wellness travel trends 2023

Well and Good Travel

The Top 16 Wellness Travel Trends in 2023

As we emerge from the years that changed all of our lives in some way or another, people want to travel! And not just travel, but travel to improve their well-being. 2023 is the year of revival! With burnout, isolation, anxiety, and depression at all-time highs, people want to break free and feel better . Gone are the days when we fly away for a weekend of debauchery, only to return worse-off. Today people use travel instead as a proactive betterment of their health and well-being. So let’s dig in and see – what 2023 wellness travel trends are we likely to see in the new year?

According to all the polls, travelers are looking for travel that improves their physical, mental, and spiritual condition, and that they can feel good about participating in. Travelers are more aware of the impact travel has on the planet and communities now more than ever, and they will become increasingly interested in the well-being of the people and places they visit.

There is also evidence of a strong desire for a sense of community. Thanks to social media, remote work, and the increasing siloing of our lives – people are craving human connection and seeking it in their travel.

What is Wellness Travel?

Wellness travel, or wellness tourism, is the intersection of the travel industry and the wellness industry. It is travel that incorporates healthy habits, activities, and other experiences that maintain or improve physical, mental, emotional, financial, or other components of your well-being.

The Global Wellness Institute defines it as: “ travel associated with the pursuit of maintaining or enhancing one’s personal wellbeing “. Wellness travelers seek remedies to stress, disease, and monotony through retreats, beautiful destinations, and authentic experiences.

And, it’s blowing up. The wellness tourism market is expected to see a compound annual growth rate of 9.93% from 2022 to 2030, and be worth $1 trillion.

Travel isn’t something we indulge in once a year anymore, it’s part of our wellness routine now. In 2023 travel looks like healing, moving, and learning. It’s colorful, engaging, and restorative. Out with the going hard and in with the balance. Let’s take a look at 2023 wellness travel trends and how they fit into the different pillars of wellness.

Physical Wellness

In 2023 we want to return from vacation feeling physically well. We want to prioritize movement, healthy meals, and sleep. Hilton’s 2023 trends report shows that people want enhanced wellness offerings. For example, access to unique spa treatments, fitness activities (beyond the hotel gym), and healthier food options. People are recognizing travel as an essential part of their wellness routine and want to be able to maintain their physical wellness while they travel in order to fulfill their mental and spiritual wellness.

Trend #1: Soaking and Steaming

Saunas, steam baths, and thermal soaks are on our priority list. More and more people are catching on to the benefits of heat therapy and the travel industry is noticing. People are choosing the hotel or rental with the sauna over the one without.

It’s so popular now that an increasing number of resorts are building new sauna and hydrotherapy complexes to keep up with the new (old) trend. One resort in Colorado even built 41 Japanese-inspired soaking tubs around their concert venue so people can soak while they watch live music.

Soaking and steaming (heat and hydrotherapy) also make for popular wellness activities when traveling. Your hotel or Airbnb may not have a sauna but you can find some sort of heat therapy almost anywhere – and each destination has its own cultural take on it. For example, in Mexico you can partake in their version of a traditional steam bath, called a Temazcal .

Trend #2: Walking, Trekking, and Other Mindful Movement

Move over pool lounge chair, we’re moving on this vacation! Body immunity and fitness retreats are growing in popularity. As people turn their attention to building back their immunity and improving their overall health condition after the pandemic they’re looking to movement. Movement retreats are a way to travel and meaningfully maintain or improve physical and mental health.

Movement retreats usually include healthy meal plans and are located in stunning destinations. For example, Greece offers a number of yoga, hiking and fitness retreats year-round. Not into the whole retreat part? Try a hiking vacation like this Tour du Mont Blanc trek . Spending ten+ days in the mountains will absolutely change your physical and mental health – trust me.

Trend #3: Recovery Treatments

Recovery treatments for the body beyond soaking and steaming, like cryotherapy, oxygen and light therapy, acupuncture, and physiotherapy (to realign your hunched shoulders) are popular. Wellness hubs and hotels are incorporating these amenities into their spa programs now.

SIRO , a new fitness-led hotel brand hopes to lead the fitness and recovery hospitality space by making health and wellness attainable while traveling. They offer top-of-the-line wellness facilities and programs centered around fitness, nutrition, sleep, recovery, and mindfulness. Each hotel even has a dedicated Recovery Lab offering the latest technology to reduce stress, and improve blood circulation and sleep.

Emotional / Mental Wellness

This new generation of travelers is traveling for their well-being. They see the toll sedentary lifestyles, poor diets, overworking, and other lifestyle choices have taken on older generations. And, they’re seeing firsthand the impacts of increased isolation and technology use on their peers. We’re seeing a mindset shift in the younger generation. Younger travelers are opting for wellness-based getaways and seeking out restorative, healing experiences on their travel.

Polls show that younger generation travelers are willing to spend more on their travels if it means it will improve their state of mind. Gen-Z specifically is looking for drug-free, non-invasive approaches to manage stress and anxiety and lead more healthy and balanced lives. Escaping routine, learning a new language/navigating new places, and allowing yourself time to rest and rejuvenate. These are great ways to combat the modern challenges people experience today.

In addition, traveling is a great way to build confidence in yourself and your capabilities. It’s the opposite of social media – the land of comparison and inaction. Here are some of the 2023 wellness travel trends we’re seeing that improve mental and emotional wellness.

Trend #4: Arts and Crafts

Yep, arts and crafts. Working with your hands is calming and engaging. When you indulge in your creative side the world around you often melts away. When your hands and your right brain are activated you don’t have time to scroll or think about stressful thoughts.

Creative play can improve mood and reduce anxiety. If you need help relaxing on vacation, try taking an art class or participating in a craft workshop. Many hotels are incorporating arts and crafts classes into their programming now. A hotel in Santa Fe celebrates the relaxing nature of arts and crafts by offering a variety of classes. Take a painting class, learn the art of ancient lettering and journaling, make your own incense, or take a seed working class.

Trend #5: Animal Therapy Retreats

We all know that being around animals has a positive impact on our mental health. Well, hotels and retreats are taking their wellness programs a step further and incorporating animals for an additional boost of dopamine. You may have heard of goat yoga, but did you know there’s a whole realm of wellness programs that feature all sorts of animals? Dogs and horses are the most popular but you may encounter programs that feature chickens, birds, pigs, and more.

This low-tech and reasonably accessible way to reduce stress and increase our feelings of well-being is gaining popularity in the hospitality industry. From full-day excursions that include meditation on horseback, and painting horses (yes you read that right), to bird watching with a resident resort guide, we’re seeing variations of animal therapy pop up everywhere.

Some hotels offer appointments with their resident therapy dog, and one hotel in Santa Fe actually partners with a humane society to foster puppies year-round. Guests are able to play with and spend time with the puppies, and can even adopt them if they are so inclined. We love to see it!

Trend #6: Dopamine Travel

Speaking of dopamine, have you heard the term ‘dopamine travel’? Because according to data it’s a thing. To combat growing burnout people are booking trips to ‘dopamine destinations’. These are destinations with bright and bold contrasting colors, vibrant sites, sounds, and smells all of which help to stimulate those coveted ‘feel good’ chemicals. To paint a more clear picture, some of the top dopamine travel destinations are India, Mexico, and Morocco.

Trend #7: Slow Travel

Slow travel is a popular term in travel and wellness spaces. It’s an approach to travel that emphasizes spending more time in one place versus jumping from one destination to the next to “see as much as you can”. This allows for a deeper connection to local people, cultures, food, and music and an understanding of other ways of living.

Slow travel is balanced and intentional, and emphasizes supporting local businesses and veering off the main tourist routes. It’s conscious, mindful travel. Consequently, this style of travel is less stressful and more sustainable (mentally).

Trend #8: Emotional Healing & Holistic Wellness Retreats

These are multi-day, guided, intention-driven retreats. Think meditation and yoga retreats, retreats in nature and retreats focused on personal growth. They typically address lifestyle and focus on developing tools to manage stress. Emotional healing retreats allow you the space to acknowledge, process, and release painful experiences and strong emotions that might be holding you back in life.

Trend #9: The “Workcation”

Workcation, the pandemic evolution of “bleisure” (business and pleasure) blends work and play on another level and it looks like it’s here to stay. The concept? Log in from anywhere in the world during your working hours and enjoy wherever you are on your off hours as if you are on vacation. The ultimate manifestation of work-life balance.

As this trend continues to grow we’re seeing more hotels offer ‘workcation’ packages, and short and long-term rentals feature workstations to attract remote workers. A desk and high-speed internet are critical amenities these days. Popular workcation destinations? Arizona, Wyoming, Hawaii, Colorado, Florida, and Georgia.

Spiritual Wellness

The theme is inner peace. People want to get more in touch with themselves. This is looking like off-grid, culturally rich, tech-free, and sometimes solo trips. Polls show travelers are seeking more engaging experiences to connect to friends, family, cultures, and the planet on a deeper level. These desires manifest as the following 2023 wellness travel trends.

Trend #10: Digital Detox, Off-Grid Travel

With the desire to disappear into a pre digital era, there is an increased percentage of travelers searching for and booking off-grid style vacations. According to a Booking.com poll, travelers are using off-grid trips as opportunities to learn survival skills, bathe in nature, or participate in other outdoor adventure activities.

Companies like Unplugged and Getaway , which offer off-grid cabins and boxes to lock up your devices, are seeing major growth through the end of 2022. There are actually several companies they partner with who offer digital detoxes to their employees and they’re creating more locations to meet the demand. You can read about my experience at a Getaway Cabin in Washington State here .

Trend #11: Plant Medicine & Ayurveda

We’re seeing a resurgence of interest in plant medicine, specifically Ayurveda and psilocybin, as a powerful tool to connect with intuition and achieve greater mind, body, and spirit wellness. As I mentioned earlier, the younger generation realizes they need to take responsibility for their health and longevity into their own hands. One way they are doing this is engaging in ancient preventative medicine.

People interested in these experiences are interested in transformational travel more generally as well. Individuals, organizations, the spa and hospitality industries, and the travel sector more broadly are seeing demand for these types of experiences and building out programs to support them.

Trend #12: Solo Travel

No travel partner? No problem! Traveling solo is gaining momentum among 65+, Gen-Z, and millennials. Choosing to go solo means more time with yourself, no coordinating, and no compromising.

Additionally, traveling solo travel also allows for more growth and transformation. Solo travel builds confidence, proving strength and capability. If you’re trying to get in sync with your own power, try taking a solo trip 🙂

Trend #13: Traveling to Gather

While solo travel is on the rise, so is traveling with the purpose of being with a group. This is where the longing for sense of community comes in – people are willing to fly anywhere to connect. We’re seeing more family travel and more friend group travel/meetups. These trips are often built around an activity too – retreat, reunion, adventure. Going through an experience together strengthens bonds and releases feel good chemicals.

Environmental Wellness

Trend #14: climate-friendly/sustainable travel.

Wellness for the planet is a major 2023 wellness travel trend. Nowadays, travelers want to know what the hotel or resort they are staying at is doing to minimize its impact on the environment and surrounding community. Whether it’s contributing to a conservation program, using recycled building materials, or offering pull-chain showers – guests want to see that they are spending their money somewhere that has a small and sustainable footprint.

We’re seeing more and more travelers choose to vacation in green cities and sustainable destinations in the face of climate change. Of course, they may still be hopping on long flights, but until there is an alternative there, we might as well be more conscious in the ways that we can – like the destination.

Trend #15: Regenerative Travel

AKA, travel that gives back to people and place/leaves a place better than you found it. This concept applies in many fields – agriculture, development, etc. The definition of regeneration is “the process of renewal, restoration, and growth that makes genomes, cells, organisms, and ecosystems resilient to natural fluctuations or events that cause disturbance or damage”. When applied to travel, the idea is to restore communities/destinations and then make the community/destination resilient to, and benefit from, travel.

A good way for a traveler to know if they are staying in regenerative accommodations or are participating in regenerative travel experiences is to ask questions. How was the hotel built? Are staff being treated well? How is the local environment being protected? How is the hotel or tour supporting the local community?

Hotels are slowly but surely catching on and encouraging philanthropic and sustainable efforts amongst guests by making regenerative efforts more accessible. Many incorporate give-back initiatives to local communities on-site, sustainable purchasing, and recommending attractions and creating partnerships with charities connected to community and environmental impact.

Want to stay in a regenerative hotel? Then check out Regenerative Travel , a booking agency that vets members based on metrics such as carbon usage, employee well-being, immersive guest activities and sourcing local food.

Trend # 16: Air-Free Travel

As the pandemic forced everyone to stay closer to home, alternative ways of travel began to spike. In turn, people realized that there was so much more to be seen in their back yards. As we emerge from the pandemic, planet-friendly transportation options and close to home trips are still on the rise.

This isn’t just because people realized there was more to do close to home. It has become more common in the travel sphere for people to actually feel guilty traveling by plane. There’s even a word for this in Swedish, “smygflyga”, which translates to “flight shame”.

For both of these reasons we’re seeing sustained spikes in travel via train (one of the most climate-friendly options), car, and public transport. Airlines have noticed this and several are investing in sustainable fuel and carbon offsetting options. For example,  Southwest Airlines  recently announced a plan for carbon neutrality by 2050.  

2023 Wellness Travel Trends Wrap-Up

Some themes that are easily pulled from this list are regeneration (for people and the planet), relaxation, small footprint travel, and desire for spiritual fulfillment. This list of 2023 wellness travel trends tells me a lot about our society right now. People are overworked, they’re grasping for some sense of community and belonging. People are worried about the state of our planet, and worried about the state of our older generations. Younger generations are determined to turn the future of their health and the health of the climate around.

This is manifesting in travel in many ways. Travelers are opting for:

• Off-the-beaten-path destinations
• Transformational, healing experiences (traditional ceremonies, retreats, partaking in meditation or spiritual practices)
• Taking the train or going on a roadtrip over flying
• Choosing more outdoor adventure travel
• Taking up local art classes on trips
• Choosing locations with animals
• Longer-term stays
• Choosing destinations or accommodations where fitness activities and healthy food are accessible

So, what does your 2023 travel look like?

Jade Gershen is the founder of Well and Good Travel. She has lived on three continents and explored more than 20 countries in the past 10 years. U.S. based, she also shares her favorite places to go and things to do in the States. Having experienced the impacts of chronic stress Jade has a particular interest in using travel and outdoor adventure to improve well-being and shares that with her readers.

What Your Wellness Vacation Will Look Like in 2023

Afar dives deep into the world of hotels and wellness—one of the fastest-growing trends in travel—and reveals what your self-care getaway could look like in 2023..

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The new Aman New York recently launched its first monk-led meditation retreat.

Courtesy of Aman New York

I’m sitting cross-legged on the floor in one of the guest suites at Aman New York , a new luxury hotel in Midtown Manhattan where one might not expect people to be lounging on the floor. Yet here I am, meditating with my eyes closed as a chanting saffron-robed monk taps a large gong periodically with a thick wooden stick. When we open our eyes, he clutches the stick, palm side down, as a symbol of the things we hold onto and are fearful of losing.

