Wellness

Italy, a land of hidden treasures and cultural wonders, holds a secret realm for yoga enthusiasts seeking a transformative retreat. As we explore the captivating world of yoga in Italy, we unearth five remarkable destinations that offer an escape from the ordinary. Get ready to delve into each unique resort as we uncover the best places for a yoga retreat in Italy.

Although an exciting time for most, the Christmas period can often leave us feeling physically and emotionally drained and in need of re-energising ourselves. Fortunately, the beginning of a brand new year offers the perfect opportunity for a new healthy lifestyle change, and a detox holiday is an ideal way to get started. A January detox break on one of our luxury spa holidays is certain to make you feel profoundly better, inside and out.

The demand for healthy honeymoons is amassing rapidly, and newlyweds are increasingly looking for something a little more than the stereotypical champagne-fuelled, lazy break in the sun. Days by the pool are being replaced with activity days where honeymooners can take part in exhilarating fitness activities, or go on excursions where they can hike, bike and kayak to local attractions. Indulgent and gluttonous menu options are swapped for nutritious, balanced and refreshing dishes, and ‘detox’ programmes are not uncommon.

With many fad diets offering nothing more than a short-term fix and unsustainable practices, losing weight and keeping it off can be two very different things. Offering long-term solutions, we share our top healthy eating approaches to nourish your body rather than starve it. Explore the realms of a raw food plant based diet that will allow you to retain all essential nutrients, or delve into the balanced lifestyle of the Ayurvedic diet aimed to reunite your body’s humours.

With many fad diets offering nothing more than a short-term fix and unsustainable practices, losing weight and keeping it off can be two very different things. Offering long-term solutions, we share our top healthy eating approaches to nourish your body rather than starve it. Explore the realms of a raw food plant based diet that will allow you to retain all essential nutrients, or delve into the balanced lifestyle of the Ayurvedic diet aimed to reunite your body’s humours.

Also known as moving meditation, Tai Chi is the art of slow, gentle and controlled movements teamed with calming breathing techniques. A diverse wellness activity for body, mind and soul, the many health benefits of Tai Chi have been found to include; relieving pain, reducing stress, enhancing sleep, improving energy levels, strengthening muscles, increasing flexibility and reducing the risk of injury. 

Celebrity getaways are often remote and exclusive, they are known for going on magnificent holidays to the world's most exciting destinations to escape the pressures of their busy and public persona lifestyles. Celebs have their image to maintain and a health-fulfilled inspired lifestyle is fundamental for them. We share the top five healthy spa holidays where celebs go to keep well.

Follow the sun, sea and a sense of wellness in 2017 with a year’s worth of inspiration in health-enhancing wellness experiences around the world. We share our month-by-month wanderlust guide of the best wellness holidays for 2017 so you can make this the year to nourish your mind, body and soul.

Follow your every wellness whim in 2019 with a year’s worth of inspiration and motivation to indulge in health-enhancing wellness experiences around the world. From January detox retreats in Switzerland to summer fitness breaks in Ibiza, we reveal our month-by-month guide of the best wellness holiday destinations for 2019, so you can make this the year to nourish your mind, body and soul. 

Lee Holmes

Lee Holmes is a holistic nutritionist, yoga teacher, wholefoods chef and author of the bestselling Supercharged Food: Eat Your Way to Health, Supercharged Food: Eat Yourself Beautiful and Eat Clean, Green and Vegetarian. She is a columnist with Wellbeing Magazine and her articles have appeared in leading Australian newspapers and journals, as well as The Times and The Daily Express in the UK and The Huffington Post in the US. Lee’s blog won the overall award at the Bupa Health Influencer Awards in 2014 as well as the best blog in the Healthy Eating Category.

