The anti-New Year guide to stress-free travel – why you should revisit destinations you love

Hot take 🔥 New Year’s resolutions are outdated… Why is it always about doing something new? What if you already know what you like? Just do more of that. So, our challenge this year… Pick a destination you’ve already been to and, wait for it… do it again! If it’s so nice, visit it twice.  

There are bound to be some things you haven’t seen or done there yet, but also, remember that amazing dinner on the final night? No need to remember, you can go back! We’ve taken a few of your fave destinations and created two completely different itineraries. Maybe you’ve done one of them before and would do it all over again, or if you fancy changing it up (not too much, ofc) pick the other one – same culture, same vibe but just a new area. Are you feeling type A or type B? Find out below…

Spain

Type A – The foodie city break: San Sebastian & Bilbao

San Sebastián and Bilbao are the kind of places you return to for the food alone – the Basque Country takes eating very seriously, and a repeat trip means you’re now a pro at pintxos crawls. Base yourself in San Sebastián’s Parte Vieja, so you can roll straight into the action… Spend your first evening hopping between the city’s classic pintxos haunts like La Cuchara de San Telmo for melt-in-your-mouth pork, Borda Berri for slow-braised beef cheek, and Bar Nestor – the tomato salad and tortilla are basically local celebs at this point. In between bites, grab a glass of txakoli (the Basque’s lightly sparkling white wine) and end the night with a slice of the famous Basque cheesecake at La Viña. The next day, mix the food with some coastal downtime at La Concha Beach, one of Europe’s prettiest city beaches and perfect for a morning swim before a long lunch. If you surf, Zurriola Beach on the other side of town is your spot and you can’t end a day better than with sunset from Miramar Palace. Coming back to San Seb will also give you time to do Bilbao properly. You have to fly from Bilbao Airport anyway, so why not get an earlier bus and spend your last day here? Spend some time at the Guggenheim Museum, lingering in front of its contemporary installations before moving on to the Old Town for pintxos in Plaza Nueva. This could also be the visit where you finally ride the Artxanda Funicular for the best viewpoint in the city.

Type B – The beachy life: Majorca

Returning to Majorca means you can skip the obvious and sink straight into that dreamy Balearic Island life – the coves, the swim spots, the lazy lunches that last until sunset. Settle in Palma, so you can dive straight into the old town’s tapas bars – Bar España is a favourite for croquetas and tortilla – and take an evening stroll around the cathedral, which glows golden after dark. Then, you can explore east to the cove country around Cala d’Or and Mondragó Natural Park. You can spend entire days here drifting between Cala Mondragó, S’Amarador, and smaller hidden calas you’ll reach by footpath. Pack a picnic or stop in at Restaurant Sa Font de n’Alis for fresh seafood with sea views. A revisit also means giving yourself time to appreciate the island’s iconic viewpoints. Drive to Cap de Formentor early to catch the headland in soft morning light, then laze away the afternoon on Formentor Beach. Dedicate another day to the Serra de Tramuntana villages – browse the artisan shops of Valldemossa, sip a cold drink at Café Sa Fonda in Deià, and watch the sun drop behind the cliffs. If you’re up for it, book a small-group boat trip from Port de Sóller to explore the coastline and snorkel in coves you can’t reach by land. On your final night in Palma, wander through the Santa Catalina neighbourhood for dinner – Vandal and Naan Street Food are both top picks – and enjoy the island’s capital at its calmest.

Turkey

Type A – All Inclusive all the way: Antalya

A second trip to Antalya is basically your annual reset button – it’s the kind of place where you check into a glossy All Inclusive and instantly forget how many emails you left unread. Pick a resort in Lara Beach or Belek, where long stretches of pale sand, big pools and spa-packed hotels make it easy to commit fully to doing nothing. After your first buffet breakfast, wander down to the beach for a morning swim, then spend an afternoon in the hotel spa – a proper Turkish hammam followed by foam massage is the way to start any holiday. If you’re after something more, Antalya can easily tempt you out for half-day adventures. The Roman theatre at Aspendos is one of the best-preserved in the world, while the ancient city of Perge offers ruins you can wander around without crowds. If that’s too much activity, take a simple boat trip from the old Kaleiçi Marina, where wooden gulets glide out to swim spots beneath cliffs and waterfalls. Evenings are gentle here – stroll through Kaleiçi’s old streets for dinner at Seraser Fine Dining or keep it casual with grilled fish at a harbourside taverna before heading back to the resort for cocktails and a show. A stress-free final morning means a last dip in the pool, a long brunch, and a straight-to-airport transfer – talk about having it all sorted for you…

Type B – Boutique fishing village vibes: Marmaris

If you’re revisiting Marmaris, go straight for the quieter, softer side of the town – the one tucked behind the marina, filled with bougainvillea, wooden boats and boutique stays. Skip the large resort strip and base yourself near Netsel Marina or in a small guesthouse close to the Marmaris Castle, where you can wander the old lanes and look out over the bay from the castle’s stone terraces. Our Insider, @lian_ireri, stayed at Cook’s Club Adakoy, where the vibes are seriously boho and boujie… Breakfast in a shady courtyard sets the pace for days that revolve around the sea. Browse the local markets for olives, cheeses and handcrafted ceramics, then head down to the harbour to hop aboard a private gulet. Many captains customise their routes, taking you to tiny coves like Turunç, Çiftlik Bay, or the clear-blue waters around Paradise Island, where you can jump straight off the deck for a swim. On land, you can get a taxi to explore nearby villages such as Selimiye or Bozburun, both known for relaxed waterfront restaurants like Sardunya – perfect for long, lazy seafood feasts. Evenings are all about slow harbour strolls, cold drinks at Pineapple Restaurant, and fresh-grilled catch-of-the-day in a family-run taverna. The vibe is peaceful, pretty and completely set to sea-breeze speed.