“If your palm opens, you’ll drop it, because you’re scared of losing it, and this kind of attachment is conditional love,” Geshe Yongdong Losar tells the half-dozen journalists sitting before him. He then turns his palm to the sky, letting the stick rest in his open hand. “Detachment is unconditional love. In this case, if you like me or you don’t like me, I’m still here.”

I think of all the things I’ve held onto for dear life recently—an email response that hadn’t arrived, negative self-talk over a blown deadline, lost sleep over my aging cat’s slow-growing tumor. I realize none of it is in my control—a lesson the rhythm of daily life can easily drown out. Just a few minutes with Geshe La are enough to take the edge off what can feel like my relentless anxiety in this frenetic metropolis.

I’m getting a sneak peek at Aman New York ’s Journey to Peace mindfulness program, a three-night experience that debuted in January at the hotel with guided meditation sessions, breath work, and explorations of five topics, including healing anger and letting go of attachments.

Tibet-born Geshe La, who now lives on Vancouver Island in Canada, has hosted these retreats at Aman sister properties in rural settings like Amangiri in Utah and Amanpuri in Thailand. It’s the first time he’s held a retreat in one of Aman’s handful of urban properties. I can’t think of a more challenging setting for finding inner tranquility—a key part of the self-betterment I’ve been seeking with increasing determination on my travels.

I’m not alone. More than ever before, people are traveling with the intention of improving their well-being. Wellness tourism is expected to hit $1.3 trillion by 2025 , according to the Global Wellness Institute. Luxury travel advisor network Virtuoso reports that 21 percent of clients globally are traveling for the purpose of improving their overall well-being, and 29 percent say they intend to travel with that purpose in the future. A 2021 American Express consumer survey reported even higher interest: 76 percent of respondents intended to travel to improve their well-being following the pandemic.

Emlyn Brown, global vice president of well-being for Accor , a multinational hotel group with more than 5,000 properties, defines a wellness-focused hotel as one that offers intentional, results-driven programming, with a strong approach to such elements as nutrition and movement. “We discovered that four out of five guests across all demographics, all countries, all brands, are taking conscious daily steps toward well-being in some form,” Brown recently told me, adding that the company’s wellness-focused guests spend 55 percent more money at a property than the standard leisure traveler. “This is happening at different levels and in different ways, from reaching 10,000 steps to triathlete training. But most guests were making a conscious step toward change.”

Many hotels are rising to meet this growing demand—and AFAR editors have been hitting the road to better understand what a well-being vacation can look like today. We checked into the science-based Sensei Porcupine Creek in Southern California’s Santa Rosa Mountains and discovered that a little therapy on an old hiking injury went a long way in making us feel more present in nature. We explored our spiritual side with guided shaman meditations and forgiveness circles on the beaches and in the jungles of Playa del Carmen, Mexico at Palmaia, the House of Aia . We braved California-based Ranch Malibu’s new boot camp–style outpost in the hills of Lazio outside Rome. And in a fast-paced world where a good night’s sleep can often seem like a luxury, we rounded up the hotels that are helping people get better shut-eye . For my part, in addition to my meaningful encounter with Geshe La at Aman New York, I found another moment of peace during a CBD oil massage in the hotel’s three-floor spa and got one of my best night’s sleep in months in one of the hotel’s 83 nearly soundproof suites.

Many of these hotels are part of our list of the 20 hotels we love for wellness , the first edition of our new Hotels We Love series. We created this list to guide travelers to the most exciting getaways for wellness in the year ahead. Read on for the trends that will shape your next wellness-focused stay—and then let our list of Hotels We Love for Wellness inspire your next transformative trip.

Located in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, Palmaia, House of Aia is an all-inclusive resort that offers an extensive wellness program.

Courtesy of Palmaia, the House of Aia

The line between hotel and destination spa continues to blur

As more hotels and resorts create results-driven wellness programs, travelers no longer always need to commit to a destination spa or a restrictive boot camp. Some companies are launching entirely new brands: In 2022, Banyan Tree debuted Veya in Phuket, Thailand, based on eight pillars of well-being, among them Bonding and Connection and Harmony with Nature; the next hotel will debut in Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe later this year. One&Only Resorts’ forthcoming sister brand, Siro , which focuses on sports, fitness, mindfulness, and nutrition, will launch in Dubai this year and in Montenegro in 2024. Meanwhile, at Marriott International, the world’s largest hotel chain, international luxury hotel collection Ritz-Carlton has partnered with Espa to create Meaningful Wellness Journeys focusing on mind, body, and skin, with tailored programs for guests at a handful of properties including Turks & Caicos, Mexico City, and New York, Nomad.

Accor, whose high-end brands include Fairmont, Sofitel, and Raffles, has also gotten serious about wellness. In January 2023, the group launched a white paper that identified eight pathways that lead to overall human well-being. They include the link between physical and mental well-being, the importance of harnessing tech to measure results, and the interconnectedness of human health with that of the planet. The white paper, which will help shape hospitality experiences across Accor’s brands in the coming years, is backed by research from such institutions as University College London, which reported that generalized anxiety disorder has tripled in people ages 18 to 24 between 2008 and 2018, and the World Health Organization, which reports that obesity has tripled globally since 1975.

A longtime leader in the hotel-meets-destination-spa model is Six Senses , the sustainability-minded luxury hotel group with close to two dozen hotels around the world and more than 30 in the pipeline. Wellness is so ingrained in the Six Senses ethos that even staff have programs at their fingertips that aid them in financial, social, and physical wellness. The idea is that wellness at a Six Senses resort starts with the people working there: If the staff can live the brand ethos, that reverberates in the experiences of guests, too.

Anna Bjurstam, whose title is “wellness pioneer” for Six Senses, has observed that more hotels across the board are offering flexible experiences that can guide guests as far as they’re willing to go on their vacation. “People want to go on a wellness trip, but they don’t necessarily want to go on a program with a lot of restrictions or requirements around what to eat or what classes to go to,” said Bjurstam. “Many people want something where they can just relax and go with the flow, but there needs to be quite a lot of wellness in there.”

Each fall, the Six Senses Ibiza hosts its wellness and spirituality-focused Alma festival.

Courtesy of Six Senses

There’s a bigger emphasis on community and connecting with others

“One of the biggest trends I see in the hospitality industry is community,” said Bjurstam, pointing to emerging brands focused on connecting with others like Habitas, Selina Hotels, and Aman’s forthcoming lifestyle brand Janu. She added that community and connecting have become an increasingly important part of wellness programs, pointing to studies that show loneliness can be as deadly as smoking and obesity .

In 2021, Six Senses launched an annual event called Alma, a three-day festival on the island of Ibiza, Spain, to bring like-minded travelers together under the banner of wellness, spirituality, and community. Joining the travelers were such leaders as Dave Asprey, an expert on biohacking, or do-it-yourself biology; founder Taryn Toomey of the Class, a spiritually driven workout method; and Michael Smith, CEO of the Calm meditation app. Experiences ranged from sound healing sessions to ceremonies with spiritual guides and fireside chats about sex. The next Alma festival is scheduled for November 2023 .

Accor’s Brown agrees that hotels are much more focused on community than ever before, noting that more properties are inviting people to connect through social and fitness clubs, coworking spaces, and even spas and bathhouses. In response to the latter trend, community-driven bathhouse experiences will appear in such forthcoming properties as the Fairmont Hanoi, which opens in 2024, while a lakeside thermal wellness facility is planned for Fairmont Château Lake Louise in Banff National Park, Canada.

Hotels are tailoring wellness programs to both guests and destinations

Because there is so much variation in the goals and philosophies of clients, custom programs are now commonplace—and often, in the case of such resorts as Six Senses, that conversation can start with consultations before guests arrive.

Bjurstam’s wellness philosophy is all about openness, and at most Six Senses properties, guests can tap into programs led by experts ranging from medical professionals to energy workers from Indigenous communities. “We marry the scientific with maybe the less scientific because we know that people are searching,” she said. “That’s why the whole psychedelic market is exploding. People know that there’s more to it than what they can see.”

Six Senses also tailors programs around destinations as part of the guest’s experience of a place. As of January 2023, the company’s growing portfolio now includes Vana , a well-regarded center for wellness in the Himalayas of India that focuses on Ayurvedic traditions. The forthcoming London hotel will feature a hyperbaric chamber in the lounge and workspace areas in response to a growing interest in oxygen therapy. The company’s new property in Crans-Montana, Switzerland , features a Biohack Recovery Lounge to fortify skiers after a day on the slopes, complete with pulse electromagnetic field therapy.

The 65-foot indoor swimming pool at the Aman New York is surrounded by daybeds and fireplaces.

Photo by Robert Rieger / Aman New York

Accor luxury brand Raffles, better known for its historic buildings than its wellness, is developing a Second Nature program that intends to weave wellness across the entire Raffles narrative, from design and food and beverage to in-room tech like individual temperature controls on both sides of the bed for optimal sleep. Meanwhile, Six Senses has been focusing on sustainable, biophilic architecture and design that harmonizes with nature as a key part of the wellness experience.

Six Senses architecture is increasingly following a Harvard-led study on the nine foundations of healthy buildings , which include higher airflow for more oxygen and ventilation, thermal health, and water quality. “We’ve changed our standards on how we build hotels,” said Bjurstam. “This approach to architecture is bringing us closer to nature, which is more or less what wellness is all about.”

The link between planetary health and human health is clearer than ever

Accor’s white paper used research to draw a direct line between human wellness and the wellness of the planet, bringing in such voices as economist Thierry Malleret, who emphasized the big picture: “You cannot be individually well if you live in a society that is profoundly unwell and in an environment that is equally unwell, due to biodiversity loss, due to pollution, due to climate change, due to catastrophe of all sorts.”

According to Brown, this growing awareness that people can’t be healthy without a healthy planet will inform the way Accor runs its business in the next few years. One big focus will be food waste, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports makes up an estimated 30 to 40 percent of food supply in the United States alone and contributes to as much as 10 percent of global greenhouse gases.

“If you’re doing something for your well-being, it means you’re definitely doing something to improve the health of our planet,” said Brown. “One of the biggest changes within our industry, certainly within our brands, is a move towards more sustainable food production. We’ll be putting more plants at the center of the food experience. It’s what guests increasingly want, it’s highly impactful for well-being, and it’s much more sustainable.”

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7 wellness travel trends to boost your mind and body

Sync your next trip away with one of this year’s key wellness travel trends

Health and wellness fads come and go (jazzercise and grapefruit diets are best left firmly in the 1980s), but the idea of wellness tourism, where we head off on holiday to focus on our health or wellbeing (or both), is showing no signs of slowing down.

Frankly, we don't need much of an excuse to head out there in search of pampering, me-time experiences when it's all in the name of being good for us. And when there's always a new trend to try in the wellness sphere, it makes the idea of wellness tourism all the more irresistible.

With this in mind we're exploring the top wellness travel trends for the year ahead. From new ideas emerging like 'sober curious' travel, where we phase out booze to experience the world through an alcohol-free lens, to modern revitalisations of ancient practices like hammam and sound healing in beautiful corners of the world, there are many ways to put your mind and body at the forefront of your holiday this year.

Our focus on protecting and improving our mental health may have given rise to some of the more recent trends, such as meditative practices like forest bathing and drawing on the wisdom of ancient therapies, realising that our ancestors may have known more about prioritising mental health than they've been given credit for.

Others trends are based on modern science and nutrition research that's aimed at boosting our health by eating well . There are also cutting-edge retreats where diagnostics and blood tests track improvements throughout our stay in a less sinister version of Nine Perfect Strangers .

In the name of good health, take a look at the top wellness travel trends that are gaining pace and are here to stay for 2023 with ideas of how to incorporate them into your trips, whether you’re eyeing a staycation or planning something a little more far-flung.

Sound healing journeys

The benefits of sound are already well known. You may already use sound to help you through your day, whether the soothing soundtracks that help you sleep or the upbeat music that gets you through your Monday morning workout. Wellness and hotel spas have long used music to set the perfect tone in their tranquil, restorative surroundings.

Sound healing, sound therapy, and sound bathing go further than simply being ambient, mood-boosting, or scene-setting noise. It’s an ancient practice, and Buddhist monks have used Tibetan singing bowls in their meditation practices for centuries. It first trended in the western world in the 1990s, but it's a concept that's back on many spa menus around the world, where the combination of sound and vibration is said to help calm and focus us.

Try it in the UK

Ragdale Hall Spa in Leicestershire has a dedicated sound healing session that lasts 25 minutes. It starts with meditation and yoga breaths before some gentle body stretches. Then sounds are introduced, with the vibrations from Tibetan singing bowls said to reduce our stress, calm our nervous system and boost our immune system.

You can visit Ragdale Hall as part of Good Housekeeping’s special two-night spa break, including full access to the spa facilities, studio classes and gym, plus all meals during your stay.

Try it in the Maldives

The Maldives' first truly dedicated wellness retreat, Joali Being , opened to much excitement in 2022. It's a place that takes its approach to health and wellbeing seriously, with a huge range of therapies on offer, from personalised nutrition to alternative healing treatments.

The sound bathing here consists of walking slowly along a jungle path with nine instruments creating different sounds and vibrations, ultimately leading to the resort's Sound Therapy Hall, where music and vibrations selected by a renowned sound healer are said to restore your inner balance.

Sober curious travel

The sober curious movement is gaining momentum as more of us shun alcohol for better sleep, lower anxiety, heightened clarity, and improved health. Here at home, plenty more excellent alcohol-free wines are on the market to help make the switch, but is it an idea we can take on holiday with us too?

Often, travel features alcohol as part of the experience, such as beautiful and fabulous foodie holidays to Sicily and Crete , wine-themed cruises or simply just cocktails at golden hour. But there’s a growing movement of trips designed around booze-free adventures — there are even dedicated alcohol-free tour operators .

Try it in Switzerland

The Grand Resort Bad Ragaz in Switzerland already has a stellar reputation for its approach to health and wellness. Its line-up of restaurants is seriously impressive too, and Verve by Sven makes things easy for teetotal foodies to enjoy a Michelin-starred dining experience with non-alcoholic drinks pairings.

There’s also a dedicated water bar as part of the spa, with the chance to sample the local spring waters, wine-tasting style.

BOOK A STAY

Try it in the Caribbean

Board a wellness-focused cruise on the Emerald Azzurra as it explores Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It’s an itinerary designed for maximum relaxation, including sunrise and sunset yoga, Pilates on the beach, and meditations.

Plenty of healthy food options and a wide selection of non-alcoholic drinks are available onboard, so you can still enjoy a sundowner without the side effects of drinking alcohol.

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Menopause retreats

Thankfully, there’s never been as much discussion and awareness about menopause as there is now. Celebrities, including Davina McCall and Louise Minchin, have shone a light on some of their experiences and struggles. Brands are tuning into what women need during this phase of life, including special menopause skincare , too.

More conversation and better awareness have given rise to a new trend: the menopause retreat. This gives peri-menopausal and menopausal women access to experts and nutritionists and the opportunity to tune into their menopause journey, learning more about how they can help alleviate symptoms through self-care and natural methods.

Take some time for yourself and your menopause journey on an escape to the Sussex countryside and the beautiful Goodwood Estate .

