10 Cool Places to Stop and Take a Nap Around the World
Photo by: AlphaTangoBravo / Adam Baker
Traveling is the best—true story—but it can be damn exhausting. Missing a train, haggling, washing your laundry in the sink or puking up that roasted grasshopper you ate can be stressful. Rough patches like these call for a time-out. OTP drowsily selected our choicest spots to lay your weary head and refuel. Don’t forget to set the alarm.
Photo by: MILACHICH
Situated along the breathtaking Bay of Kotor is the small village of Perast, population 300. Back in the day, Perast was the place to be if you were a sailor or a dude with wares to peddle. Now, it’s a rustic hiking town nestled in the mountains. Muster up just a little strength and row out to two of the islands, where you can bake in year-round sun.
Photo by: Bencito the Traveller
You’re bound to find more out-of-work fisherman and sea shanties than tourists on the island of Newfoundland (pronounced NEW-fin-lind). With crazy beautiful land to explore, you can get lost and cozy up where no one knows your name for a good solid break from the hustle of modernity. Bonus points if you work in your naptime on an ocean voyage; triple if you’re a stowaway.
Photo by: heartgrenade21
Since dead people are experts at long naps, take a good slumber in these bone-filled dank caverns to beat the oppressive heat of South American summers. Snuggling up with the dead in some underground labyrinth is spooky nap central. It’s definitely relaxing enough to sleep; as for fending off ghastly nightmares , you’re on your own. If you feel a guard poking you with a femur, be prepared to bounce.
Photo by: The Grateful Dad
Telling an Aussie that Western Australia is your main destination is like telling a prostitute you only want to talk. This mostly desolate wilderness is primarily populated by long-haul truckers and kangaroos, but also full the most beautiful deserted beaches and undeveloped areas Down Under. It’s cheap, slow and perfect (no matter what the city folk may think).
Photo by: korisworld
Far from the donkey shows of Tijuana, the red-eyed fiestas of Mexico City and the drunk co-eds at Senor Frog’s in Cancun, Oaxaca is a slice of real Mexico. Head there for the legendary Day of the Dead, and wear yourself out by diving into Native American celebratory culture. Once you’re good and tired, you’ll be glad to know that nap time (siesta) rolls around from 2pm to 4pm.
Photo by: Viktor Kaposi
Often overshadowed by its democracy-inventing and Renaissance-spurring neighbors, Albania is the long-overlooked lovechild of isolation and Stalinist regime. Society has become increasingly open in the past 15 years, and they’ve got some of the best beaches in Europe. Cheaper in every way than its surrounding countries, places like Sarande are ideal to hang a hammock and relax Shqipthar (Albanian) style.
Photo by: gbatistini
North Africa, civil unrest or not, is not only a great broke-ass travel destination, but beautiful and nap-tastic. Get beached in Morocco like General Patton, and then cruise the southern Mediterranean. You’ll find thousands of miles of beaches where you can exist on a meager budget and sleep your way to travel refreshment.
Photo by: Mark D. Martin India
The Seychelles are one of those last secluded gems left on our shrinking planet. If escaping the modern world is the MO of your napquest, this little tropical paradise is your ticket to the best rest of your life. There’s nothing even remotely close to the urban rat race on these islands, just ancient gods and gorgeous beaches; no one will hear you snore for miles.
Photo by: toddsaved
A mix of nostalgia and respect, the “Cradle of Civilization” is will rock you to sleep like a baby. Some of the best vistas of the western river can be found near Gaziantep, Turkey, close to the Syrian border. Cuddle up in Mesopotamia; that right there is a nap to make your 9th grade geography teacher proud.
Photo by: hn.
Thailand’s great when you’re in the mood for partying and less-restful nights. The Philippines will help to nurture you back to whole. You’ll meet people less jaded by the throngs of tourists and experience an Asian cuisine deeply influenced by the Spanish and perfected to concoct flavorful, mouth-changing dishes. Achieve an adequate food coma, find a lovely pair of coconut trees to hang a hammock between and sleep while your stomach figures out the digesting details.
OTP Tip: The Spaniards are notorious nappers and if you’re in the less metropolitan areas of the country (most of Andalusia), a lot of places (supermarkets, cafes, stores, etc.) close for nap time from 2 pm until 5 pm. While we’re not sure when Spaniards find time to work, take the hint and get something soft to lay around on for a few hours.
Napping is easy; finding the right place and time to temporarily call it quits takes skill. Make nice with the locals and you’ll be steered clear of Acapulco shirts and fanny packs to the chillest spots. Worst comes to worst, if you’re drowsy enough, the nap will eventually find you.
A native of the American southwest but a burgeoning telenomad, Ross enjoys the wilderness, street food, and living to tell the tale.
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New-fin-land … “lind” is how the mainlanders say it
nice place.