Did you know that an overwhelming number of people today fail to take the full amount of time allocated for annual leave from their jobs? We cannot imagine this – but it is true. It can be linked to one of the reasons why micro travel is on the rise.

What Is Micro Travel?

Micro travel defines an expertly-planned short getaway that makes the most of the destination being visited. Building on the concept of a long weekend, a micro-trip is a holiday of 5 days or less. This makes the most of a normal employee’s annual leave, and is a great way to discover a new destination in a smaller dose. Taking shorter trips also means there is less concern with keeping your house safe, or finding someone to look after your furry friend while you are away! It also means you can more easily fit the micro-holiday into your busy schedule.

Why Should You Book a Micro Holiday?

Taking a short getaway can be just the antidote to getting in that ‘work rut’, when you just need a bit of a recharge. Short trips are gaining in popularity – even short trips abroad! Discover the beauty of breaking your regular routine with these top short break destinations and what we’d certainly recommend to try to fit into your itinerary.

Venice, Italy

If you’ve not yet been to Venice, be prepared to fall completely and utterly in love with the place. This ancient watered city will still be around for a long time to come, despite what the doomsday predictors say about it sinking, and is ripe to be explored by you! It is the perfect destination to simply walk around and discover hidden treasures, without being overwhelmed by choices.

Wander the Piazza San Marco, an iconic square and a must-do on your Venetian trip. Here you will find St. Mark’s Basilica and you can take a tour of this famous landmark. Next door is St. Mark’s Campanile where you should head up to the bell tower for magnificent views of the city.

The Church of San Giorgio Maggiore sits on a quiet islet across the canal, offering a view of Venice from its own bell tower. As far as museums go, the Gallerie dell’ Accademia is one with a stunning collection of Venetian paintings. After this, take a visit to the Peggy Guggenheim — a museum with more modern art to marvel at.

Walk the Rialto Bridge, the oldest of the four bridges that span the Grand Canal. From here you can hop on a gondola ride for an afternoon of leisure. Then visit the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute — this double-domed basilica is an iconic landmark, with stunning interiors and a colorful mosaic floor. Be sure to dress appropriately with covered shoulders and knees! As the day comes to a close, watch the sunset from the Accademia Bridge.

Handy tip: Buy ACTV tickets to use the public transit; the vaporetto, or water taxi. You can buy tickets depending on your length of stay, either in advance online or at the airport when you arrive.

A wonderful day-trip option is to hop on a ferry to explore the islands of Murano and Burano, with its multi-coloured houses and canals. Wandering their quaint streets is romance personified. If you’d like to stay here, CasaBurano is the only place on the island! It’s highly recommended — as night falls and the tour crowds begin to disperse, you’re able to enjoy a truly authentic experience of this happy little place.

If you’re thinking of heading back to the central area of Venice, come home to roost at the Palazzina Grassi. Situated near St. Marco Square, the location could not be more convenient. This elegant, yet cosy boutique boasts suites designed by the famed Phillipe Starck and truly makes you feel like you’re residing like a King or Queen in your own luxurious quarters.

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Ibiza, Spain

While the island of Ibiza is notoriously regarded as ‘party central’ off of Spain’s eastern coast, it also has its quiet and more sophisticated side — perfect for a short getaway to experience the best of both worlds. The White Isle is sure to leave you refreshed and relaxed, or ready to party, depending on your tastes.

Walk along the central promenade of Ibiza Town’s Vara de Rey and discover incredible places to eat and shop. Walk through narrow cobbled streets and ascend the tunnel to reach the Cathedral, and admire the view on the way up.

Las Salinas Beach is a great place to spend an entire day, soaking up the rays under a parasol on your lounger. There are lockers, showers, lifeguards, beach boutiques and even a supermarket to stock up on food for the day.

Dinner here is usually best taken around 10pm. You can go earlier, but hey, “when in Ibiza!” For some of the best food, Marina Botafoch is a hip area of town with great restaurants offering the freshest seafood, sizzling steaks and cocktails that pack a punch. Mediterranean cuisine rules here, but there is something to suit every taste.

Since this is a world-class beach destination, you cannot go wrong at most any beach, but another top one to hit is Cala Bassa. Watersports abound, with jet skiing to SUP, parasailing to kayaking and more.

Use the Ses Pitreras boutique hotel as your home base. Designed by Joan Lao, immerse yourself in the true Ibiza lifestyle with an incredible beach nearby, and just ten minutes from San Jose.

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London, United Kingdom

For a true cosmopolitan micro-adventure, visit one of the most iconic cities in the world. People come here to get a multicultural taste of what’s both trendy and classic. You will not only find the charming British hospitality; you will experience a unique mish-mash of multiple cultures.