There’s a three-day wellness retreat where menopausal women can get a holistic and personalised approach to their nutrition and gut health and how it links to hormones, plus how to manage cortisol during each stage of menopause from a naturopathic physician.

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Try it in Spain

If you’d rather take a menopause retreat with a side of sunshine, The Marbella Club in Spain has an in-house team of naturopaths, nutritionists, and therapists on hand. They can help with a range of challenges, including specific life stages such as post-natal and peri-menopausal wellbeing, alongside reaping the benefits of a diet of healthy food and the slower pace of a Mediterranean lifestyle.

As well as being a pampering health-focused break, The Marbella Club is an indulgent place to relax and enjoy salty sea breezes, boat-fresh fish, and mountain views.

Salt float escapes

Another accelerating trend is salt floats. Floatation tanks (filled with body temperature water and salts to aid buoyancy) are said to help us relax, improve sleep, and boost our general wellbeing.

Sometimes it can involve floating in an oversized bathtub with a lid – not ideal for those with claustrophobia – but you can leave the lid up and still realise the pain-relieving, endorphin-boosting benefits.

An increasing number of hotel spas feature floatation tanks, such as the beautiful Ockenden Manor , where you can try the experience alongside a wide selection of other more traditional spa treatments.

The Isopod floating tank at Ockenden Manor has a spaceship-style design and is a completely immersive experience where you can spend up to an hour in the pod, calming an overstimulated nervous system and restoring your body’s chemical and metabolic balances.

Try it in Jordan

Trace this trend back to its roots and visit the Dead Sea — the lowest place on earth has mineral-dense waters where you can effortlessly float on the Dead Sea in Jordan, with a wide-open sky above you and slather your skin in the natural mud.

You can visit Jordan on a memorable all-female Good Housekeeping holiday that departs in November 2023. You'll finish your journey through Jordan's cities and deserts in a four-star spa hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea with plenty of time to make the most of the health-boosting benefits of the warm water.

Forest bathing breaks

It's been around since the 1980s in Japan and we first talked about forest bathing back in 2021, but it’s a trend that evolved into something that we do ourselves in our nearest patch of woodland, into a theme of our breaks away.

Forest bathing is all about immersing yourself in natural woodland, said to help lead to lower blood pressure and ease stress. The idea is to spend at least 30 minutes in a wooded space, breathing deeply, gazing skyward at the tree canopy and savouring the dappled sunlight meditatively.

If you’re trying forest bathing for the first time, it can help to do it with an expert guide. Join a holistic therapist at Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens near Horsham for a slow guided stroll around a woodland trail where you'll learn sensory exercises to help you to calm your mind and learn how to be present in the moment.

After moments of reflection, there's plenty more to see and do here, including a sculpture park, vineyard, and Michelin-starred restaurant. Plus, the estate's 10 freshly renovated guest rooms are gorgeous sanctuaries to retreat to after meditative moments.

Try it in Thailand

For something more exotic, you could try forest bathing in the rainforests of Thailand in the blissfully lush surroundings of Elephant Hills in Khao Sok National Park. Staying in a luxury tented camp (with a proper bed and hot water), you’ll wake to birdsong – or perhaps the call of a macaque – and venture out on a canoe through mangrove channels. The peace and tranquillity you'll find here is perfect for a spot of forest bathing.

Digital detox trips

The idea of digital detoxing has been around for a while now but shows no signs of slowing down as we all tune into how fixated we can get with our devices. There’s been an increasing trend towards digital detoxing in travel, where we go on holiday to reconnect with our surroundings, consciously putting our phones away and experiencing being off-grid. How far you want to take this trend is down to you.

You could go all the way and check into one of the UK cabins by Unplugged , where you lock your phone away for the entire duration of your stay, or you could opt for something a little less extreme and simply make the conscious choice to set the ‘do not disturb’ on your phone and plan time away from screens.

The scenic surroundings of Talbooth Hotel & Spa in Essex inspired the painter Constable, so it’s the perfect place to gaze forwards at the landscapes instead of down at a phone. Here, you can also indulge in Elemis spa treatments and let the hotel’s courtesy transport take you to its sister restaurant a little further away.

With Good Housekeeping’s special offer, you’ll enjoy some lovely extras, including a glass of Moet on arrival and a complimentary Elemis gift worth £45.

Try it in Costa Rica

While many cruise ships have WiFi, taking a cruise holiday can be the perfect excuse to put your phone in the cabin safe and savour screen-free moments. On a cruise to Costa Rica, you'll find yourself deep in a rainforest or on a far-flung paradise beach.

Chances are, you may not have the optimum phone signal, making this destination the ultimate digital detox. If you’re serious about a full digital detox, you’ll have to think of another way to capture beautiful photographs than on your phone – time to invest in a new camera !

The return of the hammam

Spa trends come and go over the years, but the hammam has enjoyed a resurgence recently, incorporated into luxury hotels as part of lavish spa offerings from new openings from London to New York to the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas and Faena in Miami . A hammam is a traditional steam bath followed by a black soap scrub, with roots tracing back over 2,000 years old when the Romans used them to relax and socialise.

It's a ritual that's said to help our respiratory health and give us a natural detox (thanks to sweating out our toxins), and it's still very much a way of life in Moroccan and Turkish culture.

Swanky London hotel, The Ned , has its own hammam available to its members and hotel guests. It’s not just a case of plonking yourself in a fancy sauna — the hammam here is a six-stage process, starting with a foot cleanse and black soap wash, a kessa scrub and a hair cleanse, followed by a facial and an application of oil and pure shea butter.

Then, in a state of utter relaxation, you get to retreat to one of The Ned’s gorgeous 1920s-style guest rooms.

Try it in Morocco

Whisk away to where the hammam was created and visit Morocco. Spend three nights in a traditional Riad Almaha in the spice-scented city of Marrakech, with a beautifully tiled hammam for a truly authentic experience.

Indulge in a black soap scrub as part of the ritual and savour the moment of trying something local that’s also utterly delightful.

Looking for more inspiration for your next holiday? Grab a cuppa and browse our brochure packed with unique escapes.

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The rise of wellness travel, from rewilding to yoga and pilgrimages

Having escaped the confines of the spa, wellness now influences the travel experience far and wide, offering new ways to discover the world.

The number of people concerned about their health and wellbeing has rocketed since the pandemic began. The stats are legion but among them, 80% of those surveyed by Public Health England in 2020 — in the first year of Covid-19 — reported wanting to change their lifestyle in 2021 to become healthier. Meanwhile, an Ipsos study in 2021 noted that 62% of Americans believe health is more important to them than before the pandemic. And this has, as countless more reports will attest, changed the way many of us want to travel.

Just over a fifth (21%) of global travellers are currently travelling for health- and wellness-driven reasons according to the 2022 Travel Trends research by luxury travel network Virtuoso, conducted jointly with YouGov. And its findings suggest this is likely to grow in 2023, with 29% of global travellers stating interest in travelling for wellness reasons in the future. Trends include travel to reconnect — with friends, family, partners or children — and a growing focus on sleep wellness. The research notes ‘the rise in apps like Calm and Headspace permeating travel products, providing flyers the ability to plug in and meditate while in flight’ — not to mention the growing number of sleep retreats aimed at aiding insomniacs.

“Health and wellness technology is moving forward at a very fast pace and creating exciting new possibilities that we’re exploring, from sleep therapy and guided meditation to dynamic bathing, cryotherapy and infrared saunas,” says Emlyn Brown, vice president of wellbeing at Accor, Europe’s largest hospitality and hotels company, which released the Health to Wealth white paper earlier this year.

“Guests now come to us loaded with their own health data,” says Brown of the ubiquity of smartwatches and fitness apps. “We’re exploring ways that we can create bespoke wellness experiences for our guests in spa, nutrition, fitness and sleep.” Accor’s Fairmont Windsor Park hotel, for example, is home to the UK’s first spa multi-person cryotherapy chamber. Hotels Pullman Paris Centre-Bercy and Pullman San Francisco Bay, meanwhile, equip guests with Dreem, a technology wearable that monitors breathing, brain waves, heart rate and sleeping patterns.

Wellness travel is clearly no longer something that’s confined to the spa, but it’s travelled far beyond the hotel, too. “Wellness travel has evolved and expanded to encapsulate all manner of experiences that boost travellers’ mental and physical health,” says Paul Joseph, founder of Health and Fitness Travel , a specialist tour operator for wellness breaks. “Far from the ‘fly and flop’ wellness holidays of old, we’re able to send customers on a hand-picked retreat that includes a tailored wellness programme — from personalised nutrition and exercise plans to one-on-one coaching and holistic healing therapies. Following the pandemic and in spite of the cost-of-living crisis, we’ve seen a marked increase in bookings.”

It’s what Expedia is calling a ‘no-normal’ era of wellness travel. “We’re seeing a new wave of interest in wellness retreats, and a spike in demand for outdoor destinations beyond beaches and mountains,” says Jon Gieselman, president of Expedia Brands. “Not a new normal, but people branching out to unexpected trends: the ‘no-normal’.”

The travel brand has seen a 30% increase in demand for wellness breaks between 2021 and 2022, and found that almost half (46%) of global travellers are more open to wellness breaks than ever before. And the quirkier, the better. Expedia’s Travel Trends report reveals activities as diverse as sylvotherapy (forest bathing), food bootcamps, chakra sessions, puppy yoga and laughter therapy were more popular than some standard spa offerings.

So, what exactly does ‘wellness’ mean today? According to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) — the US-non-profit offshoot of the Global Wellness Summit, which has been driving research and business across the industry since 2007 — the term is varied. It can be associated with fitness holidays and adventure travel focused around improving a sense of wellbeing or life balance, along with the obvious mind and body retreats. And it’s a booming sector. GWI projects a 9.9% average annual growth in the wellness economy between now and 2025, when it will reach nearly $7 trillion (£5.5 trillion).

Meanwhile, US-based non-profit the Wellness Tourism Association (WTA) was founded in 2018 with the aim of bringing standards to the growing wellness sector of the tourism industry, and defines wellness travel as simply that which allows the traveller ‘to maintain, enhance or kick-start a healthy lifestyle, and support or increase one’s sense of wellbeing’.

“What constitutes a wellbeing holiday is subjective,” says Justin Francis, co-founder and CEO of activist holiday company Responsible Travel . “I’d say a painting holiday in the Scottish Highlands or a wild camping experience can be as much about wellness as a vegan Pilates retreat. Wellness holidays simply allow you to rest and revive in your own way, mentally and physically.”

The company has added numerous nature-based holidays to its offering since the pandemic, in response to rising demand. It notes that activities like river kayaking are becoming more popular, and that interest in trips that give customers a chance to really focus on their physical wellbeing has risen almost 100% in the last five years. “We’re all much more attuned to the benefits of switching off our phones and being outdoors,” says Francis.

Active relaxation

It’s clear that well before the pandemic hit, our travel habits were changing. A McKinsey report in 2021 noted that 79% of respondents believed wellness was important, and 42% considered it a top priority, but in the preceding two to three years consumers in every market it researched reported a substantial increase (from 27% to 65%) in the prioritisation of wellness. Within the last decade, yoga mats have become the norm in hip hotels and gym access a hospitality standard, while spa-focused accommodation is ever-expanding.

Sports travel, with its tangible benefits and measurable outcomes — such as the number of miles hiked — is a thriving area of wellness. This boom in so-called ‘endorphin tourism’ attracts travellers seeking trips that give them a natural high — from desert marathons to trail running in the mountains. In Europe, the Alps have become something of an outdoor wellness playground. A 2020 report for France Montagnes, an association promoting French Alpine tourism, states that up to 70% of travellers see the mountains as a synonym for wellness.

“For several years now, and particularly since the post-Covid period, the mountains have been popular with visitors looking for an escape, nature and wellbeing, alongside more sporting activities,” says association president Jean-Luc Boch. The activities on offer range from the expectedly athletic to such specialisms as communing with nature while learning how to herd goats, meditative waterfall bathing, guided foraging for medicinal plants and mindful marathon running.

Cycling holidays have also boomed, with weekend/leisure bikers increasing between 30% and 60% across the UK and Europe between 2019 and 2022, according to European Parliament estimates. And surfing is seeing similar spikes in popularity. The International Surfing Association reported that around 35 million people surf worldwide, a figure it forecast to rise to 50 million by 2020, though it’s yet to release numbers. Whatever that number is, it looks set to increase further if the NHS starts adding to its ‘green prescriptions’ — issued for people to improve their mental and physical health by spending time outdoors in nature — by prescribing surfing as a treatment. A 2022 trial by select NHS trusts in England looked into the benefits of surfing for young adults with mental health issues.

Our increased state of ‘permanxiety’, be it fuelled by the stresses of modern life, lack of access to nature, economic instability, political turmoil or climate change, may be alleviated by travelling to immerse ourselves in the natural world, be it forest bathing, cold water swimming or mindful hiking. Travel, it seems, can be a proposition for salvation, not least among the booming number of people making pilgrimages. Both mainstream walking-tour operators and religious organisations are reporting soaring interest in such popular routes as the Camino de Santiago, with pilgrimages offering the chance for a hike to connect with yourself with others and with nature, even if religious beliefs don’t come into play.

But for some, this is exactly what travel, at its best, has always been about. Wellness was not something you singled out, found in a spa or were prescribed, but was about finding yourself out in the world, making connections with others or spending time in the great outdoors. Wellness was integral to the kind of travel that happened as slowly as time and money allowed, staying local, exploring on foot. Walking, for one, is something British travellers have long seen as vital to their health and wellbeing. Ramblers , a charity founded in the wake of the 1932 mass trespass on the Duke of Devonshire’s Kinder Scout grouse moors in Derbyshire, has received lottery funding in recent years for its Walking for Health initiative. The programme has seen some 70,000 people discover the benefits of a hike.

For many of us, working from home or a hybrid approach to work life has simply allowed more opportunities to do the things we enjoy. And the travel industry has responded with almost limitless options. Wellness has even infiltrated the traditional sand and sea resort-based breaks. Package tour operator On the Beach , for example, has curated a list of ‘dopamine-inducing’ destinations — places that boost the body’s natural feel-good factor with high-contrast colours and all-senses stimulation. Think: blue-and-white Greek island villages fragrant with wild thyme and oregano, or high-colour sights and jasmine-perfumed smells of Morocco.

Even Tui , one of the world’s largest holiday companies, is getting in on the act. It launched curated wellness breaks last year, a programme that partnered with television personality Davina McCall as a spokesperson for its ‘find your happy’ campaign. And in some ways, that’s what travel has always been about: getting away from it all, recharging, taking a break from the norm. But as travel and wellness become ever-more inexorably linked, our choices on exactly how we find our happy have become more nuanced and focused, immersing us in the outside world to soothe our inner one. Whether it’s working with a goat farmer in Morzine or running a marathon in a desert.

