Whether you’re a long-time wellness warrior or wanting to kickstart your wellness plan for the first time, it’s never too late to launch your journey to a better way of living. We’ve asked Ava Roxanne Stritt of Spa Travel Gal to share her best recommendations for wellness travel locations that should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Desert Oasis – Civana
Photo Credit – Ava Roxanne Stritt of Spa Travel Gal
You may have found your way to Phoenix or Scottsdale, but travel a bit farther north and you can be free of possibly the world and all your cares in Carefree, Arizona. At Civana are many spots to drift away and find your flow, whether it is with an aerial yoga class, a smoothie from the cafe, or a hike in the desert. Foodies will be in for an extra treat here with their gourmet meals with no additives and local finds like fresh kumquats.
Spa lovers will also find their own silent sanctuary at their hydrotherapy circuit that allows you to focus on your own inner peace and outer balance. It aids in relaxing both your muscles and your mind! Since it was quite rainy when I was there, I found my solace in the just opened 22,000 luxury spa. There is not a better place to give your muscles what they need after a good workout. My daughter Alexis and I loved their aerial yoga classes so much we did not want to leave. They finish the class with a cocoon float in your silks with mists of rose water.
Civana is definitely a place to seek deeply, travel lightly and live fully. This is a very sustainable resort.
Swiss Life – Buergenstock Hotel’s Alpine Spa
When I visited this amazing luxury spa resort, Bürgenstock Hotel & Alpine Spa, Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, I think I heard my mouth drop. The Bürgenstock Hotel’s Alpine Spa is breathtaking with views of the Swiss Alps and Lake Lucerne. Their spa lounge alone can make you linger for hours. Take a look here at a video of the spa lounge and see if you agree! I did not want to leave and just being there made me feel serene.
The hotel’s spa director, Hanneke Stoop says, “Going to a spa is a way of improving your health and at the same time generating a sense of wellbeing. And when you visit one as extraordinary as our Alpine Spa, you will definitely feel like you are floating in the clouds.” I can confirm that!
All I can say is this little town is where both my husband and I dream of returning to and staying for a while — a long while one day. One of our favorite meals of all time was here at Taverne 1879. Where on the sun terrace you can hear the swiss cow bells ringing as the cows in the distance meander around their picture-perfect pastures. Here one dines on healthy local cuisine surrounded by charm and hospitality dating back to 1879. Sometimes one does not need a formal wellness schedule when they are surrounded by so much serenity as found in Bürgenstock, Switzerland.
The Golden Ticket – Golden Door
This Asian-inspired resort offers programs designed to help care for and transform both your body and mind. The Golden Door all-inclusive program includes fitness classes, healthy food, hiking across more than 600 acres of open space and spa treatments. Relax and unwind while strolling through the Japanese gardens or while sipping a cup of tea by the koi pond. Morning hikes take you up toward the palm tree-topped mountains, through the vegetable garden and around the orange groves.
Later, nourish yourself with a healthy snack that has come straight from those same gardens and orange groves before your next activity. Enjoy a yoga, meditation or archery class, then work on your personal fitness goals with some of the best trainers around. This resort really tailors the experience to be exactly what you need – even if it is a light hot chocolate before bed.
While my journey there was a few years ago, I have since dreamed of returning and furthering my wellness journey. My dear friend Maria Mungo of Palmetto Foodie just returned this past week. She says, “The Golden Door was my saving grace! From the hiking, meditations, speakers, massages every day, and delicious farm-to-table meals. It was just what I needed. I loved sharing meals with women whom I’ve never met, and getting to know them without the interruption of cell phones. It was a true mind-body connection for me.”
This unique resort is all about rediscovering your own personal center and moving forward in your life from there.
My Bucket List – Lake Louise Wellness
As a wellness warrior myself, I have my own personal bucket list of wellness destinations I have yet to experience. Top on my list is the Fairmont Lake Louise, where many retreats are held each year. You can see what is offered here at Lake Louise Wellness.
This world class, bucket list destination is in the heart of Banff National Park. The backdrop of the Canadian Rockies offers the perfect location to immerse yourself into wellness adventures ranging from self-discovery to a rejuvenation of your spirit. This alpine oasis offers a lot to the wellness warrior.
This fall I hope to check it off my own bucket list after I take another Rocky Mountaineer luxury train journey as one of their Ambassadors. Some of their journeys take you to the Fairmont Lake Louise. Fingers crossed!
Why Wellness
“Wellness retreats give you the opportunity to remove yourself from your everyday hustle and solely focus on your health,” explains Sassy Greyson-Williams, a ballerina and founder of Naturally Sassy. “Without distractions you can fully immerse yourself in the teachings and offerings available to you. If you’re new to wellness, this education could help you find a routine that will work for you, and give you the space to try new things. If you’re a wellness connoisseur, this is a great opportunity to connect with like-minded men and women who are on the same journey.”
The Wellness Tourism Association says that “taking time for self-care is the new luxury”. Your body deserves some luxury.
Here you can also find some more wellness travel inspiration.
So why are you not planning your next bucket list wellness adventure right now?
Latest posts by Ava Roxanne Stritt (see all)
- How to relax in the Canadian Rockies - December 5, 2019
- 8 great reasons to check out France’s Alsace region—lavender fields included! - November 22, 2019
- 7 reasons Charleston is the best new place to unwind - November 4, 2019
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