Winter blues got you down? You are not alone; research [1] suggests that more than half (54%) of Australians experience increased difficulty waking in winter mornings and 47% have more of a tendency to overeat. 1 in 300 Australians even experience actual winter depression, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (or SAD).
It’s no wonder the team at Health and Fitness Travel observe a spike in healthy holiday planning during the colder months. Winter is traditionally the time when self-care takes a back seat to comfort food, but co-founder Samantha Lippiatt explains, on a wellness retreat, it doesn’t have to be the case.
“Winter is the perfect time to nurture your body and reset for the second half of the year and with so many options nearby, it’s never been easier. Asian destinations, including Thailand and Bali still remain firm favorites, for ease of access and to escape the cold weather particularly in the Eastern states though we saw a flurry of bookings from Perth following the recent cold snap.”
Samantha adds, “Just this month, we’ve had a 30% total increase in enquiries and almost doubled our short-term bookings for the coming months. There is a shifting mindset to staying on track with a healthy lifestyle year-round, and spring really is just around the corner”.
If you’re thinking of booking a winter getaway, then a healthy holiday might just be in order. Find inspiration as we name the top 10 wellness retreats for a much-needed winter escape:
Bali: REVIVO De-stress
Trade your Winter blues for the warm hues of Bali at REVIVO Wellness Resort set across 3 hectares of teak tree forest in Nusa Dua. Its prime location is perfect for those looking to switch off and focus on their personal well-being. REVIVO’s de-stress program addresses the adverse effects of chronic stress through a combination of mind training, authentic Balinese healing therapies and holistic fitness activities. Return home revivified and equipped with practical tools to help you handle whatever life throws at you.
Thailand: Kamalaya Relax & Renew
Kamalaya is all about changing your life in a meaningful way—with the Relax and Renew program, you get to experience all that and more. Centered around a cave temple once used by Buddhist monks, this peaceful property in Koh Samui sets the theme for renewal and transformation. A range of therapies drawn from diverse healing traditions are at the forefront of the program which aims to de-stress, recharge and boost your immune system. Complement your stay with yoga and delicious spa cuisine for a complete wellness holiday for the mind and body.
Java: MesaStila De-stress
For a distinctively Javanese wellness experience, visit MesaStila Resort and Spa, a villa-style retreat located at the centre of a charming coffee plantation. Their approach to well-being highlights all things healing, nutrition, and relaxation. Benefit from private consultations and dietary guidance before advancing to pampering treatments such as body wraps, massage and Turkish Hammam. In between sessions, take part in daily complimentary classes like yoga and martial arts to fully maximise your wellness journey.
Thailand: Amatara Wellness Resort De-stress Spa & Wellness
A luxury hotel turned dedicated wellness resort, Amatara has become a benchmark for luxury wellness in Phuket over the years. Set atop a cliff overlooking Cape Panwa, almost every corner of the retreat is bound to jaw-dropping ocean views and extraordinary sunsets. De-stress in the most idyllic surroundings while sampling a range of relaxing spa therapies, including the world’s first Thai Hammam. Backed by ‘wellness cuisine’ and a variety of functional fitness activities, it’s the ideal healthy break that checks all your boxes.
St Lucia: BodyHoliday Optimal Wellness
All-inclusive resort, BodyHoliday located in sunny St Lucia, offers a holistic wellness experience to get your happy hormones surging. They’ve got you covered with a carefully planned program that incorporates important aspects of nutrition, exercise, rest and recovery. Your journey begins with a lifestyle consultation together with a nutritional assessment and fitness analysis. Then, you get to choose tailored experiences from yoga and meditation, personal training sessions to sleep enhancement and daily spa therapies. To ensure sustainable results, BodyHoliday experts will debrief and give you lifestyle recommendations to take home with you.
South Africa: Sante Wellness De-stress & Rejuvenate
Escape to Sante Wellness Retreat in beautiful Western Cape Winelands for a much-needed mind and body rejuvenation. Situated in a valley surrounded by magnificent mountains, Sante is an idyllic private getaway for anyone looking for a healthier shift in their lifestyle. You’re bound to have a pamper-filled stay with a selection of spa treatments and natural remedies designed for deep relaxation and healing. Channel your inner chef on evening cooking demos and learn from experts during a lifestyle and nutrition workshop to give you the right tools to continue your progress long after your stay.
Turkey: Six Senses Kaplankaya Sleep & De-stress
Six Senses Kaplankaya is a secluded wellness sanctuary set by the picturesque southern Aegean coast. Embrace a ‘live younger, longer’ attitude as you give your health a boost with a program designed to banish your blues away. Disengage from the stresses of daily life as you find your calm with sunrise yoga or a morning coastal walk, then sweat it out on a personal training session that will put you through your paces. Whatever your goals are, this Turkish getaway is guaranteed to help you take a step back and focus on your well-being.
Portugal: Vilalara Longevity Relax & Wellness
Chase the Summer sun in tranquility and style at the Longevity Medical Spa and Thalassotherapy Centre. Set along the infamous Algarve coast, the retreat boasts beautiful botanical gardens and ocean views to enjoy and explore. Relax with a traditional thalassotherapy experience alongside the powerful healing properties of marine sourced treatments including mud, seaweed and sand treatments. Benefit from a holistic wellness holiday that pampers you from the inside out and leaves you feeling revitalised than ever before.
Spain: Marbella Club Mediterranean Lifestyle
If you’re suffering from a bout of wintertime sadness, then a trip to Marbella Club over the Spanish summer season could be just what the doctor ordered. Not only will you enjoy a healthy dose of vitamin D, the Mediterranean Lifestyle program allows guests to benefit from Mediterranean nutrition and way of living. With all spa treatments drawing on the natural surroundings, experience healing through spa and beauty treatments like marine massages and utilise the locally-inspired Thalasso therapies that aim to bring balance back to your body.
Croatia: Sun Gardens Dubrovnik Spa
At Sun Gardens, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the variety of wellness offerings, from exhilarating land and water sports to the more grounding yoga, meditation and Tai Chi. The spa program is not one to be missed. It’s the first of its kind in Croatia, based around a holistic healing approach that uses all-natural ingredients in all of its treatments. With everything this wellness sanctuary has to offer, it would be tempting not to leave, but opportunities to explore Dubrovnik await with available tours to take you to the historic old town and other nearby adventures.
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