You know the drill, “I’ll start my diet on Monday”, “I’ll go to the gym 4 times a week”, “I’ll make sure I see my friends more” – these little promises we tell ourselves we will do to live a more balanced lifestyle that never seem to happen. It is hard, in this fast paced, technologically driven society, to find the time to follow up on our little promises. They are put to the back of our mind as we try and multi-task balancing our work, family and social life and as a result we can feel stressed.

With so many celebs raving about its miraculous properties, apple cider vinegar has become the latest health miracle that everyone’s talking about. This healthy concoction has been proven to cause amazing health benefits both inside and out. Unlike most fad diets, apple cider vinegar is here to stay so make sure you opt for the organic and unfiltered bottle to fully benefit from its powers and be sure to always dilute it in water so it’s not too acidic. An alternative therapy for skin conditions, hair health and  weight-loss, this powerful home remedy can be used for almost anything. Keep on scrolling to discover all you need to know about incorporating this magical health potion into your life.

If you’ve spent months in front of a computer screen, attached to your phone and surrounded by hustle and bustle of city life, a rejuvenating beach spa holiday could be exactly what you need for a healthier and happier you!

The best part is, there are many health benefits of holidaying by the sea. Contrary to what some may think, beach holidays can be beneficial to your mental and physical well-being, with a variety of ways to enjoy your surroundings, from jogging in the sand to swimming in the sea.

Fitness fanatics know that the key to keeping fit and healthy is to look after your body; to warm-up, stretch and care for your muscles before and after an invigorating workout. A spa and fitness holiday can be the perfect chance to push yourself physically, before setting aside some time to rejuvenate and unwind with luxury treatments. Stretch your limbs before a Bootcamp class with a yoga lesson, or enjoy a therapeutic deep-tissue massage designed to untangle knots and strains.

To detox or to not is a reoccurring debate in the wellness community. The standard argument against detoxing is that our bodies naturally remove waste and toxins on a daily basis. This is correct. However, the same way our bodies produce energy to sustain our daily activity levels - every now and then, we need to hit the refresh button.

Our co-founder Paul Joseph gives his reasons why holidays are so healthy for us and how a break away can offer more health benefits than you may realise.

A holiday is far better for your health than you might think. Naturally, being the co-founder of Health and Fitness Travel, I strongly believe in a holiday's power to give you benefits which outlast your tan. You not only have the chance to escape from the stresses of daily life, but you can stimulate your mind with a new culture and learn healthier habits. It's a great chance to not just relax, but also to improve your physical and emotional well-being, and return home with fantastic memories.

Ice baths, once primarily associated with athletic recovery, have gained significant popularity recently, particularly among celebrities and wellness influencers such as Wim Hof. This surge of interest prompts us to explore the scientific research that supports the benefits of ice baths, both for physical and mental well-being. While submerging oneself in freezing water on a spa retreat may seem daunting, the potential advantages have captured the attention of many seeking to optimise their health and performance.

The use of water for therapy is no modern procedure. In fact, is has been carried out for hundreds of years and now forms an integral part of traditional medicine practises. Nonetheless, many of us are unfamiliar with the concept of hydrotherapy and how exactly it can benefit our health and well-being. 

By definition, hydrotherapy is the use of water to relieve discomfort and promote physical well-being. A number of therapeutic treatments and approaches draw upon the healing properties of water for pain relief, making use of the body’s reaction to hot and cold stimuli. On the whole, cold water is used to stimulate and invigorate, increasing the body’s internal activity, whereas warm water is used to calm and soothe, slowing it down. Alternating between hot and cold water treatments can help to heal injuries, enhance various bodily functions and reduce any inflammation.

From Europe to the Caribbean, many of the world’s leading luxury spa holidays offer hydrotherapy suites giving you the opportunity to take advantage of the many positive effects of water therapy. Hydrotherapy encompasses a variety of treatments, including the use of hydrotherapy pools, thermal baths and water circuits, saunas, steam rooms, ‘experience showers’ and more, which can all help to improve a number of conditions. Modern day therapies are also enhanced with extras such as aromatherapy or Epsom salts. Thermal water circuits have a range of jets and water features which massage the body, stimulating the lymphatic system and flushing toxins whereas cold plunge pools or artificial ice and snow rooms will activate the body’s circulation.

