Unwind and relax in the bush

WHILE the Big Five game drives and encounters with wildlife are always a huge drawcard, it’s only half the safari experience at Garonga Safari Camp, #SouthAfrica. Equally important is slowing down the pace of life, nurturing yourself, and ‘resetting your system’. #Garonga has just upped the relaxation ante to a whole new level by revamping the existing bush bath by adding a new freestanding bath – but even more excitingly, now offer a dreamy new Star Bath and Yoga Deck.

The Star Bath not only offers views over the bush and the dazzling African night sky - but has its very own galaxy of twinkling stars, all in complete privacy. Soak away your troubles, let go and look back on the sightings and experiences of the day with a glass of wine in hand. 

Those already familiar with the practice of mindfulness and meditation, or those that just love a good stretch or daytime nap, will be excited to see Garonga’s new Yoga Deck. An enclosed tented structure designed to allow air to flow freely, perfectly frames an exquisite view of the valley. You can step onto the mat and practice in privacy surrounded by only the peaceful sounds of the surrounding bush. If you’re lucky you might even get some of the local wildlife passing by!

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Get Fit For Your Upcoming Trip

FIT For Trips, the industry leader in travel fitness, introduces four to twelve-week programs to help get travelers ready for their 2019 vacations. “After the holidays are behind us, you find a lot of New Year’s resolutions in gyms all across America.” Explains Marcus Shapiro, owner and director of Fit For Trips. “Many of these people are excited to get in shape and healthy for an upcoming vacation in the new year.” Getting in shape and travelling more is annually on American’s top 10 resolutions list.

The four to twelve-week programs offered by Fit For Trips begin with an easy online form with questions about medical history, current and past exercise history, home or gym training, available equipment and trip details (if applicable). Not all Fit For Trips clients have a vacation planned some just want a kick start.


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Saddle up and ride towards well-being

WHETHER it’s enhancing our creativity or taking our first steps towards a healthier lifestyle, in 2019 travellers will place a much greater emphasis on “the self” and life-enrichment.

Ruth Daly, Marketing Director at Ranch Rider comments, “No longer a simple means of escape, we now see the potential for holidays to make a very real and lasting difference to the way we lead our lives, so our existence can be more fruitful and fulfilling.”

Ideal for guests who want to step out of their comfort zone and embrace their authentic selves, the new four-day women-only, “Unbridle Your Creativity” retreat will be hosted by Devon Combs, “The Cowgirl of the Wellness Industry,” and Kris Drewry, published author and lifestyle blogger.

Based at Arizona’s Rancho de la Osa, the course aims to silence your inner critic and make creativity part of your routine, through Equine Gestalt Coaching (described as healing through interaction with horses), writing and trail riding. Additional activities include an evening of cowboy poetry (with a real cowboy), a moonlight bonfire and cowgirl cocktails.

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Nurse yourself better abroad

THE medical tourism industry is evolving quickly due to increasing awareness levels among individuals across the world which has seen emerging market economies with medical expertise and medical facilities at low cost, coupled with attractive tourism sites driving the medical tourism market. 

Modern healthcare at affordable prices is offered to medical tourists in various countries at different level of economic development. Western population travel to other countries for their medical treatment. Long waiting lists, increasing healthcare costs, and limitations on the availability of treatment options, coupled with the ease of travel, medical tourism is gaining popularity.

According to a recent report by Zion Market Research medical tourism is one of the significant sectors of the global economy. The number of medical tourists has increased substantially from 350,000 Westerners in 2003 to 750,000 Americans by 2007. In India, medical tourism increased between USD 50 billion and USD 69 billion. Medical tourism in Asia grew to USD 4.4 billion by 2012.

The global medical tourism market was valued at approximately USD 15.5 billion in 2017 and is expected to generate revenue of around USD 28.0 billion by the end of 2024, growing at a rate of around 8.8% between 2018 and 2024.

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Luxury spa award for Thwaites Hotels

 THWAITES Hotels has been named top luxury spa group in Europe at an awards ceremony held recently in Ireland.

Two of its hotels also came home successful from the World Luxury Spa Awards on Saturday (July 14), with Thorpe Park Hotel & Spa in Leeds winning best Luxury Fitness Spa in the UK and Cottons Hotel & Spa in Knutsford scooping the title for top Luxury Hotel Spa in the UK.

