Spa

Undecided about where you want to escape to on your next healthy holiday? We present our month by month guide to the best health and fitness holidays in 2015, from luxury spa safaris in South Africa to surf and yoga retreats in Costa Rica. Be inspired by our recommendations of where to go; whether you'd prefer to get an adrenaline burst skiing down the Swiss slopes, indulge yourself with spa treatments in Thailand or get fit in Croatia, discover our recommended healthy holidays for 2015.

With travellers increasingly seeking health-enhancing wellness experiences around the world, our month-by-month guide of the best wellness holidays for 2015, offers a years’ worth of inspiration for the hottest trend in travel. From yoga in Morocco and losing weight in Spain, to scuba diving in the Maldives and Ayurvedic spa breaks in India, discover your dream healthy holiday with destinations and activities suitable for singles, couples, groups and families.

With travellers increasingly seeking health-enhancing wellness experiences around the world, our month-by-month guide of the best wellness holidays for 2015, offers a years’ worth of inspiration for the hottest trend in travel. From yoga in Morocco and losing weight in Spain, to scuba diving in the Maldives and Ayurvedic spa breaks in India, discover your dream healthy holiday with destinations and activities suitable for singles, couples, groups and families.

Offering a years’ worth of inspiration in health-enhancing wellness experiences around the world, be whisked away by our month-by-month guide of the best wellness holidays for 2016. From a spa & yoga spring break in Miami and the Caribbean, to shaping up for summer on a Cretan bootcamp and escaping to Costa Rica for a dose of winter wellness, make 2016 the year to nourish your mind, body and soul.

Unhealthy nutrition and high stress levels can build up toxins in the body, causing a number of healthy issues, from lethargy to digestive problems. Cleanse your system of these harmful toxins on one of our effective detox holidays in a stunning European destinations. Boost your immunity and improve your overall health from the inside-out with tailor-made detox programmes to suit your needs. 

With the end of summer fast approaching, many travellers are looking ahead to booking autumn wellness retreats to boost their fitness, detox or simply relax. From yoga and spa holidays in Portugal to detox retreats in Thailand, these retreats offer something for every type of wellness traveller with some even including great money-saving offers for the Autumn months including up to 30% off room rates. With the summer holidays out of the way, there isn’t a better time to invest in your whole-body wellbeing than the Autumn on one of these luxurious wellness retreats:

With the art of healing just as important for our emotional well-being as our physical health, the need for spiritual healing should never be overlooked. Playing an important role in times of emotional stress, bereavement, loss, mental and physical illnesses, our spiritual life is what drives our overall well-being and supports all aspects of our life.

Although an exciting time for most, the Christmas period can often leave us feeling physically and emotionally drained and in need of re-energising ourselves. Fortunately, the beginning of a brand new year offers the perfect opportunity for a new healthy lifestyle change, and a detox holiday is an ideal way to get started. A January detox break on one of our luxury spa holidays is certain to make you feel profoundly better, inside and out.

The demand for healthy honeymoons is amassing rapidly, and newlyweds are increasingly looking for something a little more than the stereotypical champagne-fuelled, lazy break in the sun. Days by the pool are being replaced with activity days where honeymooners can take part in exhilarating fitness activities, or go on excursions where they can hike, bike and kayak to local attractions. Indulgent and gluttonous menu options are swapped for nutritious, balanced and refreshing dishes, and ‘detox’ programmes are not uncommon.

Celebrity getaways are often remote and exclusive, they are known for going on magnificent holidays to the world's most exciting destinations to escape the pressures of their busy and public persona lifestyles. Celebs have their image to maintain and a health-fulfilled inspired lifestyle is fundamental for them. We share the top five healthy spa holidays where celebs go to keep well.

Follow the sun, sea and a sense of wellness in 2017 with a year’s worth of inspiration in health-enhancing wellness experiences around the world. We share our month-by-month wanderlust guide of the best wellness holidays for 2017 so you can make this the year to nourish your mind, body and soul.