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The Top Wellness Travel Trends for 2023

With a new year, we’ve rounded up the predictions for the trends set to dominate the wellness travel industry in 2023 and the best destinations to visit to experience these emerging health-enhancing trends. There’s been a marked uptick in wellness travel, and travellers seeking to enhance their immunity, switch to a plant-based diet and enjoy more affordable and eco-friendly retreats. With it being nearly 3 years on from the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, wellness travellers are still prioritising building resilience to disease with the help of medical experts and wellness therapies.

According to Health and Fitness Travel the following wellness travel trends will be the most popular in 2023:  

Body Immunity   

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are still being felt nearly 3 years on. Health anxiety, accentuated by the extremities of the pandemic including Long Covid, have left people more determined to maintain the well-being of their body. Body immunity retreats are not only an opportunity to travel but also offer meaningful solutions to any potential health worries. Keeping you your healthiest, physically, and mentally, these wellness retreats offer opportunities to also take advantage of the best medical wellness expertise in luxurious surroundings in some of the world’s most popular destinations.     

Top 3 Destinations: RAKxa Wellness & Medical Retreat , Park Igls , Atmantan Wellness Resort  

Plant-Based Retreat  

A plant-based diet has appeared to have numerous enticing traits that enthrall more and more people as time goes by, and 2023 is thought to be no different. It also appears to be a strategy to develop a healthier, and more nutritional diet, 39% of people in a recent survey planned to eat more vegetables on a plant-based diet. 1 With more information increasingly being spread and consciousness of animal cruelty, the animal product industry, is playing a larger role in morality with diet choices. Currently, it is assumed that 6% of Brits are vegetarian with 6.5 million Brits planning to convert in the future. 2 Therefore, there will be greater demand for learning how to maintain a nutritionally dense plant-based diet and more resorts catering to this with their menus and retreat offerings in 2023.  

Top 3 Destinations: Raw Food Detox at Sianji Well-Being Resort , Detox at the Farm at San Benito , All- Inclusive Wellness Retreat at Phuket Cleanse    

Animal Therapy Retreats  

It has been found that being around animals can be hugely beneficial to mental health. Particularly in easing anxiety. 3 Animal therapy can be used to target a range of factors in your life, depending on your personalised intentions for your retreat. It has been proven to provide comfort, reduce levels of pain, improve movement or motor skills, develop social skills, and increase motivation. 4 Retreats don’t have to be completely rounded to animal therapy singularly however, the company of other creatures amongst other activities is still greatly advantageous. Whether it be a wellness tour, an adventure or sailing with the participation of snorkelling, a natural increase in mood is vital in a modern world where it is mainly appreciated through a phone.   

Top 3 Destinations: Active Tour – Galapagos , Sailing Tour – Maldives , Wellness Tour – Iceland  

Air-Free Travel   

The effects of modern civilization, the abuse of fossil fuels, the contribution to the ozone layer, and catastrophic effects on climate change; the desperation to be more eco-friendly and concern over preserving the environment, has unsurprising influenced travellers’ attitude to travelling. Furthermore, surveys from YouGov have shown that 53% of global consumers are seeking more sustainable travel options for their holidays. 5 Although, travelling does not have to leave you with a guilty conscience, air-free travel is not only an accessible alternative form of travelling but it can be as memorable as the holiday. The embrace of slower travel makes the journey to luxury resorts all that more special.    

Top 3 Destinations: Gleneagles , Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda , Grantley Hall  

Affordable Retreats  

In the current cost of living crisis, for many holidays are last on the agenda when considering where to budget their money. One in three Britons have the intention to cut holiday spending as living costs continue to rise. 6 This makes a change from the rush of holiday goers in 2022 being twice the amount in 2021 with the release of travelling restrictions post-covid. But even with the influx of daily expenditure pricing, many are still eager to get a holiday but are looking for cheaper options to accommodate their reduced disposable income. Therefore, more affordable retreats that offer value for money and provide tangible wellness benefits are set to be a big trend for wellness travel in 2023.  

Top 3 Destinations: BodyBreak at Galo Resort , Fusion Fitness at Absolute Sanctuary , Sianji Well-Being Resort  

Emotional Healing Retreats  

Discussions around mental health are becoming regular, with a greater awareness of the range of difficulties faced by different people from all walks of life. Health is not only focused on the physical but also the mental and emotional. Emotional healing retreats bring the opportunity for people that are living with depression, anxiety, PTSD and trauma to be exposed to comprehensive wellness experiences and learn the tools to live happier and healthier lives. To process emotions, and painful life experiences, accept and move on. These comprehensive retreats use nutrition, exercise and a variety of wellness and mental health therapies to help travellers enhance their mental well-being in a meaningful and lasting way.    

Top 3 Destinations Sleep at Six Senses Ibiza , Resilience After Crisis at Park Igls , Embracing Change at Kamalaya .  

Working Wellness Holidays   

A great change from pre-pandemic to post is the accessibility to work online. A hybrid and flexibility within the online working, in comparison to rigid in-office hours, has seen an influx in people taking their work on holiday. Research by LinkedIn found that 39% of adults in the UK have worked from a holiday in 2022 and 28% found that it positively affected their work ethic. 7 The repetitive nature of working from home online has contributed to people’s angst to work in a change of environment. As the saying goes ‘change is greater than a rest’, it is therefore unsurprising as to why workcations were so popular in 2022 and look like a trend that will continue to reign in 2023.  

Top Destinations: Wellbeing Sabbatical at Kamalaya , Lifestyle Change at Absolute Sanctuary , New Life at Longevity Health & Wellness.    

Addiction Retreats  

So much of our time today is spent online. A report showed that in 2022, adults in the UK are spending an average of 5 hours online, 8 that’s nearly a third of the time awake staring at a screen. It can be hard to detach from the online world especially when so much of our day-to-day life is so reliant on it. Therefore, a retreat away where you can have a full digital detox, can help to reset your relationship with technology, making it a more positive one. If you are looking to detoxify from other substances including alcohol, drugs, and smoking, then a change of environment, where everyday stress is relieved and experienced medical professionals are on hand to help provides the perfect environment to help you kick ill habits for good.   

Top Destinations: Rebalance & Anti-Tobacco at SHA Wellnes s, Digital Detox at Pine Cliffs Resort , De-Addiction at Santani Wellness Spa    

Alcohol-Free Retreats  

During the pandemic there was a shift in drinking habits, it was found that heavy drinkers took to drinking more, whereas moderate drinkers were drinking less. 9 Many people found themselves drinking more than they would usually and are now looking to address their relationship with alcohol.  Alcohol-free retreats offer the sober-curious the opportunity to Detox and improve both their physical and mental health alongside targeted spa therapies.  

Top Destinations: Absolute Sanctuary  

Family Wellness Retreats  

Time with loved ones is precious and as parenting styles change, the traditional family beach holiday is being looked over for more comprehensive family wellness holidays that prioritise being active, exploring your well-being and making long-lasting memories together. On these wellness holidays, there is often a range of activities available and opportunities for families to not only spend time together but also have openings for every member to practice or discover new own hobbies. Family wellness holidays give families the ultimate choice in a fulfilling holiday that will have lasting health effects and offer great value for money.  

Top Destinations: Family TimeTogether at Porto Elounda , Family TimeTogether at Paradis Plage , Family TimeTogether at Forte Village .  

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Vacayou Travel

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The Essential Wellness Trends of 2023

Last updated April 6, 2023

It’s no secret. Wellness travel is having a moment. Again. Here are the top 12 essential wellness trends on our radar for the year ahead. 

Experts predict that all travel will become wellness travel—which now accounts for 17% of global tourism. Recent surveys also confirm that wellness is poised to take a bigger seat at the health table. Many travelers today prefer to maintain or enhance their personal well-being while on vacation, be it for work or pleasure.

Table of Contents

• Around the World in One Spa 
• Brain Care 
• Cosmic Self-Care 
• Intentional Thinking
• Menopause Retreats
• Quiet Wakefulness  
• Sober Curious
• Social Wellness 
• Sound Journey 

Our intention with this guide is to inspire you to step out of your comfort zone and explore what the world of wellness has to offer beyond the traditional spa escape. There are oodles of experiences designed to help you tune into your body, connect to your mind and open your heart. 

The following represents twelve of the most intriguing wellness trends and offerings that we’re super excited about!

On Our Radar: Twelve Essential Wellness Trends

These essential wellness trends are in no particular order! Take them as you will. And don’t be alarmed if some of these wellness trends seem so “last year.” Like fine wine, these trends get better with time.

1. Around the World in One Spa 

It’s a little like EPCOT—but with bubbly and robes!

By incorporating authentic spa experiences from cultures around the world, facilities such as The Well Oslo and World Spa have created a new kind of wellness sanctuary. 

You can spend hours at these spas exploring different bathing cultures and rituals including Russian banyas , Finnish saunas, Turkish and Moroccan hammams, cleansing Himalayan salt caves, Japanese onsens , infrared rooms and more—all under one roof. 

Chill out and relax. Indulge and be pampered. Gather and celebrate. Transport yourself to every corner of the globe and experience a true world of wellness.

2. Brain Care 

Show your brain some love.

Thankfully, we’re now more vocal about the struggles of mental health than ever before. And there’s no longer a stigma to see a therapist or book a mental wellness retreat to reboot your mind.

Having a healthy brain is the first step to coping with stress, being happier and reaching your full potential. There is much you can do for your own brain care. Taking breaks, getting enough rest and incorporating relaxation techniques such as yoga, meditation or Tai chi—are all great ways to quiet the noise and reconnect with yourself.

Mindfulness is another tool in helping you to become aware of your emotions and how to deal with them in a healthy way. Mindfulness can also help you better navigate other challenges in life and work.

3. Cosmic Self-Care 

A nod to the cosmos.

Hotels, resorts and trip-planning agencies are now incorporating programming based around the moon and stars into their itineraries, with offerings like astrology and tarot readings, events inspired by lunar phases and planetary transits, and astronomer-led stargazing. This strays far from the typical wellness resort experience. Instead, it reflects the growing interest in psychic services as a form of wellness travel.

At L’Auberge de Sedona , the “Retrograde Reset” program combines various restorative offerings, including a turquoise and sage hydration treatment, sound healing and a hike through Sedona’s spiritual vortices. 

Meanwhile, the Arizona Biltmore has launched astrology readings alongside facials inspired by the moon. And Alila Ventana Big Sur has introduced a celestially inspired yoga class as well as astrology readings and the opportunity to have your “essence” painted.

4. Focus  

Yes, studies actually show that you have a shorter attention span than a goldfish .

Focus and concentration can be difficult to tackle, especially with the amount of noise and constant distractions we have in our digital world. However, more people are looking for ways to improve their focus and concentration. 

This has led to an increase in workshops, seminars, books and even organized retreats all teaching different methods to improve one’s focus. In addition, nootropics (cognitive enhancers such as Bacopa Monnieri, Rhodiola Rosea and Ginkgo Biloba, as well as adaptogens such as mushrooms ) are trending as people look for more natural ways to improve their concentration.

5. Intentional Thinking

Bring on the travel coach and travel psychologist.

Travel coaching is all about creating positive transformations in our lives. That’s why it’s often seen as an extension of life coaching, because it has such a meaningful and purposeful impact. 

In recent years, there has been a shift in the psychology of travel, with more travelers interested in using their time to reflect, learn, reset and figure out what really matters to them. This change has led to an increase in solo travel, educational travel and other forms of travel that are focused on personal growth.

The mental wellness benefits of travel are nothing short of impressive. Travel coaches and travel psychologists are becoming increasingly popular as people focus on having more personalized and transformative travel experiences.

Bye, Bye FOMO, hello JOMO!

JOMO, or “the joy of missing out,” is the complete opposite of FOMO. It’s a term that encompasses the relief one feels from not having to be productive all the time, which came about as a reaction to “hustle culture” and constantly “plugged-in” lifestyles. 

JOMO in respect to travel means being present and living in the moment. By deliberately taking a step back, avoiding overexertion and freeing ourselves from what we “should” be doing, we can replace fear with joy.

Here are three pieces of advice to help you embrace JOMO while traveling:

• Learn to say no so as not to spread yourself too thin.
• Be selective about when and how you document your vacation.
• Let your itinerary flow.

7. Menopause Retreats

Let’s start the conversation.

Menopause is a natural transition that half the world’s population goes through. Yet it is often ignored in culture and medicine. As more women are speaking up about their experiences with menopause, more solutions and retreats are popping up to help ladies going through this difficult time. 

These retreats offer a chance for women to get some personal attention, try out different techniques and join a community of others who understand what they’re going through.

Retreats that focus on providing relief to women during menopause offer a variety of services such as breathwork, acupuncture and menopause-focused bodywork treatments. 

Some retreats offer a medical-wellness approach with menopause-specialist physicians who can evaluate guests and prescribe medication. Other menopause retreats offer creative emotional release therapies. And Ayurvedic resorts are using ancient Indian medicine to focus on correcting imbalances that tackle hormonal fluctuations.

8. Quiet Wakefulness  

Yoga Nidra counts as a full night of sleep, right?

At Vacayou, we believe that finding a balance between living a fulfilled life and taking the time to rest is crucial. For most people, feeling tired or run down usually means they need more sleep. 

But while quality sleep is essential to feeling rested, rest is about more than just getting a good night’s sleep. Rest involves your whole being, not just your body. With regular, complete rest, you can restore your health, improve your performance and achieve a sense of wellness. 

There are many small ways to incorporate rest into your everyday routine. Listening to music, practicing breathing techniques, immersing yourself in nature, enjoying a bubble bath or meditating—are all right types of rest.

Fun fact: According to Sleepstation , the best type of relaxation that has some of the benefits of sleep is meditation (such as Yoga Nidra).

9. Sober Curious

To drink or not to drink. That is the question.

Sober curious is a term to describe the choice to question or change one’s drinking habits for health-related reasons. The sober-curious movement started in 2018 and has encouraged people to take a closer look at the often unhealthy behaviors that come with excessive alcohol consumption and has advocated for a more sober lifestyle. 

The culture surrounding sober curiosity is one that is open and welcoming to anyone who isn’t ready or willing to give up drinking entirely (this is NOT recommended for alcoholics).

As more people adopt plant-based diets, yoga and mindfulness practices, sober curious is on the rise. The millennial generation has been at the forefront of this movement, making sobriety more culturally acceptable.

Sober-focused events such as wellness retreats, meditation sessions, online communities and non-alcoholic dinner parties are becoming more popular. And all over the world, individuals are opening sober bars, filled with mocktails while providing a safe space for socialization and community.

10. Social Wellness 

Move over, Netflix and chill—at a wellness playground.

Perceived social isolation has a significant effect on well-being. Research has shown that the health risks associated with isolation are comparable to those of smoking cigarettes, high blood pressure and obesity.

After several years of pandemic-induced seclusion, people are yearning to get up close and social again. Enter bathing and other social wellness clubs as the main event.

Per Global Wellness Summit’s Trendium report, new and renovated bathhouses are soaking up the urban landscape, not only bringing urbanites together to relax but also providing a reboot of the mind, body and soul through the discovery and sensory delight of traditional—and at times funky—bathing and sauna rituals. 

11. Sound Journey 

Get in a sound state of mind.

Sound baths have been used for centuries to help people relax and reach a meditative state. They do this by using singing bowls and gongs to create a humming noise that emits calming vibrations. 

