That sense of calm where you don’t feel the need to escape the space you are in.
We recently stayed in an Airbnb apartment on the Belgian coast for our family holiday.
From the moment I walked through the door, something felt strangely familiar.
Normally, when we arrive somewhere new on holiday, we’re eager to explore.
We want to walk through the neighbourhood, discover the surroundings, find the beach, see what’s there to experience…
But this time, I didn’t want to go anywhere. I just wanted to sit on the sofa. Look out at the dunes. Watch the waves and just be still.
There was that feeling of calm that I just wanted to embrace.
Meanwhile, our son disappeared into the kids room and dived straight into the fun toys that were so intentionally placed to help the little ones feel at home.
How thoughtful, I whispered to myself, with a smile on my face.
These are exactly the little thoughtful decisions that stay engraved in visitors minds and make them want to come back again.
That sense of calm where you don’t feel the need to escape the space you’re in.
You just simply want to be.
As I sat on the sofa taking in the beautiful view of the dunes and waves, while hearing my son play in the kids room. I realised: This is exactly what home feels like back in Germany.
This made me think about something I often notice with holiday rentals.
Some properties have spectacular locations, breathtaking views and beautiful surroundings, but the moment you step inside… something feels disconnected.
The view may be incredible, but the interior feels like an afterthought.
Most hosts forgetting that the space that one chooses to make their resting place also adds to the overall experience.
This apartment was different. Every detail of the interior felt intentional.
The design was modern and minimalist without ever feeling cold, bland or impersonal.
There was space to breathe. Textures that created warmth.
Thoughtful details that made the apartment feel lived in rather than staged.
And most importantly, it created a feeling. Home.
For myself and my family being the slow travellers that we are, this was exactly what a holiday should feel like.
Not constantly rushing from one experience to the next.
Not needing to fill every moment.
Everything we needed was just within walking distance.
There were lovely beach bars with playground for kids, restaurants and fun activities for kids, just meters away from the apartment.
The highlight of our stay for me, was watching sunsets from our apartment’s balcony.
Sometimes, the greatest luxury is having a beautiful place where you actually want to stay.
It reminded me of something I have been thinking about a lot lately:
When something is created with intention, it is felt and remembered.
You may not immediately notice every detail. You may not even be able to explain exactly why a space feels good.
But you feel the difference.
And those are often the experiences we remember long after we’ve left.
Perhaps it’s about how it makes one feel.
Isn’t that what we’re really looking for when we travel?
Not just a place to stay.
But somewhere that, for a little while, feels like home.
Location:
Rumi, Knokke-Heist, Belgium
(https://www.rumimoments.com/place/rumi-knokke-heist/)
PS: This is not a paid collaboration and link is not an affiliate link.