Wellness Travel Destinations

In 2026, the Global Wellness Institute points to a tipping point in the wellness industry, one that’s changing how — and why — we travel. From science-grounded strategies to community-driven wellbeing and even “movement snacks” (you read that correctly), the best players in the wellness tourism sector know that today’s wellness travel is less about rigid programming and more about rhythm. Also, as recent travel news suggests, environment, nature, and culture are becoming the new treatment, meaning a well-chosen getaway can help you reconnect and kick-start new life habits. 🌿

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Today, we asked our local photographers to help us craft this travel guide to wellness trips around the world. Here are the top categories in today’s wellness economy and a selection of unique destinations to visit this year. ✈️

 

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Photo: Lucrezia in the Dolomites for Flytographer. David and partner capture memories in The Dolomites on a couples photoshoot.

Alpine Wellness Destinations

Defined by seasonality, forest bathing, and altitude, alpine destinations turn the environment into therapy. Here are two trending wellness escapes set high above it all.

Dolomites, Italy

Topping travel trends and Northern Italy itineraries this year, not only because of the Winter Olympics, the Dolomites offer an ideal setting for combining intentional rejuvenation with natural surroundings. Each season introduces its own cadence, transforming the experience, and the mountains themselves are so striking that architect Le Corbusier once called them the most beautiful “buildings” in the world. 🏔️

Where to stay: In the realm of luxury wellness, Lefay Resort & Spa Dolomiti might be the benchmark. Home to one of the largest spa areas in the Alps, the resort features several saunas and a vast magnesium-rich saltwater whirlpool, perfectly positioned to frame sweeping views of pine forests.

Photo: Tomas in the Dolomites for Flytographer. David and family capture memories in the Dolomites on a family photoshoot.

Banff, Alberta

The charming town of Banff also ranks among this year’s top wellness travel destinations. Fresh mountain air, cinematic scenery, and a laid-back pace make it an excellent choice for a restorative escape in an alpine setting. With national parks close at hand, nature sets the rhythm, inviting walking, hiking, soaking, breathing, and even stargazing. ⭐

Where to stay: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise adds a refined layer to the experience, particularly through its BASIN Signature Retreat. The programme offers a highly personalized approach to wellness, pairing thermal bathing with curated in-room rituals and a menu of spa treatments. Sounds like wellness for the stars. And in a way, it is. The retreat is celebrity-approved, with Justin and Hailey Bieber among recent visitors. 😮

Fly tip: For more alpine-minded wellness, follow the scenery further to Switzerland or New Zealand, where the views do half the work.

Photo: Marie-Christine in Banff for Flytographer. Sara and partner capture memories in Banff on a couples photoshoot.

Nature-led Reset Destinations

Certain locations thrive as nature-led wellness escapes, offering just the right sense of grounding. Here are two nature-led wellness travel destinations leading the way in 2026.

Tofino / Ucluelet, British Columbia

These coastal towns on Vancouver Island’s rugged west coast are perfect picks for family travel infused with wellness. The winning combination of natural beauty and an array of eco-friendly establishments means kids have plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure, which, by the way, is one of the best forms of wellness for younger travellers. 👌

Where to stay: Retreats like the Wickaninnish Inn and Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge will charm everyone. The former offers oversized soaking tubs in every room alongside a warm, lodge-style atmosphere, while the latter features canvas-tented accommodations set close to wildlife and hot springs, all without sacrificing modern comforts. 😍

Photo: Flytographer in Tofino. Nicole and family capture memories in Banff on a family photoshoot.

Todos Santos, Mexico

Todos Santos is your best pick among the more austere wellness travel destinations in Baja California. With particular appeal for slow travellers, the town is deeply rooted in desert stillness. You’ll find a wide range of nature-led, holistic experiences that draw not only from the desert terrain but also from ocean horizons and abundant open space. 🏜️

Where to stay: The adult-oriented Kimpton Mas Olas Resort & Spa is ideal for couples’ wellness retreats, while the design-forward Paradero Todos Santos boasts a striking Brutalist design that helps guests fully absorb their surroundings. Both come with standout spa experiences.