The annual awards ceremony rewards and celebrates spas that set benchmarks in quality, innovation and service.

Thwaites Hotels Operations Director Chris Hill said: "We are thrilled with this news. The last 2 years has seen significant investment in our spas and there is more to come, as we are updating everything from the pool halls and gyms to the changing rooms and relaxation lounges."


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Top 10 digital detox destinations

WELLNESS tourism is a growing trend where travelers are seeking health and spirituality on their trips. According to the Global Wellness Institute, international and domestic wellness tourism accounted for $563 billion in 2015, up 14 percent from 2013, and is expected to grow to $808 billion by 2020. The trend continues, with 25 percent of travelers saying they plan to take a wellness trip in the next 12 months, according to a recent poll of TripAdvisor's global Facebook community.

Top 10 Global Destinations for a Digital Detox:

1   Bali, Indonesia
2   Rishikesh, India
3   Sedona, Arizona, U.S.
4   Hepburn Springs, Australia
5   Ko Samui, Thailand
6   Costa Rica
7   Goa, India
8   Zermatt, Switzerland
9   Maldives
10 Ibiza, Spain

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Make and Mend Festival

MAKE & Mend Company will be taking over Preston Park Museum & Grounds, with a jam-packed programme of craft workshops, inspiring talks and wellbeing sessions. 

The festival created by two friends, Rachel Willis and Lyndsey Stephenson, is the first of its kind in the region and extols the virtues of crafting, creating and making for health, wellbeing and, of course, fun.


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Celebrate the Summer Solstice in Times Square

THE Times Square Alliance today announced the return of Solstice in Times Square: Mind Over Madness Yoga, presented by Aerie – a day of free yoga classes to celebrate the longest day of the year and beginning of the summer season – on Thursday, June 21st. 

Yogis of every skill level will have the opportunity to participate in seven free yoga sessions throughout the day on June 21st and visit the Yoga Village between 44th & 45th Streets, which will feature booths, giveaways, and activities. Aerie is bringing fun, freebies and treats to Yoga Village all day long.

www.TimesSquareNYC.org/Solstice


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Field to fork detox in Andalucia

AFTER snow, slush and sleet comes spring so take time out and revitalise and rejuvenate mind, body and soul.

Not just a detox diet, but an expert-designed gourmet detox diet based on organic field-to-fork produce paired with tailored private sessions of yoga, meditation and tai chi, as well as massage, spa treatments, invigorating walks, revitalising sleep. Our small group has exclusive use of 1700-acre organic farm and luxurious mountain retreat, La Donaira.

La Donaira offers just 9 individually-designed suites, state of the art facilities including contemporary spa, exquisite shared spaces, open-air pool and gardens, yoga platform and running trails.

From €830/pp (3 days/3 nights) - Close to Ronda and the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. Easy access from Seville (1hr), Jerez (1hr) and Malaga (1hr 40mins) airports. 

www.ladonaira.com/events

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Spring into April in Miami

APRIL is all about sports and wellness in #Miami and the Beaches. From relaxing walks on the beach to Jet Ski adventures, there is a lot to be found in Miami.

As Miami is perfect for indoor and outdoor activities, The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau has made April ‘Miami Sports and Wellness Month’, offering discounts and special offers for great activities such as yoga, golf and a wide range of water sport activities

The Miami Sports and Wellness Month will kick off with the ‘Yoga In The Park’ event, a free yoga class, on April 5th at 6:00 PM at The Tina Hills Pavilion on the south end of Bayfront Park.

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Retreat to Ireland and run wild

RUN Wild Retreats + Wellness, a travel company providing premier women’s trail running and wellness retreats in five countries, has added #Ireland to its roster of 2018 #retreats. Taking place September 16-22, 2018 founder Elinor Fish will be teaching #trailrunning skills and wellness workshops throughout the itinerary.

Modeled after its popular international retreats in Iceland, Spain, Italy and the U.S., the Ireland Trail Running + Wellness Retreat offers women a week-long immersion in healthy running techniques while exploring the Emerald Isle’s forests, national parks, famous cliffs and moors.

