For a growing number of travelers, it’s not enough to come back from vacation feeling rested and relaxed. They want to return transformed.

That’s the essence of wellness travel: an experience that challenges and restores your body, mind, and soul. Some wellness retreats focus more on the spiritual side, emphasizing meditation, yoga, or prayer. Others emphasize physical health with tailored spa treatments, exercise routines, outdoor activities and clean eating.

When planning your own trip, remember that you don’t have to adhere to anyone else’s idea of a wellness vacation. Maybe ecstatic dance and sound healing aren’t your thing, and that’s OK. Ask yourself: What restores me? What do I need at this point in my life? The answer might be mountain hikes, or hot-spring soaks, or a nurturing group retreat.

Remember, too, that travel insurance is a must! Even if you’re heading off on a sleep retreat where you plan to do nothing but relax, you need protection for common travel mishaps: travel delays, unexpected trip cancellations, lost and delayed baggage, medical emergencies, and more. Find out why more than 70 million American travelers each year choose Allianz Travel Insurance: Get a quote.

Wellness travel destinations for spiritual renewal

Continually inhabited for at least 3,000 years, Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India, is one of the world’s oldest living cities.  It’s a sacred place for Hindus, drawing pilgrims to the city’s famous ghats (riverfront steps) to bathe in the Ganges. Many also come here to die, or to cremate their loved ones. “It is a city that requires you to be sensitive, spiritual, careful, and open-minded – even if the experience is not quite the one you expected,” the Varanasi Tree of Life Resort advises.¹ Just northeast of Varanasi is another noted spiritual wellness destination: Sarnath, the place where the Buddha delivered his first sermon.

Scotland is a popular destination for spiritual travel, with sites from Druidic and early Christian history. Iconic places include the Standing Stones of Calanais on the Isle of Lewis, called the "Stonehenge of the North,” and the area around Kilmartin Glen on the west coast, which has more than 350 ancient stone structures: cairns, standing stones, prehistoric rock art, stone circles, forts and castles.² One unforgettable spiritual journey: the Way of St. Andrews, a recently revived set of pilgrimage routes that visits chapels, cathedrals and historic sites.

Set amid red-rock mountains, Sedona, Arizona is a desert destination north of Phoenix that’s known for its vortexes: mystical energy centers that can recharge, relax or restore you. For spiritual healing, local experts recommend an itinerary that includes hiking (or taking a Jeep) to noted vortex sites, visiting the architecturally striking Chapel of the Holy Cross, and signing up for activities like aromatherapy, reflexology, or energy work.

Another U.S. destination that draws seekers of the spiritual and supernatural is Mount Shasta, California. This volcano at the southern end of the Cascades, long considered sacred by local Native American tribes, has all kinds of lore associated with it.³ Some believe it’s the root chakra of the world. Some believe that there’s an ancient city hidden under Mt. Shasta called Telos, built by the otherworldly Lemurian people. Mt. Shasta has become a popular place for wellness travel, with experiences including energy healing, shaman ceremonies, yoga retreats, and meditation.

If connection with nature and community is your primary goal, the Hawaiian island of Maui is calling. It’s home to a world-renowned retreat center called Ala Kukui: “a non-profit community-based organization that believes in restoring meaning and purpose in traditional Hawaiian practices that enhance community.” There you’ll stay in simple accommodations and learn about native Hawaiian cultural traditions, including weaving, cooking, music, and dance.

Wellness travel destinations for physical wellbeing

There are few places as body-conscious as Miami, Florida, making it a popular destination for people who love eating clean, working out, and showing off the results. Carillon Miami Wellness Resort is famous for its 10,000 sq. ft. fitness center with panoramic ocean views and its wellness programs tailored to your specific desires. Go the spa route, with facials, massage, and hydrotherapy. Or try the “touchless wellness treatments,” which include vibrational and sound therapy, warm quartz sand poultices, and the MindSpa: a spa for your mind.

If you want to jump-start a physical transformation, Malibu, California is the place to do it. Specifically, check into The Ranch (if your travel budget permits). This legendary wellness retreat offers highly structured programs to help you detox and improve your mental and physical condition: “Your only job is to focus on you,” The Ranch says. Don’t expect it to be easy, however. Every day involves 4-6 hours of low-impact exercise, a group hike, restorative yoga, a daily massage, and a low-calorie, plant-based diet.

If you’re looking for a physical wellness retreat that’s a little more affordable, consider Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. You don’t need to stay at a special wellness resort; in Rio, fitness is social. In the many outdoor gyms, you’ll find people exercising all day long. Paths along the ocean draw runners, walkers and cyclists. Head to one of Rio’s famous beaches to swim, kitesurf, or play volleyball. Fresh fruit and salads abound.

With stunning beaches, forests and waterfalls, the Thai island of Koh Samui is a popular tourist destination. It’s known for its many excellent wellness resorts, each of which has a particular specialty. This might be yoga and breathwork, detox and weight management, Chinese medicine, or Thai massage. One of the best known Is Kamalaya, where the guiding principle is that nature heals. Follow the Pilgrim’s Trail through the property to the Monk’s Cave, a place used for centuries as a place for Buddhist monks’ meditation and spiritual retreat.

Maybe you’re just… tired. You don’t want to exercise for hours or do anything strenuous—you want to rest. Many wellness resorts offer programs to help you sleep better, not only on vacation but when you return home. One such destination is the Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort in Sri Lanka. Doesn’t that just sound like a place where you could snooze soundly? Anantara’s 5-day Deep Sleep program offers Ayurvedic therapies, mindfulness and a consultation with the Slumber Guru to help you have the best sleep of your life.

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