Where to Travel for Wellness

More Destination Management Organizations around the world are recognizing that when it comes to travel “wellness” has become an increasingly important priority. Here is random order, are just a few geographic regions around the world offer natural attractions and so much more for travelers just like you looking for suggestions on where to travel for wellness.

Antigua & Barbuda

With a focus on sustainable economic growth, the Antigua & Barbuda Tourism Authority promotes the twin island state as a unique, quality destination. The largest of the Leeward Islands, Antigua offers a rich history and an inspirational topography that affords opportunities for a variety of outdoor activities. Barbuda, Antigua’s smaller sister island, a 15-minute plane ride away and home of the largest Frigate Bird Sanctuary in the Western Hemisphere, is the ultimate wellness getaway. The twin-islands offer visitors ideal temperatures year-round, vibrant culture, a variety of fitness excursions, award-winning resorts, traditional cuisine with a focus on local ingredients, plus 365 soul-soothing pink and white-sand beaches. If you’re thinking of the Caribbean as your preferred destination to travel for wellness read about out wellness travel tour of Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua. Photo credit: Travel To Wellness

Visit Greater Palm Springs

From perpetual sunshine and inspirational mountain skylines to palm-fringed canyons and therapeutic mineral waters,  Visit Greater Palm Springs’ legacy as Southern California’s premier health and wellness destination continues to flourish. Wellness devotees can unwind at numerous luxury resorts, enjoy spa treatments integrating desert botanicals, explore scenic hiking and biking trails in spectacular wilderness areas such as Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument and Joshua Tree National Park, ride horses in the pristine Indian Canyons, and cultivate inner peace during meditation classes and sound baths. The region’s rich culinary offerings inspire healthy food choices at local farmers’ markets and restaurants. When it comes to the U.S. Greater Palm Springs is an ideal destination to travel for wellness.

Photo courtesy Visit Greater Palm Springs

Israel

The Israel Ministry of Tourism is Israel’s national tourism agency. Interwoven with Israel’s depths of spirituality, faith and history are complementary threads of wellness and wellbeing. In fact, prior to the Zealots’ last stand on Masada in 73 C.E., now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the fortress near the shores of the Dead  Sea served as King Herod’s lavish desert retreat, making Israel home to one of the world’s first health resorts. From hikes through biblical landscapes of the Golan Heights and Galilee, to introspective experiences at ancient sites to world class spas and hotels, the wellness traveler will find that Israel offers a unique and distinct experience.

Türkiye

Founded in 2019, Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) is dedicated to delivering Turkey as a brand and popular destination in both domestic and international tourism markets.The spa and wellness facilities of Türkiye, whether they are located in an urban or a coastal setting, bring visitors one step closer to a healthier life through innovative and integrative methods. Seaside resorts offer access to seawater treatments that help fight against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, and skin conditions. Meanwhile, wellness centers in Türkiye offer luxurious, personalized accommodation, social and dining facilities, as well as a unique experience in nature, surrounded by history and culture.

Northumberland 

Located just a few hours east of Toronto, Canada, Northumberland Tourism offers natural assets, including sandy beaches, walking and cycling trails and forests ideal for guided forest bathing experiences. Along with participating in nature-based activities against a backdrop of beautiful rural views, visitors can recharge at world-class spas and participate in wellness-themed retreats which also include glamping opportunities. Rural culinary offerings are part of the Northumberland culture and include locally-sourced food from its many farms.  

Photo courtesy of Northumberland Tourism

Portugal

Visit Portugal is the National Tourism Authority responsible for the promotion, enhancement and sustainability of the tourism activity, from supply to demand. Portugal’s thermal spas use traditional techniques and the therapeutic properties and mineral richness of the Atlantic waters for thalassotherapy, and the relaxation sessions take advantage of the regenerating effects of local wine, chocolate and hot stones as an ideal way to find inner serenity and peace. The variety of the Portuguese landscape – from mountains to vast plains, to sandy beaches and rolling waves – also make the country an ideal destination for all types of outdoors experiences including walking, trekking, cycling and even surfing.

Visit Tucson 

Tucson, Arizona is uniquely positioned to leverage its authentic history and leadership in the wellness field to differentiate itself in a manner that speaks to travelers both young and seasoned, who are keen to explore new and true roads to intellectual and physical wellness. Visit Tucson, along with stakeholders including hotels, resorts, lifestyle residential communities and medical facilities, are supporting and enhancing Tucson’s position as a leading destination for wellness travel. From the region’s early history as a sanctuary for “easterners” seeking relief to today’s world class “destination spas,” Metro Tucson has an authentic story of wellness to tell, one that reflects the best of the region.

Visit Monaco

With a history of wellness that dates back to 1860 when travel for wellness included visiting for the curative powers of the Mediterranean, the city/state of Monaco boasts a wide range of healthy options from the active to the relaxing. Walking the entire Principality, jogging on the harbor, hiking the Via Alpina, rowing in front of the Monaco Yacht Club, practicing yoga on the beach, strolling the colorful Princess Grace Rose Garden, and embracing nature with singular attractions such as the Exotic Gardens, the Observatory Cave and the Pelagos Sanctuary – await the wellness-minded. Add luxury hotels, spas and healthy culinary offerings from Michelin-starred restaurants and you have an ideal luxury wellness destination.  

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We’ll continue to add to this list of where to travel for wellness in 2022. Not sure where to begin planning?  Start thinking about your intention for planning your future wellness travels. If your goal is weight loss or to get fit check out our list of top spas and fitness retreats