One of the goals of a getaway for you may be about feeling disconnected from your everyday life and to reconnect with your true self – body, mind and soul. It’s about clearing away the cobwebs and connecting with everything your chosen destination has to offer so you can return to your busy life feeling refreshed, relaxed and whole.

With that in mind, it’s not surprising wellness vacations have seen a burgeoning upswing in popularity, especially since the pandemic. In fact, the Global Wellness Summit showed elite travelers, indeed, are seeking out more wellness-based vacations and are flocking to areas to give their mental health a shot of dopamine.

Stress Relief

With the whole world being in lockdown over the past two years, travelers are looking for experiences to relieve their post-pandemic angst. Some are choosing to replace a conventional vacation by spending time with a yoga instructor on a mindfulness retreat or scaling a mountain in the Rockies or luxuriating at a spa getting holistic treatments.

The Global Wellness Institute says wellness travel is “associated with maintaining or enhancing one’s well being.” Activities include those things which get the body moving and the mind clearing to eliminate those crazy everyday stressors that can affect your immune system.

We have highlighted three destinations conducive to such stress-relief and they have much to offer when it comes to rest and relaxation: Bali, Koh Samui and Lake Tahoe. Here is just a peek into some of the elite experiences they have to offer:

Bali, Indonesia

This Indonesian island with its pristine shores and emerald greenery, infuses mega doses of wellness options. Considered one of the prime wellness destinations in the world, Bali is a land of spiritually-minded people making for a marvelous wellness ambiance. Indian Ocean breezes are nearly enough to detoxify a mind, body and spirit rife with tensions. Bali is known for its spa and massage culture. It is commonplace to receive more than one treatment at the same time such as deep tissue massage accompanied by aromatherapy, light stretching and acupressure. These combinations will leave you feeling deeply relaxed and clear-headed. Traditional massage includes using Champaka oil from the sweet-smelling flower. Yoga and meditation sessions along with body scrubs, special baths, hammam sessions are also used to positively affect the whole you – physical, mental and spiritual. Of course, you’re not restricted only to the spa realm in Bali. There are many other experiential wellness options available such as river rafting, hiking, aqua sports and mountain biking.

Tasku Spa

Tasku Spa’s mission is to “present an exceptional experience to culturally creative travelers through fresh, natural, organic cuisine; the finest destination spa offerings; personalized holistic practices; and extraordinary, locally made products,” so guests can feel Taksu’s love and gratitude for the people and environment of Bali. Taksu is a uniquely Balinese word that does not easily translate into other languages. It conveys an indescribable moment bringing you in touch with something joyful and timeless. It is used to describe both a once-in-a-lifetime peak experience and the striving to be prepared for that moment. It is deeply personal, immediately recognizable and impossible to describe. A moment of clear alignment and connection of body, mind, spirit experiencing all of life. Jl. Goutama Selatan, Ubud 80571, Indonesia.

What you might like to try: Ground Alpha Alignment – a series of movements designed to take the body out of inappropriate states of stress, discomfort, or disease within seconds. It is said to clear physical, mental, emotional, energetic blockages and beyond, through a series of touch-based alignments. During and after a session, you will experience a state of relaxation, calmness, clarity and awareness, primed for optimal healing capacity. On a physical level: tensions reduce, posture improves, movement becomes more fluid, body feels lighter, breathing smoothens, senses deepen and an overall sense of better well-being arises. On other levels: it is said you will gain a better understanding of what it means to be your true self and what has to be done to stay consistent with your inner being. Jalan Gautama Selatan 80571 Ubud.

Villa Grand Cliff

When on a wellness journey, Villa Grand Cliff in Nusa Dua, is the zenith of Bali luxury accommodations. Practice what you have learned on your Bali yoga getaway in absolute luxury in an exclusive cliff side home. This contemporary styled villa spans three levels, and every room is blessed with a spectacular ocean view. Punctuated with twisted frangipani trees and flanked by paved pathways and neat grassy areas, a broad timber deck wraps around three sides of the 16-meter cliff-edge infinity pool and hot tub. As many as 10 guests will have a sauna, indoor hot tub, gym, cinema room and bar to enjoy.

