In our always-on society, it can be difficult to strike the right work-life balance. An extended break with a focus on physical and mental health can help stop burnout in its tracks or, better yet, prevent it from happening in the first place. We can create a sabbatical tailored to your wishes, whether you’d like an entirely wellness-focused journey, a pause or two to slow the pace at key points throughout the journey, or just plenty of restorative downtime at the beginning or end of your epic adventure.
WELLNESS & BEACH
Silky sand to curl your toes into, a warm salt-tinged breeze and the gentle lap of the waves: at some of the world’s most restful retreats, the coastal setting is all part of the therapy. On Thailand’s ‘island of healing', Koh Samui, the intimate Absolute Sanctuary offers expertly run wellness programs to suit every need, from better sleep to improved fitness - all just a short shuttle ride from the coast. Blessed with a private beach, the equally serene Kamalaya takes a holistic approach with tailor-made therapies that draw on ancient Eastern and Western practices.
Among the Maldives’ idyllic island hideaways, look out for delightfully arty Joali and its newer wellness-focused sister, Joali Being, or the calming, minimalist Amilla, where world-class spas meet brochure-worthy curves of talcum-white sand. Alternatively, immerse yourself in the jungle beside the Caribbean in Mexico’s Chable Maroma for healing rituals and ‘journeys’ in tune with nature and local Mayan customs.
TRADITIONAL HEALING & SPIRITUALITY
India’s ancient healing philosophies include several superstars of the modern world, such as yoga, naturopathy and Ayurveda. You’ll find all these and more at the world-renowned Ananda in the Himalayas, whose tranquil setting in the forested foothills of the world’s highest mountain range is a tonic in itself. Make a pilgrimage to rediscover your inner balance with meditation, yoga, energy therapies and healthy cuisine. Kalari Kovilakom, a 200-year-old palace turned world-class treatment centre in Kerala, offers an authentic in-depth Ayurvedic experience. Should you favour something less regimented and more indulgent, Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort has rustic-chic pool villas, a deserted beach and cultural activities to go with its impressive roster of doctors, yoga masters and health-boosting plans. Or reconnect with yourself in the Mussoorie hills at Six Senses Vana, a luxurious, welcoming haven of calm where nature, traditional wisdom and sustainability combine to irresistible effect.
DIET, DETOX & FULL BODY OVERHAUL
When every day is flat-out, it’s all too easy to slip into bad eating habits. Overlooking one of Austria’s most photogenic lakes, the multi-award-winning Mayrlife puts diet at the core of its regenerative programs. Banish thoughts of deprivation, though: this is all about delicious, nourishing cuisine that works for your unique biology, together with stress-reducing exercise and state-of-the-art therapies. If guaranteed heat is essential, Santani is a supremely stylish (and also much-garlanded) sanctuary in the forest-draped hills of central Sri Lanka. Feel yourself repair and heal with uplifting therapies in the hard-to-leave spa, nature walks in the cloud forest and, of course, exquisite personalised healthy meals. Dietary re-education is also a core element at the equally noteworthy SHA Wellness, alongside cutting-edge science, natural therapies and emotional health. Devotees of the original clinic on Spain’s Mediterranean shores now have a second option – the group’s shiny new resort on Mexico’s Caribbean Coast.
WELLNESS & NATURE
The healing power of nature is not merely a catchy phrase but a proven scientific fact. At the fabulous, history-laden Six Senses Fort Barwara in Rajasthan, the brand’s signature spa and wellness offering is beautifully complemented by game drives into Ranthambore National Park, where magnificent Bengal tigers slink through sprawling grasslands, sal forests and marshes. Be transported into a lost world at Panama’s Islas Secas, a castaway eco-retreat in a private archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. There are magical sights above and below the water, from pristine jungle squawking with birdlife to coral reefs and migrating humpback whales. For something more bracing, plunge into the wild outdoors at Arctic Bath, a one-of-a-kind floating spa hotel in Swedish Lapland. Winter and summer have unique attractions, from huskey-sled-expeditions coloured by the Northern Lights to bear-spotting under the midnight sun – with saunas, whirlpools and cold pools for year-round rejuvenation.
BEST ALL-ROUNDERS
If you thrive on variety or simply don’t know what wellness approach works for you, opt for spas with a broad program that lets you experiment. Set in 100 acres of riverside jungle, Como Shambhala is one of the stars of Bali, where you can fill your time with yoga sessions and village walks, mountain treks and al fresco massages. The Swiss Alps provide a striking setting for numerous life-affirming experiences at Chedi Andermatt, from ice skating, skiing and sleigh rides to hiking, biking and fishing once the snow melts. Oman’s Six Senses Zighy Bay, meanwhile, prides itself on offering something for everyone, whether that is a Discover Yoga program in the locally inspired spa or taking in the dramatic sea-and-mountain vistas by paraglider.