Wellness and spas is a new consumer priority. Here, we get the inside scoop from Paul Joseph, co-founder of Health and Fitness Travel, about the millennial spa goers and with more consumers focusing on their health and fitness, spas need to offer clients the best authentic wellness holiday experience.

If you’ve spent months in front of a computer screen, attached to your phone and surrounded by hustle and bustle of city life, a rejuvenating beach spa holiday could be exactly what you need for a healthier and happier you!

The best part is, there are many health benefits of holidaying by the sea. Contrary to what some may think, beach holidays can be beneficial to your mental and physical well-being, with a variety of ways to enjoy your surroundings, from jogging in the sand to swimming in the sea.

If you need a helping hand swapping the couch for a healthier lifestyle, a fitness holiday is a great way to kick-start positive lifestyle changes. Along with fantastic memories, return home from one of our fitness holidays with the knowledge and information you need to create long-term changes to your diet and workout routine. From working out in the great outdoors to keeping motivated with group fitness classes, we share why you should choose a fitness retreat.

Fitness fanatics know that the key to keeping fit and healthy is to look after your body; to warm-up, stretch and care for your muscles before and after an invigorating workout. A spa and fitness holiday can be the perfect chance to push yourself physically, before setting aside some time to rejuvenate and unwind with luxury treatments. Stretch your limbs before a Bootcamp class with a yoga lesson, or enjoy a therapeutic deep-tissue massage designed to untangle knots and strains.

It may seem like a tempting thought to leave your children in someone else’s hands as you venture off to a tropical paradise and relish the luxuries of a world-class spa destination. Why not let them string along on a diverse family holiday that everyone can enjoy. There are many benefits of going on a luxury spa holiday with your kids, as you can importantly enjoy a rejuvenating and de-stressing family escape together. Have a look at our top 10 family friendly spa holidays so you can choose a relaxing retreat that will appeal to the whole family.

If you are looking for a holistic healing experience, look no further than our luxury spa holidays. Now a mainstay of travel, the demand for longer wellness breaks is increasing as people look to de-stress from the hectic demands of modern life. From beauty treatments to authentic Ayurveda therapies, traditional massages to hydrotherapy, you can experience an extensive array of indulgent therapies to help you achieve your individual wellness goals. Give in to complete tranquillity and relax on your own terms on a luxury spa break.

Ice baths, once primarily associated with athletic recovery, have gained significant popularity recently, particularly among celebrities and wellness influencers such as Wim Hof. This surge of interest prompts us to explore the scientific research that supports the benefits of ice baths, both for physical and mental well-being. While submerging oneself in freezing water on a spa retreat may seem daunting, the potential advantages have captured the attention of many seeking to optimise their health and performance.

The words colonic hydrotherapy can often strike fear in to the faces of non-practitioners, even though this is a fantastic way to restore that good gut feeling. With a better understanding of the numerous health benefits this cleansing treatment can bring, even the most wary adversary will find themselves tempted to convert.

The use of water for therapy is no modern procedure. In fact, is has been carried out for hundreds of years and now forms an integral part of traditional medicine practises. Nonetheless, many of us are unfamiliar with the concept of hydrotherapy and how exactly it can benefit our health and well-being. 

By definition, hydrotherapy is the use of water to relieve discomfort and promote physical well-being. A number of therapeutic treatments and approaches draw upon the healing properties of water for pain relief, making use of the body’s reaction to hot and cold stimuli. On the whole, cold water is used to stimulate and invigorate, increasing the body’s internal activity, whereas warm water is used to calm and soothe, slowing it down. Alternating between hot and cold water treatments can help to heal injuries, enhance various bodily functions and reduce any inflammation.

