5 places: A holiday without a car
More and more people are longing for places where traffic noise fades away and everyday life slows down. A car-free holiday is ideal for this: those who reach their destination only on foot usually arrive more slowly, too. Instead of searching for parking, they're greeted by birdsong; instead of traffic jams, by fresh mountain or sea air. The journey itself becomes part of the experience – and you arrive feeling different.
A cabin in the Swiss mountains – as pristine as it was 1000 years ago.
First, you'll have to sweat a little, because that Rifugio Alpe San Romerio It lies at an altitude of 1.800 meters, which must be reached on foot. The ascent alone is worth the trip, as you hike through natural forests, breathe clean air, and enjoy breathtaking scenery. In the mountain hut – built entirely from natural and sustainable materials – you live in perfect harmony with nature, cared for by an authentic and passionate service team. You are immersed in nature, as part of it, in its rhythm. This is the vision of the owners, who passionately continue the traditions of alpine farming and gladly offer guests the opportunity to participate – for example, by crafting a wooden stool themselves. Activities such as hiking, yoga, and mountain biking encourage movement. The thousand-year-old Romanesque church of San Remigio stands directly on the refuge's grounds. Anyone arriving here immediately senses that traveling without a car doesn't mean deprivation, but rather a more profound arrival.
Enjoy peace and quiet in a former circus wagon in Denmark
The landscape around the Circus Vognen Ærø is hilly, vibrant, and full of detail. Each season offers a new spectacle of colors from the trees, plants, and flowers against the backdrop of the archipelago, where you can watch the Baltic ferries passing by. In the midst of it all, the circus wagon provides a colorful contrast, yet blends harmoniously with nature. Anna, David, and their children have created this extraordinary accommodation for their guests. The wagon was built in East Germany about fifty years ago. In 2021, the family purchased it and painstakingly renovated it. The artwork on the exterior wall was created by Jonas Pihl. Inside, you'll find warm colors, plenty of wood, and cozy furnishings. It's the perfect mix of nostalgia, romance, and creativity – and you won't want for anything here. Goats, sheep, and horses graze right in front of the wagon, offering a curious welcome to all guests. The spacious terrace invites you to read, play games, eat, nap, stargaze, and relax together. Ærø shows how easy car-free travel can be – slower-paced and very close to what really matters.
A cozy STUBN in Chiemgau to breathe freely
Nestled on a high plateau in the Chiemgau Alps, 950 meters above sea level, the Frasdorf Hut sits comfortably amidst lush green alpine meadows. It has belonged to the Cramer-Klett family for many generations, who have transformed the rustic hut into a cozy and welcoming place to relax amidst nature. the STUB The retreat begins for guests even before arrival, as the accommodation is only accessible on foot, by bicycle, or via the provided shuttle service. A leisurely stroll or bike ride of about an hour along beautiful forest and meadow paths leads to the cabin nestled in a small hollow. From here, guests can gaze out over meadows, valleys, mountains, spruce and fir trees, while indulging in culinary delights. The car-free route makes the arrival all the more precious – and allows for a more conscious appreciation of the alpine tranquility. At night, guests are enveloped in the unique mountain silence before awakening in the morning to the gentle sound of cowbells.
Briol: A mountain oasis for generations – thanks to the great-grandmother
High above Dreikirchen in the Eisack Valley, a few houses nestle in the green meadows, clinging to the slopes like swallows' nests, and those who manage to make it up here can enjoy a typical South Tyrolean summer retreat. The mountain hotel briole consists of several houses, which the Settari family Over several decades, the property was built on the mountain. The driving force behind this was Johanna Settari (1851-1931), the great-grandmother of the current owner. Even then, she established the rules that still govern the property today: it may only be passed down within the family, no fences are allowed, and everything must always be maintained in harmony with the mountain. Because her descendants have adhered to these rules, one still finds an extraordinary idyll here, just as in days gone by.
Briol can only be reached on foot or, if necessary, by off-road taxi. In the main house, built in 1928 in the Bauhaus style, almost everything remains as it was back then. The Settari house, built around the turn of the century, has been carefully renovated by its current owner, Johanna. It offers three rooms with views of the valley. Meals are served in the Briol House All meals are included in the price. There's a delicious breakfast buffet, a salad buffet at lunchtime, and a set menu served in the evening. Life can be so carefree!
A private island among the lucky Finns – Majorsgrund
Living on a deserted island and feeling like an explorer – that's possible on major reasonOne of Finland's most beautiful private islands awaits guests, offering stunning natural scenery, breathtaking sunsets, the Northern Lights, and unparalleled tranquility. Located off the coast of western Finland, approximately 600 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle, the island boasts the midnight sun. Hosts Timo and Jannis Pohl rent out two recently renovated cabins: the Aurinko log cabin for up to 10 guests and the Meri log cabin for up to 6 guests. The cabins feature typical Scandinavian furnishings. A fireplace and the bright, airy atmosphere create a cozy hideaway. Up to 16 guests can unwind here. Timo and Jannis's long-term vision was to create a self-sufficient retreat, also to encourage guests to be more environmentally conscious. The natural beauty of the island is truly exceptional. It's no wonder Finns are consistently ranked among the happiest people in the world.
Conclusion: Traveling car-free means arriving more consciously
Whether high in the mountains, on a small island, or amidst rolling hills – car-free destinations change not only how we travel, but also how we experience a place. The journey becomes part of the escape, the arrival more intense, the surroundings more tangible. Without engine noise, other things come into focus: nature, encounters, time.
These five locations demonstrate the diverse possibilities of a car-free holiday – sometimes rustic and minimalist, sometimes creative and playful, sometimes comfortable and indulgent. What they all share is a sense of slowing down and an invitation to reconnect more deeply with one's surroundings – and with oneself.
Traveling without a car therefore does not mean deprivation, but rather gain: in peace, in clarity and in genuine experiences.
© Photos: Rights held by the accommodations, Judith Hehl
Geraldine Voss
Geraldine works as a freelance writer for Good Travel and has just completed training as a sustainability manager. After twenty exciting years in film, she now devotes herself full-time to her other passions - travel, food and design.
Elisabeth Klein-Altstedde
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