Wellness travel has been a burgeoning sector of travel for some time, and with the onset of Covid, it is topping travel requests more than ever. The pandemic forced many of us to rethink our priorities. The need for more balance in our lives was at a tipping point pre-Covid and then POW! We were forced to stay home, and suddenly that hectic lifestyle we were trying to figure out how to diminish was suddenly less hectic.
So the question became, “How can I maintain balance going forward?” “I don’t want to go back to the crazy treadmill my life was on pre-Covid.” Wellness travel is now on the radar for an even wider audience.
What is wellness travel? It means different things to different people, but basically in today’s world, it means focusing on your personal well-being by practicing being in the moment, being present, being mindful, slowing down, unplugging, eating healthy, the list is long. There are other factors which constitute wellness. The concept of wellness travel in my mind is holistic. What do I mean by that? If you crave adventure and/or physical activity, that’s wellness. If you enjoy giving back, that’s wellness. If you love to indulge in local experiences, that’s wellness. Knowing that the destination spa where you’re spending your precious time is doing good for the community and focused on regenerative practices adds to your sense of well-being. All of it is wellness!
What I look for & love when I go to a destination spa are:
- Are all my senses activated? From the moment I walk on property, I want to be transported with amazing smells. Be aurally wrapped with soft music or sounds. Run my hands over feel-good textures whether it be the furniture, bedding or the walls! Gaze upon beautiful indigenous artwork masterfully integrated into the natural surroundings. And finally, indulge in the most delicious, healthy dishes imaginable.
- Sense of place – when I look around, do I know I’m in India or could this place be anywhere?
- Regenerative practices – are they restoring, renewing and revitalizing their natural resources?
- Indigenous offerings – are they offering treatments indigenous to the region?
- Giving back programs – do part of my dollars spent go to the surrounding community or some type of philanthropic initiative?
These are just some of what I look for both for myself and for my clients. A destination spa is very different from a hotel with a great spa. But that’s a whole other discussion. For now, my purpose is to get you thinking about your goals for your next wellness destination trip. I love nothing more than matching you with the perfect place so you can realize your goals and emerge a stronger, healthier version of YOU!
Now this is what you call ‘making an entrance’
Arrival at Six Senses Zighy Bay in Oman
