Destinations to inspire your next relaxing getaway
You shouldn’t need a vacay from your vacay
For much of the world, a go go go attitude is what we know best. As a result, we rarely take the opportunity to slow down and focus on self-care. Unfortunately, this is often the case even on our vacations. We travel fast and need to see and do as much as possible. As a result, we might not truly experience or absorb what we see and likely return from the holiday just as exhausted as we were when we left.
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Enter the wellness holiday.
It's time to slow down a bit (a lot!), sink into our destination, eat well, take the time to connect with locals, nature, and ourselves, and enjoy moments for self-nourishment.
Connective experiences that revive the body and spirit can be as varied as hiking along a volcano, learning to harvest grapes on a vineyard, cooking pasta from scratch with la nona, or learning to watercolor "en plein air." Perhaps one of the best connective experiences is mastering the art of simply being.
To kick start your next [relaxing] holiday, we've curated a few spots which we love for their ability to offer these slow, rejuvenating holidays through their immersive experiences, high-quality local food, and pampering ways.
A vacation spent at one of these destinations will send you home feeling rejuvenated, clear, relaxed, and with memories to hold onto until next time. Here we go…
Finca La Donaira – Andalucía, Spain
Finca la Donaira is a 1500-acre estate in the south of Spain. This eco-retreat with an organic farm, a wellness spa, and an equestrian center fuses tradition with innovation to create a modern health utopia set in the lush Andalucian hills. At La Donaira, you'll find an icy plunge pool, massages with locally derived essential oils, a steaming hammam, and a beautiful Russian sauna perfect for embarking on a rejuvenating sensory journey. In addition, they offer specific opportunities to reconnect with yourself and nature, like their "Health Reset" based on Evolutionary Medicine practices.
Rooms: 9; Open: year round; Price: from $680 (inclusive) Learn more
Isla Palenque – Chiriquí, Panama
Imagine this: a private jungle island in Central America with seven secluded beaches, nine private beach-side dwellings, fine-dining on locally foraged food, massages with the sounds of the ocean lapping on the shore, and your kids embracing their Robinson Crusoe side, safely exploring the jungle under the watchful eye of a local guide. This is Isla Palenque in Panama, and it is hard to describe the experience you will have at this luxury eco-resort. Even with kids in tow, you'll be amazed at how laid-back you can become while at this all-inclusive destination.
Rooms: 9; Open: year round; Price: from $780 (inclusive) Learn more
Masseria Dagilupi – Puglia, Italy
Located just outside of Ostuni, a charming village of Puglia, sits Masseria Dagilupi. Nestled amongst a sea of olive trees–– many over a thousand years old–– is a restored three-room guesthouse. The art of slowness and simplicity of tradition reign in the south of Italy. While here, enjoy yoga classes and spa services under millennial trees, lay on protected and pristine beaches, visit small nearby villages, and eat under the stars. Your hosts are your guides to the region and will be new friends when you leave.
Rooms: 3; Open: April-November; Price: from $180 Learn more
Menorca Experimental – Menorca, Spain
Reborn from a restored 19th-century Finca on 30 hectares of land, Menorca Experimental is designed in the spirit of an artist's getaway. This peaceful haven overlooking the Balearic Sea has all the amenities and luxuries of a magnificent villa while maintaining the hospitality, coziness, and warmth of small vacation cottages. It's one of the few properties on the island where you can enjoy the beach only a short hike away, as much of Menorca is protected, including its pristine beaches. Wellness areas include a spa for massages and skin treatments, a hammam and sauna, plus a tranquil space for yoga classes–– all designed in a minimal, art-deco style that's both serene, modern, and traditionally inspired. Menorca Experimental is a beautiful place to step into Menorcan culture. We recommend staying for a while.
Rooms: 43; Open: April-October; Price: from $210 Learn more
Susafa – Sicily, Italy
The soft hum of cicadas may be the only thing you hear upon arrival to Susafa. Surrounded by fields of gold, not far from Palermo, you'll feel a world away from everything. Drink up at guided wine tastings, learn the secrets of Sicilian cooking alongside local chefs, and participate in various workshops available for guests in the traditional kitchen. Outside, pick your next meal's fresh produce in the gardens, spend the afternoon lounging by the swimming pool, and walk among the wheat fields that look almost otherworldly. You can spend hours reading a book in the garden, enjoy a massage, picnic under the stars (oh, they are fabulous here), or have an aperitif in the fields. Susafa is the Sicilian getaway to perfect the art of nothing.
