Hit ESC: Why holidays are the ultimate reset

The escape economy is booming. Time to get in on the getaway.

Feel like you need to escape… something? Us too. Whether it’s the 9 to 5, the group chat or just your brain running on overdrive, the urge to disappear every now and then is universal. According to global research, 91% of people say they need to escape occasionally and it's not just a passing mode of thought. It’s an ‘emotional necessity’ and has created an entire ‘Escape Economy,’ worth $9.7 trillion and counting.

The good news? Travel is one of the best ways to do just that. You don’t have to move to Bali and become a breathwork coach. Sometimes, a few days in the right place is all it takes. From quick fixes to big, bold getaways, here’s how to escape and where to go when you do.

What kind of escape do you need?

Escapes come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes it’s a quick scroll or a daydream between meetings. Other times, it’s a weekend in a new city or a few weeks somewhere far away. Whether you’re looking for instant relief or something deeper, here’s a roundup of switch-offs for every kind of wanderer.

The silent switch-off

For: robes, rituals and rethinking

This is quiet luxury. The sound of waves instead of pings. Spa days instead of schedules. We’re talking yoga at sunrise on an overwater deck in the Maldives. Jungle massages in Thailand where everything smells of lemongrass and eucalyptus, or hammam steam rising under desert stars in Oman. Switch off, zone out, then float home.

Find out more about our wellness escapes

The solo city reset

For: a new perspective in 72 hours or less

Think of it as a one-person city break with main character energy. It’s your plan, your pace, your pick of the view. Get gloriously lost in Athens between ancient columns and rooftop bars, spend golden hour ferry-hopping across the Bosphorus in Istanbul or wake up in Lisbon to the clang of yellow trams and a pastel de nata still warm from the oven.

Find out more about our city breaks

The soft adventure

For: dipping a toe outside your comfort zone

These are the just-right journeys – gentle adventures with a clear path and a cocktail waiting at the end. Start with street food and spice markets in a buzzing city then swap it for barefoot luxury on a castaway beach or game drives through wildlife-rich reserves.

Find out more about our prepped-and-ready adventures

The big little holiday

For: time you wish you had more of

Time together with the family hits different when there’s nothing getting in the way. It's squeals of laughter from water slides, family selfies mid zip-line and sticky fingers from shared churros at sunset. From all-you-can-scoop ice cream bars to poolside pizza parties and waterpark races, this is the best kind of family chaos where everyone’s in their element and no one’s asking what’s for dinner.

Find out more about our family holidays

The grown-up getaway

For: no Marco Polo in the pool

Sometimes all you want is quiet. Just lazy brunches, beach clubs with wine lists and deliciously still infinity pools. From couples-only Caribbean retreats to strolling down the soft sand shores of Mauritius, these escapes let you press pause and remember what it's like to wake up without an alarm.

Find out more about our adults-only holidays

The wild escape

For: proper goosebumps

The crunch of tyres on sand, the flick of a tail in the grass, and the anticipation that something’s about to happen. Out on an African safari, the everyday noise fades. The emails, the traffic, the to-do lists slip away, replaced by birdsong at first light and the distant calls of wildlife. Hours slow down. Your senses switch on. Watch elephants bathe at the water’s edge, track leopards through the undergrowth or sleep in a tented camp with nothing between you and the stars. 

Find out more about our safari holidays

The big one

For: long-held dreams

Sometimes the best escape is the bold one. Take a few weeks. Take a few months. Travel through India. Hike to ancient temples. Sail between continents or drive across New Zealand in a campervan with the windows down and no rush to get anywhere. Whether it’s a sabbatical, a milestone trip or a total life reset, this sort of travel shifts something in you and stays long after the airport goodbyes.

Find out more about our bucket list trips

This feature was created on 23rd April 2025. The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. Stats sourced from The Truth About Escapism by McCann Worldgroup.