5 Health and Healing Benefits of Hydrotherapy:

To experience the benefits of hydrotherapy yourself, we recommend our top five healthy holidays that provide wonderful hydrotherapy treatments. The magnificent location and surroundings of all of these destinations, combined with the outstanding facilities create the perfect retreat where health and wellbeing is the primary focus.

5 Spa Holiday Destinations for a Unique Hydrotherapy Experience:

Spain: SHA Wellness Clinic

The pioneering SHA Wellness Clinic in Spain prides itself on offering distinctively tailored destination spa wellness holidays and focuses on encouraging healthy habits long-term. During your stay, you can enjoy full use of SHA’s hydrotherapy circuit where you can experience the benefits of therapeutic pools, the Tepidarium, sauna, calidarium, feelings shower, hydro-massage beds and Turkish baths, all surrounded by the resort’s beautiful Zen garden.

More information: View SHA Wellness Clinic

India: Ananda in the Himalayas

The spiritual retreat of Ananda uses a combination of holistic spa treatments, yoga, meditation and healthy cuisine to improve guests’ overall well-being on an Ayurveda spa holiday with over 80 body and beauty treatments available. What’s more you can enjoy daily use of the hydrotherapy facilities, including the temperature controlled outdoor lap pool.

More information: View Ananda in the Himalayas

Portugal: Palacio Estoril

Palacio Estoril is popular for it's world-renowned Banyan Tree Spa in the Estoril Wellness Centre. Lots of spa treatments are available as well as a selection of hydrotherapy treatments, whether you relax with a Jet Shower or a Vichy Shower Massage, these treatments do leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. With these treatments available in most programmes at Palacio Estoril, there is something for everyone.

More information: View Palacio Estoril

St Lucia: The BodyHoliday

The BodyHoliday, a very popular destination for a singles spa holiday, strives to deliver a personal service of spa treatments, therapies and activities based on the four pillars of exercise, a good diet, restorative beauty and relaxation. Every programme provides you with a hydrotherapy session included at the award-winning wellness centre, as part of your complimentary daily spa treatments.

More information: View The BodyHoliday

Italy: Lefay

Nestled in the resort of Gargano, overlooking the scenic Adriatic coast; retreat within the luxury of Lefay Retreat in Italy. After rejuvenating in the eco-friendly wellness centre, continue your water wellness journey on a healing spa holiday as you experience the benefits of hydrotherapy, with the option of a variety of detoxifying treatments also available. Become one with the mouth-watering cuisine, including personalised dietary plans and an optional intolerance test to further enhance your experience.

More information: View Lefay

Portugal: Longevity Medical Spa

Experience this heavenly destination for yourself on a reviving spa holiday spent in the quiet and calm atmosphere of Longevity Medical Spa in Portugal. Embrace the goal of overall wellness on relaxation and pampering spa holiday as you treat your body to rejuvenating hydrotherapy treatments, accompanied by nourishing slimming meals. Go the extra mile with detox treatments and aesthetic medicine, before taking five with a dip in the hydrotherapy bath's mineral-rich waters.

More information: View Longevity Medical Spa

 
If you’re still in search of the right destination for you, explore our collection of worldwide spa holidays where many offer hydrotherapy, thalassotherapy and other water wellness therapies. Talk to one of our Travel Specialists on or contact us here to discuss tailor-making your perfect spa holiday with hydrotherapy.

The use of water for therapy is no modern procedure. In fact, is has been carried out for hundreds of years and now forms an integral part of traditional medicine practises. Nonetheless, many of us are unfamiliar with the concept of hydrotherapy and how exactly it can benefit our health and wellbeing.

Joseph Pilates, the method's founder, said, 'Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness. In order to achieve happiness it is important to gain mastery of your body.'