Head straight for the heart of it all — the Thames River! There is so much to do – where do we start? Well, Big Ben is a good place. From there, using your feet is a great way to see many of the major sights in this area, such as the Palace of Westminster and the Houses of Parliament. Then there is Westminster Abbey, the Imperial War Museum, and who can leave out Buckingham Palace? Be sure to catch the changing of the guard, which happens mostly every day around 10.45am.

Spend at least one evening in the foodie paradise that is Covent Garden, where the choice of pubs and restaurants with cuisine from the four corners of the planet, is dizzying. Not to mention the incredible nightlife, with all manner of entertainment. Leicester Square is another nighttime hotspot, where you can catch free music or comedy in many of the pubs, with plenty of West End theatres to satisfy your cultural appetite.

If museums are your thing, then London is your city. Indulge in such greats as the British Museum, the National Gallery, the National History Museum and the Tate Modern, to name just a very few. Then to really delve deep into history, take a tour of the Tower of London.

Handy tip: Getting around London is a breeze without a car! Ensure you pick up an Oyster card, a smartcard that gets you around the city with ease using London’s world-class public transit system.

When you need a luxurious respite from the day’s outing, relax at Mimi’s Hotel in Soho, London’s shopping central. Behind the hotel’s traditional townhouse façade lies your perfect historical boutique hideaway. Make sure to wet your whistle with a delicious cocktail at the in-hotel bar, Henson’s. Whatever you wish to drink, allow bar manager Francesco to whip you up something entirely magical.

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Malé, Maldives

For such a seemingly remote location, it is fairly easy to get here if you’re located in the US, making for a luscious quick getaway. It’s combination of sandy lagoons, blue beaches, majestic palms, and underwater reefs only enhance the allure.

Start off at Malé Island, where the top attractions are the Grand Friday Mosque, Sultan Park and Independence Square. Enjoy a refreshing cup of black tea at the Royal Garden Café, then peruse the local food market. Visit the Adaaran Prestige Vadoo for one of the best Balinese spa treatments, as well as facials and manicures.

Perfect for couples, Baros Island promises romantic memories and is a prime wedding destination. Catch a glorious sunset whilst sipping champagne at the Lighthouse Lounge Bar, with jazz music as a backdrop. Then dine in the middle of a lagoon, with 360-degree views of the ocean.

Mirihi Island draws people the world over to visit the resort here, simply for the vast range of adventure and dining options. Snorkel with whale sharks and mantas and explore atolls. Then take a lovely sunset cruise.

Veligandu Island is best known for its amazing shopping. The island is jam-packed with market areas large and small, and is the prime spot to pick up both gifts and souvenirs.

When all is said and done, lay your head at Diamonds Thudufushi Beach and Water Villas, located at the South Ari Atoll and nod off to the sounds of the ocean. These stunning beach bungalows hovering over the water are your answer to heavenly dreams.

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Albuquerque, New Mexico

New Mexico’s largest city offers both culture and tantalising nature. For our US HIP Hotel’ers, a walk around Old Town is the perfect introduction to your micro-cation, and to get a lay of the land, with beautiful adobe buildings housing art galleries, restaurants and souvenir shops around every turn. The gleaming towers of San Felipe de Niri Church greet you, and serve as a wonderful landmark when touring this portion of the city. Be sure to have a meal at the Church Street Café, located right behind it.

Visit the Petroglyph National Monument and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. It is a national park within the city limits and is free! Over 24,000 petroglyphs are on view via several walking trails. It is also a great place to take the young ones. The Cultural Center is an amazing collection of history and art of the 19 pueblos. It includes a hands-on exhibit for kids and a courtyard where local artists share their work.

Another attraction high on your list should be the Albuquerque Museum. It is considered a leading institution for culture, art and history in the Southwest U.S. For you natural history fanatics, the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science does not disappoint. The star of this show is the largest T-Rex skeleton ever found.

As the sun begins to set, head up Sandia Peak Tramway, offering a majestic view of Albuquerque and the Sandia mountains. It climbs 10,000 feet up to the summit, and once you get up there, grab a drink at the bar and enjoy the spectacular views.

Then relax at Los Poblanos, set in 25 acres of lush lavender fields, cottonwood trees and lush formal gardens. With 50 luxurious rooms, their farm-to-fork restaurant serves only the freshest southwestern cuisine from working organic farm, right on the property.

No matter where you choose to go on your micro-cation, be sure to leave some time open for the spontaneous — you never know what treasures you’ll unearth once you get there!

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