Holidays are meant to be relaxing. However, too often, you come home feeling more exhausted than when you set out. If this really is your year of rest and relaxation, then pour yourself a cup of tea and sit back as you read this latest piece of travel news.
A recent study has revealed the most and least relaxing tourist hotspots across the globe and Uluru was the only Australian landmark to get a shout-out. The good news is that our famous red rock made the most relaxing list, coming in second place behind Switzerland’s crystal clear Lake Caumasee.
The study, conducted by language experts Preply, ranked more than 80 of the world’s most popular tourist attractions based on the total number of negative reviews that mentioned stressful words like ‘tourist trap’, ‘underwhelming’ and ‘overrated’.
Time Square’s dazzling lights and big billboards aren’t as impressive as they look in the movies with the New York hotspot ranked as the number one most stressful tourist attraction in the world. It was closely followed by Berlin’s Checkpoint Charlie, described as ‘small’ and ‘disappointing’, and Paris’ Eiffel Tower, criticised for its excessive crowding.
We’re pretty stoked to see Australia on the flip side of the study, with Uluru (Ayers Rock) rarely leaving travellers disappointed. Out of more than 1,000 reviews, this sacred sandstone rock in the Australian outback received only five mentions of the negative keywords. We’d agree that it’s pretty hard not to feel a sense of zen – along with awe and wonder – as you leave the hustle and bustle of Australia’s capital cities and journey to the Red Centre, where the skies are clear, the stars are out and the landscapes are absolutely spectacular.
Last week, it was announced that an all-new, immersive Indigenous art, light and sound experience would be unveiled at Uluru in August. The vast desert landscape will transform into a natural canvas for Sunrise Journeys, featuring a bespoke artwork painted by three local Anangu artists. The immersive art experience adds to Uluru’s already spectacular line-up of experiences, including the world’s biggest daily drone show Wintjiri Wiru, one of Australia’s largest art installations Field of Light, and the acclaimed Sounds of Silence dinner under the starry skies. Sounds like it's time for a trip.