One of the most underrated destinations in France is the coastal city of Biarritz in the Basque Country. Located on the Atlantic Coast not far from the Spanish border, in centuries past Biarritz was a spa town and glam coastal resort popular with the country’s elite for its beaches and casinos.
Though it went through a neglected phase in the 20th century, Biarritz is having a hipster revival – these days it’s one of Europe’s best beach cities and surf destinations.
If spirituality entices you along with meditative chants and riveting discussions with monks and nuns fascinate you, monasteries are your peaceful retreats. Housing monks and nuns, monasteries are a place to live in seclusion where the inhabitants explore faith. An array of religions has monasteries, including Christianity, Hinduism, and Buddhism, where the people who chose this path believe in living humbly. The Greek root meaning of the term “monastery” itself signifies living alone. Not everyone can adopt such a lifestyle, albeit experiencing it for a while can bestow peace to the soul. This is a guide to remote monasteries on earth.