As self-care becomes an increasingly important part of modern life, wellness travel has emerged as one of the fastest-growing sectors of the tourism industry. More people are seeking holidays that nourish the body and mind through healthy experiences.
This article will explore the wellness travel trend and its benefits. We also provide some top global locales, satisfying travellers' growing demand for vacations centred around fitness and mindfulness.
What Is Wellness Travel?
Wellness travel has indeed become a significant trend pre-Covid 19. Photo by vitaliymateha - stock.adobe.com
Wellness travel is all about using your holiday or time on the road to improve your overall health and well-being, mentally and physically. In other words, you seek out experiences that feed your body and soul.
Activities like yoga, meditation retreats, and hiking adventures - all fall under the wellness travel umbrella.
Partaking in local healing traditions wherever you go is a popular way to do this. For instance, soaking in hot springs in Japan is a common way to rejuvenate your body and mind, and you can easily experience one in the heart of Tokyo in a Ryokan.
For some, wellness travel means trying new fitness routines in scenic locales, like a morning run along a jungle path overlooking the ocean. Destinations are catching onto this trend, offering things like beachside boot camps or mountain biking tours.
Partaking in these kinds of nourishing experiences while travelling has definitely become a growing trend in recent years. Younger generations, especially Millennials, are largely driving this as they aim to invest more in self-care and make the most of their limited time off from busy lives.
Benefits Of Wellness Travel
Wellness travel offers several advantages over traditional holidays by improving mental, and physical health through tailored activities and experiences.
1. A Chance To Detox
Everyday stress - from juggling work deadlines to managing household chores - can gradually build up and lead to burnout. A well-planned holiday offers a much-needed escape from it all.
However, we all know how easy it is to indulge a bit too much during regular holidays. That could be extra snacks, drinks with meals, or just too much screen time. But with wellness travel, you have built-in chances for detoxing your body and mind.
The best thing about wellness-focused trips is that they provide serious detoxing. Photo by MarieXMartin - stock.adobe.com
Places like spa resorts make it simple with their package deals - you can totally unplug and cleanse your system with juice cleanses, massage therapies, and sweat-out sessions in the sauna. It's a lot easier when everything you need is right there.
Even just experiencing a new diet and fitness activities in a beautiful location helps you hit the reset button. You can always feel so refreshed after coming back from a wellness getaway where you've shed unhealthy habits.
2. Opportunities To Experience New Culture
Part of what makes wellness travel so enriching is that it naturally provides chances to immerse yourself in other cultures - one of many benefits of travelling.
Wellness travel often involves interacting with local communities and their rituals and practices, which are often a part of their offerings. What’s more, since many wellness retreats are located in stunning natural settings, you can explore local flora and fauna and learn about indigenous knowledge.
Experiencing new perspectives can be as rejuvenating as any physical treatment. It encourages us to keep an open mind and appreciate diverse wisdom. We may also pick up diet or lifestyle tips from other cultures that we want to incorporate long-term.
3. A Tailored Experience
As mentioned above, wellness travel is not all about booking a retreat that focuses on medicine/meditation/yoga and calls it a day. Beyond the spa treatments, the wellness formula involves hiking, horseback riding, surfing, or even rock climbing.
The beauty of wellness tourism is that even a simple holiday can be transformed into a wellness journey. For example, a day spent skiing down powdery slopes can be complemented by an evening of meditation or a relaxing spa session.
Best Places To Travel For Wellness
The growing focus on healthcare has contributed to the wellness travel trend as people look to sustain well-being and reduce stress through holidays. As a result, travel destinations around the world are rapidly developing more accommodations and excursions.
1. Maldives’ Overwater Bungalows
Maldives has been a dream come true for many people. Photo by on marcorubino stock.adobe.com
There's really no better place to unwind than the glorious overwater bungalows of the Maldives. Choose among various stunning resorts and villas to enjoy the ultimate serotonin-boosting tranquillity with the lapping turquoise sea as your backdrop.
With all that natural beauty at your fingertips, it's so easy to slip into a state of deep relaxation. Many offer fantastic spa packages where you can drift between treatments like coconut body scrubs and hot stone massages. Not to mention, the water sports on offer provide low-impact ways to soak up that vitamin D.
2. Kamalaya Koh Samui, Thailand
Nestled on the serene coastline of Koh Samui, Thailand, Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary is a resort that is always high on the list of best resorts to visit for wellness travel.
Wherever you go, you are always surrounded by nature - be it a tropical forest or the beach nearby. Guests can enjoy personalised wellness programs, detox and rejuvenation therapies, and a variety of activities designed to restore balance and well-being - there are over 70 treatments for your mind and every part of your body.
We recommend staying here for at least seven days as a 5D4N plan may not leave much time to enjoy all of their facilities and packages.
3. COMO Shambhala Estate, Bali
Opened in 2005, COMO Shambhala Estate has been one of the best wellness travel spots worldwide. This luxe retreat is located in Begawan Village, approximately a 15-minute drive from Ubud city centre. Arriving here, you will be absolutely amazed by more tropical beauty with lush greenery and two tranquil rivers.
4. Shinrinyoku Forest Bathing, Japan
A deep breath that takes you closer to nature and yourself. Photo by EKH-Pictures on stock.adobe.com
There's just something so rejuvenating about wandering slowly through a forest. Feel the different types of leaves and bark beneath your fingers, and listen to all the birds chirping and insects buzzing. It's wild how quickly all your stresses melt away as you tune into your surroundings.
That's why shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, as they call it in Japan, is such an ideal way for wellness travel. If you're after a blissful nature escape for forest bathing, there is no shortage of scenic spots. Akigawa Valley and Todoroki Valley are two of our favourites, just a 20-40 minute drive from Tokyo.
5. Iceland’s Geothermal Pools
Such a stunning spot to be, right? Photo by Summit Art Creations on stock.adobe.com
Soaking in one of Iceland's geothermal pools is such an epic chill sesh. All of your mind and body feel like floating in the warm mineral waters, all while surrounded by crazy beautiful scenery like glaciers, volcanoes and waterfalls.
What's really neat is that pools like the Blue Lagoon let you absorb minerals, which are saturated with healing properties that seep into pores. Not to mention, it's just straight-up cosy to see locals gathering to unwind together. Another plus is that you can even see the Northern Lights dancing across the sky and visit during the right season if you're lucky. Pack your bag and book a trip to experience Iceland’s magic now.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, wellness travel provides a holistic way to recharge mind, body and spirit through experiences. And then, you return home feeling refreshed and equipped with new healthy routines to incorporate into daily life.
Most importantly, wellness travel reminds us of the importance of listening to our needs and making time for restoration, thereby cultivating ongoing well-being.
If you have any further suggestions, please leave a comment to share your thoughts. Finally, don’t forget to share this article with your friends too!
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