The healing power of nature: where to experience wellness travel

Whatever our reasons might be for wanting to plan a wellness trip, we should never overlook nature’s healing effect. Going far beyond what a typical spa break can offer, a nature experience opens a world in which the possibilities for physical revitalization, mental and emotional renewal, self-reflection and self-discovery are second-to-none. Here, we suggest some of the world’s best nature destinations in which to carry out your wellness travel journey, across Argentinian Patagonia, Nepal, Norway and more.

Active wellness travel: the best nature breaks

For many, finding the next mountain, hiking route or gravel path to blaze a trail on offers an unmatched stress relief and positivity boost. If you’re energized simply by the thought of conquering the great outdoors, we’ve a few suggestions for active trips in nature.

Vietnam: cycle through breathtaking landscapes

First, we turn our attention to Vietnam, not so much for its indulgent street food and chaotic cities (though these are great reasons to visit) as for the landscapes of its northern provinces. Venture into the heart of the Hoa Binh province, where the Mai Chau Valley’s rolling hills are peppered with rice paddies and sugarcane plantations, and cut by mountain roads leading into ethnic villages – exploring all of this on two wheels guarantees a glorious mental reset. The surreal expanse of the UNESCO-listed Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark, as well as the highland forests and limestone peaks of Ba Be National Park in the neighboring Bac Kan province, are also well worth adding to your itinerary.

Rwanda: active explorations of wildlife-rich wilderness

If you make for the elevations of Rwanda, you’ll be sharing terrain with extraordinary wildlife, including none other than the mountain gorilla – stories of whose conservation efforts are nothing if not uplifting. A healing Rwandan escape could include guided chimpanzee and gorilla tracking expeditions, kayaking on the serene waters of Lake Kivu, making tracks by bike across the open countryside, and hiking through the Nyungwe National Park in search of gushing waterfalls.

Argentina: high-octane natural healing

Next up we have Argentina which, in housing almost two-thirds of Patagonia, is an unsurprising contender for wellness travel experiences in nature. It has an epic variety of landscapes to set pulses racing, almost overwhelmingly so – and to help you plan out an itinerary matched to your fitness level and interests, you’ll find nobody better than one of our in-destination experts. You could camp in the mighty and humbling shadow of Fitz Roy, embrace the contrasts of glacial beauty and golden grasslands in the Torres del Paine National Park, or climb across forests and challenging inclines in search of soul-stirring views. And then, could there be anything as freeing as galloping on horseback across pastures out to the open coast?

Greece: rugged landscapes steeped in mythology

Greece is already known and loved across borders, and whatever it is you’re going there to find, you’ll likely have plenty of opportunities to relax and dust off the cobwebs. Plan an active wellness travel experience in Greece, however, and those same webs will be blown away by lofty windswept peaks, filled with historic landmarks, winding trails and waterfalls. Hiking in the shadow of Mount Olympus offers a sense of accomplishment unlike anywhere else; this biodiverse landscape is imbued with mighty myths and legends of gods who walked the earth before you, and from the rocky paths of Meteora to the valleys of Almopia, you’re bound to be stunned and exhilarated at every turn.

Top nature experiences for mindful relaxation

If you’d rather swap your hiking boots for a hammock (or something to that effect), these slow travel-friendly spots are just the ticket. By encouraging mindfulness meditation and an appreciation of nature in its most relaxing form, they are unrivalled amongst their European neighbors.

Norway: forest bathing and expansive fjords

You’d be hard pressed to find a better place to explore the concept of slow travel than in Norway, whose compelling scenery will have your mind instantly switch gears. The fertile fjord regions evoke stillness through their ancient grandeur and magnificence, while the country’s sheer scale of forested land inspires quiet reflection. As you wander through the woodland, embrace the Norwegian art of friluftsliv: synonymous to Japan’s popularized practice of forest bathing, it’s said to improve physical health and spiritual well-being through relaxing, observing nature around you, and embracing the calm which it offers.

Finland: winter wellness travel in the Arctic wilderness

Finland’s northern forests are charged with a certain kind of mysticism, and when they’re combined with the flurry of natural phenomena for which this country is famous, they offer all the magic you might want from a back-to-nature break. You’ll have little trouble catering for your well-being on a trip into the Arctic wilderness, as you spend your time soaking up the silence of this vast terrain, admiring amethyst-filled mountains, floating in icy waters within the warmth of a survival suit, and marveling at the many ways in which the northern lights or midnight sun illuminate the skies above. By the warmth of a crackling campfire, you’ll feel very much at home – in mind, body and spirit – amidst the wildlife of the Arctic Circle.

