Whether you’re looking to find yourself or test yourself, a fitness or wellbeing holiday could be the way to go in 2019, says Fiona Adams...
I am writing this on Sunshine Saturday – January 5 – the day when tired and wrung out after the Christmas fiesta and facing the back-to-work blues, we Brits book our next vacation. Of course, gone are the days when we all only ever go on one holiday, right? Now we have mini breaks, city breaks, winter sun, summer sun, girls’ weekends, boys’ weekends, romantic weekends and – the new kid on the block – the wellbeing break.
This area of the market has expanded massively over the past few years, not just in terms of consumers but, crucially, in what is available. Yes, you can still do yoga on a mountain if that tickles your zen fancy, but why not immerse yourself in the sounds of Africa? Or go deep within yourself in the jungle or simply cycle yourself to happiness? All that and more is within your grasp; all you have to do is book...
1. Hadrian's Wall
Hadrian's Wall, Brampton CA8 7DD
For: Walkers
17 June or 25 June (book here)
If striding or strolling is your thing, there are plenty of trips to choose from. If you want to stay in the UK, head north to Hadrian’s Wall where you can walk this legendary monument led by archaeologists, learning about its history along the way. Each day comprises between 3 and 11 miles with picnics and pub lunches to keep you sustained.
2. Pelion
Greece
For: Serenity seekers
Dates: June & July (book here)
If you are artistically inclined, you might fancy a Walking and Painting holiday in Pelion, Greece, led by botanical artist and illustrator, Maggie Niagassas. You will explore 55kms of linked kalderimi (old cobbled donkey paths) and can choose from Botanical Painting: wild and garden flowers of south Pelion; Nature’s Summer Bounties or Pelion Village Watercolours.
3. Senja
Norway
For: Explorers
Dates: Available May to September (book here)
High above the Arctic Circle, intrepid explorers will find Senja, the second largest of Norway’s coastal islands, offering hill walking for the adventurous hiker. Take in the Anderdalen National Park, see ancient Sami settlements and contemplate the island’s highest peak.
4. Kunisaki Peninsula
Japan
For: The Eat, Pray, Love experience
Dates: The first tour is running from 21–27 April (book here)
Finally for those seeking spiritual solace, walkjapan.com offers the Kunisaki Retreat exploring the Kunisaki Peninsula as well as old and new Japanese culture. You can start your mornings with yoga and meditation sessions before trekking in the footsteps of monks across sacred mountain paths. Exquisite food, traditional flower arranging, tea ceremonies and taiko drumming are also available.
5. Mozambique
Benguerra Island, Quilalea Island, Mozambique
For: Relaxation
Dates: All year round (book here)
This year Azura Retreats is launching a Sounds of Africa wellness programme designed to cultivate Hyperconsciousness at its resorts on Benguerra Island and Quilalea Island in Mozambique. These are truly gorgeous destinations with azure waters and white sandy beaches, luxury lodges and year-round sunshine. If it takes more than that for you to relax, then sign up to Sounds of Africa, which focuses on the sounds, sights, smells and tastes of the continent, including walking meditation with guests guided around the island and directed to key sensory spots, afternoon drumming sessions comprising singing, meditation and exercise, plus silent sand breakfasts and tribal traditions massage to help you reconnect with your soul.
6. Ibiza
Spain
For: A health reboot
Dates: 7 October - 12 October 2019 (book here)
If your idea of a trip to the Balearics involves club beats and a foam party, this may not be for you. However, if you need to give your mind and body a well-earned rest instead, then Utterly Ibiza is ideal. Local gut guru Jeannette Hyde has collated three years of retreat expertise to launch this six-day wellness retreat at the peaceful Es Cucons hotel, located in an almond-growing valley. Designed to reboot your health, you will practise yoga, pilates, meditation, relaxation and hiking, as well as enjoying a thorough gut makeover with delicious, nutritious meals.
7. Iquitos
Peru
For: Something different
Dates: All year round (book here)
This trip is not for the faint of heart, but of the wellbeing breaks on offer, it is certainly one of the most unusual. The Gaia Tree Center in Iquitos in Peru offers an eight-day Ayahuasca Retreat for Healing and Life Transformation. This is an immersive jungle experience that combines indigenous healing traditions with deep mind and body integration practices. The retreat includes the use of the herbal medicine ayahuasca under the guidance of specialist shamans and it is claimed that these experiences can help deep healing on a multitude of levels. Accommodation is a log cabin in the heart of the rainforest, allowing a complete break from the electronic burdens of everyday life.
8. Mauritius
East Africa
For: Wellness
Dates: All year round (book here)
If you like your wellbeing to be mixed with a hefty slice of luxury then head to Mauritius and the Shanti Maurice Resort and Spa. This is the perfect destination for insomniacs as the hotel offers a five- or seven-day Shanti Sleep Programme, which includes Tibetan sound massage, magnesium sleep therapy, reflexology and ayurvedic massage as well as Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep), a state of consciousness between waking and sleeping encouraging complete relaxation. Also available are breaks focused on weight management, stress management, yoga, detoxification and Ayurveda rejuvenation.
9. Iberian Peninsula
Portugal
For: Surfer holidays
Dates: All year round (book here)
Surf and yoga retreat specialist, Soul and Surf, is opening its first permanent European base this year. Located on the Iberian Peninsula in Portugal, the company has taken up residence in a traditional farmhouse on the outskirts of Lagos, just 45 minutes from the ocean. The courses are aimed at surfers of all abilities with a typical day begins at 6 am with breakfast and stretches before a morning of surfing, lunch on the beach and afternoons back at the centre for yoga or a siesta. Costs include equipment hire, surf theory lesson, Vinyasa Flow yoga and Yin yoga classes.
10. Umbria & Tuscanny
Italy
For: Cyclists
Dates: All year round (book here)
No holiday round-up with a health and fitness theme would be complete without a section on cycling. In Surrey, we may be deluged by MAMILs struggling up Box Hill and around the relatively narrow streets of our towns but cycling on holiday can be a different kettle of fish entirely. For starters, there are people to carry your bags and lovely hotels and feather beds awaiting you at the end of the day. If this sounds good, check out cycling-for-softies.co.uk, which is running an Umbria and Tuscany self-guided e-bike trip where you can explore the ancient via Flaminia highway while taking in glorious scenery, food and wine, letting the electric bike take the strain.
