At the beginning of the new year, travelers often seek breathtaking experiences with wellness and rebirth in mind. From the spiritual mountains of Bhutan, to the palatial manors of Ireland, the truly wild Sabi Sand Nature Reserve, or tropical St. Barths: here are some of the top wellness experiences worldwide, for every type of guest seeking a unique and restorative travel journey. In an era when self-care and holistic well-being take center stage, wellness travel offers a transformative escape into the realms of rejuvenation and mindfulness.
Five Keys to Wellbeing with Gangtey Lodge in Bhutan
As Gangtey Lodge celebrates its 10th anniversary, it is pleased to announce the introduction of a new 5-day/4-night Wellbeing Retreat for 2024. Set in the idyllic Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan, this retreat is specially designed for travelers seeking balance, happiness, and personal enlightenment. Located in the peaceful Phobjikha Valley, Gangtey Lodge offers a sanctuary where guests can disconnect from the distractions and challenges of daily life to embark on a revitalizing journey towards contentment and personal wellbeing. The Wellbeing Retreat at Gangtey Lodge is an immersive framework centered on the Five Keys to Wellbeing: Nature, Spirituality, Connections, Community, and Rejuvenation. The five-day, four-night experience is thoughtfully crafted to guide guests toward a state of inner harmony and peace, including Grounding, Reflection, Gratitude, and Resolution. They will immerse themselves in the embrace of nature, traversing time-honored trails that meander through lush forests, past crane roosting sites, and into open meadows. Guests will engage in meditative practices that rekindle their inner essence, replenishing both mind and soul. Neighboring villages and monasteries will welcome them to forge connections with Phobjikha’s vibrant community and soak up the tapestry of Bhutan's storied and cultural heritage. Finally, they will surrender to tranquility to alleviate stress within the serene confines of the local Shedra (Buddhist College) where monks will lead thoughtful meditations. As day turns to night, Gangtey Lodge envelops guests in serenity, providing a sanctuary to unwind with various treatments from hot stone baths to bodywork massages. Each day of the retreat will transcend the ordinary and leave an indelible mark as guests encounter the Five Keys to Wellbeing and return home with the tools to continue a life invigorated, renewed, and profoundly inspired.
Nordic Spa Experience at Alyeska Nordic Spa in Girdwood, Alaska
Alyeska Nordic Spa is located in Girdwood, Alaska, 40 minutes away from Anchorage, Alaska. The US’ first Nordic spa, Alyeska Nordic Spa is a year-round opportunity to disconnect to reconnect and enjoy a 50,000 sq. ft series of outdoor hot and warm Hydrotherapy pools, cold water plunges and waterfalls, aromatherapy steam rooms, a Finnish sauna, an exfoliation cabin featuring Alaskan sea salt, a Halotherapy Signature sauna, and heated walkways throughout. Indoors, guests will find digital free cozy nooks to unwind, ten treatment rooms, wellness classes, spacious and beautifully appointed locker rooms, as well as the new Two Trees Bistro, an inspired dining experience focused on local offerings and a curated menu. The spa is part of Alyeska Resort where guests can stay and enjoy endless adventure and relaxation in both winter and summer months. The latest addition includes a forest loop that includes an elevated boardwalk through the Chugach Forest just in time for Alaska’s infamous aurora borealis season from September to April. It includes six outdoor hot and cold wooden tubs, and two large barrel saunas nestled throughout the walking experience, and two Banya saunas. Guests can then rest by the fire pits or fire cauldrons and recharge at the bistro. As part of a continued investment in its Alaska footprint, Pomeroy Lodging is completing the first major room renovation for its Alyeska Resort, debuted the new Black Diamond Club in January 2024, a new luxury offering with premium accommodations, services, and amenities exclusive to the resort’s 8th-floor guests. Alyeska Resort is the first Alaska mountain to become a member of the IKON pass, and this winter skiers can enjoy a new après-ski experience, with Twilight Soak available in the evenings from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Regenerative Wellness Experiences at Tutka Bay in Homer, Alaska
At Tutka Bay Lodge, At Tutka Bay Lodge, wellness is woven skillfully into each day at the lodge. Within the Wild cuisine, cooking classes, adventure activities, and opportunities to explore nature all add to the overall wellness culture at the lodge. To offer a deeper connection to nature and one’s self, Tutka Bay Lodge is offering a new regenerative wellness program that includes daily outdoor yoga, as well as meditation, which can be practiced on a kayak or paddle board for a floating meditative treatment, and Guided Intentional Breathing to find inner stillness, self-reflection, and grounding. Taking advantage of the lodge’s unique location, Forest Therapy incorporates guided hikes into an old-growth rainforest or deep into the nearby Kachemak Bay State Park. From this ideal setting, guests can immerse themselves in sound bathing, which incorporates a full-body listening experience that intentionally uses sound to invite gentle, yet powerful, therapeutic and restorative processes to nurture the mind and body. Back at the lodge, a Wilderness Tea Lounge invites guests to gather herbs and berries from the forest to create a healthy and healing tea, which can be enjoyed before or after a Reiki in the Wild session or Herb & Salt Scrub Treatment
Cashel Palace Spa Experience in Tipperary, Ireland
The world-class Spa at Cashel Palace takes full advantage of the glorious views of the Rock of Cashel, with a light-flooded and heated 17-meter swimming pool including 5 meters outdoors and delightful seaweed baths designed to enjoy a therapeutic soak. Guests can partake in an invigorating session in the hot and cold experience showers, relaxing Jacuzzi, and superior Klafs steam room and sauna. The facilities extend to a fully-equipped gym, hair salon, and yoga studio, where you can enjoy a healthy smoothie on the outside spa terrace overlooking the gardens. The elite therapists work with Bamford, Valmont, and Skin by Olga products to deliver a selection of indulgent spa treatments and rituals for guests. Choose from calming, nurturing, and balancing skin and body therapies and feel your stresses melt away.