Lesser-known nature destinations for total escapism

Banish the noise and switch off in these underrated and therefore blissfully deserted parts of the natural world, where you’ll have no trouble finding a moment to escape the crowds and hectic pace of daily life.

Pakistan: find peace among untouched peaks

Hiking in Pakistan isn’t for the faint-hearted, but its undervalued status as a travel destination makes it perfect for those in need of quiet isolation. You’ll have to put some effort in, but you’ll be rewarded by having the mountains to yourself, as you traverse the foothills of the Himalayas, the shores of Attabad Lake, the Fairy Meadows, and wind up in a boat floating across Kachura Lake. When these elevated landscapes come alive with the calming fragrance of cherry and apricot blossoms in the spring, or the comforting deep hues of fall foliage, you may find there’s nowhere else on Earth you’d rather be.

The Azores: island escapism at its finest

For a sense of island seclusion without foregoing the more pampering comforts you might be used to, look to the Azores, a Portuguese archipelago that, despite making a name for itself in recent years, continues to be a mystery to many. From hiking volcanic trails on São Miguel, to watching whales breach the waters off the coast of Faial, to tasting wines grown from lava soil on Pico Island, immersive experiences are plentiful – you’ll feel so deeply connected to the earth upon which you’ll be standing, and so far away from everyone and everything else.

The Balkans: untrodden paths in Kosovo, Montenegro and Albania

The criminally underrated Balkan Mountains should forever remain that way, for nowhere in Southeastern Europe will you find a place to replenish your mind and body quite like them. Crossing borders on a multi-destination trip to Kosovo, Montenegro and Albania, you’ll encounter peaks and valleys, trails and villages frequented by few. Learn about village life in the mountains in Kuqishtë, swim in the pearlescent waters of Lake Hrid, and ascend to the strikingly beautiful Valbona Pass – with each moment, you’ll be reminded of the complete warmth of nature’s embrace.

Japan: island immersion in undiscovered Okinawa

Showcasing a distinctively different, culturally mixed and geographically unique side to Japan, the 150 islands of the Okinawa prefecture offer unparalleled immersion off the beaten track. Nobody can prepare for the diversity of natural sights to be seen here, from the coastal forests of Yanbaru National Park to the remote wilds of Iriomote Island – both designated as World Natural Heritage Sites in 2021. While tourists fret and jostle for space in Japan’s regular hotspots, you’ll delight in scuba diving off Cape Maeda, kayaking through subtropical mangroves near Naha, exploring complex cave systems, and going in search of castle ruins that dot the open landscape.

Best nature destinations for spirituality and healing

When nature is charged with the glow of the divine, it takes on a very special kind of appeal, and offers unique opportunities for you to nurture both your mind and body. From the shores of Sri Lanka to the highest altitudes in Nepal, find well-being through a spiritual awakening on your next big trip.

Sri Lanka: time-honored traditions in the heart of nature

When thinking of serene meditation retreats and ancient healing practices passed down through generations, images of Sri Lanka surely come to mind. For the perfect wellness travel recipe, combine a traditional Ayurvedic experience with the quiet seclusion of Sigiriya’s great outdoors or a beachfront setting in Weligama, on the country’s southern coast. Sip on herbal drinks in the Sri Lankan sunshine, feast on organic produce grown amidst medicinal herbs, and align your chakras with a yoga session at sunrise or sunset.

Cambodia: spiritual encounters deep in the jungle

Taking a tour of Cambodia’s temples, deep in the dense jungle, reveals the spiritual quality they lend these vast and vibrant spaces. The all-enveloping grandeur of these sites is yours to enjoy in complete peace and tranquility, from the better-known temples of Bayon and Ta Phrom near the Angkor Wat complex, to more secluded temples tucked away beneath thick, overgrown vegetation. Roam the remote and dreamlike grounds of Preah Khan Kampong Svay, the largest religious complex built during the Angkorian Era, and marvel at Sambor Prei Kuk, part of the remains of the Chenla Empire’s ancient capital, Ishanapura.

Nepal: spiritual awakenings in nature’s splendor

For more sacred wellness journeys (with or without the sunrise yoga and meditation sessions), look no further than Nepal, where superlative Himalayan landscapes form the setting for rich Buddhist traditions and customs. Travel to the hilltop pilgrimage site of Namobuddha for reinvigorating mountain panoramas, and after spending a night in the company of the welcoming Gurung people, pause for reflection as you witness the magnificent sunrise over the Annapurna range. The local communities’ deep connection to this land, as well as their way of life dictated by various spiritual beliefs, is sure to inspire.

Make it happen

Are you feeling ready to embrace the power of nature? Once you’ve decided which destination inspires you most, simply get in touch with one of our local experts – each is qualified to help you tailor-make a trip filled with purpose and unforgettable wellness travel experiences.