Oh hello, 2020 – how did you get here? The world rotates pretty fast when you’re busy multitasking. The juggle is real, and most of the time it works, but when life has us dropping more balls than we catch, we need more than a holiday, we need a retreat. And preferably one we can surrender to, utterly and completely. Mindful holidays are having a moment. And a transformative one at that. Sometimes it’s about suspending ourselves in stillness and letting nature do its thing. Other times, it’s more physical; helping us to experience being in our bodies and the moment. Gorgeous natural surroundings help the cause, as does access to good, healthy food.
From stargazing to forest bathing and horse therapy – personal evolution is coming your way.
Kokomo Island, Fiji
You’re surrounded by water, hauled up in luxury and your every whim is anticipated before it sets in. Life at Kokomo is good. So good, in fact, you could easily lose a few days to naps and palm-tree gazing. But, if you prefer to use your new-found abundance of free time productively, Kokomo’s Activate Journey is the way forward.
The luxe private island, owned by billionaire Lang Walker, is the ultimate place to kickstart a new fitness regimen. The Activate program starts with a wellness consultation with the in-house health practitioner and then rolls out in a schedule of personal training, spa treatments, naturopathy, yoga (on a floating pontoon, no less) and wellness cuisine. The price for guests is about $1500 for three days of living your best life (exclusive of accommodation). Visit kokomoislandfiji.com
Amanpuri, Thailand
The delicious cocktails at Amanpuri can wait – heaven knows there will be juice. We’re here for the medical-grade Wellness Centre and we have just three days to levitate to a more enlightened path. Amanpuri’s Life Reset Intensive Immersion is a wellness big hitter. The program starts with next-level medical screening including blood panel tests, body composition analysis and an Oligoscan heavy metal test. From there, they prescribe serious treatments ranging from colonic hydrotherapy (if that’s what you’re into), to IVs, cupping and massages. Lots of massages. There’s also personalised nutrition and private sweat sessions, ranging from SUP to Thai boxing. From about $2465 per night, aman.com
Emirates One&Only, Wolgan Valley
If the thought of a weekend relaxing by a pool makes your legs twitch, sign yourself up for the new fitness offering from Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley. The five-star resort, which sits on about 2800 hectares of wilderness in NSW’s Blue Mountains, has recently launched the Wolgan Warrior Adventure Challenge. The 21km trail run traverses three peaks in the surrounding national park, the highest requiring a 365-metre climb from the valley floor. Limited to only 10 participants a month, the trail run is quite challenging, especially the downhill sections, so bring trail shoes and strong knees. Your weekend ends with a tree-planting ceremony to mark your participation in the trail run and to help with the regeneration of the valley floor. The challenge is open to guests at the price of $295, which includes a four-wheel-drive tour and a 45-minute Warrior Wind Down Massage (which you will need). Visit oneandonlywolganvalley.com
Escape Haven, Bali
Seven days and six nights. That’s how long the wellness wizards at Escape Haven need to reset your mind, body and the whole shebang. Just under a week at this women’s-only surf and yoga retreat in Canggu will turn you into a clean-food eating, raw smoothie swilling, yoga goddess with mad surf skills in the water. The retreat is all inclusive, which extends to exceptional healthy meals and unlimited spa treatment – as in, never-ending pedicures. The accommodation is luxurious and perfectly Bali chic, with butlers on call to deliver fresh coconuts and prepare flower-drawn baths when your muscles are too tired, and day beds are too comfortable to leave. The price for guests is from about $3400 for six nights of bliss, surrounded by like-minded women. Visit escapehaven.com
This story originally appeared in the February 2020 issue of marie claire
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