Feel good travels: The wellness destinations that might change your life

As a concept, wellness is pretty difficult to define and pinpoint, simply because it means so many different things to different people. However, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t also one of the most amply debated topics at the moment. Most people want to build a lifestyle that is more focused on wellness since so many feel that they’re stressed and overwhelmed on a daily basis. However, wellness is more than just being able to relax. In simple terms, it encompasses a wide range of practices that seek to balance the emotional, physical, mental, social, environmental, financial, and occupational areas of your life, believing that the key to well-being is understanding the interconnectedness of all these aspects.

This way, wellness includes getting enough sleep, moving your body, eating well, and learning to manage stress just as much as it includes developing a sense of belonging and connection with like-minded people around you so that you build a strong support system, finding fulfillment and satisfaction in your daily work, and having peace of mind about your economic situation. Depending on your situation, this might seem like a huge change to make since there are so many things to take into consideration.

A change of pace, such as visiting a different place, can provide you with a better perspective. If you’ve been looking for wellness spots to add to your itinerary, here are a few you need to take into account.

Bürgenstock Resort

Bürgenstock is a Swiss luxury resort located above Lake Lucerne and surrounded by greenery on all sides. You’ll want to get a Holafly plan for Europe before arriving here because there are so many beautiful landscapes all around, and you’ll definitely want to make sure you share them with everyone back home. The resort is built above a ridge, with the lake around 500 meters below. Apart from being a wellness spot, the Bürgenstock also holds cultural and historical significance, having hosted many famous guests over the years, including Audrey Hepburn, Queen Ingrid of Denmark, Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, Sophia Loren, Jimmy Carter, and the crew shooting the 1964 James Bond film “Goldfinger”.

The amenities include world-class spas, several bars and restaurants, a golf course, tennis courts, and a cinema. The spas themselves are huge, containing several pools, saunas, and treatment rooms. The accommodation includes both designs reminiscent of the Belle Époque as well as contemporary, ultramodern-looking glass architecture. The views from your room will include panoramas of the lake and mountains, so that you wake up feeling rejuvenated and with a mind that feels fully at ease.

Amangiri

Amangiri is a well-known hotel and resort that became increasingly popular over the last few years after many high-profile guests began visiting and recommending it. It has a charming minimalist aesthetic that allows it to blend with its arid, rocky surroundings. One of the most interesting spots is the main swimming pool, which was built around a rock escarpment. Rock climbing and horseback riding are available here, so if you want to work out a bit differently than you usually do, this is the place to try it. The dining is sustainable and based on seasonal ingredients as well as local dishes. The fitness center can be accessed by all visitors, and you can also opt for e-biking and desert hikes. Since there’s pretty much no light pollution in the area as a result of its remoteness, nightly stargazing takes place at Amangiri as well.

The therapies here are designed to promote deep relaxation, so expect Watsu (essentially a massage that takes place in chest-deep warm water), body wraps, 90-minute thermal facials, guided stretching, and specialized holistic journeys (that can take several hours), which are tailored to your specific needs.

Glen Dye

Scotland is a unique destination due to its tranquil yet rugged beauty, interesting history, and warm people. And Glen Dye is, without a doubt, one of the best places to relax in the country. If you want to blend the luxurious resort experience with the informality and warmth of a Scottish cottage, this is the place for you. All dishes are cooked over a fire, and you can expect many local dishes, such as raspberry cranachan, a staple dessert. While at Glen Dye, you need to try the wooden sauna and then follow up with a cold plunge in the tangerine-hued tin tanks, all set outdoors, under towering pines.

Given the location, forest bathing is guaranteed as well. All you need to do is lie down on a mat among the trees and bushes and listen to the birds and the wind move around you. However, if you’re more active and want to get a bit of a workout as well, hikes to the top of the Clachnaben, a 590-meter hill, are available, followed by pool swimming to cool off. All the cottages come equipped with libraries, turntables, vinyl, and, notably, no televisions. Billboards featuring life-affirming messages can be found throughout the woods as well.

Villa Stéphanie at Brenners Park

Baden-Baden, Germany, is a spa town that has been popular for hundreds of years. In 2021, it was included on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites as part of the “Great Spa Towns of Europe”, due to its beautiful architecture and world-renowned facilities. The indoor pool at Brenner Park is an experience in and of itself, with azure water surrounded by red, gold-paneled walls. The treatments here are focused on holistic medicine, physiotherapy, nutrition consultations, and aesthetic dentistry. However, you can also request bespoke treatments such as detoxes, facials, and massages.

Stone therapy and deep tissue massages are offered as well. In the case of the former, keep in mind that conditions such as neuropathy or diabetes can increase the risk of burns due to the reduced nerve sensation, so make sure to inform the practitioners beforehand. For the latter, don’t be surprised if you’re a little stiff in the aftermath, and remember to drink plenty of water to flush out all the resulting metabolic waste faster.

These relaxing retreats are just the beginning of a wellness journey since you need to follow through with the healthy habits if you wish to see long-term results. However, they’re a great change of pace and a way to break the routine and gain some perspective on what you need to improve in your life.