In a world that moves at lightning speed, where efficiency is king and silence has become a rare luxury, it’s no wonder we long for slower and calmer times. Times when the tower bell chimes dominated the soundscape, instead of the sound of cars honking or the ping of push notifications. Here, we have gathered the ten best destinations for a holiday if you want to travel back a century — or two.

1. Hydra, Greece

Among the Greek islands, Hydra stands out as the only one where cars are completely absent, making it feel like a place suspended in time. There is something magical about an island where the clip-clop of donkey hooves and meows from one of the island’s many cats replace the gritty hums of engines. To add to that small-town-from-another-century feeling, an extremely cute bell clock tower chimes twice per hour, like an echoing beat that punctuates the island’s otherwise tranquil pace.

2. Pyramiden, Svalbard

The abandoned coal mining town Pyramiden in Svalbard, was founded by Sweden and later sold to the Soviet Union. It’s a well-preserved Arctic ghost town, offering a glimpse into Soviet life with its buildings, infrastructure, and even a statue of Lenin. In 1998, its 1000 residents had to abruptly leave, and they left behind everything from skis in the hallways to cups on tables, and school books in the town’s school. So if you’re someone who is drawn to offbeat adventures, and wants to know how it felt living in a Soviet town, Pyramiden is the holiday for you.

3. Pompeii, Italy

Situated beneath the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, the ancient city of Pompeii lies frozen in time. In 79 AD, it was buried under ash and rock, preserving it as one of the most remarkable archeological sites in the world, and it is no wonder it has made it onto the UNESCO heritage list. The city — and even the remains of its former inhabitants —  were preserved in detail, all thanks to the volcanic ash that encased the bodies of the victims. Centuries later, archeologists began pouring plaster into these voids, revealing the final poses and expressions of the victims at the moment of death, transforming a visit to Pompeii into a profoundly personal emotional experience.  

4. Røros, Norway

Founded in 1644 as a copper mining settlement (much of its original wooden architecture is still intact), Røros gives a timeless, almost theatrical charm. 

Røros is a great choice for a wedding location, or just a romantic getaway. Horse-drawn carriages and sleighs are a beloved tradition, so here you really can live out your winter Cinderella story fantasy. The annual Christmas market is a highlight: twinkling lights, handmade crafts and the scent of spiced treats fill the crisp mountain air, leaving you with that merry festive feeling.

5. Old Havana, Cuba

Old Havana, the beating heart of Cuba’s capital, is a living museum of Spanish colonial architecture. A stroll through the cobbled streets, baroque churches, and pastel-hued colonial buildings of Old Havana will captivate any visitor. This place is vibrant and music is played everywhere (often very loudly). People spend a lot of time in these streets: adults might play chess and smoke cigars while kids play football, making it easy to make friends here. Along with the many, very well preserved American cars, Old Havana feels like it belongs to the 18th or early 19th century.

6. Hoi An, Vietnam

Like stepping into a living postcard — Hoi An in Vietnam is a must-see when visiting this part of the world. The beautifully preserved town feels like a place where time stands still. It is known for its iconic lantern-lit streets, coloured buildings, and a rich blend of Vietnamese, Chinese and French colonial architecture. The car-free Old Town encapsulates that feeling of travelling back in time, where the air hums with the scent of incense, sizzling street food and a faint scent of sea salt drifting from the nearby shore. Between the 15th and 19th centuries, the town was a busy place, and a dominant Southeast Asian trading port.

7. Inis Meáin, Aran Islands, Ireland

The least visited of the three Aran islands, Inis Meáin stands as a testament to time. You won’t find flashy tourist attractions here, instead a visit to this Irish island will give you the best chance of acquainting yourself with Irish culture. It’s the ideal island to ‘get away from it all’. There is just one shop, one pub and a whole lot of sheep and grass to explore. If you go for a walk, you might stumble across Dún Chonchúir, an impressive fortress that has breathtaking views over the island.

8. Tombstone, Arizona

On a bone-dry desert stage, where ghost cowboys whisper through swinging saloon doors, Tombstone, Arizona reveals itself. The town is the place to be if you are daydreaming about saloons, six-shooters and spurred cowboy boots. 

The Wild West town has earned itself a reputation of lawlessness and shootouts, and history isn’t just something that is remembered, it is celebrated, with dressed cowboys looking like they stepped out of the 1880s and never checked their watches since.

Nicknamed ‘The Town Too Tough to Die’, the frontier-spirited town has plenty of things to do. What about saddling up for a horseback ride? Or perhaps dining in one of the town’s many saloons?

9. Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Germany

Located in Bavaria, Rothenburg ob der Tauber is one of those sweet, colourful fairytale towns that doesn’t quite feel real at first glance. In its glory days, the walled town was one of the biggest cities in Europe. The most iconic spot, Plönlein has a very Instagram-friendly yellow tilted house with two ancient towers. You can climb the Town Hall tower for panoramic views, or dive into the quirky Medieval Crime and Justice Museum for a peek into the darker corner of European legal history. 

In the winter, the town is transformed into a snow-dusted wonderland with one of Germany’s most famous Christmas markets where you find plenty of opportunities to warm up with a cup of Glühwein.

10. Tyneham, England

Tyneham is a ghost town where time stopped in 1943 during the second world war after its inhabitants evacuated and never came back. The village is open to the public — but only on specific holidays and weekends when military exercises aren’t taking place as the Ministry of Defence controls it. 

When the town is open, you can explore the eerie remains of the village: the roofless school for example, with the children’s names still on the pegs. About a mile away, you’ll find Worbarrow Bay, a crescent-shaped bay framed by chalk cliffs. It’s a place for slow wandering and reflection.