Why 2025 is the year of JOMO Travel

In our always-on, perma-connected world, sometimes what we really seek is a place to switch off. To tune out from the noise and notifications; to take joy in letting life rush on somewhere over the horizon. And as we’ve identified in our Unpack ’25 trends report, the right trip can help with that. In our research, 62% of travelers said staying in a serene rental would reduce their stress and anxiety, while a huge 85% said they would be interested in taking a vacation to unplug.

The message is clear: Forget FOMO travel, this year we want to embrace JOMO Travel—which celebrates the joy of missing out.

“JOMO Travel is about finding the right place to truly unplug and enjoy the quiet moments that are so often hard to come by,” says Melanie Fish, head of Expedia Brands PR. “Whether it’s a cozy reading nook, a deep soaking tub, or just the peace and privacy of a space that’s all yours, these vacation rentals offer a unique way to experience the joy of missing out.”

Inspired? These are some of our favorite retreats.

01

An off-grid treehouse 

_{Nr Frazeysburg, Ohio  
Sleeps 5}

A digital detox is the shortcut to disconnecting on vacation, and Tullihas in the Trees, with no electricity and minimal cell service on the edge of a wooded creek, is just the spot. The treehouse is surrounded by more than 240 acres of McKee Farm to explore, with hiking trails that wind past horses and cornfields. But it’s just as lovely to relax in the swing chairs on the deck, sling hammocks between the recycled electricity poles that now act as stilts for the tiny house, and watch the sun dip down beneath the rolling hills. 

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02

An estate of one’s own 

_{Wiltshire, England  
Sleeps 22}

Deep in the English countryside, and less than 10 minutes from the mystical stone circle of Stonehenge, Henge Estate is a dreamy place to hole up with all the family. You’ll have the run of the whole Georgian manor: Nine recently renovated bedrooms, decorated with pops of pattern and antiques, peel off across two wings. Downstairs, curl up in the cozy library, or if the sun is shining, sprawl on loungers on the lawn in the secret walled garden between games of croquet. Time slows down here, and the rest of the world seems very far away.

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03

Desert stillness

_{Yucca Valley, California
Sleeps 10}

There’s an otherworldly quality to the landscape in the Yucca Valley, with gigantic boulders rising up beneath the bright desert sunshine, silent and still. Casa Desierto is your own private oasis, a secluded 1920s-inspired hacienda tucked in four acres among the rocks. Everything is designed to help you appreciate the peace: the soundproofed interiors, the lounger-lined saltwater pool, the big picture windows looking out onto even bigger skies. If you do venture out of this cocoon, the vastness of Joshua Tree National Park is only a 20-minute drive away, or book a sound bath at healing destination The Integratron for even deeper relaxation. 

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04

A tropical jungle hideout  

_{Sayulita, Mexico 
Sleeps 10}

Vacation mode hits different at Casa Naga. It might only be five minutes’ drive (or a 20-minute walk through the jungle) from the surfy town of Sayulita, but this knockout, fully staffed home exists in its own blissed-out bubble. There are outdoor marble bathtubs to soak in, whales to be spotted from the infinity pool, and stars to be gazed at from the rooftop lounge. The nearest beach is a wild stretch of sand reached down a jungle path where you’re unlikely to see anyone else. Back at the house, arrange a private yoga or spa treatment where the soundtrack features nothing but wildlife and the crashing Pacific Ocean. 

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Seeking serenity? Think pink

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05

Scottish Highland fling

_{Gairloch, Scotland 
Sleeps 11}

At the far-out northwestern corner of Scotland, Wester Ross has one of the lowest population densities in Europe, and some of its most spectacular scenery: all brooding mountains and heather-covered glens, thundering waterfalls and deserted white-sand beaches. Overlooking one of those beaches at Gairloch, The Lighthouse is a strikingly contemporary lookout from which to immerse yourself in the Highlands’ natural beauty. Designed by award-winning architects, the house has a clever upside-down layout, with the open-plan living space on the second floor for a bird’s eye view of the sweeping bay and Torridon Mountains beyond. Spy wildlife and stargaze using the powerful telescope, or cozy up on the sheepskin beanbags in front of the wood-burning stove. Scroll to the bottom for our map featuring more stunning Scottish escapes.

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06

On island time

_{Maui, Hawaii  
Sleeps 4}

Is there anything more soothing than being lulled to sleep by the sound of the ocean? Set on the bluffs of Hana Bay on the eastern tip of Maui, Elua Cottage is enveloped in the Pacific, which laps onto the black-sand beach below. Listen to the waves from the double hammock strung between coconut palms, or soak up the dramatic lava landscapes from the glass-fronted living area. This part of Maui feels like old Hawaii, where days unfurl lazily and even the drive to get here, along the Hana Highway between lush slopes, wiggling coastlines and spellbinding waterfalls, provides a guaranteed decompression from everyday life. 

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07

Zen in the Catskills  

_{Roxbury, New York 
Sleeps 5}

Yamagoya Cabin brings a serene slice of Japan to upstate New York. Carefully crafted by its Japanese American owners, there’s a tatami room in the loft for meditation, a miniature Zen garden under the stairs, and a red emakake rack on which to hang wishes and dreams. Outside, the surrounding woodland is ideal for shinrin-yoku, or “forest bathing”: walking slowly and quietly, tuning into the natural rhythm of the trees. The cabin is as much a cultural immersion as it is calming, with a welcome basket of matcha tea and Japanese sweets, and yukata robes to wear during your stay. This is a rare chance to experience the simplicity of a ryokan-style stay without even leaving the U.S. 

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