautiful sight you should see before you go back. Also, you can explore the city you are in by walking. The air in the country is one of the purest and the breeze is always soft during summer.

Eat local food and use local handicrafts

Now that you are in Finland, you should try out more of the local foods and handicrafts. You will find that they are more sustainable and there are always beautiful stories behind them. Besides, Finland has many skilled craftspeople who are ready to share with you the memories behind their handmade products. You can also visit a winery or local sweet home if you’re looking for something to take home.

Respect everyone’s rights

In Finland, you have some rights as well as responsibilities. For instance, you can pick berries in the forest for free, spent the night in a ski or tent. However, you should not make any attempt to change or damage nature. You should always leave everywhere clean, pristine, and just as you found it. Besides, disturbing other people, walking in their fields, or disturbing the wildlife is not accepted. Some places have restrictions, so ensure you read the signs before you make any move.

Commit to a habit of recycling

One major culture you will quickly notice in Finland is how the people are healthily obsessed with nature and sustainability. Most of their cities are preparing for a carbon-free environment. As such, it is expected you fall into tune with this obsession.

Always recycle your products. For instance, after emptying the content of a plastic bottle, you …