From Europe to the Caribbean, many of the world’s leading luxury spa holidays offer hydrotherapy suites giving you the opportunity to take advantage of the many positive effects of water therapy. Hydrotherapy encompasses a variety of treatments, including the use of hydrotherapy pools, thermal baths and water circuits, saunas, steam rooms, ‘experience showers’ and more, which can all help to improve a number of conditions. Modern day therapies are also enhanced with extras such as aromatherapy or Epsom salts. Thermal water circuits have a range of jets and water features which massage the body, stimulating the lymphatic system and flushing toxins whereas cold plunge pools or artificial ice and snow rooms will activate the body’s circulation.

5 Health and Healing Benefits of Hydrotherapy:

To experience the benefits of hydrotherapy yourself, we recommend our top five healthy holidays that provide wonderful hydrotherapy treatments. The magnificent location and surroundings of all of these destinations, combined with the outstanding facilities create the perfect retreat where health and wellbeing is the primary focus.

5 Spa Holiday Destinations for a Unique Hydrotherapy Experience:

Spain: SHA Wellness Clinic

The pioneering SHA Wellness Clinic in Spain prides itself on offering distinctively tailored destination spa wellness holidays and focuses on encouraging healthy habits long-term. During your stay, you can enjoy full use of SHA’s hydrotherapy circuit where you can experience the benefits of therapeutic pools, the Tepidarium, sauna, calidarium, feelings shower, hydro-massage beds and Turkish baths, all surrounded by the resort’s beautiful Zen garden.

More information: View SHA Wellness Clinic

India: Ananda in the Himalayas

The spiritual retreat of Ananda uses a combination of holistic spa treatments, yoga, meditation and healthy cuisine to improve guests’ overall well-being on an Ayurveda spa holiday with over 80 body and beauty treatments available. What’s more you can enjoy daily use of the hydrotherapy facilities, including the temperature controlled outdoor lap pool.

More information: View Ananda in the Himalayas

Portugal: Palacio Estoril

Palacio Estoril is popular for it's world-renowned Banyan Tree Spa in the Estoril Wellness Centre. Lots of spa treatments are available as well as a selection of hydrotherapy treatments, whether you relax with a Jet Shower or a Vichy Shower Massage, these treatments do leave you feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. With these treatments available in most programmes at Palacio Estoril, there is something for everyone.

More information: View Palacio Estoril

St Lucia: The BodyHoliday

The BodyHoliday, a very popular destination for a singles spa holiday, strives to deliver a personal service of spa treatments, therapies and activities based on the four pillars of exercise, a good diet, restorative beauty and relaxation. Every programme provides you with a hydrotherapy session included at the award-winning wellness centre, as part of your complimentary daily spa treatments.

More information: View The BodyHoliday

Italy: Lefay

Nestled in the resort of Gargano, overlooking the scenic Adriatic coast; retreat within the luxury of Lefay Retreat in Italy. After rejuvenating in the eco-friendly wellness centre, continue your water wellness journey on a healing spa holiday as you experience the benefits of hydrotherapy, with the option of a variety of detoxifying treatments also available. Become one with the mouth-watering cuisine, including personalised dietary plans and an optional intolerance test to further enhance your experience.

More information: View Lefay

Portugal: Longevity Medical Spa

Experience this heavenly destination for yourself on a reviving spa holiday spent in the quiet and calm atmosphere of Longevity Medical Spa in Portugal. Embrace the goal of overall wellness on relaxation and pampering spa holiday as you treat your body to rejuvenating hydrotherapy treatments, accompanied by nourishing slimming meals. Go the extra mile with detox treatments and aesthetic medicine, before taking five with a dip in the hydrotherapy bath's mineral-rich waters.

More information: View Longevity Medical Spa

 
If you’re still in search of the right destination for you, explore our collection of worldwide spa holidays where many offer hydrotherapy, thalassotherapy and other water wellness therapies. Talk to one of our Travel Specialists on or contact us here to discuss tailor-making your perfect spa holiday with hydrotherapy.