Koh Samui, Thailand

The island of Koh Samui has everything you need for a wellness getaway. The SHA logo (Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration) assures you about the cleanliness and sanitation of spas. Many places on Ko Samui are well-known for their health and wellness services. They provide holistic health treatments, such as spa, Thai massage, detoxification, weight control, and stress management. There are various treatment programs with durations varying from three days to many weeks, or you can choose what you like, be it fitness training, spa treatments, Ayurvedic therapy, or emotional healing to restore physical fitness. All these services are offered in a relaxed seaside atmosphere. Oriental-style detoxification to rejuvenate the mind is also available, which can increase your body's ability to eliminate accumulated toxins and create balance that is the foundation for good health and longevity. Yoga and meditation programs for balancing the body and soul can be found on the island as well. Wellness service providers on Ko Samui offer well-trained staff specialized in each type of treatment. 265/7 Thong Takian, Tambon Maret, Amphoe Ko Samui, Surat Thani 84310, Thailand.

Tamarind Springs Forest Spa

Tamarind Springs Forest Spa is a green hideaway, stunningly beautiful, tugged away in a forested hillside with amazing giant Granite rock formations. Since its 1998 opening as Koh Samui’s first dedicated day spa, Tamarind Springs Forest Spa has achieved international recognition, and has been heralded as one of Asia’s most outstanding and unique destination day spas. Using the concept of innovative and creative “integrated architecture,” this spa has been built and developed by its owners out of love for, and to preserve and enhance the property’s natural surroundings. Using the luxury of space, all man-made structures such as buildings, walkways, ponds, steam rooms, massage pavilions, etc., have been incorporated into the existing landscape. You really must visit this spa if you would like to reconnect with nature.

What you might like to try: For many years people have visited herbal steam facilities in country temples in Thailand to relax and detoxify. Drawing on this tradition, Tamarind Springs has built a unique steam room into a natural rock cave – the experience has been described as “primal” or “entering a dragon’s cave.” Most spa programs include at least 1.5 hours use of the steam caves and rock plunge pools. Prior to enjoying the steam area, you might want to opt for getting a Thai yoga massage followed by a foot reflexology session.

Lake Tahoe, Nevada

Lake Tahoe is the ideal destination to begin to reconnect with nature and with yourself. The landscapes are eye candy for nature lovers, with snow-capped mountains and Alpine forests leading the way to a glistening freshwater lake. The area is a sought-after vacation destination, enjoyed by millions at all times of year. If you’re ready to unplug and get out of the office, Lake Tahoe is a great place to hit reset. Scientific data has shown that spending time in nature not only reduces stress, but improves mood and enhances cognitive performance. How healing and transformative would it be to spend some time playing on or near one of the cleanest bodies of water on earth? For wellness travelers, Tahoe is a great destination any time of year. Wellness in this part of the United States isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a way of life. North Lake Tahoe spans two states and has two dozen beaches, 12 ski resorts, hundreds of miles of biking trails and all with sustainability at its core. 923 Incline Way #32, Incline Village, NV.

Massage Tahoe

Massage Tahoe offers deep healing massage in the heart of beautiful Incline Village, on the North Shore of Lake Tahoe. Here you will find a luxury boutique practice that can apparently change your body and even prevent surgery. They have 30 years experience, including 12 years teaching massage. Massage Tahoe also believes many physical ailments have their roots in buried emotions, trauma and wounds. Through years of study and experience therapists here have learned how to be present with these scars to help release them. Massage Tahoe also offers extended deep healing sessions that can include talking, bodywork, angelic healing, sound healing, energy healing and more. It all happens in a safe, supportive space to help you see what's been hiding that changes everything.

What you might like to try: Deep tissue massage reaches the deeper layers of your muscles helping to break down adhesions, or knots of painful and stiff tissue, throughout your muscles, ligaments, and tendons. It can bring relief to pressure points on various parts of your body and also redirects nerve networks that can cause pain. Therapists use their feet, hands, elbow and forearms to relieve areas of deep pressure, especially in areas of tension and pain.

Villa Rock Haven

The palatial expanse of Villa Rockhaven is a true testament to Lake Tahoe luxury accommodations. Nestled among the alpine trees, this home sits on more than an acre of picture-perfect terrain, including 300 feet of lakefront. A haven for recreation, the estate is a mere 10 minutes from Emerald Bay State Park and the slopes of Homewood Mountain. Two buoys and a 140-foot pier are ideal for nautical adventures. Up to 24 guests can enjoy the untold amenities in this nine-bedroom home including a sauna, gym, cinema room, outdoor hot tub, and a gorgeous outdoor dining area complete with a BBQ, terrace and patio.

For the most restorative time on your exclusive wellness holiday, we invite you to reach out to an LVH client relations associate who will get planning in motion. We will build a customized itinerary for you making sure to include activities leaving you feeling rested and rejuvenated. Your home away from home always comes with full services and 24/7 support so you never have to worry about anything. Simply enjoy every brilliant relaxing moment in one or all of these amazing wellness destinations!