Wellness Experiences to Plan for in 2021 Elaine Glusac

An alphabetical guide to blissful vacation pursuits. Signusupforthatfull-bodymassageorinvigoratingfacial,butwhenitcomestowellness,therearesomanymorerelaxing,indulgent,andlife-changingexperienceswaitingtobeenjoyedataspa.Wellnessisanythingthatfuelsthemind,body,orsoul,anddozensofVirtuosohotels,touroperators,cruiselines,anddestinationsspecializeintravelofthisfeel-goodvariety.Browseourglossarytofindinspirationforyournextwellnessgetaway–whoknows,youmightjustfallinlovewithforestbathing.

Art for Relaxation Theactofclearingenergyblocksandunlockingcreativitythroughartisticexpression.It’sapracticethatoftenengagesallofthesenses.TRYIT:InTucson,the146-roomMiravalArizonaResort&Spaoffersclassesinphotography,jewelrymaking(withchakra-balancinggemstones),painting,andevenfinger

paintingusingalivehorseasthecanvas.•Signupforthecreative-artstrackduringastayatTexas’nature-focused,40-roomLakeAustinSpaResortandyou’lldabbleinwatercolorpainting,collagecrafting,andbraceletmaking.

Bali AverdantIndonesianislandthatmanywellnesspilgrimsproclaimasacenterofhealingandbalance(especiallyaroundtherainforestsandricefieldsofUbud).TRYIT:BeforeembarkingonaBalipassagewithOceaniaCruises,travelersshouldconsiderafour-daypre-cruiselandprogramontheisland.Activitiesincludevisitinganartisanalbatikclothingfactory,payingrespectsatthesixteenth-centuryTanahLotTemple(locatedonadramaticoutcropofblacklava),ortakingatourofgreenricefields.•NearUbud,the30-roomCOMOShambhalaEstateblendsoutdooractivitiessuchasbikingandhikingwithyoga,Ayurvedicmedicine,andfreshcuisine.

Cryotherapy Usedbyprofessionalathletestospeedrecovery,cryotherapyexposesthebodytotemperatureswaybelowfreezing.Thetreatmentpumpsoxygenthroughthebody,reducinginflammationandpromotingtheburningoffat.TRYIT:TheRanchMalibuoffersguestsofits18roomstheuseofacryotherapysaunatoacceleratetheresultsofitsintense,seven-dayfitnessprogram.•OverlookingSwitzerland’sLakeLucerne,the160-roomWaldhotelHealth&MedicalExcellencemaintainsanIcelabforguestswhowanttopartakeinmetabolism-boostingicesessions.

Doctors in the House Manyoftheworld’smostadvancedspasmaintainastaffofdoctorswhoprovidebaselineassessmentsandscientificguidanceforrecommendedgoals.TRYIT:InAlicante,Spain,the104-roomSHAWellnessClinicemploysmorethan35doctorswhohelpindividualizeguests’treatments,rangingfromcolonhydrotherapytodentalservicestocognitivestimulation.•InBaden-Baden,aGermanresorttownknownforitsthermalsprings,themedicalservicesatthe104-roomBrennersPark-Hotel&SparunthegamutfromtraditionalChinesemedicinetonaturopathicandaestheticmedicine.

AnotherperkatSHAWellnessClinic–stunnerviewsoftheSierraHeladamountainrange.Photo by SHA Wellness Clinic Essential-Oil Blending Theuseofaplant-extractedoilmixtureinspatreatments,suchasmassages.Severalspasoffercustomapothecaryblending.TRYIT:Betweenpaddleboardingatsunriseandsalutingsundowninyogaclass,guestscancreatetheirownmassageoils(featuringlocalbotanicals)atthe297-roomAndazMauiatWaileaResort.•Anherb-filledapothecary,wherehealersknownasmanossantascreatecustommassageoils,greetsspaguestsinthegardensettingofSpaBotánicoatthe115-roomDoradoBeach,aRitz-CarltonReserveinPuertoRico.

Forest Bathing FromtheJapanesetermshinrin-yoku–“takingintheforestatmosphere”–forestbathingisthepracticeofimmersingoneselfinnature.Itcanresultinhealthbenefitssuchasreducedstressandimprovedmood.TRYIT:Travelerscantakeaone-totwo-hourguidedwalkontheDoubleBranchNatureTrailinTennessee’sGreatSmokyMountains,learningaboutlocalplantsandanimalsatthe5,200-acre,44-roomBlackberryMountain,openedin2019.•InItaly’snortheasternAltoAdigeregion,the20-roomCastelFragsburgtakesitsnamefromthesurroundingforest.HolistichealingexpertBelléFloraleadsgueststhroughmeditation,breathingexercises,yoga,andotheroutdoorexperiences.

