Five Amazing Places to Enjoy a Long Stay and (re)Discover the World Again
With a bank of accrued vacation days and COVID-related travel restrictions in the rearview mirror in most parts of the world, travelers are looking to stay away from home for an extended period of time to truly disconnect this summer. In fact, 53%of US travelers from the United States would rather take one longer vacation than more frequent but shorter trips and 58% would be willing to use all of their vacation days this summer in order to maximize their time off.* Whether looking for a long stay to work remotely, reconnect with family and friends, live like a local or to completely disconnect to just enjoy and explore the world again at a slower pace, Booking.com is sharing just five of the more than 900,000 properties that can be booked for an extended period of time (up to 90 nights), perfect for the more than 63% of American travelers who are more likely to stay in the same accommodation for a longer period of time this summer than ever before.
The Mountains Are Calling, North Carolina, USA
With 77%** of US travelers saying beautiful natural scenery is a key motivation for their next trip why not choose a beautiful holiday home surrounded by nature? Located right in the heart of the North Carolina Smoky Mountains and at the south end of the Blue Ridge Parkway, this unique mountain getaway offers its guests a relaxing stay surrounded by nature, without giving up any luxury. Guests can soak all their cares away in the hot tub on the covered deck, nestle up by the fireplace, or unwind with a game of pool upstairs. Those looking to enjoy an extended stay here don’t have to worry about getting bored as there are endless outdoor adventures, such as a guided hike to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with other popular destinations such as downtown Waynesville, Gatlinburg, and Asheville only a short drive away.
99 Acres Bangalow Retreat, Australia
Set on 99 acres of private land atop a hill, the modern villas on this gorgeous estate offers stunning views over the surrounding Hinterland from their private balconies. Guests can spend their mornings reading a book by the pool, or relaxing by an outdoor fire pit during the evening hours. For those interested in extending their stay, there’s plenty of adventures to be had in the surrounding area as well. The picturesque historic village of Bangalow is a short drive from Byron Bay town, where there are many activities to enjoy including visiting the Minyon Falls Rainforest where guests can experience a two-hour walk through a scenic rainforest with an environmental scientist.
The Barn : Luxury Indoor/Outdoor Countryside Bliss, Clipston, UK
Set just a short drive from the quaint market town of Market Harborough, this modern vacation home offers a stylish stay at a traditional English village surrounded by beautiful countryside. The house’s fully equipped contemporary kitchen opens to a beautiful garden where guests can spend their summer days relaxing with a glass of wine or dining with friends at the outside dining area with BBQ facilities and comfortable sofas, making it the perfect home away from home this summer.
Myrsini's Castle House, Monemvasia, Greece
Situated in the Byzantine Castle of Monemvasia, this two-story stone house is strategically located near the gate of the castle. Overlooking the Aegean Sea, guests will feel as though they traveled back in time as Myrsini's Castle House was built in the 18th century. However, it was fully restored in 2020 making it a comfortable and inviting place for an extended stay. Located on a small island off the east coast of the Peloponnese, the historic castle town of Monemvasia is linked to the mainland by a causeway and is one of the most impressive places to visit in Greece. Before exploring the narrow streets of this, guests can enjoy their breakfast on a private balcony under the summer sun, enjoying the smells of the oregano and the thyme that grows in the cavities of the rocks.
Lugaris Beach, Barcelona, Spain
The Lugaris Beach apartments are a short walk way from Bogatell Beach in the quiet neighborhood of Poble Nou. Featuring contemporary furnishing and floor-to-ceiling windows, the modern apartments are a great base for those looking to spend some time in Barcelona this summer. Travelers can cool down in the rooftop pool on hot summer days before heading to the city for some delicious tapas and a refreshing sangria like a local would.
Kano Canggu, Canggu, Indonesia
Just a stone's throw from Batu Bolong Beach, the most popular beach in Canggu, this stylish home is ideal for guests looking to spend an extended amount of time at the resort village of Caggu. Thanks to its central location, guests can easily discover all of the beautiful sandy beaches in the area as well as the surrounding terraced rice paddies. Kuta is only 6.2 miles away and guests can book a full-day tour of Nusa Penida and admire the unique seaside rock formations and beaches in a Balinese island. Travelers can also visit nearby Pasih Uug (Broken Beach) and Kelingking Beach to enjoy the panoramic views of the ocean, snorkel in the clear waters or sunbathe at the coconut-tree-lined Crystal Bay.
With a mission to make it easier for everyone to experience the world, Booking.com is sharing Getaway Deals for travelers to use when booking their next trip. Discounts start at 15 percent at participating properties indicated by the “Getaway 2022” badge, and are valid for stays with check-out on or before 30 September 2022. In addition, Booking.com is giving travelers around the world the keys to unlock a new level of additional perks with the introduction of a third tier to its Genius loyalty program. Designed to make every trip a better experience, Booking.com’s loyalty program is completely free, easily accessible and membership lasts a lifetime – travelers simply need to create an account to achieve Genius status for life. As Genius members unlock new levels, they get access to larger discounts and more travel rewards that never expire. All travelers have to do is sign into their Booking.com account and look for the Genius logo to identify benefits, discounts and perks.
*Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 11,187 respondents across 11 countries (1,116 from Croatia, 1,014 from the United Kingdom, 1,011 from Netherlands, 1,010 from Canada, 1,009 from France, 1,009 from Sweden, 1,008 from Germany, 1,008 from USA, 1,001 from Israel, 1,001 from Spain, 1,000 from Italy). In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be over 18 years of age or older and planning to go on a vacation in the next 4 months from May 2022. The survey was taken online and took place in May 2022.
**Research commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of 48,413 respondents across 31 markets (2,000 from USA, 1,864 from Canada, 1,999 from Mexico, 2,003 from Colombia, 2,005 from Brazil, 2,002 from Argentina, 1,020 from Chile, 1,777 from Australia, 818 from New Zealand, 1,999 from Spain, 2,002 from Italy, 1,998 from France, 1,990 from UK, 2,005 from Germany, 2,003 from Netherlands, 985 from Denmark, 999 from Sweden, 910 from Croatia, 918 from Switzerland, 1,986 from Belgium, 998 from Russia, 953 from Israel, 1,999 from India, 1,990 from China, 901 from Hong Kong, 1,775 from Thailand, 1,001 from Singapore, 975 from Taiwan, 1,800 from Vietnam, 1,757 from South Korea, 1,001 from Japan). In order to participate in this survey, respondents had to be 18 years of age or older, had to have traveled at least once for business or leisure in the past 12 months, and planning to travel in 2022 and be either the primary decision maker or involved in the decision making of their travel. The survey was taken online and took place in January 2022.