New Class Offerings at Sonnenalp Spa and Club in Vail, Colorado
Vail’s premier Sonnenalp Spa features new-age wellness treatments such as an oxygen bar, dry brushing, indoor and outdoor pools, and a view of Gore Creek. Vail is the largest ski resort in Colorado with over 5,000 skiable acres, and travelers come from all over the world to ski its world-class slopes. The town is also exquisitely charming and will make any traveler feel like they are vacationing in Europe with its European alpine-inspired architecture and Bavarian flair. The Sonnenalp is a family-owned hotel that offers guests a luxury alpine resort experience. Exclusive to guests of the Sonnenalp Hotel visitors have access to the Sonnenalp Club in Edwards. The Sonnenalp Club has three specialty studios, offering over 50 classes weekly in disciplines including yoga, suspension yoga, and TRX, Pilates, a state-of-the-art cycling studio, strength and cardio classes, Kinesis, and small-group training. Three swimming pools are available for guests to unwind and relax complemented by stunning mountain views. As pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America, their new class Yoga for Picklers is a yoga class geared to all racket sports fans but always open to all. Sequences and postures will be geared towards opening shoulders and hips for a better and stronger range of motion. As in all yoga classes, each posture will help lengthen tight muscles for overall better balance and responsiveness. A perfect opportunity for injury prevention, strength, and stamina.
Go2Africa Shares Top Wellness Retreats in Africa
Whether you are practicing yoga, meditating in the midst of the African plains, indulging in a spa treatment, or taking a dip in the azure waters of a private beach (immersing yourself in the healing properties of the natural world) – the ultimate goal is to return home feeling healthier, happier, and more relaxed than when you arrived. Go2Africa has handpicked some top wellness retreats for 2024 offering both wellness and farm fresh dining experiences. Gibbs Farm, Tanzania is a welcoming retreat on a working farm. Healthy, home-cooked meals and fresh garden vegetables prevail. Visit the working coffee plantation, dairy farm, and piggery, and perhaps enjoy an interactive experience as you lend a hand in milking the cows, feeding the pigs, or joining the farm's coffee roasters to experience traditional coffee roasting methods. Babylonstoren, SA. offers 200 acres of working farmland, where guests can visit the extensive fruit and vegetable garden. It is currently the wineland's best farm to fork concept includes meals made with fresh, wholesome ingredients. Sterrekopje offers more than just a stay, it is a journey filled with slow-paced rhythms and rituals. Through grounding activities, holistic treatments, and seasonal locally sourced feasts you gently come back into your body, re-weaving your innate soil-to-soul connection. We call it ancestral luxury, conscious living.
St Barths Sisley Spa Journey
Step into the world of ultimate luxury and tranquility at the St. Barths Sisley Spa, an esteemed recipient of the coveted World Spa Awards. Greeted by the calming whispers of the ocean, this haven of serenity boasts five exquisite private treatment rooms, each overlooking the seaside. The spa proudly presents a curated selection of rejuvenating experiences, including the acclaimed Christopher Signature Massage—an indulgent fusion of touch and the soothing warmth of hot shells, designed to transport you to a realm of pure relaxation. Beyond massages and therapies, the St. Barths Sisley Spa extends its offerings to embrace a holistic approach to wellness. Enrich your mornings with private training sessions, personalized to cater to your fitness aspirations, setting the tone for an energized day ahead. To round out the journey, the spa also offers a nourishing and wholesome breakfast to kick off your day of pampering and self-care.
Cheetah Plains Private Massage Therapy
The Cheetah Plains Private Masseuse is an exceptional offering as part of the full-service private villa experience in South Africa’s Sabi Sand. In the heart of the wild, each villa boasts not only the marvel of an outdoor pool, seamlessly merging with the natural world, but also the privilege of a trained personal masseuse dedicated to touch and beauty therapy. Indulge in a world where opulent relaxation meets untamed beauty. Multiple tailored treatments are available to guests within the sanctuary of the private suite. Whether guests seek revitalizing massages or bespoke beauty rituals, every desire for pampering and self-care is met with unparalleled skill and devotion. The allure of the Cheetah Private Masseuse is further enhanced by the immersive charm of the surrounding environment. The wild Sabi Sand atmosphere becomes an integral part of your wellness journey, as you find solace and renewal amidst the breathtaking natural scenery.
For any questions contact:
Julie Leventhal
julie@reyacommunications.com