Rooms: 18; Open: April-October; Price: from $205 Learn more
La Sosta di Ottone III – Liguria, Italy
La Sosta sits in a medieval hamlet along the Cinque Terre and epitomizes slow living. This six-room guest house overlooking the terraced hillsides and the Italian Riviera has many curated experiences ready for you to enjoy. Some of our favorites include watercolor lessons with wine, cooking classes, walking along the trails of ancient vineyards, and wine tasting at the end. Our choice, dolce far niente––the art of sweet idleness….perfecting doing nothing but relaxing into the moment, the day, the view, the sweet smell of the air. At La Sosta di Ottone, they are masters of the rejuvenating holiday.
Rooms: 6; Open: April-October; Price: from $180 Learn more
Hotel Aguas Claras – Limón, Costa Rica
An art hotel and oasis nestled among the jungle of Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. Hotel Aguas Claras is a surprise retreat tucked among the leaves, equipped with lush gardens, a yoga shala made of bamboo, a stunning pool, and an intimate beach club. The property is excellent for couples and those seeking a more energetic vibe for their rejuvenating holiday. Biking to the nearby Puerto Viejo, taking a cacao tour on the land of an indigenous group, and enjoying a private beachside dinner using locally sourced and organic ingredients are a few things you might get into while here. Access to the tranquil Playa Chiquita is just a push through the tropical greenery that surrounds the property. Art lovers, beachgoers, and those who like to throw out the itinerary will love a trip to Hotel Aguas Claras.
Rooms: 13; Open: year round; Price: from $290 Learn more
LJ’s Ratxo – Mallorca, Spain
In a world that never seems to stop, LJs Ratxó offers you a leisurely refuge of sustainable well-being in the lush foothills of Spain's largest island––Mallorca. LJs Ratxó is a beautiful blend of contemporary design and tradition. On-site, guests wake up to the sound of birdsong and panoramic views of the surrounding natural reserve. Yoga classes beneath a canopy of green and farm-fresh gastronomy under a sparkling night sky are the norm. And please don't miss a dip in one of Mallorca's most beautiful pools with vistas of the surrounding hilltops.
Rooms: 25; Open: April-October; Price: from $220 Learn more
Parco dei Sesi – Sicily, Italy
Parco dei Sesi is spellbinding. Unique, genuine, highly integrated into the community, designed with nature as the muse, and complete with passionate hosts. The quiet rhythms of slow living permeate the property, from the artfully curated interiors to the unique Pantellerian terrain. Built of black volcanic rock and minimally decorated, the hotel blends a love for nature, design, art, and architecture throughout its 13 accommodations. Experiences to reconnect with nature and yourself are limitless here, but might we recommend black obsidian massages, mud baths in il Lago Specchio di Venere, canoe wandering through the sea, or trekking through the archeological park? For the foodie artistic traveler that loves the rare landscape, outdoor adventures, and barefoot luxury vibes, add Parco dei Sesi to your wishlist.
Rooms: 13; Open: April-October; Price: from $150 Learn more
Wrapping it up
While the standard "wellness trip" often involves spa treatments, yoga classes, and detox diets, there are other aspects of a trip that can make it rejuvenating. You can create a restorative trip at any destination by following a few bits of advice: take it slow, stick to one place, soak it all in, and take care of yourself. Make friends, be at home on your visit, and enjoy the traditional wellness add-ons when you can.
"Doing nothing often leads to the very best of something."
One final thought by a brilliant mind. It's said that overwhelm and stress can only be solved by doing nothing. So perhaps we should all take a lesson from the beloved Pooh Bear. "Doing nothing often leads to the very best of something."
Happy [relaxing] travels 🖤
Katy Hoogerwerf
Katy is a New Orleans native who grew up shaped by the art, design, music, and famously good food her hometown is known for. Her passion and expertise lie in finding design-led conscious businesses for all ages. She lives in Holland with her Mexican hubby and their two spirited boys.
The Good Trips editors only endorse businesses we genuinely love. If you end up booking with, or purchasing from links on this page, we may earn a commission.
