Sometimes, we all just want to escape; to leave the phone and inbox at home and sail off to one of those irresistibly remote corners of the world where the slow life reigns supreme and reading and relaxing become full-day activities. And while time and money are often scarce, we want to inspire you to start planning your next quiet getaway, wherever it might be.
Since inspiration is the first step in any unforgettable journey, we've looked at recommendations from our community of travelers on minube to find those far-flung cabins, huts, lodges, and tents where you can shack up far from the worries of the outside world. From Norwegian fishing villages to jungle huts in Indonesia, here are 10 cabins to inspire you to escape from the world.
Isla Carenero, Panama - Panama's Bocas de Toro archipelago is one of the Caribbean's best destinations for undeveloped desert islands and paradisaical beaches free from mass-tourism. Those looking to rough it might head to the Kuna Islands and those looking for a more traditional trip undoubtedly head for the hotels and restaurants of Colon Island, but travelers in search of peace and quiet should take the short boat ride to neighboring Carenero Island, a quiet, lush retreat full of cute, affordable cottages on the waterfront. (Photo by Luciamm)
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Folegandros, Greece - Folegandros, according to one traveler, is "little more than a small rock floating peacefully in the Aegean," but that's the whole point! If you're looking for luxury villas or throbbing nightclubs, neighboring Santorini might be a better bet; if you're looking for the refreshing simplicity of Greek island life and want to spend some quality time with only the sea, sky, and stark white of your clifftop cottage, idyllic Folegandros is only a quick ferry ride away. (Photo by Naxos)
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Erg Chegaga, Morocco - A night in the desert is a must for most travelers to Morocco, a fact which has led touristy spots like Merzouga to feel more like a theme park than an authentic desert getaway. Those looking for the real deal should head to the dunes of Erg Chegaga in southwest Morocco where you can spend various nights camped out in an authentic Bedouin tent enjoying unparalleled views from the edge of the desert. Oh, and during the off-season you'll have the dunes and stars practically to yourself. (Photo by Alvaro Avila)
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Nuuk, Greenland - There are few places on Earth as naturally abundant yet seldomly visited as Greenland. You can spend the days cramponing across thousand-year-old glaciers and kayaking around icebergs in a silent lagoon, but the real magic happens at night when you can sit down around the campfire with a warm cup of tea and enjoy the hypnotic dance of the Aurora Borealis above your traditional polar tent. (Photo by Amarcos)
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Lofoten Islands, Norway - The Lofoten Islands are found well within the frigid Arctic Circle but their villages are constantly ranked among the most beautiful in all of Norway. While tourism is now the area's main activity, the Lofoten Islands' fishing past shines through in the form of cozy fishermen's huts right on the water, most of which have been converted into guesthouses that offer the weary traveler a warm retreat to enjoy the area's colors, trails, and famous Northern Lights. (Photo by Gloria S. Pardo)
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Lake Nicaragua, Nicaragua - Lake Nicaragua has traditionally been a magnet for people: it has served to bring traders, travelers, and even pirates from the Atlantic sea to the lakeside city of Granada. Somewhat ironically, it's also the perfect place to disappear. As Central America's largest lake, Lake Nicaragua has miles of undeveloped shorelines dotted with cabins which afford travelers the weather, views, and relaxing vibe of Caribbean at a price found only on the mainland. (Photo by David Breso)
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Lake O'Hara, Canada - If you're looking for a quiet mountain retreat, you could hardly do better than a cabin on Lake O'Hara in the Canadian Rockies. While it's only a few miles from the crowded trails surrounding Lake Louise, Lake O'Hara benefits from restricted car traffic (the only way in is on infrequent buses or hiking) which has created one of the most pristine and unblemished stretches of nature in the Rockies. While some opt for only a day-trip to the lake, the best option is to reserve (in advance) one of the lakeside cabins to enjoy a silent sunrise over the water. (Photo by Naxos)
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Cabanes als Arbres, Spain - The verdant forests surrounding Girona, Spain are home to one of Europe's most unique cabins: the Cabanes als Arbres. These rustic tree-houses are made for those looking to really get back to nature. There's no electricity, internet, or cell phone coverage here, just the peaceful feeling of being suspended high among the pines and the opportunity for a candlelight dinner on the tree-house balcony with no sounds except for the boughs in the breeze. (Photo by Francesc Balague)
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Surf Shacks at Muizenberg Beach, South Africa - These colorful beach houses are a thing of legend among the international surfing community, as well as those who just like waking up with the sand between their toes. While these Victorian-era beach are nowadays largely just for show, there are literally dozens of equally peaceful and quaint cottages scattered around the balmy Cape Town suburb of Muizenberg. (Photo by Duchessedelastoote)
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Togean Island Retreat, Indonesia - There are far-flung island resorts that are made for the rich and famous, and a curious few that just seem to exist as rewards for those travelers willing to take the extra step. Indonesia's Togean Island Retreat is one of these. No infinity pools or 3-course dinners here, just a basic wooden hut right on the water with a hammock and a deck to enjoy quiet days of tropical tranquility. What else could you want? (Photo by Juan Reina)
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