6 Top Holiday Destinations To Relax And Unwind

While there’s a time and a place for action-packed adventure holidays, sometimes you just need to get away from it all, kick back and relax in style. 

In recent years, we’ve seen tourist operators place more emphasis on wellness and relaxation to accommodate the growing demand for fitness and retreat-based holidays.

Whether you’re looking for a tranquil waterside getaway, world-beating views of beautiful natural landscapes, a scintillating city break or a luxurious, no-holds-barred hotel experience in Europe or further afield, you’ll be spoilt for choice in 2023. 

If you need to get away from the rat race, consider these top destinations to relax and unwind on your ‘me-time’ holiday this season:

How To Plan For A Wellness Retreat

Relaxation is said to lower blood pressure, decrease heart rate, reduce stress and boost your sense of mental well-being, so why not make a holiday out of it? 

Whether you opt to travel solo or do a friendcation, before you make any bookings for a wellness retreat, you’ll need to discuss your options – what’s your budget, which countries would you like to visit and what kind of break are you looking for? Factors to consider here include the time of year, weather and activity preferences. 

Once you’ve decided on a location and activities, try to make bookings and travel arrangements well ahead of time. This will help you to save money, travel with ease and avoid future stress – the last thing you need on a relaxing getaway! 

Don’t be afraid to ‘go all-out’ and spoil yourself when making arrangements for your well-being retreat, whether that be travelling to your chosen location via private jet or opting for first-class train tickets to the airport – just remember not to get too relaxed with the budget! 

Best Holiday Destinations to relax

Which destinations tick the boxes? There is a wide selection of dedicated wellness retreats in the UK these days, but where are the best locations abroad to unwind, relax and boost your well-being on holiday this year? Whatever kind of wellness break you’re looking for, consider these picks of the top relaxing holiday locations abroad in 2023: 

Croatia

Home to hundreds of beautiful islands, a world-famous coastline and beautiful historic cities and cultural sites, Croatia has become a magnet for tourists of all types in recent years.

Seeing around 2,500 hours of full sunlight each year, this sun-drenched country could be the perfect place to get away from it all this year, whether you decide to take an island-hopping tour, go sailing or work on your tan with a book by the beach. 

You’ll also find a range of holistic, natural and traditional local therapies and remedies to alleviate stress and aid relaxation, many of which are available via wellness resorts in the country. 

Portugal

Known around the world for its unique ‘fusion’ cuisine, pristine medieval architecture and vibrant local culture, Portugal is one of the best locations in Europe for a wellness holiday – the country is home to an array of luxury resorts and wellness retreats that are tailor-made to boost your sense of wellbeing and promote rest and relaxation. 

It has more wellness-based holiday resorts and packages than the majority of other countries on the continent. The tourism sector is thriving in Portugal right now, so you should be able to find some competitive deals for a 2023 break – whether you’re interested in some retail therapy in Lisbon for a couple of days before hitting the relaxing beaches of the Algarve, start looking now before the spring rush takes hold and book your wellness break today!

Spain

The travel and tourism sector is a major part of the national economy in Spain, it’s been a long-standing popular destination for tourists from the UK and northern Europe. While the Brits abroad are certainly no strangers to breaks in sunny Spain, you may not realise that the country is also a top destination for wellness holidays.

Known for its regional diversity, unique cities and stunning natural landscapes, there’s a whole world of tourism options in the country, many of which are perfect for a relaxing break away. 

If you don’t feel like browsing the waterside bars, gothic architecture and iconic galleries of beautiful Barcelona or taking a beachside break further down the coast, consider kicking back at a luxury weekend break in Granada, Seville or Cordoba to visit stunning palaces and wander the photogenic cobbled street.

If you’re visiting the south of Spain, and want to extend your trip – catch the ferry or a short flight over to Morocco (you can actually see the northern coast of Morocco from the south of Spain!).

Morocco boasts some great places to get away from the hustle and bustle such as retreats in the mountains near the blue city of Chefchaouen or homestays in the Atlas Mountains. If you’re looking to splash out then consider heading to the Sahara Desert for luxury glamping in Morocco!

Thailand

Long regarded as a backpacker’s paradise, tourism in Thailand has opened up considerably in recent years to include an array of wellness-based resorts and retreats. 

Many of these make use of traditional Thai remedies and treatments to alleviate the mental and physical symptoms of stress. Boasting lush natural landscapes, serene rural environments, and some of the friendliest locals in the world, the ‘Land of Smiles’ is the perfect spot for a wellness break away from the rat race. 

You can also enjoy a range of competitively priced watersport-based attractions in Thailand, including island hopping tours, sailing, diving, speedboating and windsurfing. 

Belize

Located on the eastern coast of Central America, Belize is a somewhat lesser-known destination that’s becoming increasingly popular each year. 

From stunning Caribbean coastlines and dense jungle and rainforest terrains to charming cities and expertly preserved Mayan ruins, and world-class diving experiences, this amazing country has it all. 

The country is home to an increasing number of wellness spas, retreats, resorts and lodges, many of which are set against stunning natural backdrops of the jungle or crystal-clear ocean. If you’re looking for high-end wellness holiday options with a difference this year, Belize could be just the ticket.

Indonesia 

Seeing as natural healing is an integral part of Indonesian culture, it should be no surprise that Indonesia is widely known as one of the world’s best locations for wellness retreats. Indonesia is made up of a staggering 18,000 islands, out of this number just five of them are classed as the main islands. A firm favourite is the island of Bali.

Whether you’re looking for a luxury hotel resort (complete with an infinity pool overlooking local rice fields), a  quirky jungle treehouse hotel, a high-end detox program or an intensive yoga retreat by the beach, Bali has got you covered. 

The deliciously fresh local cuisine is also great for promoting physical health and wellness during your stay – you could even find yourself bringing some Balinese recipes back home! 

Where Are You Travelling To Relax And Unwind?

If you were looking for the perfect relaxing holiday destination, I hope this article has answered that.

The only problem now is working out which of these places you are going to visit. I hope this travel guide has given you lots of inspiration. 

Whether you’re heading to Asia, on a short weekend getaway in Europe or on an extended honeymoon getaway, I’m sure you’ll find plenty of places of interest.

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