5 places to start the year
Do you know that feeling when, after the holidays, silence suddenly returns – and you realize how much you needed it? After the family marathon, the cookie overload, and the annual "What are we doing for New Year's Eve?" stress, sometimes you just long for a place where you don't have to do anything. Just get away, breathe deeply, and get yourself sorted out a bit.
And let's be honest: Is there a better time for it than the start of the year? When everything is still blank and you just want to press "restart" for a moment. That's why we've compiled five places that deliver exactly that feeling: accommodations where the noise stays outside, your shoulders relax, and you slowly reconnect with yourself.
1. Casa Santo Stefano in the Swiss canton of Ticino
There are places that seem to have a quiet "Come, sit down" etched into their stonework. Casa Santo Stefano is definitely one of them. Perhaps it's the centuries-old stone walls, perhaps the warm terracotta floors, or simply the fact that Miglieglia is a village where even time seems to slow down. But anyone who arrives here quickly realizes: the new year can begin in a relaxed way.
The three historic Ticino houses have been restored with such respect that you can practically feel the history in every corner. Despite this, everything is light, welcoming, and full of charming details. The rooms are simple yet full of character, some of the furniture comes from old monasteries, and the views often overlook chestnut forests or village lanes.
This place is particularly enchanting at the beginning of the year: yoga, meditation, Qi Gong, and massages help you press your inner reset button. Hiking trails start just steps from the house, the Monte Lema cable car is practically next door, and the Ticino Ticket offers a relaxed and sustainable way to explore southern Ticino.
In the mornings, there's a vegetarian organic breakfast that's wonderfully unpretentious, just like the Casa itself. A retreat that's no louder than necessary and that's precisely why it's so beneficial.
More information about the accommodation is available here. here.
2. Stellshagen Manor House on the Baltic Sea
Anyone who's ever walked across creaking floorboards in an old manor house knows: some houses tell stories, while others let you speak for yourself. Stellshagen is somehow both. Nestled among the rolling hills and ponds of the Klützer Winkel region, you'll find spaces here that invite you to reflect, linger, or simply be.
The listed building combines traditional manor house atmosphere with a modern organic and health philosophy. Each room has its own character, the wooden furniture radiates warmth, and the vegetarian organic food makes you want to start the day without any rush. A particular highlight: the sauna house offers a truly relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle.
For those who enjoy being active, the surrounding fields, beaches, and forests offer opportunities for hiking, cycling, or simply a stroll in the morning dew. And those who crave company can meet like-minded people at a restaurant or during a workshop.
More information about the accommodation is available here. here.
3. Home of Silence in Greece
Sometimes, after the hustle and bustle of the holidays, what you need is absolute peace and quiet with sun, sea, and mountains in view. At the Home of Silence, a yoga and meditation lodge in the Peloponnese that truly lives up to its name, you'll find exactly that. From the very first glance across the rolling hills to the Ionian Sea, you'll feel your thoughts slow down.
The accommodation blends harmoniously into nature: wooden lodges, glamping tents, and rooms in the main building stand on a plateau, without a single tree having to be felled for the complex. Bright futon beds, natural materials, and thoughtful details create a warm, relaxed atmosphere. Small retreats, hammocks, sculptures, and sun terraces are scattered throughout, perfect for simply sitting, taking a deep breath, and letting your gaze wander.
Here, everything revolves around well-being: yoga and meditation classes, massages, and gatherings in the open kitchen revitalize body and mind. Those who wish can participate in excursions to ancient sites or simply unwind by the pool and on the yoga platform. Vegetarian and vegan full board made with regional, organic ingredients completes your stay.
More information about the accommodation is available here. here.
4. Berglodge37 in Central Switzerland
Whether enjoying your first coffee on the sun deck or gazing at the snow-capped mountain peaks, you immediately sense at Berglodge37: Here, the new year can begin peacefully. High up in the Uri mountains, accessible only by cable car, a place unfolds where thoughts slow down and nature sets the pace.
The lodge itself is minimalist, warm, and constructed from local wood. The rooms offer tranquility, panoramic views of the mountains and Lake Uri, and an environment free from electromagnetic radiation.
Especially at the beginning of the year, the lodge truly comes into its own: yoga on the panoramic deck, a sauna with an outdoor shower, massages, or relaxing walks through the mountains help body and mind to realign. Those interested can participate in workshops on health, mindfulness, or sustainable living – inspiration included. The vegetarian, seasonal, and regional cuisine also perfectly reflects the spirit of Berglodge37: mindful, light, and full of flavor.
5. Ferme Auberge Fennematt in Alsace
The side valley in Alsace lies still and peaceful, snow-covered meadows glisten in the winter sun, and all around rise the mountains of the Ballon d'Alsace National Park. At Fennematt, you immediately sense that tranquility is paramount. With minimal radio interference and no Wi-Fi, the mountain farm offers the perfect setting to leave everyday life behind and focus entirely on yourself.
The new building, constructed from healthy materials, houses bright studios and a spacious holiday apartment. Large windows offer views of the white landscape, the living and dining area invites gatherings, and fresh vegetables, herbs, and fruit come from the permaculture garden depending on the season (yes, even in winter there's something to be found here).
The surroundings offer everything you need to recharge body and mind: winter hikes, snowshoe tours, yoga, or meditation, all nestled in pristine nature. The small local community values mindfulness, sustainability, and a sense of togetherness that is as calming as the place itself.
More information about the accommodation is available here. here.
Photos: Casa Santo Stefano, Gutshaus Stellshagen, Home of Silence, Berglodge37, Ferme Auberge Fennematt
Nadine Pinezits
Nadine is a freelance editor and copywriter. She lives in Austria and commutes between Salzburg and Vienna. This means she is either in the mountains or in the urban jungle, but at the same time tries to spend as much time as possible in her beloved country, Portugal.
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