Have you planned your 2012 vacation? Before you spring for the normal, humdrum getaway; you should think about a wellness experience that will get your entire family in gear.
Health and Fitness Travel recently outlined the benefits of wellness vacations, and I plucked a few of their recommendations that are definitely worth trying.
Cultural spas
These are a great way to soak up some flavor and experience another country’s culture on a holistic level. Many countries have their own therapies that are indigenous to their culture and are perfected through years of customs and traditions.
Vinotherapy is a great example of cultural wellness. Traced back to the wine valleys of Italy and France, vinotherapy uses the pulp of wine grapes to recharge your skin’s vitality. Those who swear by the treatment say it’s a phenomenal exfoliate and has many anti-aging benefits. If Europe is a little out of your price range, you can always hit up the many spas sprinkled around California’s wine valleys.
Body and soul boot camp
Grueling boot camp vacations were once considered the “hot thing,” but who ever said you needed to bust your butt to tone it up? Experts are now calling bunk on that trend and recommend retreats that offer a gentler approach. Workout coaches take strong cardio and weight training session, and incorporate them into chakra aligning routines like power yoga and peaceful meditation. The idea is that you’re body, mind and soul become healthy through custom wellness approaches and plenty of much needed R&R.
Build a Fitness Focused Family
Resorts realized that parents are less likely to travel as a couple in these hard economic times and have created great programs focused on family wellness. Doctors, personal trainers and nutritionists team up to give families a crash course in healthy living. A bevy of activities are also on tap to keep kids occupied, in case mom and dad want to scoot off for a couples’ massage or private spa (Ooo, la, la!). Perhaps the best thing about these retreats; your kids will take home good eating habits and exercise knowledge when the vacay is over.
Zzzzz’s Retreats
With the average adult only getting less than seven hours of sleep per night, it’s no wonder more folks are flocking to sleep spas. Experts schooled in restful remedies treat a range of issues such as chronic insomnia or mild sleep problems. Everything that goes into these spas is designed to make sure you awake to a world of restful and healthy sleeping habits.
Natural Health Getaways
Natural and holistic treatments take center stage on these retreats. Guests are encouraged to take advantage of the natural resources around them, especially ones that are native to that specific location. For instance, desert resorts will incorporate naturally harvested cactus plants and clays into detox and awesome skin rejuvenating treatments. Activities range from mountain hikes and outdoor rock climbing, to garden yoga and beach meditation. Talk about kickin’ it with nature!
Men Specific Spas
More guys after a little R&R are turning to health retreats, rather than action-packed vacations, and spas are capitalizing on the man market. Therapies, detox treatments and exercises tailored just for men are starting to crop up at resorts. Perhaps the most popular are deep tissue massages that target those neglected, and often overworked, muscles.
Group Spas
Communal bathing has blown up at spa retreats. Turkish baths and Hammam rituals incorporate age-old remedies and treatments into modern, high tech bathing facilities. It’s a great way to get cleansed and make a few friends while you’re at it.
Age specific spas
Experts say they see more and more spas are adapting to the need of specific age groups as the “baby boomers” and “Gen X’ers” get older. Spas targeting younger groups focus on preventative healthy aging, where as 55 and up spas incorporate treatments addressing age related diseases, like osteoporosis and arthritis.
Now that you have a healthy list of vacation possibilities, start planning to stay relaxed, fit and the perfect you the rest of the year!
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