These days, sound journeys go one step further by encouraging people to connect to their intuition through the use of soundscapes during spa treatments. The beauty of sound healing as a modality is that it can be creatively curated as an enhancement. Think combining sound with facials, body treatments, yoga and guided meditation. 

Aja Daashuur, founder of Spirit House Collective, explains that, “Sound journeys connect us to our ancestors and spirit guides, as well as activate subconscious messages so that we can receive them without judgment.” Sound matters. 

12. Well-Man 

You heard right. Men, now’s your time to shine and shamelessly indulge in luxurious and pampering treatments!

According to Consumer Snapshot released by the International SPA Association (ISPA), men account for almost half of all spa guests. What’s driving the demand? 

Men are becoming aware of the health benefits that spa treatments can offer. In many cases, they’re overworked, stressed and tired. They’re searching for a short break from their hectic jobs and family life—and value the relaxing atmosphere that a spa provides. Hello, just as women do.

Market leaders note that global sales of male grooming products could reach $81.2 billion by 2024. This significant increase is largely due to factors such as men becoming aware of personal wellness, the rising societal pressure to always look good and changing attitudes toward traditional masculinity. In light of this, it’s not surprising that spas are offering services specifically for male clients .

About Vacayou

At Vacayou [pronounced VACAY – YOU], we believe that travel has the power to change lives. The power to revive, rejuvenate and redirect your inner wellness warrior . And that’s why we’re here. Take an online staycation with us and change how you think about travel. Let us make it easier for you to search, discover, and book wellness and active vacations . But we don’t stop there. We are with you every step of the way—before, during and after your journey—to make sure you enjoy the most meaningful vacation ever. Vacayou is wellness travel that meets you right where you are.

There’s a whole world out there and Vaca y ou is here to help YOU explore it! No matter how far or how adventurous, our team scours the globe to curate the best in wellness travel.

To keep up with the latest wellness trends and experiences, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter . 

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Top Wellness Travel Trends for 2023

• December 6, 2022

Health and Fitness Travel , the wellness holiday specialists has compiled their predictions for the trends set to dominate the wellness travel industry in 2023 and the best destinations to visit to experience these emerging health-enhancing trends. Health and Fitness Travel has noticed a marked uptick in travellers seeking to enhance their immunity, switch to a plant-based diet and enjoy more affordable and eco-friendly retreats. With it being nearly 3 years on from the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, wellness travellers are still prioritising building resilience to disease with the help of medical experts and wellness therapies. Health and Fitness Travel has also seen an increase in demand for affordable retreats in the cost-of-living crisis that offer incredible health benefits for all types of travellers – be there solo travellers, groups or even families.

With their personalised wellness travel concierge service, they expect the following wellness travel trends to prove most popular in 2023:

Body Immunity 

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are still being felt nearly 3 years on. Health anxiety, accentuated by the extremities of the pandemic include Long Covid, have left people more determined to maintain wellbeing of their body. Body immunity retreats are not only an opportunity to travel but also offer meaningful solutions to any potential health worries. Keeping you your healthiest, physically, and mentally, these wellness retreats offer opportunities to also take advantage of the best medical wellness expertise in luxurious surroundings in some of the world’s most popular destinations.

Top 3 Destinations: RAKxa Wellness & Medical Retreat , Park Igls , Atmantan Wellness Resort

Plant-Based Retreat

A plant-based diet has appeared to have numerous enticing traits that enthralls more and more people as time goes by, 2023 is thought to be no different. It also appears to be a strategy to develop a healthier, and more nutritional diet, 39% of people in a recent survey planned to eat more vegetables on a plant-based diet. 1 With more information increasingly being spread and consciousness to animal cruelty, by the animal product industry, is playing a larger role on morality with diet choices. Currently, it is assumed that 6% of Brits are vegetarian with 6.5 million Brits planning to convert in the future. 2 Therefore, there will be a greater demand for learning how to maintain a nutritionally dense plant-based diet and more resorts catering to this with their menus and retreat offerings in 2023.

Top 3 Destinations: Raw Food Detox at Sianji Well-Being Resort , Detox at the Farm at San Benito , All- Inclusive Wellness Retreat at Phuket Cleanse

Animal Therapy Retreats

It has been found that being around animals can be hugely beneficial to mental health. Particularly in easing anxiety. 3 Animal therapy can be used to target a range of factors in your life, depending on your personalised intentions for your retreat. It has been proven to provide comfort, reduce levels of pain, improve movement or motor skills, develop social skills, and increase motivation. 4 Retreats don’t have to be completely rounded to animal therapy singularly however, the company of other creatures amongst other activities is still greatly advantageous. Whether it be a wellness tour, an adventure or sailing with the participation of snorkeling, a natural increase in mood is vital in a modern world where it is mainly appreciated through a phone.

Top 3 Destinations: Active Tour – Galapagos , Sailing Tour – Maldives , Wellness Tour - Iceland

Air-Free Travel 

The effects of modern civilization, the abuse of fossil fuels, contribution to the ozone layer, and catastrophic effects on climate change; a desperation to be more eco-friendly and concern over preserving the environment, has unsurprising influenced travellers' attitude to traveling. Furthermore, surveys from YouGov has shown that 53% of global consumers are seeking more sustainable travel options for their holidays. 5 Although, travelling does not have to leave you with a guilty conscious, air-free travel is not only an accessible alternative form of travelling but it can be as memorable as the holiday. The embrace of slower travels makes the journey to luxury resorts all that more special.

Top 3 Destinations: Gleneagles , Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda , Grantley Hall

Affordable Retreats

In the current cost of living crisis, for many holidays are last on the agenda when considering where to budget their money. One in three Britons have the intention to cut holiday spending as living costs continue to rise. 6 This makes a change from the rush of holiday goers in 2022 being twice the amount of 2021 with the release of travelling restrictions post-covid. But even with the influx of daily expenditure pricing, many are still eager to get a holiday but are looking for cheaper options to accommodate their reduced disposable income. Therefore, more affordable retreats that offer value for money and provide tangible wellness benefits are set to be a big trend for wellness travel in 2023.

Top 3 Destinations: BodyBreak at Galo Resort , Fusion Fitness at Absolute Sanctuary , Sianji Well-Being Resort

Emotional Healing Retreats

Discussions around mental health are becoming regular, with a greater awareness for the range of difficulties faced by different people from all walks of life. That health is not only focused on the physical but also the mental and emotional. Emotional healing retreats bring the opportunity for people that are living with depression, anxiety, PTSD and trauma to be exposed to comprehensive wellness experiences and learn the tools to live happier and healthier lives. To process emotions, painful life experiences, accept and move on. These comprehensive retreats use nutrition, exercise and a variety of wellness and mental health therapies to help travellers enhance their mental wellbeing in a meaningful and lasting way.

Top 3 Destinations: Sleep at Six Senses Ibiza , Resilience After Crisis at Park Igls , Embracing Change at Kamalaya .

Working Wellness Holidays 

A great change from pre-pandemic to post is the accessibility to work online. A hybrid and flexibility within online working, in comparison to rigid in-office hours has seen an influx in people taking their work on holiday. Research by LinkedIn found that 39% of adults in the UK have worked from holiday in 2022 and 28% found that it positively affected their work ethic. 7 The repetitive nature of working from home online has contributed to people’s angst to work in a change of environment. As the saying goes ‘change is greater than a rest’, it is therefore unsurprising as to why workcations were so popular in 2022 and looks like a trend that will continue to reign in 2023.

Top Destinations: Wellbeing Sabbatical at Kamalaya , Lifestyle Change at Absolute Sanctuary , New Life at Longevity Health & Wellness.

Addiction Retreats

So much of our time today is spent online. A report showed that in 2022, adults in the UK are spending an average of 5 hours online, 8 that’s nearly a third of the time awake staring at a screen. It can be hard to detach from the online world especially when so much of our day-to-day life is so reliant on it. Therefore, a retreat away where you can have a full digital detox, can help to reset your relationship with technology, making it a more positive one. If you are looking to detoxify from other substances including alcohol, drugs, and smoking, then a change of environment, where everyday stress is relieved and experienced medical professionals are on hand to help provides the perfect environment to help you kick ill habits for good.

Top Destinations: Rebalance & Anti-Tobacco at SHA Wellnes s, Digital Detox at Pine Cliffs Resort , De-Addiction at Santani Wellness Spa

Alcohol-Free Retreats

During the pandemic there was a shift within drinking habits, it was found that heavy drinkers took to drinking more, whereas the moderate drinkers were drinking less. 9 Many people found themselves drinking more than they would usually and are now looking to address their relationship with alcohol.  Alcohol-free retreats offer the sober-curious the opportunity to Detox and improve both their physical and mental health alongside targeted spa therapies.

Top Destinations: Absolute Sanctuary

Family Wellness Retreats

Time with loved ones is precious and as parenting styles change, the traditional family beach holiday is being looked over for more comprehensive family wellness holidays that prioritise being active, exploring your wellbeing and making long-lasting memories together. On these wellness holidays there is often a range of activities available and opportunities for families to not only spend time together but also have openings for every member to practice or discover new own hobbies. Family wellness holidays give families the ultimate choice in a fulfilling holiday that will have lasting healthy effects and offer great value for money.

Top Destinations: Family TimeTogether at Porto Elounda , Family TimeTogether at Paradis Plage , Family TimeTogether at Forte Village .

For advice, guidance and booking visit https://www.healthandfitnesstravel.com/wellness-holidays or call 0203 397 8891

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Wellness Travel Trends in 2023

Travel used to focus on discovery, but many now prioritize holistic health experiences in addition to cultural activities, and Asian hotels and resorts are responding positively. By partnering with local communities, cooking classes and art workshops are promoted alongside mindfulness retreats. Governments are showing support as well by funding festivals and making long-term visas in Thailand easier to obtain. The Saol retreat has met the booming demand in Koh Samui with a balanced program that offers a holistic mind and body health approach in a tropical setting.

COVID rearranged our health priorities. Public Health England’s 2020 survey revealed 80% of respondents sought healthier lifestyles in 2021. Similarly, 62% of Americans acknowledged the elevated importance of health post-pandemic. 2023 signifies a profound shift towards wellness, authentic connections, and meaningful experiences in travel. Adaptation to these evolving trends and the creation of innovative wellness offerings will position businesses for success in this dynamic industry. 

Wellness and Connection

A 2022 Travel Trends report found that 21% of global travelers are now focusing on health and wellness. This number is projected to rise, with 29% expressing future interest . Travelers are no longer satisfied with sightseeing alone; they yearn for genuine connections with loved ones. The Saol Wellness Retreat in Koh Samui, Thailand offers local cooking classes, trips to an elephant sanctuary, and a holistic wellness program.

Experiences Over Possessions

2023 sees a continued preference for experiences over material possessions. Travelers prioritize cultural immersion in lesser-known destinations, with a 65% increase in spend on experiences since 2019. Try an exclusive afternoon tea service at the CESVI Hotel in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Try an exclusive afternoon tea service at the CESVI Hotel in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Embracing the Outdoors

Outdoor activities and national parks remain popular. Travelers seek fresh air and open spaces, making nature a focal point for rejuvenation. A rise in agrotourism helps travelers interact with local farmers and grow their own vegetables. Or visit an island turtle sanctuary during your stay at the CESVI Hotel in Xiao Liu Qiu, Taiwan.

Catering to Wellness Travelers

Guests are looking for healthy dining options, fitness facilities, authentic local partnerships, and unique wellness programs. The spa at the Kavya in Nagarkot, Nepal is the perfect backdrop to admire the Himalayas.

The Louis T Collection portfolio is driven by innovation, enhancing the modern travel experience in the growing Asian hotel market. Our selection of properties combines wellness with the chance to be immersed in a new culture. We’ve curated each offering with the modern traveler in mind. Discover your next travel destination .

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The biggest wellness travel trends of 2023

By Jen Murphy

Going on vacation used to be an excuse to leave our diet and workout routines at home. These days, we plan trips rooted in relaxation, but also self-improvement and wellbeing. Wellness travel has become one of the industry’s fastest growing sectors, and hotels and resorts are taking note: It's no longer just med spas that are weaving diagnostics and medical-grade treatments into therapy offerings—at the newly opened Aman New York , for instance, you can get a cognitive health scan by day, and dine on stellar Italian food and catch a show at the hotel’s jazz club at night.

After a lengthy period of forced solitude during the pandemic, a closed-off indoor hideout is the last place most travellers want to escape to: People are craving physical activity, and increasingly seeking wellness in the wild: Mindful movement is a new buzzword, and travellers are getting their fix on newly opened hiking trails, pickleball courts, and even on skis and paddleboards. Plus, after all that physical exertion, there are recovery rooms to ensure you'll never have achy muscles. Not the outdoorsy kind? Resorts are offering everything from pottery to weaving and painting to centre the mind—and keep us away from our screens.

There have never been more excuses to be well on our travels. Here are the wellness travel trends and destinations, resorts, and retreats that will entice you to reboot both mind and body in 2023.

The spa at Aman New York offers a cognitive health scan alongside your massage.

Diagnostics will dictate your itinerary

‘Preventative’ is the new spa buzzword, so don’t be surprised if your spa check-in feels more thorough than a doctor’s visit. The latest science-based technologies and diagnostic tools allow spas to customise stays with therapies that address everything from emotional health to bone strength. Swiss wellness brand  Chenot’s new flagship spa at the foot of the Swiss Alps on Lake Lucerne, Switzerland has an in-house molecular lab that uses mRNA-based testing to analyse genes associated with ageing—and prescribes treatments accordingly. The Biostation at  Carillon Miami Wellness Resort  can run diagnostic tests on over 100 biomarkers like serum glucose and cholesterol, and uses results to create a roadmap for longevity.

The new  Aman New York  is equipped with hospital-worthy advanced diagnostic technology including Optimisation Analysis by SCANME which assesses the state of your musculoskeletal system, cardiovascular health, and other key health indicators and Brain Gauge Pro, a screener for cognitive health. This data is used to customise everything from a 90-minute therapy to a 12-week program that could include a cryotherapy chamber and LED/Infrared Detox Pod. Sensei, the longevity retreat brand from tech billionaire Larry Ellison and cancer researcher Dr. David Agus, recently opened a second outpost at Ellison’s exclusive 230-acre Rancho Mirage estate. Guests of  Sensei Porcupine Creek are sent a WHOOP 4.0 wearable strap to gather data on sleep, recovery, and fitness prior to arrival so staff can craft bespoke itineraries. And early next year, Six Senses will roll out a new program called MyCircadianDay in partnership with jet lag-aid app, TimeShifter at all of its locations. Advanced algorithms will help determine your chronotype, or the time your body naturally prefers sleep, and offer recommendations for when you drink, eat, sleep, and move.

Pro-ageing (vs anti-ageing)

“Calling something anti-aging is becoming politically incorrect,” says Anna Bjurstam, founding board member of the Global Wellness Summit and Wellness Pioneer at Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas. “Pro-ageing and longevity practices are terms you’ll be seeing more frequently.”

