4 minute read
Where to Find Wellness
Whether you want to get pampered, be active or simply unplug, these four destinations deliver every degree of wellness imaginable.
By Lola Augustine Brown
From sunrise yoga classes and seaside massages to introspective spiritual experiences, today’s most coveted vacation pursuits are all about our ongoing quest for “wellness.” A 2022 survey of more than 11,000 people in 16 countries found that two in five high-income respondents had booked a luxury or wellness retreat in 2023, while one in five Millennials had booked wellness trips exclusively. Not sure where to go to feel your best? Here are four trending destinations that are taking a fresh approach to wellness travel.
Ibiza
Ibiza, one of Europe’s top party destinations for decades, is now one of the trendiest wellness destinations, enticing many of the same people who visited 20-plus years ago to party but who now just want to be pampered. Ley lines — used to connect sacred sites and believed to carry electromagnetic energy — are purported to intersect the Spanish Balearic island, which is home to a wealth of shamanic yoga retreats, light and sound treatment programs and meditation centres. Celebrity fitness instructors often visit to lead workshops, including Taryn Toomey of The Class studios in L.A. and New York. “The beautiful sea and beaches tucked deep within nature make it a perfect destination to connect with your inner self.”
WHERE TO GO
Luxury travel brand Queen of Clubs offers several wellness experiences in Ibiza, including retreats built around Kundalini yoga and crystal healing sessions, as well as mindfulness classes for children.
Bhutan
The world’s “happiest country” is fast becoming a mecca for those seeking to improve both body and mind. Bhutan is a Buddhist nation where compassion, mindfulness and physical labor are vital aspects of the path to enlightenment. Adventurous travelers are keen to tap into that level of self-improvement, trekking to monasteries perched high in the Himalayan mountains for spiritual experiences and to receive blessings from monks at Kyichu Lhakhang, a temple dating back to the 7th century. A new rash of luxury hotels offering wellness retreats inspired by Buddhist principles has made this incredible destination increasingly more accessible.
WHERE TO GO
Abercrombie & Kent leads luxury tours to Bhutan where guests visit local herbal medicine hospitals, study ancient astrology at monasteries, and indulge in immersive spa rituals, such as the Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath at COMO Uma Punakha or guided meditation with a Lama (a term used for highly respected monks) at Gangtey Lodge.
Dubai
Wellness seekers are increasingly flocking to Dubai to experience over-the-top spa treatments along with the unparalleled levels of luxury that accompany the immense wealth currently flowing through the UAE. From traditional Arabian hammams, secret spa spaces in lush tropical gardens and liquid sound pools to the latest stem-cell facials, Dubai’s wellness retreats combine ancient rituals with stateof-the-art advances in dermatology and the trendiest relaxation techniques.
WHERE TO GO
At Address Sky View, book a Wellness Suite equipped with a Technogym Bike and à la carte Technogym equipment, plus a library of guided workouts you can do in the comfort of your own room. Afterwards, wind down with a top-of-theline spa treatment, such as an Intensive Purifying Facial or personalized full-body massage, at the Spa at Address Sky View, complete with striking views of the futuristic skyline that come with its location on the 54th floor. (A dip in the infinity pool, with Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, as a backdrop, is also a must.)
Peru
Transformation is easy to experience in the breathtaking landscapes and ancient monuments of Peru’s Sacred Valley. Hiking to temple ruins and bathing in natural hot springs connect you with nature, while Indigenous shamans and healers offer guided ceremonies designed to return you to your true self. Despite centuries of Spanish rule, elements of Incan culture remain threaded through Peru’s culture, and traditional remedies — such as coca leaf treatments for altitude sickness — are embraced by a wellness institution that has existed since ancient times.
WHERE TO GO
Join a 12-day wellness experience with South American Tours (S.A.T.) that showcases Peru’s ancient sites while embracing rituals designed to relax and recharge your soul. While exploring the Andes and the majesty of the Amazon, you’ll witness a shamanic ceremony at the 15th-century fortress of Sacsayhuamán on the outskirts of Cusco, learn about traditional herbal medicines and experience sound and music therapy in the Sacred Valley.