Starting in Dublin, the retreat begins in the trail-running hub of County Wicklow, where they will experience the famous “Wicklow Way” and scenic trails surrounding the town of Glendalough. From there, they head to west to run along the iconic Cliffs of Moher before heading south to County Clare to run trails through the many wonders of Killarney National Park, such as Torc Waterfall and Esknamucky Glen.


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Visit Costa Rica launches new tourism strategy for 2018

THE Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) has launched a new tourism strategy for 2018 – ‘Wellness Pura Vida’. The tourist board will be working closely with Costa Rican hoteliers and local communities to develop their wellness offering. 

They will be promoting the use of the latest wellness techniques, whilst ensuring that they have a Costa Rican twist incorporating elements such as sports, organic food and local community outreach – a 360 degree attitude to wellbeing. They will also be promoting eco-friendly wellness tourism that has minimal impact on the environment. 

www.visitcostarica.com


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Health and Wellness with Hawaiian Airlines

GUESTS onboard Hawaiian Airlines’ transpacific flights now have access to health and wellness video content produced exclusively by the airline for its in-flight programming. The Ola Pono (Live Well) series launched today with videos on pre-flight, in-flight and post-flight stretching and breathing techniques by Honolulu movement specialist Wainani Arnold. 

“We understand the main purpose of in-flight programming is to entertain, but we knew we could do that while also providing useful and effective content that would enhance the guest experience,” said Evan Nomura, product manager, in-flight entertainment at Hawaiian Airlines. 

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Ashford Castle wins “Ireland’s Best Hotel Spa”

FOR the second year in row, the iconic Ashford Castle has again been named winner in the “Ireland’s Best Hotel Spa 2017″ category in the 3rd Annual 2017 World Spa Award. 

The awards were developed in response to overwhelming demand from the spa industry for a program that was fair and transparent, a program with a mission to serve as the definitive benchmark of excellence, and to help foster a new era of growth in spa tourism.

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Picture Credit: pintrest

Taking South African Spas to a new level

FAIRLAWNS Boutique Hotel and Spa, tucked away in the leafy residential outskirts of Sandton, Johannesburg, #SouthAfrica already has numerous awards under its belt for its breath-taking Balinese-style spa with exotic gardens. Now it is set to raise the benchmark yet again – as the hotel has purchased an adjoining property and will be launching its new green space extension early next year - yet another milestone on the R25-million reinvention journey of this stylish boutique hotel. 

At an incredible 1.5 acres, it will be the largest and most exclusive spa and wellness space in all of Johannesburg - where guests can truly retreat from the daily grind and just unwind, digitally disconnect - and reconnect with nature to revitalise body and soul. The new extension will include an undercover heated hydro pool, rim flow Jacuzzi, Sentō bath (Japanese style herbal bath), relaxation lounges and salas, a private dining sala for 12 guests.

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Sweat it out in Finland

WHAT do a gondola, the Finnair SkyWheel and a fast food restaurant all have in common? In a country home to over three million saunas it is perhaps no surprise that Finland’s most famous export, the sauna, can be found in unexpected places.  In #Finland, the sauna is an integral part of daily life offering physical and spiritual cleansing, promising an array of health benefits. For many Finns, the sauna is a sanctuary – a place for mental and physical purification and renewal.

In Helsinki’s Hartwall Arena, home to the Jokerit ice hockey team, guests can stay warm at the ice rink with a private sauna. A selection of VIP Skyboxes include saunas fitted with windows so guests can keep their eye on the puck whether they are entertaining clients and colleagues or enjoying a night with family and friends.

Visitors can even enjoy a sauna as they soar above the beautiful Helsinki skyline in the Finnair SkyWheel SkySauna. Spot Helsinki’s most famous landmarks, look out over the open sea and the surrounding islands along the south coast of Finland from the private sauna in the heart of Helsinki which can accommodate up to 20 people.

Roasting sausages on an open fire is often a key part of the Finnish sauna experience, but one newly-opened sauna will give Finns a different dining experience. Guests visiting the Mannerheimintie Burger King branch in Helsinki can enjoy a Whopper while they relax in a 15-person sauna that comes complete with a TV, Burger King bath robes and towels.

Further North, the world’s first sauna gondola takes guests through the breathtaking Lapland landscape at Ylläs ski resort, 718 metres above sea level. On a 20-minute roundtrip journey, guests can enjoy the majestic scenery from the comfort of the four-person sauna gondola.


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