Peptides, stem cells, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are the latest advanced therapies that promote youthful skin, she says. Cutting-edge technologies such as HydraFacial, which improves the appearances of dark spots and wrinkles, and Helight Pro, a device that emits red light diodes to revitalise cells, are on offer at recently opened  Villa Belle Plage at Hotel Belle Plage  in Cannes, France. Swiss skincare specialist, Guerlain, is using innovations like photobiomodulation, a form of light therapy that regenerates collagen and elastin, at its new spa at The Woodward—an Oetker Collection Hotel in Geneva.In London,  Claridge’s first-ever spa boasts the U.K.’s only MLX i3Dome, an innovative three-in-one chamber which detoxes the body and stimulates cellular repair.

Soaking and steaming are the new socialising

Scandinavians believe stress melts away faster if you socialise while sweating. The rest of the world is catching on by building sauna and hydrotherapy complexes with restaurants, bars, and even live music. In Alaska, Alyeska Resort ’s Nordic Spa, which will complete its third phase this winter, features a pool circuit of steamy 103-degree pools and polar plunges, a Himalayan rock salt sauna, Russian banyas, and cedar soaking tubs and barrel saunas; open until 9 p.m. with an onsite bar and restaurant, it’s certain to be this winter’s hottest après ski scene. At  Thermëa Spa Village , which recently opened two hours outside of Toronto, six saunas, two steam rooms, and multiple hot tubs and cold plunges are complemented by a biergarten, cocktail lounge, and farm-to-table restaurant. At the newly renovated  Durango Hot Springs Resort + Spa in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, you can watch live music performances while hopping around the outdoor complex of 41 soaking and plunge pools and eight Japanese-inspired Ofuro soaking tubs.

Muskaan Chandrapota

Shalba Sarda

Aishwarya Venkatraman

Turn to pottery or weaving as wellness travel trends to melt stresses away at the Royal Mansour's spa in Marrakech.

Not into meditating? Try arts and crafts

Silent meditation sessions aren’t the only pathway to mindfulness. More spa resorts are challenging guests to be in the present by working the right side of their brains in fresh ways. Atelier d’Artiste, a new glass-panelled artist studio at  Royal Mansour , a grand riad hotel in Marrakech, offers guests the opportunity to be tutored in pottery, weaving, beading, and more by top master craftsmen. You may roll your eyes, but two screen-free hours spent crafting Berber-inspired necklaces rivals the relaxation you feel after a yoga class. And at  Bishops Lodge , a landmark property in Santa Fe recently revived by Auberge Resorts, local artists like Katie Rodgers, whose commissions include Christian Louboutin and Veuve Clicquot, lead workshops both on- and off-property in disciplines ranging from watercolours to chalk pastels. As a result of the pandemic-fuelled pottery craze,  Blackberry Mountain , the wellness-minded sister property of Tennessee’s Blackberry Farm, has broadened its ceramics offerings from wheel-thrown and hand-building to include coil building, tile work, and raku firing—a 16th-century Japanese technique. Blackberry’s studio is equipped with six potter’s wheels and two kilns. Two- to four-hour classes have a 2:1 student-instructor ratio, and many guests take a class per day, according to the hotel’s art manager, Polly Ann Martin.

Upstate New York is America’s new wellness mecca

For ages, travellers seeking a wellness reboot have headed West, particularly to California's pioneering retreats like the Esalen Institute, Cal-a-Vie Health Spa, and Golden Door. But a slew of next-level spa resorts opening in the Catskills and Hudson Valley are shifting people’s attention East. California’s beloved bootcamp,  the Ranch at Malibu , will debut a 25-room, lakefront outpost 45 minutes north of Manhattan next summer.  The Ranch Hudson Valley  will take the same no-nonsense, weight-loss oriented approach to programming but will offer abbreviated three- and four-day itineraries geared to the time-crunched East Coast crowd. Expect vegan meals, fitness classes held in a 2,000-square-foot gym, and endurance hikes on the trails of Harriman and Ringwood State Parks. The Chatwal , a Luxury Collection Hotel, in New York City recently opened a 10-suite sister property, the Chatwal Lodge on a 38-acre wilderness preserve in the Catskills. Here, a meander through old-growth forest trails in search of hawks and ospreys and the rhythmic cast of a fly rod on a quiet lake double as moving meditations.When  Wildflower Farms, an Auberge Resort Collection , opens in the town of Gardiner next fall, its spa, Thistle, will specialise in rewilding (the trend of reconnecting people with nature) guests with unique nature-based therapies like a forest immersion led by a reiki master and animal communicator who specialises in connecting energetically with animals and humans. There’s also a saltwater pool, herbal steam room, and hot tubs nestled in the meadows for some old school R&R.  Inness , a new golf club and hotel in the town of Accord, boasts yoga, Pilates and 60 acres of trails for hikes and runs, and will debut a kitted-out spa in 2023. And there are rumours of an outpost of SoHo Farmhouse opening in Rhinebeck. Not to be outdone, upstate grand dame,  Mohonk Mountain House , which welcomed its first guests in 1869, recently unveiled a revamped 30,000 square-foot spa rooted in mindfulness.

Recovery steals the spotlight

Elite athletes have long known the secret to performance gains isn’t double gym sessions, but recovery. When the  Six Senses Crans Montana opens in Switzerland this February, its spa will feature a biohacking recovery lounge geared at speeding up recovery. In Vail, Colorado,  the Hythe, a Luxury Collection Hotel has a recovery lounge that offers oxygen therapy plus equipment such as compression boots and heating and DIY massage devices. In Napa Valley, the restoration and recovery circuit at  Springhouse at Stanly Ranch, an Auberge Resort Collection , can cure everything from hiking-weary muscles to a hangover with therapies like a hyperbaric oxygen chamber and lymphatic system-supporting salt room.

Mindful movement

The modern mantra, “sitting is the new smoking,” has made many wellness experts rethink the traditional path to mindfulness: stillness. The latest meditative activities are set in movement. New nature wellness retreats from  Nimmo Bay in British Columbia incorporate mindful kayak and paddle board excursions to floating docks where you’ll practice yoga or soak in a hot tub surrounded by ancient cedar trees. Adventure Collective Eleven Experience has introduced Eleven Life retreats at  Deplar Farm in Iceland and  Taylor River Lodge in Crested Butte, Colorado that feature silent Nordic ski excursions and snowshoe forest bathing sessions.

In the Maldives, luxe wellness retreat  Joali Being  has even made the sound bathing experience a walking journey through a jungle path lined with 12 instruments that create different vibrations. During the pandemic, we rediscovered the joy of walking and some of the world’s leading trekking destinations are opening luxe new retreats where we can clear our mind and challenge our bodies. The recent completion of the 250-mile Trans-Bhutan Trail has given hiking fans a new bucket-list trek. Running the length of the Buddhist kingdom, the historic pilgrimage route takes in 400 historic and cultural sites set against snowy Himalayan peaks. Next September, andBeyond will open Punakha River Lodge in the Punakha Valley, giving trekkers a cushy new base for exploring with options for day hikes to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, a Buddhist shrine, and Chimi Lhakhang, or the Divine Madman Temple. Nepal, another trekking paradise, will see the opening of Shinta Mani Mustang in May. The Bensley Collection Hotel will offer guided day hikes as well as multi-day treks up to the border of Tibet with glamping-style accommodations. Finally, if you really want to get your heart rate up, pickleball has replaced Peloton as the must-have fitness offering.  Rancho La Puerta in Mexico offers specialty pickleball weeks on its six courts, and recently revamped  Boca Raton hotel  holds clinics and evening socials for the sport, while  Carmel Valley Ranch in California hosts drill workshops and intro courses.

First published on CNT US

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The Biggest Wellness Trends for 2024, As Predicted By Experts

F rom so-called "slow travel" to badminton, here's what our crystal ball said would make the biggest splash in the health space come the new year.

As 2023 turns to 2024, you don’t necessarily have to go all in on the “new year, new you” concept (after all, are we really all that different just because the clock strikes midnight?). But the start of a new year can be a fun opportunity to try some fresh wellness trends. Whether you’re tired of the same old workouts, want closer relationships, or are ready to leave booze behind, experts are predicting 2024 has something for you. Here's a sneak peek at what the new year may hold for wellness.

1. Bodycare

Bodycare is in its Renaissance period. Facial skincare has gotten most of the love for decades, but now, at-home aesthetics treatments and multi-step self-care routines are coming for the skin below your neck. According to the 2024 Pinterest Predicts report , searches for “body skincare routine” on the site are up a whopping 1,025%.

"As someone with a never-to-be-missed skincare routine for my face, I admit to being remiss when it comes to my body. But I'm excited about the incoming bodycare innovations," says Shape 's senior commerce and beauty editor Shannon Bauer. "My favorite ingredient, retinol, has recently arrived in an array of  anti-aging formulas that can be applied from neck to toes. Even basic body lotion is going from utilitarian to engaging and sensory with new formulations, and I anticipate similar products will continue to hit shelves in 2024."

One of Bauer's favorite new lotions is The Glow Getter body butter from Naturium , which she describes as a "dreamy whipped oil." Grab a bottle to ring in the new year with smooth, silky-feeling skin.

Related: The 12 Best Retinol Body Lotions You'll Want to Rub In From Head to Toe

2. Badminton

You can think of badminton as tennis’s cuter, more accessible cousin — and the sport is coming in hot as a 2024 trend. With a lighter racquet and a buoyant birdie instead of a ball, badminton is a win for folks who may not enjoy the grunting, smacking effort of tennis or pickleball — or who don’t have a court nearby. "With badminton, we're seeing a continuation of the trend pickleball brought us in 2023 — an accessible, low-impact, highly social game," says personal trainer and Shape senior editor Kristen Geil.

"Like pickleball, badminton feels like a fun-first activity that's not a traditional workout, but your heart rate during an intense rally may beg to differ," Geil says. In fact, a 2022 study found that playing badminton led to improvements in numerous areas of health, including cardiovascular and pulmonary function. Plus, its high speed and fancy footwork can boost balance and agility.

Prepare to perfect your backyard backhand by picking up a full badminton set . Then finish off your badminton aesthetic with some of these skirts, jackets, and tanks that double as options for other racquet sports.

3. Slow Travel

Between a global pandemic, political conflicts, climate woes, and other stressors, we’ve all been through a lot in the last few years. So it’s no wonder that experts predict many of us will soon want to take time off with seriously low-key vacations. "Rather than rushing to take selfies at monuments and sticking to a strict agenda, travelers who are trying to combat burnout seem to be seeking calmer and often more wellness-focused escapes," notes Shape contributor and travel writer Karla Walsh.

In 2024, Walsh predicts that more and more folks will opt for laid-back experiences like staycations, meditation retreats, and fluid travel itineraries, noting that an increasing number of properties, packages, and travel advisor agendas feature elements of so-called "slow travel." "Throughout my research, I've seen hotels with sleep-supporting amenities, staycation packages, laid-back activities like wine tastings and nature walks, and lodge-like layouts that allow solace-seeking travelers to avoid seeing other patrons."

Walsh notes that, to her, this indicates that many view vacation as a way to recharge rather than run themselves ragged, checking off bucket list items — and data supports her hunch. The Pinterest Predicts report noted a big uptick in users searching for terms like "staycation hotel" and "slow life" on the platform.

4. Digital Detox

Let’s face it: most of us spend a major portion of the day on our devices. As of 2018, the average person in the U.S. spent 10 hours and 39 minutes on a screen each day. (If you’re reading this, you’re on a device right now.) Maybe 2024 is the year for a digital detox — another one of Pinterest's most-predicted trends for next year.

Your version of detoxing from devices can look however you want it to. Maybe you start small by giving up social media on the weekends or setting modest usage limits on your phone — or perhaps you’d like to go all in on a total digital fast for days at a time. You might be amazed at the results. Research from 2022 found that cell phone usage was associated with negative effects on both physical and mental health, particularly in young people. Dialing back your screen time could leave you feeling better in body and mind.

5. Knockout Workouts

Get a great workout and take stress down a peg? We’ll take that combo any day! According to Pinterest data, so-called “knockout workouts” are projected to go more mainstream in 2024. These exercise routines include combat sports like karate, kickboxing, and jiu-jitsu, which not only provide an excellent cardio challenge but could also help clear your head. One study from 2020 even concluded that martial arts training could help reduce adverse mental health symptoms.

"There's something so empowering about knockout workouts — it's a great way to feel in control and confident," Geil says. "You might feel intimidated by walking into a boxing gym, but don't let that stop you. Everyone was a beginner once, and with the right trainer, these workouts are scalable for all levels."

If your local gym doesn’t offer kickboxing, jiu-jitsu, or other martial arts (yet), check your area for studios. A quick YouTube search will also bring up tons of knockout workouts to tackle stress and get you in fighting form.

Related: Affordable Home Gym Equipment to Complete Any At-Home Workout

6. Big Talk

“Big talk” might sound like another version of blowing hot air — but in fact, it refers to deepening connections through meaningful conversation. As a new year rolls around, Gen Z and Millennials are seeking to forge more emotional intimacy through discussion, per the Pinterest report. Since Gen Z reports more loneliness than other generations , it’s probably a step in a good direction.

It can sometimes be hard to get a deep convo off the ground, so 2024 may see the rise of products like conversation starter games or apps. The Get Closer game for couples, for example, includes cards with three levels of questions: close, closer, and closest. Questions are designed to help you and your partner share more meaningfully about your loves, dreams, and values.

7. Even More Mocktails

The sober-curious movement isn’t new to 2024 but continues gaining momentum. According to WHOOP's annual Year in Review report, users drank less frequently in 2023, and Google searches for mocktails have been steadily rising over the last five years. It’s a positive trend, for sure. Ditching alcohol can have benefits like weight loss , better liver function, and reduced risk of heart disease .

With more and more people ditching alcohol, fun and fancy mocktails are taking up an increasing percentage of the beverage market share. "I've noticed an increasing number of restaurants with mocktail and low alcohol by volume (ABV) drink menus in larger cities," says Dana Leigh Smith, Shape 's interim associate editorial director. "The drinks are often creatively named, like the boozy beverages on the menu, so those who choose to abstain don't wind up in the limelight. I see this as a great step toward normalizing being sober."

In the new year, the Pinterest report says we should expect to see more tropical-inspired mocktail options with pineapple, coconut, and other island-themed fruits. Start your very own sober luau with canned tropical mocktails like Wildwonder’s Pineapple Paradise or Olipop’s Tropical Punch , which boasts 9 grams of fiber and just 3 grams of added sugar. (Don’t forget the tiny umbrella!) With drinks like these in hand, you can say “cheers” to a healthy new year.

Related: 12 Low-Alcohol Cocktails that Deliver a Healthy Buzz

For more Shape news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Shape .

THE BEST Elektrostal Spas & Wellness Centers

Spas & wellness centers in elektrostal.

• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Budget-friendly
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

THE BEST Spas & Wellness Centres in Elektrostal

Spas & wellness centres in elektrostal.

• Good for Kids
• Good for Big Groups
• Adventurous
• Budget-friendly
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Hidden Gems
• Good for Couples
• Honeymoon spot
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

Small Business Trends

10 tax deductions for travel expenses (2023 tax year).