Italy

Type A – Luxury lakeside scenes: the Italian lakes

Returning to the Italian Lakes is like slipping back into the best dream. Trips here are a glamorous world of villas, gardens and ferry-hopping that feel made for a treat-yourself repeat. Base yourself on Lake Como in Bellagio or Varenna, where pastel houses lean towards the water and small boutiques line the narrow lanes. Start with a lazy lakefront breakfast before taking a private boat across Como’s calm waters to Villa del Balbianello, the James Bond-famous mansion perched on a wooded peninsula, or Villa Carlotta, known for its sweeping botanical gardens. Lunch might be on a terrace at Il Gatto Nero above Cernobbio, followed by an afternoon spent wandering Bellagio’s cobbled stairways or browsing artisan shops in Varenna. A revisit is also the perfect excuse to explore another lake… Enter, Lake Garda’s north end. It’s got a dramatic Alpine feel, where you can cycle the Limone-Riva lakeside path, sip local wines on a terrace in Bardolino, or take a cable car up Monte Baldo for views that stretch for miles. And, you can get there in less than two hours from Como’s south shore. Evenings mean lingering over risotto and fresh fish caught from the lake in tiny trattorie, watching ferry lights flicker across the water. Leave time for one final morning cappuccino by the shoreline before heading home – the luxe lakeside life is always better the second time around.

Type B – Eat, sleep, art gallery, repeat: Florence

Florence gets even better on a return trip because you already know the headline acts – the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio – which frees you up to savour the smaller sights. Stay in the Oltrarno district, where artisan workshops sit beside little wine bars, and start your mornings with coffee at Ditta Artigianale before wandering towards the Uffizi Gallery for a slow, selective visit. Instead of rushing every corridor, focus on the favourites – Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, Caravaggio’s Medusa, the rooms of Renaissance masters – then reward yourself with lunch at Trattoria La Casalinga, a beloved Florentine staple. Afternoons are best spent wandering the Boboli Gardens, exploring the Palazzo Pitti, or ducking into small galleries like Museo Novecento for more modern art. You could also book a visit to the reopened Vasari Corridor, the once-inaccessible passage linking the Uffizi and Pitti Palace, offering a behind-the-scenes insight into Medici Florence. Evenings mean aperitivo in Piazza Santo Spirito, dinner at Osteria Santo Spirito, and a rooftop drink at Divina Terrezza Rooftop Bar (remember to reserve a table) with the glowing Duomo for a backdrop. For a little escape, take a half-day trip into Chianti for a spot of wine-tasting and a change of scene – it’s all hilltop towns and rolling vineyards, AKA the perfect dreamy pause before diving back into Florence’s art-filled streets.

Greece

Type A – Mamma Mia! soundtrack on repeat: Skiathos

If the Mamma Mia! magic got you the first time you visited Greece, a second trip to Skiathos is where it really sinks in – the sun-soaked beaches, sweet-smelling pines and turquoise coves feel like movie sets… because they literally are. Base yourself near Skiathos Town so you’re steps from the harbour, where boats line up offering daytrips to filming locations. Spend your first full day at Koukounaries Beach, famous for its powder-soft sand and lush pine forest backdrop, then ride the bus or rent a scooter to smaller beaches like Agia Eleni for sunset. The ultimate move has to be booking a Mamma Mia! boat tour. Captains will take you to Kastani Beach – recognisable from several scenes – along with Agios Ioannis Chapel, perched dramatically above the sea. The only thing missing is Meryl Streep herself! There’s time for swims, photo ops and long lunches at tiny seaside tavernas, where fresh calamari and Greek salads hit different after a morning on the water. Make room for an inland wander one afternoon to Kastro, the old, fortified village, for cinematic cliffs and sea views. But evenings belong to Papadiamantis Street, with its boutique shops and lively tavernas. Grab a table at Mesogiou or Marmita for classic island dishes before strolling along the harbour with gelato.

Type B – Urban stays and ancient sites: Athens

A visit to Athens lets you fall properly in love with Greece’s urban alter ego – it’s not just about the big monuments, but the neighbourhood buzz, the rooftop views and the food scene that seems to get better every year. Stay in Monastiraki or Plaka so you’re close to the top sights, and start early at the Acropolis, reaching the top before the midday crowds and heat. Afterwards, cool off inside the Acropolis Museum, where the glass floors and Parthenon sculptures give you the context you might have missed first time around. Wander through the Ancient Agora, grab a freddo espresso in Thissio, then dive into Athens’ modern side with an afternoon exploring Psyrri’s street art and markets. A guided food tour is a must on a revisit – expect stops for souvlaki, bougatsa pastry and local cheeses at places you’d never find alone (see First Choice Experiences to lock it in). Save one evening for a classic rooftop dinner at Couleur Locale or A for Athens, where the Parthenon glows against the night sky. For a peaceful final day, escape the city with a drive to Cape Sounion for sunset at the Temple of Poseidon, or head to Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center for gardens, sea views and contemporary galleries.