Looking for the perfect retreat destination? Here you’ll find ideas and inspiration for wellness getaways around the world.
When it comes to choosing the ideal retreat destination, the world really is your oyster. You can opt for a relatively nearby location, a trip to somewhere in your own country, or find a place abroad that appeals.
From Europe and America, to Asia and Africa, you can find a wellness destination to suit your health goals, travel preferences, and budget.
On this page, you’ll find wellness retreat destination ideas for your next trip…
- Europe – including the UK, Germany, France, Austria, Switzerland, and Spain.
- Asia – covering China, Japan, South Korea, and other popular destinations.
- Americas – including the US, Canada, and Latin American countries.
- Middle East & North Africa – with up-and-coming destinations like Morocco.
- Rest of the world – covering Australia, New Zealand, and sub-Saharan Africa.
Let’s find the perfect destination for your next wellness break…
Europe
We really are spoiled with the vast selection of wellness retreats in Europe. Alpine countries like France, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, have a long-established wellness travel culture. Heading off to the mountains for a well-being retreat, whether as part of a ski trip or summer holiday, is a popular mainstream activity.
In the UK, there are a range of luxury, nature, and wellness retreats to choose from. Day-long and weekend breaks are increasingly popular, with lots of independent and one-off experiences to enjoy. The Lake District, Scottish highlands, and West Country are all ideal locations to get away from city life and rejuvenate in countryside surroundings.
Mediterranean countries like Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Italy offer wellness retreats with year-round sunshine. You can combine a health-themed break with your beach holiday for a truly relaxing trip. Or if you’re feeling more active, take advantage of the extensive azure coastlines on a surfing or SUP retreat.
Asia
Asia is an international wellness hub and for very good reason. It has a rich history of health practices going back millennia that modern retreaters are increasingly keen to try.
China is the biggest wellness retreat destination in Asia. It’s the second most popular location globally in terms of number of trips taken (after the USA). The huge number of domestic wellness tourists has resulted in a huge choice of retreats, hotels, and resorts. So, international visitors wanting an authentic experience will have lots of amazing options at their disposal.
Japan is the second most popular Asian destination for wellness. The country is renowned for its ‘onsen’ resorts built around the plentiful hot springs across its islands. Visitors can choose from spa-like bath houses, traditional ryokans, or forest-bathing retreats for their Japanese wellness breaks. Or an urban retreat in Tokyo which offers lots of serene hidden escapes (despite being a mega-city).
South Korea, and in particular Jeju Island, is another top wellness destination in the region. While the metropolitan centres of Seoul and Busan offer plenty of luxury hotels and spas, it’s Jeju that offers a particularly magical getaway. Its forests are said to have healing properties and volcanic landscapes give it a special aura not found elsewhere in South Korea.
Americas
The USA is the biggest wellness retreat destination in the world. It tops the list both in terms of revenue generated and number of trips taken. While Canada and Latin American countries don’t have the same volume of travellers or retreat venues, they offer unique off-the-beaten-track wellness experiences you can’t find elsewhere.
Middle East & North Africa
The Middle Easy and North Africa are both up-and-coming wellness destinations. Morocco is already popular for yoga retreats and surfing breaks, offering year-round sunshine and an authentic cultural experience. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Lebanon all have luxury wellness resorts where you can enjoy traditional practices and nourish yourself with local cuisine.
Rest of the World
And those countries are just the start. If you’re planning a wellness break, then you really can go almost anywhere! We haven’t even covered India, Australia, New Zealand, or the countries of sub-Saharan Africa yet.
As we visit more retreats globally, we plan to expand this page with even more first-hand information. If there’s a destination you’re interested in learning more about, then let us know! Use our contact form or DM us on Instagram to tell us which country you’d like info on.