Tax season can be stressful, especially if you’re unaware of the tax deductions available to you. If you’ve traveled for work throughout the year, there are a number of deductions for travel expenses that can help reduce your taxable income in 2024 and save you money.

Read on for 10 tax deductions for travel expenses in the 2023 tax year.

Are business travel expenses tax deductible?

Business travel expenses incurred while away from your home and principal place of business are tax deductible. These expenses may include transportation costs, baggage fees, car rentals, taxis, shuttles, lodging, tips, and fees.

It is important to keep receipts and records of the actual expenses for tax purposes and deduct the actual cost.

What kinds of travel expenses are tax deductible?

To deduct business travel expenses, they must meet certain criteria set by the IRS.

The following are the primary requirements that a travel expense must meet in order to be eligible for a tax deduction:

• Ordinary and necessary expenses: The expense must be common and accepted in the trade or business and be helpful and appropriate for the business.
• Directly related to trade or business: The expense must be directly related to the trade or business and not of a personal nature.
• Away from home overnight: The expense must have been incurred while away from both the taxpayer’s home and the location of their main place of business (tax home) overnight.
• Proper documentation: The taxpayer must keep proper documentation, such as receipts and records, of the expenses incurred.

Eligible Business Travel Tax Deductions

Business travel expenses can quickly add up. Fortunately, many of these expenses are tax deductible for businesses and business owners.

Here is an overview of the types of business travel expenses that are eligible for tax deductions in the United States:

Accommodation Expenses

Accommodation expenses can be claimed as tax deductions on business trips. This includes lodging at hotels, rental costs of vacation homes, and other lodgings while traveling.

Meal Expenses

Food and beverage expenses incurred on a business trip may be deducted from taxes. This includes meals while traveling and meals during meetings with clients or contractors.

Transportation Expenses

Deducting business travel expenses incurred while on a business trip may also be claimed.

This includes flights, train tickets, car rentals, gas for personal vehicles used for the business trip, toll fees, parking fees, taxi rides to and from the airport or train station, and more.

Expenses of operating and maintaining a car

Expenses of operating and maintaining a car used for business travel may also be claimed as tax deductions.

This includes fuel, insurance, registration costs, actual costs of repairs, and maintenance fees. Fees paid to hire a chauffeur or driver may also be deducted.

Operating and maintaining house-trailers

Operating and maintaining house trailers for business travel may be eligible for tax deductions, provided that the use of such trailers is considered “ordinary” and “necessary” for your business.

This includes any costs associated with renting or owning a trailer, such as fuel costs, repair and maintenance fees, insurance, and registration charges.

Internet and phone expenses

Internet and phone expenses associated with business travel can also be claimed as tax deductions. This includes the cost of any internet service, such as Wi-Fi or data plans, and phone services, such as roaming charges or international calls.

Any communication devices purchased for business use, such as smartphones and laptops, may also be eligible for tax deductions.

Computer rental fees

Rental fees for computers and other computing devices used during business travel may also be deducted from taxes. This includes any applicable charges for purchasing, leasing, or renting a computer, as well as the related costs of connecting to the Internet and other digital services.

All such expenses must be necessary for the success of the business trip in order to qualify for a tax deduction.

Travel supplies

Travel supplies, such as suitcases and other bags, are also eligible for tax deductions when used for business travel. Any costs associated with keeping the items protected, such as locks and tracking devices, can also be claimed as tax deductions.

Other necessary supplies, such as office equipment or reference materials, may also be eligible for deductions.

Conference fees and events

Conference fees and events related to business travel may also be eligible for tax deductions. This includes fees associated with attending a conference, such as registration, accommodation, and meals.

Any costs related to the organization of business events, such as venue hire and catering, may also be claimed as tax deductions.

Cleaning and laundry expenses

Business travel expenses associated with cleaning and laundry may also be claimed as tax deductions. This includes a portion of the cost of hotel and motel services, such as cleaning fees charged for laundering clothing, as well as any other reasonable expenses related to keeping clean clothes while traveling away from home.

Ineligible Travel Expenses Deductions

When it comes to business expenses and taxes, not all travel expenses are created equal. Some expenses are considered “Ineligible Travel Expenses Deductions” and cannot be claimed as deductions on your income taxes.

Here is a list of common travel expenses that cannot be deducted, with a brief explanation of each:

• Personal Vacations: Expenses incurred during a personal vacation are not deductible, even if you conduct some business while on the trip. In addition, expenses related to personal pleasure or recreation activities are also not eligible for deductions.
• Gifts: Gifts purchased for business reasons during travel are not deductible, even if the gifts are intended to benefit the business in some way.
• Commuting: The cost of commuting between your home and regular place of business is not considered a deductible expense.
• Meals: Meals consumed while traveling on business can only be partially deducted, with certain limits on the amount.
• Lodging: The cost of lodging is a deductible expense, but only if it is deemed reasonable and necessary for the business trip.
• Entertainment: Entertainment expenses, such as tickets to a show or sporting event, are not deductible, even if they are associated with a business trip.

How to Deduct Travel Expenses

To deduct travel expenses from income taxes, the expenses must be considered ordinary and necessary for the operation of the business. This means the expenses must be common and accepted business activities in your industry, and they must be helpful, appropriate, and for business purposes.

In order to claim travel expenses as a deduction, they must be itemized on Form 2106 for employees or Schedule C for self-employed individuals.

How much can you deduct for travel expenses?

While on a business trip, the full cost of transportation to your destination, whether it’s by plane, train, or bus, is eligible for deduction.

Similarly, if you rent a car for transportation to and around your destination, the cost of the rental is also deductible. For food expenses incurred during a business trip, only 50% of the cost is eligible for a write-off.

How do you prove your tax deductions for travel expenses?

To prove your tax deductions for travel expenses, you should maintain accurate records such as receipts, invoices, and any other supporting documentation that shows the amount and purpose of the expenses.

Some of the documentation you may need to provide include receipts for transportation, lodging, and meals, a detailed itinerary or schedule of the trip, an explanation of the bona fide business purpose of the trip, or proof of payment for all expenses.

What are the penalties for deducting a disallowed business expense?

Deducting a disallowed business expense can result in accuracy-related penalties of 20% of the underpayment, interest charges, re-assessment of the tax return, and in severe cases, fines and imprisonment for tax fraud. To avoid these penalties, it’s important to understand expense deduction rules and keep accurate records.

Can you deduct travel expenses when you bring family or friends on a business trip?

It is not usually possible to deduct the expenses of taking family or friends on a business trip. However, if these individuals provided value to the company, it may be possible. It’s advisable to speak with an accountant or financial expert before claiming any deductions related to bringing family and friends on a business trip.

Can you deduct business-related expenses incurred while on vacation?

Expenses incurred while on a personal vacation are not deductible, even if some business is conducted during the trip. To be eligible for a deduction, the primary purpose of the trip must be for business and the expenses must be directly related to conducting that business.

Can you claim a travel expenses tax deduction for employees?

Employers can deduct employee travel expenses if they are ordinary, necessary, and adequately documented. The expenses must also be reported as taxable income on the employee’s W-2.

What are the limits on deducting the cost of meals during business travel?

The IRS permits a 50% deduction of meal and hotel expenses for business travelers that are reasonable and not lavish. If no meal expenses are incurred, $5.00 daily can be deducted for incidental expenses. The federal meals and incidental expense per diem rate is what determines the standard meal allowance.

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What Summer Travel to Europe Will Look Like This Year

By Arati Menon

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

With additional reporting by Sarah Allard

When travel journalist Jenn Rice decided to spend July and August in Italy and Croatia last year, she wasn’t expecting to be spending most of her time indoors. “It was very very hot, so I booked museum tickets during peak days or just lounged around in my room with a spritz and a book until the sun set.” In Dubrovnik she tried escaping to the sea for a cool dip, but everyone else had the same idea—resulting in sweaty, overcrowded beaches. “In Rome , gelato melted faster than the speed of light,” she says.

Come summer, major attractions like the Spanish Steps in Rome are thronged by international tourists and vacationing Europeans.

Rome and Dubrovnik weren’t the only European destinations overcome with heat. To travel in Europe in the summer of 2023 was to experience first-hand a single season of contrasting extremes. Temperatures swung from hot and dry to cold and wet, and heatwaves broke out across several of the most heavily touristed destinations, with temperatures reaching upwards of 100°F. In Northern Greece, wildfires broke out —the worst experienced there in 20 years —destroying homes, forests, and vineyards.

Yet in the midst of it all, the continent also saw record-breaking tourist numbers —the highest since pre-pandemic levels—even as hotel prices swelled and airfares hit peaks. From scenic escapes like Bellagio in Como and Taormina in Sicily (where the White Lotus effect was on full display) to bucket-list cities like Paris and Madrid , much of touristed Europe was completely overwhelmed.

“We had people calling us from Athens and Rome asking us to get them out [to somewhere cooler in Europe], because it was too hot and too crowded,” recalls Jan Sortland , founder of Scandinavia specialists Norwegian Adventures.

International tourists weren’t the only ones thronging these spots. According to the European Travel Commission , most Europeans took their vacations before the peak month of August, with Italy and France being their top destinations. This resulted in packed crowds at all the major attractions. For John Canning, an LA-based executive who traveled to Paris in July, the crowds were eye-opening. “We didn’t anticipate that everything we would want to see was sold out. We only got Musée d’Orsay tickets through our concierge at a substantial premium and could not get into the Louvre full stop,” he says.

Rice says the summer taught her to plan her travel differently this year—and beyond: “I’m going to try and do coastal Italy early in May, and if I decide to travel in Europe this summer it will be either Asturias in Northern Spain or the Julian Alps in Slovenia to keep cool."

She’s not alone—according to the travel specialists we spoke with, there’s an increased interest in lesser-known destinations offering a more laid back (and cooler) holiday. “Our guests are asking after places where they can be outdoors, yet have access to wine & foodie experiences and culture. Slovenia is a great example of where you can have all that without being overwhelmed with the heat; the Dolomites in Italy is another,” says Rachael Mendizabal, Europe travel specialist at Scott Dunn . Richard Hyde, COO at Small Luxury Hotels of the World , is seeing similar trends across their European portfolio: “Guests seem to be gravitating towards alternative destinations—Milos instead of Mykonos and Slovenia instead of Spain.”

Norway is a popular destination this summer, offering cooler weather and a myriad ways to be active outside, exploring the islands and fjords.

A big part of that shift will play into Sortland’s area of expertise: Northern Europe. With the Med getting too hot to handle, experts predict that tourism will shift northwards. “We’re seeing a lot of interest in Copenhagen and Stockholm for the cultural experience, and then onward to Norway for the nature. Currently, the fjords are still a favorite but Norway is a large country and there’s so much more to see—the Helgeland coast for example with its beautiful coastline and mountainous islands,” he says. The draw is a more moderate temperature and unique outdoor experiences. “ Iceland is a big favorite right now with the Northern lights being the most active this year from September through March,” says Mendizabal.

Zahra Hankir

Levi Mandel

Hannah Towey

Charlie Hobbs

In turn, for many, the more standard city breaks will fall later in the year. “Athens and Rome will always be desirable destinations, but we’ve seen an uptick in many people preferring to go there in May and October to swerve crowds,” says Carolyn Addison, head of product at Black Tomato , noting the weather in fall has been stable lately and enticing to travelers not tied to school holidays.

With this increased flexibility, shoulder season will become tricker to define, according to Mendizabal. Thanks to hotels extending their season as demand shifts to almost year-round and the high-season pricing window getting longer, the days of “scooping a deal in September are likely over.” At Jumeirah Palace in Capri , the season now runs from March to the end of December. “Thanks to the good weather, guests are staying longer than in the past,” says Ermanno Zanini, regional vice president at Jumeirah Group, Southern Europe and United Kingdom.

Castello di Vicarello in Tuscany 's Maremma countryside has traditionally stayed open in March and November. “We're pushing the low season as much as possible because we truly believe it is a wonderful time to discover Tuscany. There is so much for guests to enjoy from hiking to mountain biking, truffle hunting, and wine tastings,” says owner Neri Baccheschi Berti.

Crucially, traveling in the shoulder and off seasons isn't just about avoiding the crowds; it’s knowing that seasonal destinations are multi-dimensional, with year-round appeal. “One of my favorite things to do in cooler weather is to hike to the peak of Mount Solaro, with its beautiful views of the town of Capri and the bay of Marina Piccola with the Faraglioni, as well as Anacapri. You also see plenty of wintering birds on the island,” says Zanini.

Zanini adds that they are in talks with the island's municipality to consider what it would take to stay open in February and March, traditionally strictly closed off. “It's not as straightforward as you think. There’s a lot of infrastructure that needs to be geared towards the low season: restaurants need to stay open, as do shops, and guides need to be available; it can’t just be the hotel,” he adds.

However, with staying open longer, there’s a real opportunity to engage local communities year-round, not to mention stabilize the hiring pool—and improve work culture. “We’ve already seen the positive impact of a longer season for our partners on the ground and locals in the hospitality and tourism sector,” says Addison, who adds that shifts in travel seasons are far from a fleeting trend. “This pattern for more year-round travel will continue to pick up pace in 2025—and beyond," she says.

Travel specialists are quick to point out that even with some of this rebalancing, summer this year and next will continue to see high demand for travel to—and within—Europe. According to Hayley Berg, chief economist at Hopper, while airfare remains higher than at this time in 2019, 40% of all searches for international trips this summer are to Europe, in line with last year and slightly higher than in 2019.

“Sure, we think that traveler numbers on the Côte d'Azur will smooth out through the year, but summer will certainly remain the festive season—only it will be longer,” says Lucie Weill, owner of wellness retreat Lily of the Valley near St. Tropez , which sees its faire share of packed streets and crowded beaches come summer. Weill adds that the hotel has seen success in extending its season.

For travel specialist Cari Gray of Gray & Co . late requests and a lack of flexibility could mean getting turned away because of a lack of availability. “Whether it’s a visit to the Vatican or dogsledding in Alaska , access is going to be very difficult. And there are only that many high-end lodges in Lapland ,” she says. Addison offers the example of Lake Como , where the best properties can often get booked up a year or two in advance during the busiest summer months. “Knowing that the top hotels and guides are getting booked up and that weather disruptions are increasingly unpredictable, clients who want to commit to the most popular summer hotspots in Europe, like the Greek islands and Sardinia are securing their bookings a year out.”

The Balearic island of Menorca is a charming escape with its rocky coves, white-sand beaches, and green rolling hills.

Ultimately, it’s not about giving up on all the places you love: just about pivoting, even if within the same country. “Why not Menorca instead of Mallorca, with its explosion of fantastic hotels and its great beach front, or Epirus in Northern Greece on the Albanian border with its Stone villages, old-growth forests, and truffle hunts instead of the islands," says Gray.

"In Italy we’re always pushing to discover new areas, even in regions that we’ve been exploring for decades like Tuscany and Umbria because new hotels are opening up regularly,” says Courtney Mundy , a travel specialist at experiential travel experts Butterfield & Robinson.

