3 Of The Best Quick Getaway Destinations

No matter whether you’re a fresher or a final-year, student life can often be difficult, tiring and overwhelming.

There’s often a lot of pressure to be faced both academically and personally - and it can also be very tricky to be away from family for the first time - so it’s perhaps little wonder that you might start feeling demotivated, uninspired, irritable and stressed at some point during your uni career.

All of these are symptoms of burnout and they really shouldn’t be ignored. There’s no honour in powering through, forcing yourself to put on a brave face and get through each day. Those feelings of fatigue and anxiety aren’t going to go away - and, in fact, they’re only going to get worse the longer you leave them unacknowledged and unaddressed.

So be honest with yourself, check in with how you’re feeling and if you can identify lots of sources of stress in your life that are making you crabby and on edge, you know it’s time to take a step back… without feeling guilty for doing so!

Now, you might not be able to head off on a fantastic two-week holiday somewhere exotic, but there’s sure to be time for a cheeky little weekend away here and there, somewhere cheap and cheerful to give yourself the time to rest, recuperate and recharge those batteries so you can get back to uni life feeling ready to tackle whatever comes your way.

So, with this in mind, here are just three of the best quick getaway destinations for you to peruse and plan your next little trip away.

Which of these will go at the top of your must-visit list this year?

Giethoorn

Looking for something a little different? Then the Venice of the Netherlands should be your top pick! Giethoorn (which means ‘great horn’) is just over an hour away from Amsterdam by train and it truly is a magical little place, one that you’ll remember for the rest of your life.

The village itself is surrounded by water and there are no facilities for driving through it… you can only navigate your way around by walking, cycling or by boat. The gorgeous fairytale houses can all be found on little islands connected by a series of bridges and hand-dug canals and it’s an amazing place to explore.

The surrounding countryside is incredible and it’s super easy to access it all by bike, with different routes numbered very comprehensively so even if you don’t know your way around, it’s basically impossible to get lost.

But you’ve really got to see Giethoorn by boat so make sure you hire a canoe or book a day trip with your own private captain to discover it from the water, as well. A truly unforgettable trip that will really help you feel more centred and better able to cope once you’re back at home.

Looking for student travel discounts to help you keep costs down? Check out the savings you can make with our EXPEDIA offers on hotels, flights and travel packages.

Ragdale Hall Spa

Don’t fancy getting on a plane? Prefer to stay on British soil? Then a spa break could be just the ticket, with everything you could possibly need to give yourself a mental health boost.

Ragdale Hall Spa in Melton Mowbray is a fantastic option for a spa weekend and the facilities are second to none, so you really will be spoiling yourself.

They have six different pools you can use, each one tailored to suit specific requirements, whether you want to do some serious swimming, take part in a fun exercise class, use massage jets for a post-swim treat, or go for something more restorative in the candle pool, the waterfall pool or the rooftop infinity pool. There’s also a heated outdoor pool for al fresco bathing!

Other facilities include the Thought Zone (an immersive heat experience designed to encourage deeper thinking), a Scented Room, a Volcanic Salt Bath and both a herbal and garden sauna for you to discover.

As for treatments, pamper yourself with massages, scrubs, floats, detoxes, wraps, facials, manicures, pedicures… the list goes on!

Save yourself a bundle on wellness retreats this year with our Spabreaks.com student health and wellbeing discounts.

Penzance, Cornwall

If you pick your time of year wisely and the weather gods are with you, heading down to the south of England is almost like being abroad! Cornwall is a fantastic place for a little weekend away and Penzance has a huge amount on offer.

The Minack Theatre is a must, of course, an incredible open air theatre perched atop the Cornish cliffs that always has amazing shows to catch… all with the stunning backdrop of Mount’s Bay helping to bring productions to life.

Other sights to see include Morrab Gardens, where you’ll find a dazzling array of different subtropical plants and flowers, Penlee House Gallery & Museum, which is perfect for anyone with a keen interest in Victorian art, or the Exchange and Newlyn Art Gallery for more modern pieces to peruse.

The foodies among you won’t be going home disappointed either, with lots of tasty treats to be found here. Head to The Cornish Barn for prawn tacos or Cornish crab sandwiches (yum!), the Pirate’s Rest for some of the best fish and chips going, and The Old Coastguard Inn in Mousehole for a fancy dinner. You certainly won’t be left hungry!

Travelling by train? You’ll be pleased to hear you can make significant student rail discounts with our exclusive Trainpal offers… so check them out today before you book your next trip.