Unmissable wellness destinations to recharge mind, body and spirit

Perhaps the world’s pre-eminent wellness destination, Bali – the "Island of the Gods" –combines modern well-being with a deeply spiritual culture. Cafés offer açai smoothie bowls and bean-to-bar chocolate, locavore and vegan restaurants abound, and Ubud’s legendary Yoga Barn offers over 100 classes a week. Across the island, myriad retreats centre on detoxing, sound healing, energy purification and more. All amidst a lush landscape of terraced rice fields and streets adorned by colourful offerings to the gods.

The remarkable red rock formations of the desert oasis of Sedona have long attracted spiritual seekers and holistic healers. Some people believe that the area is home to energy vortexes that come from deep within the Earth, and its reputation as a wellness hotspot is deeply deserved. Take a full-moon hike through the stunning landscape, go on a self-love retreat, learn about the Indigenous cultures of the region or simply soak up the natural energy of this extraordinary place.

With its 1500-plus temples and shrines, mind-clearing Zen gardens, and meditative tea ceremonies – to say nothing of its stunning beauty – Kyoto is a haven for those seeking mindfulness and spirituality. This is Japan’s ancient imperial capital, and the timeless atmosphere of its streets is made for contemplative wandering, to stumble across enchanting Buddhist temples, colourful Shinto shrines, and serene Zen monasteries, while the bamboo forests and wooded mountains around the city hide sublime hikes waiting to be explored.

This faraway volcanic land of ice and fire is the ultimate destination to truly get away from it all. Iceland is famous for its geothermal lakes and spas, set within breathtaking landscapes that offer a deep connection with the country’s extraordinary nature. Soak in the superheated, mineral-rich water of the Blue Lagoon (its white mud is an excellent cure for skin conditions), swim in warm forest pools, and hike over lava fields, glaciers, volcanoes and waterfalls – all the while deeply inhaling some of the cleanest air on Earth.

The Camino di Santiago is an ancient pilgrimage route that has been followed by millions of travellers for over 1000 years. Pilgrims once walked to the cathedral of Santiago, in northern Spain, to reduce their time in purgatory; for modern pilgrims it’s a journey of self-discovery and spiritual renewal. Around 400,000 people each year leave behind the rush of daily life to get closer to the natural world, focus only on putting one foot in front of the other and let the mind open to stillness and introspection – a walking meditation.

Known as the world’s yoga capital, Rishikesh sits on the banks of India’s holy River Ganges in the foothills of the Himalayas. Its ashrams, holy men, and abundance of gurus have been famous ever since the Beatles visited the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi here in the late 1960s, and it still welcomes spiritual seekers from around the globe. Life is simple in Rishikesh’s ashrams: early starts, dorm-style rooms, and shared bathrooms – but this is the place to come if you’re serious about yoga, meditation and mind expansion.

The stunning Swiss Alps are a luxury wellness destination par excellence, with some of the world’s most exclusive spas, holistic health clinics, fresh mountain air and spectacular mountain scenery. Get active whatever the season, with winter sports in snow-covered peaks or active summers hiking through the Alps. Relax with picture-perfect views of sparkling Lake Geneva in Lausanne and breath-catching panoramas across Bad Ragaz, home to world-class medical treatments and one of Europe’s largest spas.

This eco-pioneering country’s incredible biodiversity makes it an ideal place to reconnect with nature. With tropical rainforests, an abundance of wildlife and pristine beaches, Costa Rica lives by the phrase “Pura Vida” (the good life), channelling a super-healthy lifestyle, from eating well to natural immersion. Jungle hikes, volcanic hot springs, a year-round warm sea and sun-drenched sand are the backdrop for lush wellness retreats that blend adventure with mindfulness.