Perhaps it’s a New Year’s resolution of yours to concentrate on healthier living. Maybe you’ve recently experienced a life-changing event. Or maybe you just need a relaxing weekend getaway. Whatever it is that draws you in, wellness travel has a way of transforming outlooks on life. The goal, as with any journey, is to come back different from when you left.
And while you might think that going to a destination spa means lying around all day with cucumber slices over your eyes, the level of activity is really up to the traveler. With more than 30 resorts included in its wellness community, the Virtuoso network surely has one that fits your needs. You don’t need to ever set foot in a spa to have a transformative experience if that’s not your thing. There are plenty of ways to unwind and reset your perspective, and you can be as active as you want.
There are yoga and fitness classes, Zumba, nutrition classes and self-improvement lectures. Certain programs emphasize weight loss, while others focus on crafting, the outdoors or have various themed weeks.
On the menu is more than just wheatgrass shots and kale smoothies. Some resorts are strictly vegetarian, while others serve meat. Some serve alcohol, while others don’t. Lots of them offer cooking classes so you can learn techniques and ingredients to keep on a healthy track after you return home. Most programs are all-inclusive, offering a great value, and with fresh ingredients grown at or near the resort, you won’t find yourself going hungry.
While there are differences between wellness resorts, what they all have in common are gorgeous natural settings and a tremendous healing energy that pervades the grounds. Wellness escapes are great for friend groups, couples, and solo travelers. Whoever you’re traveling with, you’re bound to find a deeper connection with loved ones, whether they are with you or waiting for you back home.
Among the unique experiences wellness community members offer is equine therapy at Miraval Arizona Resort & Spa in Tucson. The classes, especially “It’s Not About the Horse,” help guests gain a perspective on how they approach life and better understand their own strengths and challenges. Pritikin Longevity Center + Spa in Miami has programs centered around heart health and diabetes. Canyon Ranch’s Tucson resort offers a golf clinic to work on your game in calmer times, and an emphasis on dealing with health crises in tenser times. Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico, southeast of San Diego, has hikes for all skill levels, including a nature walk that begins near the U.S. border and continues all the way to the resort through a 3,000-acre preserve.
Those are just a few examples of the restorative experiences to be had at Virtuoso-preferred wellness resorts. And if your idea of relaxation is a massage and a facial, well they’re great at that, too. Contact Stefany Di Manno Ceccato at DMC Travel Tailor (Dream Travel Designer/Co-Founder) at info@dmctraveltailor.com to find the resort that’s right for you.
By Damien Martin