I closed my eyes and stuck my finger on a map of western Europe: ‘This is where we’re going on holiday!’
Sick of relying on internet recommendations, I left my next destination to chance. Luckily, it led to me discovering a magical hamlet in the Cévennes mountains of south-central France
TL;DR
- The author and partner chose a holiday destination by randomly pointing at a map of western Europe, closing down online tabs and reviews.
- Their chosen destination was the remote hamlet of Les Ayres in the Cévennes, France, reached via train and car after an overnight in Paris.
- The hamlet offered a peaceful escape with minimal human interaction, characterized by natural sounds and a landscape shaped by traditional farming and livestock movement.
- Exploration involved following ancient shepherd's paths (*drailles*) which led to discoveries of secluded river pools and gorges.
- The holiday fostered a significant disconnection from technology, with the author noting they hadn't looked at their phones for days.
- The experience contrasted with data-driven travel planning, highlighting the value of serendipitous discovery.