Good Night’s Sleep Sleeptherapyinvolveslearninghowtoswitchoffdistractionsandenjoyarestfulslumber.Itpromoteshealthyweightlossandstressreduction.TRYIT:TheSleep

withSixSensesprogramatPortugal’s60-roomSixSensesDouroValley(andavailableatotherSixSensesHotels,Resorts&Spasworldwide)diagnosesinsomniapatterns,trackssleepwithanapp,andprovidesrest-promotingamenities,suchasorganicbeddingandeyemasks.•The212roomsattheEquinoxHotel,NYCaredesignedtopromotedeepsleepamidthefrenzyofManhattanwiththermostatssetattemperaturesthatinducesleepandsuper-luxemattresses.

Holistic Healing Atreatmentplanthataddressesthecompleteperson–mind,body,andspirit–inthepursuitofoptimalwellness.TRYIT:Guestsofthe86-roomRanchoLaPuertaFitnessResortandSpainTecate,Mexico,canchoosefrommorethan50exerciseclassesofferedeveryday,plusmindfulnesssessions,artworkshops,cookingclasses,andtreatmentsinAyurveda,acupuncture,andmore.•The71-roomRosewoodPhuket’sAsayaspaoffersguestsholisticcleansingopportunitieswithenergy-balancingtreatments,lymphaticmassages,anddelicious–healthy–dining.Atthe413-roomRosewoodHongKong,thesamecleanseprogramalsooffersnutritioncounseling,metabolictraining,yoga,andmore.

OutdooryogapracticeatMiiamo.Photo by Mii amo Indigenous Treatments SpatreatmentsthathonortheholistictraditionsofNativeAmericansandpayrespecttonatureandthecycleoftheseasons.TRYIT:NestledintheredrocksofSedona’sBoyntonCanyon,Miiamo,a16-roomdestinationspa,offersNativeAmerican-inspiredpractices,suchasguidedimagery,whichadvancesself-awarenessandclarifiesintentions.•The179-roomFaenaHotelMiamiBeachspecializesinshaman-inspiredtherapieswithethically

sourcedindigenousingredientsfromSouthAmerica,Nepalesesingingbowls,andpurifyingPaloSantosmoke.

Jogging Theactofrunningatagentlepace,whichcanoffercardiovascularbenefits,improvemood,andprovidephysicalconditioning.TRYIT:WhentheU.S.-Canadaborderreopens,joinlocalsforajogalongVancouver,BritishColumbia’s5.5-mileStanleyParkseawall,whichimmersestravelersinascenicpartofthecitywhererainforestmeetsocean.•Atthe332-roomResortatPelicanHill,schedulean8:30a.m.jog(orfitnesswalk)inthefreshcoastalairthatexploresnearbyCrystalCovebeaches.

Kelp Avarietyofseaweedthathaslongbeenastapleintraditionalmedicine.It’sincreasinglyshowingupinhydrating,antioxidant,andvitamin-richspatreatments.TRYIT:Fittingly,theSereneSpa&WellnessservicesaboardRegentSevenSeasCruisesshipsofferanarrayofmassages,bodywork,andfacialsusinghydrating,seaweed-basedproducts.•InCaboSanLucas,Mexico,the115-roomWaldorfAstoriaLosCabosPedregalbringstheoceaninsidethespabyusinghand-harvestedseaweedextractsinitsscrubs,wraps,andmasks.

Life Skills Necessaryskillsforeverydaypractice(fromgroceryshoppingtoprocessinggrief),andabigcomponentofhealthy-livingprogramsofferedatmanywellnessresorts.TRYIT:CanyonRanchResortsofferseverallife-coachingopportunities.The158-roomCanyonRanch,Tucsonoffersfour-toeight-dayplansfocusedonworkingthroughmajorlifetransitionsandmilestones,incorporatinggoal-setting,expert-ledtalks,wellnesswalks,andmore.(AlsoofferedatCanyonRanch,Lenox.)•The269-roomFourSeasonsHotelWestlakeVillageinCaliforniaofferslife-balanceandmindfulnesssessionsincludingone-on-onelessonsinstressreduction(follow-upsessionsareavailable)andrelationshipcoaching.

