5 fantastic wellness destinations: Top picks for a relaxing getaway
From sunrise hikes to moonlight yoga and indulgent spas that can massage your cares away, wellness vacations are a chance to reset and reconnect.
By Joanna Tweedy| February 10, 2022 (Updated December 18, 2025)
Looking for a trip that soothes the mind and body? There's a wealth of wellness retreats that help travelers return home healthier and happier. Global trend reports consistently show that that travelers are redefining wellness beyond the gym while looking for grounding and balance in their lives and travel plans. Whether you're seeking a health-focused getaway that fires up the feel-good endorphins, a spa retreat replete with reenergizing treatments, or ancient hot springs perfect for soaking, these are the ideal destinations to prioritize your wellbeing.
Say Aloha to a new you in Hawaii
The eight main islands of Hawaii prescribe stressed-out souls the remedy of crystal-clear waterfalls, spectacular sunsets, honey-colored beaches, and tropical foliage. Island hopping — usually by plane — is easy and ensures you can plot wellness adventures in different paradisiacal locales. Head to O'ahu's north coast, mute your cell phone, and join the Ka'ena Point Trail, an almost four-mile (6.4-kilometer) coastal path near Waialua. The moderate, mostly flat path promises serene mountain and ocean views with monk seals, whales, and sea lions bobbing up to say hello. Or head to Molokini, a tiny crescent-shaped islet just off Maui’s southwestern coast, where you can submerge into an underwater wonderworld that’s full of colorful marine life. For absolute relaxation Hawaiian-style, book a traditional Lomi Lomi massage. This healing treatment, widely offered across Hawaii, is centuries-old and nourishes the skin through a series of compressions, stretches, and other soothing strokes. The restorative treatment is the perfect complement to any spa retreat.
Thailand highs
Perfect for wellness retreats, Thailand excels when it comes to rebooting burned out travelers, with meditation, nourishing food, massages, and lush scenery conspiring to elevate your mood. In the sparkling beach resorts of southern Thailand (including Koh Samui Krabi and Koh Phi Phi) you'll find the offer of a traditional Thai massage everywhere — often right on the sand. Meditation remains an important part of Thai culture, and there’s plenty of opportunity to appreciate the sound of silence in the country’s many meditation temples. Want to go on your own journey? Rise early to practice mindfulness on stunning Chaweng Beach at sunrise, join a beginner’s class at a local meditation center, or sign up for a day-long silent retreat to really immerse yourself in your environment. The beach idylls of the Gulf and Andaman coasts also offer the chance to island-hop via ferry, spending reflective days swimming in the ocean, eating fresh fruits and seafood, and feeling the sun on your skin.
Miami makeover
Progressive, colorful, and vibrant, ‘The Magic City’, as Miami is nicknamed, is an inspired place for re-energizing both body and soul. South Beach, the city’s iconic neon-lit tourist spot, is home to the famous outdoor fitness park, Muscle Beach South Beach, and offers countless other active pursuits, including full moon yoga and cruising down the beachwalk on rentable rent skates, scooters, and bikes. Head about an hour west by car into Everglades National Park, where you can cycle the paved 15-mile (24-kilometer) loop of Shark Valley Bike Trail. In North Miami Beach, Oleta River State Park is Florida’s largest urban park, spanning more than 1,000 acres (405 hectares) of greenery along Biscayne Bay. Visitors can hire a kayak and paddle on the calm waters spotting ospreys, herons, and sometimes manatees amongst the mangrove trees. For those in search of a more serene wellness break, consider a sunrise beach walk overlooking the glittering turquoise water. Miami’s rich natural beauty makes it a meditative experience.
Tuscan treats
Italy's middle third is about as easy on the eye as European landscapes get. Rolling hills that take on a lavender hue at sunset are dotted with soaring cypress and olive trees, with beautiful historic cities — Florence, Siena, and Lucca among them — inviting you to stroll their medieval streets and enjoy a morning espresso in the piazza. Just residing in Tuscany for a week or two might be considered a wellness break. One way to immerse yourself fully in the Tuscan way of life is via "la cucina," or kitchen. At the ambient Castello Tricerchi castle and vineyard in Montalcino, amateur cooks can learn how to rustle up a four-course Italian feast at sunset and then devour the fruits of their labor, taking in spectacular vineyard views during a candlelit dinner on the terrace. Other ways to lift your soul? The thermal pools and cascading waterfalls at Saturina's Cascate de Mulino bubble up to almost 100 degrees (37.5°C) and spill over natural tiers of rock to create a fabulous photo opportunity — particularly at dawn or sundown.
Mayan magic
For sprit-boosting sunshine and wellness influenced by the region's ancient civilization, retreat to the Riviera Maya on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. The Caribbean coast will not only boost your natural Vitamin D levels, but there are also numerous pampering opportunities available at the area's luxe spa resorts. Influenced by the elements, traditional Mayan treatments rely heavily on indigenous herbs and even chocolate, which they considered (rightly so) to be a sacred food. If rural sanctuary is top of your list, head to the protected jungle reserve of Sian Ka'an Biosphere, about two hours south of Cancun, near Tulum. Float down ancient Mayan canals while taking in the 1.3-million-acre (526,091-hectare) reserve's stunning natural beauty — home to howler monkeys, pumas, and rare Jabiru storks, among other wildlife.
Joanna Tweedy
Joanna Tweedy is an award-winning travel writer and editor who lives in London. A former U.K. national newspaper travel editor, she now contributes across many titles, and specializes in writing about family travel, wellness breaks and luxury vacations.
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