Easy Does It: 3 wellness retreat to travel to in 2022
A new era of travel is upon us — one that calls particular attention to the art of self-care.
THE ART OF MEDITATION (SOMA, AUSTRALIA)
If these ultra-modern hardwood and galvanised steel premises seem somewhat familiar to you, chances are you have been bingeing on the Nicole Kidman-starring miniseries Nine Perfect Strangers. It is a cerebral drama slash thriller that revolves around nine individuals of different backgrounds who put themselves up for what should be a rejuvenating ten-day programme before they start to unravel with every disturbing event that ensues. The place where it all goes down? Byron Bay’s Soma—a wellness retreat enclosed by a 22-acre forest with thousands of plant species that radiates an energy that’s anything but grisly.
Offering three restorative on-site packages, Soma promises to cultivate the kind of psychological growth that precipitates tangible and positive changes in one’s day-to-day life. Through its Soma Meditate course, for instance, guests are introduced to the ancient practice of Vedic Meditation that will help them them reduce stress and anxiety, increase energy, and improve cardiovascular health, concentration, memory and creative intelligence. This three-day seminar is complemented by Soma’s wholesome Ayurvedic meal plans as well as an access to the infrared sauna and magnesium ice bath, among others.
Each of the carefully curated itineraries is led by renowned meditation teacher and one of the visionaries behind Soma, Gary Gorrow. A certified-Vedic Meditation practitioner as well as an Ayurvedic health coach, he brings with him over 17 years’ worth of experience working with thousands of people from all walks of life. Together with Peter Ostick, whose resume is underscored by his successes in growing companies in the media and technology sector, Gorrow has created a sanctuary that combines mental and bodywork treatments, all within a mindfully designed space for one to truly recharge.
THE ART OF PERMACULTURE (LA DONAIRA, SPAIN)
Life in quarantine has turned many of us kitchen illiterates into master chefs. It has opened the floodgates of accessible recipes—from the rainbow-coloured cloud bread to the whipped and creamy dalgona coffee—on social media and the trend has yet to show signs of slowing down. For many, the pandemic has been an eye-opener on how fragile a concept health is, and has presented them with an opportunity to take a step back and reassess their dietary patterns. This growing awareness is the reason why luxury eco retreat La Donaira will be a point of interest to budding health enthusiasts, if it wasn’t already.
Perched at the top of the Andalusian Serranía de Ronda, La Donaira prides itself as a moderator of dialogue between design and architecture, the arts as well as modern-day agriculture. This holistic approach has been in place since its inception when it was striving to cultivate the 1,700 acres of pasture and vineyards following the principles of permaculture. Here, guests are pampered with a wide selection of services, facilities and activities that have been designed in line with the philosophy of the establishment such as indulging in gastronomic delights that use organic produce grown on the estate’s land.
Those who wish to have first-hand experience of growing and preparing their food will find the Interactive Farm Tour especially interesting. This package allows guests to participate in farm activities that range from mycology to animal care, herbal medicine and basic plant propagation techniques. To make it an all-encompassing session, they may sign up for the Farm to Fork cooking class where they will spend an afternoon learning to cook some of La Donaira’s most popular dishes using fresh, seasonal and au naturel products before enjoying the fruit of their labour, all together at dinner.
THE ART OF POLYSOMNOGRAPHY (FOGO ISLAND INN, CANADA)
Nothing says slow travel like spending your vacation time in deep slumber. Through the therapeutic learning programme dubbed The Secrets of Sleep: A Life-Changing Retreat, Fogo Island Inn is extending an invitation to individuals struggling with insomnolence to heal their relationship with sleep. The four-night course entails daily workshops that aim to improve sleeping patterns and will be spearheaded by Dr. Colleen Carney. The Director of the Sleep and Depression Laboratory at Toronto’s Ryerson University is a leading expert on the cognitive behavioural insomnia treatment for those with comorbid illness.
It perfectly encapsulates the DNA of the resort hotel that’s big on stripped-down living and nature preservation if only by virtue of its locale. Tucked away on the furthest edge of the Earth, off the remote northeast coast of Newfoundland, the 29-suite sanctuary hovers over a dramatic and rocky coastline—a breathtaking view that’s readily available to all guests via the wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows—and is surrounded by whales, seabirds and icebergs.
Guests who are keen to explore the history and landscape of Fogo Island may partake in a number of bespoke activities indigenous to the island. Through these experiences and creative adventures, they will be accorded with an opportunity to connect with the elements around them—something that many often forget to do. Between the inherently calming qualities of a stay here and the science-based sleep teachings of Dr. Carney, Fogo Island Inn guarantees to lull all who walk through its doors into a state of profound relaxation and provide them with all the benefits that will endure long after they have left its shores.
