10 of the best holidays to boost your wellbeing

Start 2024 on the right note by booking one of these restorative trips to ease mind, body, and soul. By Katja Gaskell

This is a feature from Issue 20 of Charitable Traveller.

Wellness means different things to different people. For some, it’s the chance to relax, unwind, and be pampered in an all-inclusive resort. For others, it’s the opportunity to challenge themselves on a walking or running adventure, or getting back to nature. So whether you’re looking for yoga and meditation, or simply want to escape to a remote retreat, there’s a wellness holiday for everyone and we’ve rounded up here some of our favourites to boost your wellbeing in 2024. From skiing in Finnish Lapland and cycling among Sri Lankan tea plantations to wild swimming in crystal clear Austrian lakes and floating in the Dead Sea, simply choose which one is best for you and enjoy!

Walking in the Wilds of Northumberland

Get lost in the wild and woolly beauty of Northumberland on a gentle guided walking holiday through some of the country’s most dramatic landscapes. Witness vast empty beaches, tweed-coloured hills, rolling moors, and wooded dales on HF Holdays’ choice of differently graded walks. Highlights include the spellbinding Alnwick Castle of Harry Potter fame, and the cliff-top ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle – lookout for fulmars, razorbills, and kittiwakes nesting nearby. Pretty villages such as Craster – famous for its kippers – pepper the countryside offering the perfect backdrop for a holiday snap, as well as delicious cream teas.

Out on the Lake in Slovenia

Most visitors to Slovenia hightail it straight to the glacial waters of Lake Bled, unaware that there’s a bigger – and arguably more beautiful – lake nearby. Framed by the rugged snow-capped peaks of the Julian Alps, and lined with secluded coves, Lake Bohinj is the largest natural lake in Slovenia. This corner of the Triglav National Park is the ideal destination for travellers looking to get off the beaten track. Walkers can discover the region’s wild beauty along the many marked lakeside or mountain trails with a guide and then paddle along the glassy lake waters by kayak or SUP.

Remote relaxation in a Brazilan Nature Reserve

Located in the heart of rural Minas Gerais and surrounded by rainforest, the unique Ibti private reserve was started by Renato Machado as a passion project to build a greenbelt around the Ibitipoca State Park. Today, at the heart of the reserve, you’ll find Fazenda do Engenho, a low-key luxury lodge housed witing a former farmhouse. Guests can explore the area on horseback, by bicycle, or on two feet; relax with an outdoor yoga class; or watch a film on a giant outdoor screen in one of the most isolated and beautiful corners of Brazil.

Spa Time in Cancun

It’s a quick transfer by private yacht across the sparkling Caribbean Seas from Cancun to Isla Mujeres and Zoëtry Villa Rolandi. Tucked away on the western edge of the idyllic isle, this perfectly formed all-inclusive adults-only resort offers 35 rooms, a world-class spa and a private stretch of soft white sand backed by swaying palms. The Thalasso Spa includes multi-day beauty and wellness programmes and a range of relaxing activities, including yoga and meditation. For a more local experience, take part in an ancient Mayan Temazcal ceremony led by a traditional Shaman.

Bag a winter wonderland in Finland

Fall in love with Finland on a luxury ski and spa break north of the Arctic Circle and snuggle up at the Levi Hotel Spa. Chase the dancing northern lights, snowshoe through wooded dales, take a reindeer sleigh ride, and breathe in lungfuls of clean air in the happiest country in the world. Skiing in Finland is ideal for beginners and intermediate with wide, perfectly groomed fells, and some of the best snow in the world. Post-ski, retreat to the hotel’s Spa Water World, where 17 indoor and outdoor pools plus sauna, steam room and jacuzzis will leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Utter Indulgence in Mallorca

Inspired by childhood holidays to Mallorca, Richard Brandon has opened Sun Bunyola, his sustainably-minded finca that sits sandwiched between the Mediterranean coastline and the protected Tramuntana mountains, amid 1,300 acres of citrus, almond and olive groves. Housed within a carefully converted 16th-century estate with its own domed defence tower, it’s home to 26 individually designed rooms, all stocked with Mallorca-made products. Activities here are endless, from hiking and biking trails to cooking classes, village tours, outdoor yoga classes and a weekly history walk.

Wild Swimming in Austria

Home to 400 swimming lakes, Austria is not only one of the best places to go wild swimming in Europe, but its lakes are also among the cleanest. Located near Kitzbühel is Lake Schwarzsee, one of the region’s most picturesque lakes, and the warmest – its mineral-rich emerald green waters can reach up to 27C during the summer months. Back on dry land, this sunny corner of Tirol is chock-full of activities. Hiking routes crisscross the alpine meadows and mountains and the region is popular with cycling enthusiasts for both its gentle trails and challenging climbs.

Pedal Power in Sri Lanka

Ancient temples and legendary strongholds are a highlight of this two-week cycling adventure with Explore. The former Kingdom of Kandy and the hilltop fortress of Sigiriya both feature, but there’s so much more to this circular journey too, from golden beaches to leopards, elephants, and whales. Discover the real Sri Lanka as you pedal along dirt back roads, and through small villages. While much of the route is flat, there are steeper sections as you climb into the verdant central highlands, visiting the colonial hill city of Nuwara Eliya and stopping for tea at a traditional estate.

Run your way to happiness in Germany

Berliners love to run. Germany‘s capital is sprinkled with leafy parks, river pathways, lakeside trails and even an old airport runway where locals of all ages pound the pavement. it’s not surprising, then, that this dynamic city is home to one of the world’s best marathon routes. Join nearly 50,000 other runners (this year on 29th September) as you set off across the city, taking in some of the best sights along the way, including the Reichstag (pictured), Berlin Cathedral, Checkpoint Charlie, and the Berlin Wall Memorial. Finish with a flourish as you run through the Brandenburg Gate.

Lose yourself in Jordan

Discover the wonders of the Kingdom of Jordan on a bespoke tour that combines history, culture, and adventure along with some of the country’s most storied walking trails. Visit the desert castles and hilltop fortresses, wander the colonaded streets of a preserved Roman city and discover the secret passageways within one of the Crusader castles. Stay overnight in a candle-lit eco-lodge, hike through fruit orchards along the Prophet’s Trail, and lose yourself in the Dana Nature Reserve, where eagles soar above the cavernous gorges, before ending the journey with a relaxing float in the Dead Sea.

Get in touch with our expert travel agents today to plan your perfect wellness break, and donate 5% of the price to the charity of your choice for FREE!