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The Caribbean Islands are the perfect place to truly unwind and begin a journey of self-discovery. Home to some of the world's best wellness resorts, there are hundreds of healing treatments on offer that will nurture your mind, body and soul. A place of true, natural beauty, the Caribbean boasts a diverse tropical landscape featuring mountain ranges, valleys, volcanoes and beaches. While these will provide the perfect backdrop for self-nourishment and revitalisation on a spa and wellness holiday, they simultaneously make the islands great for exploring the outdoors and getting fit through physical pursuit. There are many activities to choose from such as trekking, snorkelling and various water sports. What's more, these destinations are well suited for families, groups or solo holidays. So why not spoil yourself by taking a holiday to one of our top five luxury healthy spa holidays that are guaranteed to let you make the most of what these diverse islands really have to offer.

Thanks to an extra UK bank holiday for the Diamond Jubilee weekend, smart travellers can book less time off work for more days on holiday. With one month to go, it's not too late for travellers wanting to make the most of the long weekend and take advantage of the double bank holiday bonanza.

Cyprus is an increasingly popular destination to visit for an all-round health and fitness experience and one that also caters for families. The award-winning Aphrodite Hills has established itself as a leader in active and wellness holidays with a stunning spa, golf course, and tennis academy, with the name originally named after the goddess, Aphrodite. Located just a short 15 minute transfer from Paphos airport and set just off the coast, it provides stunning spectacles on the coastline. 

Yoga and Pilates tend to get grouped together - and rightly so given they are so complimentary to one another. However, the two disciplines offer fairly different experiences from one another, so if you’re wondering ‘yoga vs pilates - which one is right for me?’ keep reading to discover the key differences and benefits!

Elli Soumaki

Elli has over twenty-five years of experience in the field of spa, fitness and wellness. She is Spa Director at the Six Senses Spa, at Porto Elounda Golf & Spa Resort. An integral role as the wellness facilities are a central part of this retreat’s ethos and allure. Holding this position since 2004, Elli also currently works as the getaway’s Area Director since 2011. She graduated from the University of Physical Education and Science in Athens and achieved a Masters in Sports Management from the University of Louisville, Kentucky. Elli has been a member of the Greek national swimming team and always actively promoted the goodwill and spirit of the Olympic games. A true believer that our health and the overall state of wellbeing can be enhanced via exercise, movement, nutrition, and holistic treatments, to fulfil your mind, body, and spirit.

We all want to be great; to stand out within our company, to be the best partner, friend and loved one. The question is how do we have all of this and look after our own health, mind and being?

Besides professional athletes, there are none as fit as the men and women of our military. Their discipline and commitment to fitness is an inspiration to all. It makes sense then, if you are looking to get in shape, to consult the veterans of some of the most demanding physical endurance tests known to man. Sadly, not all of us are well-acquainted with the professionals, so at Health and Fitness Travel, we decided to get in contact with a member of our armed forces to understand better the benefits of a military style bootcamp holiday.  

I have been a trainer for over 20 years now. Have always loved helping people improve their wellness, so studied to be a trainer when I was pregnant with my second child. I just kept on wanting to help more people, started working/managing in Health Retreats working on all areas of people’s health.

"Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease." The World Health Organisation

With our fast paced, digitally-induced lives leaving us little time to breathe, let alone think straight, it’s little wonder that stress is are becoming a modern day pandemic.

When we experience stress or anxiety, our sympathetic nervous systems are automatically triggered; our heart beats harder, our brow and palms perspire and adrenaline pumps around our bodies as we enter fight or flight mode – an innate, primal response to aid our survival.

Angie Newson has been in the health and fitness industry for over 25 years - teaching all aspects of fitness, from aquatics to yoga and Pilates retreats. Author of Get Fit for Free and The Detox Factor, she has also many years’ experience of health club management running studios and formerly as a General Manager of a private top London health spa.