Mindfulness Thestateofbeingfullyawareandattentivetoyourpresentsenses;it’spracticedthroughmeditationtoreducestress,strengthenconnections,andimprovefocus.TRYIT:CruiselineSeabournpartneredwithholisticguruDr.AndrewWeiltolaunchamindfullivingprogramacrossitsfleet;itincludesmeditationandyogaclasses,mindandbodyseminars,andholisticspatreatments.•Threetypesofmeditationexperiencesatthe142-roomCavalloPoint’sHealingArts

Center&Spahelpguestsreleasestresswithoptionstopracticewithaguideoroptintoabeginning’soradvancedsession.

ThepathtowellnessatCanyonRanch,Tucson.Photo by Canyon Ranch, Tucson Nutrition Theprocessofeatingfoodthatsatisfiesthebody’sdailyrequirements.(Whatweknowabouttheserequirementsisshiftingwithnewresearchandtechnology.)TRYIT:WithAmberTours–India,travelerscometoanorganicfarmtolearnaboutlocalfoodsandspices,makemarinades,andcookahealthymiddaymeal.•Therapistsatthe150-roomCarillonMiamiWellnessResortuseIVtherapytoinjectkeynutrientsandvitaminsintoguests;therangeofbeneficialeffectsincludeseverythingfromovercomingjetlagtocurbingcravings.•Atthe130-roomMarbellaClubHotelinSpain,guestscandineondedicatedwellnessdishes(healthy,locally-sourcedMediterraneanmeals)andjuicesmadefromfruitsinthehotel’sgardensandinfusedwitharomaticmedicinalherbscuratedbyin-housenutritionists.Oxygen Facial Aspatreatmentthatsteamspressurizedoxygenovertheskin;thehydratingfacialcanmakethefaceappearsmoother,plumper,andyounger.TRYIT:Oxygen,vitamins,andserumscombinetocreateage-defyingresultsduringtheoxygeninfusionfacialsatthe89-roomSolage,anAubergeResortinNapaValley.•InTexasHillCountry,496-roomLaCanteraResort&SpaoffersguestsamenuofoxygenfacialsfeaturingproductsfromLindaMeredithAdvancedSkinCare.•Bookthe50-minuteoxygenatingfacialwithavitaminPPandhexapeptide-8

maskforfirmer,fresherskinatthe425-room1HotelSouthBeach’sBamfordWellnessSpa.Pilgrimages Atspas,hikeswithculturalhistoriescanturnessentialexerciseintoasecularmeditativeexperience.TRYIT:GuestsatMaui’s450-roomFairmontKeaLanicanfollowtheresort’s“energyambassador”ona4-milecoastaltrekalongtheHoapiliTrail,whichwascreatedinthesixteenthcenturytounifytheisland’s12moku(districts).•Callitapilgrimageofadifferentkind:VisitorstoSantaBarbaracanasktheirtraveladvisorabout“trekking”thecity’sUrbanWineTrail’s26tastingroomstolearnabouttheregion’swinecountryandwinemakingculture.Quiet Time Theartofsilence,oftenpracticedatspas,whichencouragesmindfulnessandwardsoffdistractionsinatraveler’squestforinnerpeace.TRYIT:Guestsatthe37-roomAmanbagh(partoftheglobalAmanresortsbrand)inruralRajasthan,India,canjourneywithayogapsychologisttotheinfrequentlytouristedruinsofBhangarhforaprivatesunrisemeditationandhathayogasession.•OverlookingItaly’sLakeGarda,the93-roomLefayResort&SPALagodiGardaofferssixsaunas,fiverelaxationareas,andatherapeuticenergygardenforpracticingtaichi,qigong,andyoga.•Atthe114-roomSantaMarinaresortinMykonos,theGinkgoSpabringspeaceandquiettotravelerswiththesignaturehammamtreatmentincludingadeep-cleanserevitalizingscrub,foammassage,nourishingmarine-mudbodymask,andmore.Reflexology Apracticerootedinthebeliefthatdifferentareasofthefeetcorrespondtospecificareasinthebody,sothatapplyingpressuretothefeetpromotesoverallhealth.TRYIT:EspaLifeatthe283-roomCorinthiaHotelLondonrecommendsreflexologytreatmentstoreleaseblocksandpromotedeeprelaxation.•InPortugal,bookafive-dayVitalDestressprogramatthe170-roomVilaVitaParcResort&Spa;itprovidesguestswithreflexologysessions,aerialyoga,andaguidedmeditationthattakesplaceonaclifftopfacingtheAtlanticOcean.

