The Best Wellness Vacations Across the Globe
With self-care being a big buzzword nowadays, more travellers than ever before are looking to recharge, rejuvenate, and recalibrate their bodies, minds, and spirits. Whether it’s mastering mindful meditation, a peaceful Savasana, shedding some unwanted pounds, or simply unplugging from the day-to-day grind, a restorative vacation could be exactly what the doctor ordered! Here are some of the best health and wellness-focused getaways across the globe that will no doubt help you to come away feeling like a whole new person!
Kamalaya, Koh Samui, Thailand
This legendary and award-winning wellness retreat boasts its own private stretch of beach in Koh Samui, Thailand. The island itself is believed to hold healing properties. For centuries, Buddhist monks have proclaimed Koh Samui as containing energy that enriches and enlightens their spiritual path, and this healing hotel aims to deliver just that.
Programs offered focus on detox, stress, and burnout, optimizing fitness, weight control, emotional balance, and yoga. The international set of staff includes naturopaths for optional personalized wellness consultations, personal trainers, nutritionists, and massage therapists. Depending on the program chosen, guests receive treatments integrating both eastern and western elements, medicines, and beliefs. The cuisine at Kamalaya focuses on fresh, tropical, and organic where possible. There are options for vegetarian, vegan, and detox-inspired meals.
Fivelements, Bali, Indonesia
Embracing a holistic approach to wellness, Fivelements provides personalized wellness retreats to individuals and couples, in a lush tropical setting. Their signature program offers an integrated approach designed to tune in and realign guests on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels, ‘allowing an organic healing process to naturally unfold,’ according to the retreat leaders.
Each program includes morning yoga and healing massages, and depending on the length of your stay, may include a Balinese fire blessing ritual, guided jungle walks, visiting a holy water spring, guided mindfulness sessions, and more.
Villa Stephanie at Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa, Baden-Baden, Germany
The town of Baden-Baden in Germany is a well-known escape for many, thanks to its mild climate and natural-occurring hot springs. Visitors to Baden-Baden who want to double down on their wellness activities head straight to Villa Stephanie, a 15-room villa set within Brenners Park-Hotel, dedicated to health, wellness, fitness, and beauty.
The spa itself spans over 16,000 square feet over five floors and features an enormous 1640 square foot sauna, an indoor swimming pool, plunge pool, private gym, and ladies sauna. Guests have access to personal trainers, nutritionists, physiotherapists, and medical professionals, all in the lap of luxury.
Connected to the spa is Haus Julius, where visitors can opt for additional services such as aesthetics (including stem cell rejuvenation therapies), gynecology, ophthalmology, and dentistry. The hotel even has a laboratory and an institute for preventive medicine. While spa services are offered a la carte, many guests commit to a more comprehensive multi-day program, choosing from Weight Loss, Detox, Stay Fit Stay Healthy, The Kings Way (weight loss and intense detoxification), or Bespoke retreats. As part of these programs, participants receive a full blood panel, ultrasound, body scans, and cancer screenings. Each stay comes with an optional digital detox, with rooms that can be free of ‘e-smog’ (electromagnetic fields from electrical devices) thanks to a small switch that blocks high-frequency signals such as Wi-Fi.
Golden Door, San Marcos, California, United States
The mother of all spa retreats, the Golden Door is set on 600-acres of rolling hills and is a mere 40-minute drive from San Diego. A favourite among Hollywood A-listers, it is said that after experiencing their 7-day program you will leave a very different person. With a focus on transforming mind, body, and spirit, a total reboot is the name of the game (and the goal for every guest). Included are daily spa treatments (massage, Reiki, craniosacral therapy, and Watsu), personal trainers and fitness classes, guided hikes, mindfulness workshops, art classes, and silent meditation walks.
Don’t worry about what to pack, a workout outfit (for daytime) and a Japanese yukata robe (for dinnertime) is provided. An industry leader in bio-intensive farming, the Golden Door’s culinary program delivers guests food that is fresh, sustainably grown, and flavourful. Guests can pick their own veggies, harvest farm-fresh eggs, or embark on a honeybee tour with the executive chef (and experienced beekeeper).
The best part about Golden Door? 100% of their net profits go back into the community, supporting local charities and non-profit initiatives.
Final Thoughts
I think we can all agree that there is a lot of benefit to giving ourselves the gift of a wellness getaway to restore our mind, body, and spirit. Especially after everything we have been through the past couple of years! Let’s put ourselves first for once and say yes to a well-deserved self-care holiday! If you would like to have your next getaway planned for you, consider joining Wander and Soul’s Travel & Lifestyle Club, where we will craft the perfect one-of-a-kind vacation for you, even if you don’t know exactly what it is that you want yet. Remember, how you travel matters. It’s not just where you go, but how the journey shapes you. Learn more about all the amazing benefits of becoming a member of our Travel & Lifestyle Club here.
