Vacations can do so much more than get you out of the office — they also give you a chance to relax and slow down for a little while.
Some vacation destinations go the extra mile to help you actually improve your health.
“Travel is an investment,” says Allyson deHaven Harris, owner and manager of The Travel Corner in Williamsburg, Va. “Travel is a memory. Our job is to make your stay as comfortable and health-oriented as possible. We want you to leave feeling better than when you arrived.”
DeHaven Harris says that many travelers today aren’t looking for a big-box experience, but small, bucket-list experiences. These unique resorts offer spa services, organic dining and more to help you improve your health, whether you have a weekend away or weeks to spare.
For an Active Family Vacation
Keystone Resort — Keystone, Colo.
Keystone Resort features over 3,000 acres for skiing and snowboarding over three different mountain peaks. With family-friendly services, it’s the perfect place for snow bunnies of all ages to get moving on vacation.
After days on the slope, you can continue to improve your health at the resort’s yoga classes or by relaxing in the spa. Kids can participate in Kidtopia activities that keep them entertained and wear them out. The whole family can have fun, relax and enjoy this snowy spot.
For the Active Eco-Tourist
eXtreme Hotel — Dominican Republic
This small, 22-room resort in Cabarete, Dominican Republic, is built on sustainable values. The hotel is powered by solar energy, features organic, locally grown foods on the menu and uses rainwater collection systems to water the gardens. No detail is overlooked; rooms feature low-flow faucets, low-wattage lightbulbs and low-energy fans.
While these green features keep Mother Earth healthy, the unique activities at the resort can help keep you healthy, too. From circus classes and kiteboarding to surfing and horseback riding, this hotel helps you have fun and keep moving throughout your vacation.
For a Quick Trip
The Ritz-Carlton — Charlotte, N.C.
You don’t have to go far to find a healthy resort, says deHaven Harris. The Ritz-Carlton in Charlotte, just a five-hour drive from Hampton Roads, offers a 13,000-foot spa and wellness center that includes a pool, whirlpool, relaxation area, treatment rooms and a large 24-hour gym with plenty of equipment as well as yoga classes.
The hotel also offers organic and locally sourced foods, some of which are grown in its rooftop greenhouse or collected from its beehives. To add to your eco-friendly experience at this sustainably designed hotel, you can take advantage of complimentary bicycles and hybrid vehicles to explore Charlotte.
For the Healthy Foodie
Miraval Resort — Tucson, Ariz.
This all-inclusive resort offers over 120 complementary wellness activities including fitness classes, meditation, mindfulness counseling, rock climbing, ziplining and more. But for the foodie, this resort offers enough activities to keep you satisfied all week long.
In addition to enjoying delicious, gourmet foods at the resort’s restaurants, you can also take cooking classes to learn how to make cocktails, bake gluten-free goodies and create healthy dishes. You can also enjoy nutrition classes about mindful grocery shopping, switching to a plant-based lifestyle and eating to improve your digestive health.
For the Yoga Enthusiast
Shreyas Yoga Retreat — Bangalore, India
Shreyas Yoga Resort offers a journey of self-discovery for all its guests. You can enjoy daily yoga and meditation as well as spa treatments, Ayurveda and organic vegetarian dishes. Surrounded by nature, this 12-cottage resort gives you a quiet place to reflect, relax and focus on your physical and emotional health.
These healthy vacation choices are just a sampling of dozens of destinations across the globe that focus on putting your wellness first. If you have trouble deciding which spot is best for you, you can always turn to a travel expert, who will help you figure out exactly what you’re looking for. “I can promise there is a perfect fit for everyone,” deHaven Harris says.