LefayResort&SPALagodiGardaoffersindoorandoutdoormassagetreatments.Photo by Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda Spiritual Journeys Anindividualquestofmeditation,self-fulfillment,andsacredexperiences.TRYIT:BoutiquetouroperatorTrailsofIndochinaprovidesotherworldlyitinerariesinCambodia,Laos,Myanmar,Thailand,andVietnam,fromasacredoil-lamplightingceremonyatMyanmar’sShwedagonPagodatocustomizedwellnessimmersionsinPhuket.•InThailandwiththehelpofaVirtuosotraveladvisor,embarkonaspiritualtourthroughBangkok,completewithroyaltemplesandthefamousRecliningBuddha.

Talking to Animals Fromtherapydogsatairportstogoatyogaclasses,today’strendinganimalinteractionsaimtorelievestressandlowerbloodpressure.TRYIT:Beforewinetastingsessions,cookingclasses,orzip-liningthrougharedwoodforest,guestsatthe50-roomCalistogaRanch,anAubergeResortinNapaValleycantakeamorningstrolltomeettheproperty’sresidentgoats,OliveandPepper,andgatherfresheggsfromthechickencoopforbreakfast.

Ultra Fitness Next-levelathleticchallengesandelitetrainingforindividualswhoarefocusedonafitness-firstlifestyle.TRYIT:Guestsofthe155-roomBodyHolidayinSaintLuciacanparticipateinanislandquadrathlon,whichcombinesmountainbiking,running,rappelling,andkayaking.•AtScottsdale,Arizona’s116-roomSanctuaryonCamelbackMountainResort&Spa,guestscanenrollinatriathlontrainingprogramthatfeaturesproinstructionfromOlympicgoldmedalswimmerMistyHyman.•Electricmountain-biking,horsebackriding,tennislessonsandmorefilltherosteratthe96-roomSenseiLana’i,AFourSeasonsResortinHawaii.

Vegan, Vegetarian Meat-free,plant-baseddiets.Manyvegetariansdon’teatmeatbutwilleateggsanddairyproducts;vegansabstainfromallanimal-sourcedfoods.TRYIT:TheItalCaféatJamaica’s153-roomHalfMoonfeaturesamenuinspiredbylocalItalcuisine,akaRastafarianveganfare.Therawveganmenushowcaseslocalproducesuchasplantains,pumpkinseeds,andackee.•VirtuosoadvisorscanasktheGreaterPalmSpringsConvention&VisitorsBureautopointvisitorstowardchicdiningspotswithrobustveganandvegetarianoptions,suchasNature’sHealthFood&Café,ChefTanya’sKitchen,PalmGreensCafé,andothers.

Water Immersion Spatreatmentsthatinvolvesubmergingthebodyinwater;suchtreatmentsarerootedinthebeliefthattakingtothewaterisincrediblytherapeutic.TRYIT:Mexico’s267-roomGrandVelasRivieraNayaritofferhydrothermaljourneysthroughmultiplewater-basedexperiences,includingacolor-therapysteamroom.•Atthe235-roomThePeninsulaNewYork,dailyaqua-robicsclassestakeplaceintheglass-enclosedswimmingpoolamidfloor-to-ceilingteakcolumns.

ExploreScottsdalewithSanctuaryonCamelbackMountainResort&Spaasyourhomebase.Photo by Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain Resort & Spa X (and Y) Chromosome Testing TheuseofDNAtestingtoexamineaperson’sgenesandprescribecustomfitnessandnutritionregimes.TRYIT:Guestsofthe49-roomRanchoValenciaResort&SpainSouthernCaliforniareceiveepigeneticadviceonfitness,detoxing,sleep,relationships,andbalance–allbasedonresultsofgenetictesting.

Yoga Iterations Traditionalyogaremainspopular,butvarietiesoftheancientHindudisciplineareevolvingascreativepractitionersfinddivertingwaysforstudentstotakepart.TRYIT:The540-roomFairmontOrchid,Hawaiioffersflo-yo–floatingyogapracticedonastand-uppaddleboard.Itcombinesatotalbodyworkoutwithmind-bodybalance.•IntheDominicanRepublic,the60-roomEdenRocCapCanaoffersantigravityyoga,apracticethatusessuspendedsilkhammockstohelprealignthebody.

Zen Goals ZenBuddhismdirectsadherentstomeditateonbeinginthepresentforenlightenment,apracticebeingnurturedatmanyspasthatencouragegueststotunein.TRYIT:TheBlueMindfulnessbeachhikeatCalifornia’s400-roomMonarchBeachResorttakesguestsonaninnerjourneyencouragedbytherhythmofthePacificOcean’swaves.•InserenesouthernVietnam,theAnantaraSpaatthe26-roomAnantaraQuyNhonVillasoffersprivatemeditationsessionswithalocalmonk.