And, a word of caution for the rising favorites: “Smaller destinations in Iceland & Norway will really need to consider how to manage the higher number of visitors than ever before,” says Addison. “Parts of Iceland are overtouristed,” agrees Sortland, “so, it’s not unreasonable to think that smaller communities in Norway could eventually be at risk, too.” Whether it's through new tourist tax regimens or limits on cruise ship day-trippers to reduce crowding, a shifting tide will need more alert local governments—and as we’re swapping beaches for the mountains or Rome for Stockholm, more responsible travel habits that leave fewer traces behind.

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The Best Jeans for Women Over 50 in 2024

Cool denim for grownups in flattering styles for all.

Lois Joy Johnson,

You’re never too old for jeans, but your jeans may be too old for you. There’s a not-so-quiet revolution brewing in jeans-land as more women shed skintight skinny jeans and jeggings for looser, body-friendly styles. Updated jeans with boot-cut, flare, straight and wide legs are dialing up comfort and fashion. Do you wonder if wider-leg jeans will make you look wider too? Which rise is most flattering? Ankle, crop or full length? Should you opt for denim in white, black or a blue wash? Here’s all you need to know.

1. Flattery before trendiness.

The perfect jeans will make you feel a lot cooler and a little sassier without showing your lunch. They won’t squeeze your thighs and calves, leave muffin-top bulges hovering above the waistband or make you long to take them off at the end of the day. They’ll go with all your tops, tucked and untucked, pivot from ballet flats to sneakers and feel softly broken-in, even in dark blue washes. As a fashion editor, I’ve done hundreds of jeans photo shoots with grownup women of every size and shape. That’s why I’m encouraging you to break away from your usual jeans and try a new style. It may be way more flattering than you think and will certainly update your wardrobe . Check out Oprah Winfrey , Sofía Vergara , Cher and Julianne Moore in some of the roomiest and trendiest jeans around to see what I mean.

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2. Choose a rise that works with your bust and torso.

The rise is the distance from the bottom of the crotch to the top of the waistband. Ignore extremes like low rise and extra high rises and figure out where you like the waistband to sit. This will either be a medium or a high rise. Medium-rise jeans like the Time and Tru Women’s Mid Rise Bootcut Jeans with Side Vents in Winter White ($20, walmart.com ) are about 8 to 9.5 inches and sit at or just below the belly button. They give the torso more midriff space so those with a large bust don’t feel their breasts are sitting right on top of the waistband. High-rise jeans like the Universal Thread Women’s High-Rise Sailor Wide Leg Ankle Jeans in Cream or Navy Blue ($28, target.com ) and Maeve The Ettie High-Rise Crop Wide-Leg Jeans in Riviera Wash ($98, anthropologie.com ) run about 9 to 11.5 inches and sit just above the belly button or a little higher. They tuck in midriff flab, define the waist and solve waistband gap for those slimmer on top, wider on bottom (what used to be called a pear shape). Choose whichever rise gives your proportions a boost and remember the exact measurements for medium and high rise do blur a little from brand to brand.

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3. Stick with stretch denim.

The best jeans comfort your curves with a blend that includes elastane, Lycra or spandex — stretch fibers that add flex to the fabric. All-cotton jeans may sound appealing, but they feel stiff, lack stretchability and take years of laundering to soften up. However, most jeans now have at least 1 percent stretch. That’s enough give to hug the body and keep your jeans in shape. Some, like the J.Jill The Boyfriend Jeans in Chelsea Wash ($89, jjill.com ), have 2 percent spandex, which amps up softness and stretchiness even further. Pull-on stretch jeans like the Chico’s Travelers Pull On Cropped Jeans in Skyway Indigo ($90, chicos.com ) and Gloria Vanderbilt Shape Effect Women’s High Rise Pull On Flare Leg Jean in Sonoma Valley ($48, jcpenney.com ) have wide elastic waistbands and a fashionable look, but they’re a quiet trend. You may not see them on Facebook or Instagram , but thanks to a combo of stretch, design and style, pull-on jeans make normal weight fluctuations easy to deal with and give untucked tees and button-downs a smoother line at the belly.

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4. Choose a practical length and the right hem.

The best jeans now, regardless of style, are of a length that works with your shoes . Many women — especially the under 5-foot-2 crowd — and those who now live in flats year-round, can count on ankle-length jeans that stop at or right above the anklebone and crops that are shorter and stop an inch or two above the ankle. Both pair easily with ballet flats, sneakers, loafers and strappy sandals to show off your shoes and your trim ankles. Others prefer the leg-lengthening illusion of full-length jeans that graze the tops of feet or puddle over your shoes. Whether straight, boot-cut or wide, longer lengths optically add inches to the legs, especially when teamed with wedges, chunky heels or kitten heels for extra lift and extension. Puddling (where pants pool on the ground) is in, so wear full-length jeans with flats and flip-flops too if you like the look. Just don’t overdo the excess to avoid tripping on the hem. Check out the Ellos Women’s Plus-Size Crop Bootcut Jeans in Light Stonewash ($57, target.com ), H&M Women Slim Straight High Ankle Jeans in Light Denim Blue ($38, www2.hm.com/en_us/ ) and Lands’ End Women’s Mid Rise Denim Wide Leg Ankle Jeans in Lafayette Blue ($80, landsend.com ). A tip about length and hems: Jeans length is not a one-size-fits-all proposition. Leg proportions vary and altering the length by even a half inch often improves the glide of the jeans leg so it doesn’t buckle or look bunched up. Frayed hems make DIY trims simple, but they’re casual and look better on light to medium washes. Neat hems require pro tailoring, but they give jeans a chic, pulled-together look.

5. Look for modified versions of super trends.

Let’s be honest, statement jeans — like those with extremely wide legs and exaggerated flares or big cuffs — get social media attention. But modified versions of new styles work better for real life, real wardrobes and real bodies over 50. Those reluctant to give up “skinnies” can get a less clingy update with straight-leg jeans like the Loft High Rise Straight Jeans in Vintage Mid Indigo Wash ($90, loft.com ). For a wearable wider leg, try a cropped kick flare like the Mango Women Crop Flared Jeans in Medium Blue ($50, mango.com/us ). You’ll get an on-trend appearance but retain the shapely (and familiar) fit at waist, hips and thighs. Another way to dial up volume at the hem is with a trouser-cut jean that’s tailored and cut wider at the lower leg like the Draper James Women’s High-Rise Wide Leg Jeans ($50, kohls.com ). Unlike old-style trouser jeans, these skip pleats for a flattering fit and offer a dressier, work-appropriate silhouette.

6. Update your jean colors and washes.

For decades, dark denim was the work and dress-up jean, lighter washes and white were for summer and distressed jeans with rips were the edgy ones. Now light, dark wash and white jeans are stylish all year and soft medium blues with a subtle even vintage wash have replaced rips as cool. Jeans in earthy shades of beige, khaki or brown like Everlane’s The Way-High Curve Jean in Cocoa ($128, everlane.com ) and Lee Women’s Legendary Straight Jeans in Tigers Eye ($35, kohls.com ) have been added to complement wardrobes that tend toward warm neutrals and brown/tan accessories rather than black. Which jeans are the dressiest? Black and darker blues like the Old Navy Women High-Waisted OG Loose Jeans in Dark Wash ($45, oldnavy.gap.com ) look the most polished and posh, and white jeans like the Lauren Ralph Lauren Super Stretch Premier Straight Jeans in White ($115, macys.com ) look sophisticated paired with black or navy and brighten an otherwise dark wardrobe. Start shopping !

Lois Joy Johnson is a beauty and style editor who focuses on women 50 and older. She was the beauty and style editor at  Ladies’ Home Journal  and a founding editor of  More  magazine.   She has written three books:  The Makeup Wakeup, The Wardrobe Wakeup  and  The Woman's Wakeup.

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Zelenskiy calls for operational changes to Ukraine military after sacking commander

President demands ‘new level of medical support for soldiers’ as questions mount over speed of counteroffensive against Russia

Volodymyr Zelenskiy has demanded rapid changes in the operations of Ukraine’s military and announced the dismissal of the commander of its medical forces.

The Ukrainian president’s move was announced on Sunday as he met defence minister, Rustem Umerov, and coincided with debate over the conduct of the 20-month-old war against Russia , with questions over how quickly a counteroffensive in the east and south is proceeding.

“In today’s meeting with defence minister Umerov, priorities were set,” Zelenskiy said in his nightly video address. “There is little time left to wait for results. Quick action is needed for forthcoming changes.”

Zelenskiy said he had replaced Maj Gen Tetiana Ostashchenko as commander of the medical forces.

“The task is clear, as has been repeatedly stressed in society, particularly among combat medics, we need a fundamentally new level of medical support for our soldiers,” he said.

This, he said, included a range of issues – better tourniquets, digitalisation and better communication.

Umerov acknowledged the change on the Telegram messaging app and set as top priorities digitalisation, “tactical medicine” and rotation of service personnel.

Ukraine’s military reports on what it describes as advances in recapturing occupied areas in the east and south and last week acknowledged that troops had taken control of areas on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River in southern Kherson region.

Ukrainian commander in chief, Gen Valery Zaluzhny, in an essay published this month, said the war was entering a new stage of attrition and Ukraine needed more sophisticated technology to counter the Russian military.

While repeatedly saying advances will take time, Zelenskiy has denied the war is headed into a stalemate and has called on Kyiv’s western partners, mainly the United States, to maintain levels of military support.

Ostashchenko was replaced by Maj Gen Anatoliy Kazmirchuk, head of a military clinic in Kyiv.

Her dismissal came a week after a Ukrainian news outlet suggested her removal, as well as that of others, was imminent after consultations with paramedics and other officials responsible for providing support to the military.

Meanwhile on Sunday, air defence units in Moscow intercepted a drone targeting the city, mayor Sergei Sobyanin said.

Sobyanin, writing on the Telegram messaging app, said units in the Elektrostal district in the capital’s east had intercepted the drone.

According to preliminary information, falling debris resulting from the operation had caused no casualties or damage, Sobyanin said.

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At a Russian Palace, a Storybook Beginning

Ten years after meeting at a party at Harvard, Svetlana Dotsenko and Fabián Poliak reconnected while both were traveling in Europe.

By Valeriya Safronova

In August 2018, Svetlana Dotsenko and Fabián Alejandro Poliak were visiting the Peterhof palace complex in St. Petersburg, Russia, when Mr. Poliak decided to make a move.

“I’m not leaving these grounds without trying for a kiss,” Mr. Poliak recalled thinking to himself.

A short while later, they were running through the palace gardens in a torrential downpour to catch the last ferry of the day back to the city center. “On the final bridge, I pulled her back,” Mr. Poliak said. “It was very beautiful.”

Ms. Dotsenko, 36, and Mr. Poliak, 35, first met at a party at Harvard in 2008. She was a sophomore from Voronezh, Russia, studying government, and he was a freshman from Buenos Aires studying sociology. Their interaction at the party was brief. Afterward, Ms. Dotsenko messaged Mr. Poliak on Facebook to ask if he would teach her Spanish. Mr. Poliak, “clueless” that the invitation was about more than learning a new language, wondered why she wouldn’t just take a class.

“He didn’t follow up, so we both completely moved on,” Ms. Dotsenko said.

Ten years later, Ms. Dotsenko was on the Greek island of Crete for a summer program that she runs annually as part of her business, Project Lever, which helps international students apply to top colleges in the United States and match with professors for research projects. She posted on Facebook that she was looking for a last-minute tutor for the students.

Mr. Poliak had just received an M.B.A. from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley and was traveling around Europe for four months before joining Tesla, where he still works now, as a program manager.

Mr. Poliak answered Ms. Dotsenko’s post, and she hired him immediately. “The program was very intense,” Ms. Dotsenko said. “It was no place for romance.”

Still, she was intrigued by his personality. So before their week together ended, she invited him to join her on a trip to Russia. He agreed.

It was there that their romance began — with the kiss at the palace. They went to Moscow, too, as well as Vladimir, a nearby city, where they visited a bench that promised those who sat on it “eternal love.”

“At the end of that marvelous week together in Russia, I told her I want to see where this goes,” Mr. Poliak said. He was about to start a new job in San Francisco, and Ms. Dotsenko was a digital nomad, never staying in one place for more than a few weeks.

“I asked, ‘Are you down to keep seeing each other once a month?” Ms. Dotsenko said. He was.

For the next year and a half, they dated long-distance, meeting in different countries, like Switzerland, Mexico and Peru. “It was an adventure all over the world,” Ms. Dotsenko said.

“Even with all the logistics, it felt like the easiest relationship I ever had,” Mr. Poliak said. “It was a huge, huge signal.”

When the pandemic started, their distance apart shortened: Mr. Poliak moved to Amsterdam, and Ms. Dotsenko settled in Berlin. (He joined her there in September 2023.) On Aug. 11, 2022, during a surprise trip to Mierzęcin Palace Wellness & Wine Resort in Mierzęcin, Poland, to watch the Perseid meteor shower , Mr. Poliak proposed on a bridge in the resort’s garden.

On Aug. 30, 2023, Ms. Dotsenko took Mr. Poliak to the Magere Brug, or “Skinny Bridge,” in Amsterdam during the blue supermoon . She bent down on one knee, took out a meteorite ring and asked him to marry her. “We try to make our relationship equal on all grounds, so I thought it’s important to have a reciprocal ask,” Ms. Dotsenko said.

[Click here to binge read this week’s featured couples.]

The two were married March 26 by Paula Tambussi, a public official at the Registro Civil Central in Buenos Aires, the same building where Mr. Poliak’s parents were wed in 1981.

A few days later, on March 30, the couple celebrated with 140 guests at Chacra Taló, an events space outside Buenos Aires. The event mixed traditions from their cultures: They stepped on glass to honor Mr. Poliak’s Jewish heritage, and from Ms. Dotsenko’s mother, they received an Russian Orthodox icon from Vladimir, the city they visited in Russia in 2018. Professional dancers performed the tango during the reception.

At midnight, the newlyweds surprised guests with a special performance: Ms. Dotsenko played the piano, Mr. Poliak sang, and Ms. Dotsenko’s cousins divided up the backup singing and drumming duties.

The after-party, at La Posta del Pilar Hotel and Spa, lasted until 7:30 a.m. — when breakfast started. “The last thing he said to me before going to sleep at 9 a.m. was, ‘We chose to get married in the most insane way possible,’” Ms. Dotsenko said.

Weddings Trends and Ideas

Reinventing a Mexican Tradition: Mariachi, a soundtrack for celebration in Mexico, offers a way for couples to honor their heritage  at their weddings.

Something Thrifted: Focused on recycled clothing , some brides are finding their wedding attire on vintage sites and at resale stores.

Brand Your Love Story: Some couples are going above and beyond to personalize their weddings, with bespoke party favors and custom experiences for guests .

Going to Great Lengths : Mega wedding cakes are momentous for reasons beyond their size — they are part of an emerging trend of extremely long cakes .

Popping the Question: Here are some of the sweetest, funniest and most heartwarming ways that c ouples who wed in 2023 asked, “Will you marry me? ”

Classic Wedding Traditions: Some time-honored customs have been reimagined  for modern brides and grooms seeking a touch of nostalgia with a contemporary twist.