Fly tip: Mexico is full of hidden gems for wellness-minded travellers. Take a look at this countrywide travel guide we’ve crafted and get inspired. 🇲🇽

Photo: Fernanda in Todos Santos for Flytographer. Kortney and partner capture memories in Todos Santos on a couples photoshoot.

Farm-Forward Foodie Destinations

Eating mindfully on holiday can sometimes be a challenge, unless you plan the entire trip around it. These two European spots make it easy. ✌️

Alentejo, Portugal

In Alentejo, agriculture transcends food; it shapes the entire way of life. Close to Lisbon, the region’s rolling hills, medieval towns, and vast farming estates set the tone. Long walks through fields and vineyards invite reconnection with nature, while eating the produce becomes the most intuitive complement to it all. 🧑‍🌾

Where to stay: An estate like São Lourenço do Barrocal is an ideal base, an old farming community that now welcomes guests while keeping its old-world character firmly intact. Herdade da Malhadinha Nova offers a similar concept, with select villas featuring private kitchens, inviting guests to get hands-on with mindful cooking at their own pace.

Photo: Claudia in Lisbon for Flytographer. Tyler and partner capture memories in Lisbon on a couples photoshoot.

Umbria, Italy

It’s safe to say that hospitality grows directly out of agriculture in Umbria, Italy’s quieter, greener counterpoint to Tuscany. This is a region rooted in rural histories, where repetition and routine become mindful pleasures. Seasonal cooking is almost the norm. In Umbria, food is dictated by what’s growing, what’s ready, and what’s nearby. You can prepare it yourself or enjoy it at a shared table, there’s no going wrong. The latter is a very Italian — and arguably mindful — ritual, especially when taken al fresco among gnarled olive groves. 🇮🇹

Where to stay: Surrounded by rolling hills and cypresses, Reschio Hotel occupies a former Etruscan castle estate, offering a strong sense of ancient allure. Borgo dei Conti is another countryside option, with two excellent on-site restaurants that serve as a perfect excuse to slow down and eat mindfully. 😌

Photo: Emma in Umbria for Flytographer. William and partner capture memories in Umbria on a couples photoshoot.

Water, Heat & Ritual Destinations

Hot or cold, thermal bathing delivers powerful sensations that demand presence and sharpen perception. We know exactly where to go this year for next-level soaking.

Blue Lagoon, Iceland

For Icelanders, thermal bathing is like a national pastime, and the most famous place for a long soak is the Blue Lagoon, a 45-minute drive from Reykjavík. This geothermal wonder feels otherworldly, with milky-blue water set against a jagged, jet-black basalt lava plain formed by ancient volcanic eruptions. It’s also unique for its water, rich in silica, algae, and minerals. 💧

Where to stay: Right next to the lagoon, The Retreat at Blue Lagoon is a standout place to stay. Carved directly out of the lava fields, it features floor-to-ceiling windows in the suites that keep you immersed in the landscape. Another excellent option is Deplar Farm, a remote lodge with a turf-covered roof and Scandi-rustic interiors. 


Fly tip: The Blue Lagoon is as popular as it gets in Iceland, so the earlier you go, the better your chances of avoiding crowds. Also, remember to use plenty of conditioner; the minerals in the water can leave your hair feeling very stiff and dry. 🧴

Photo: Luis in Reykjavik for Flytographer. Deetta and partner capture memories in Iceland on a couples photoshoot.

Hokone, Japan

In Japan, the natural hot spring baths fed by geothermal waters are called onsen, and that’s where the day loosens its grip. Onsen culture is less about indulgence and more about etiquette and restoration. Just a two-hour train ride from Tokyo, Hakone offers the full package for experiencing it all. The variety is striking, ranging from outdoor pools surrounded by mountains and lake views to large traditional indoor onsen finished with natural stone and bamboo.

Where to stay: You can carry the experience through to bedtime if you stay in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn. It doesn’t get much better than Gora Kadan, a former imperial family retreat surrounded by serene countryside, or Hakone Ginyu, where private open-air hot spring baths are paired with traditional meals served in-room. Trust us, it’s an experience that could only happen in Japan. 🇯🇵

Photo: Ayako in Tokyo for Flytographer. Dante and partner capture memories in Tokyo on a couples photoshoot.

Spiritual & Energetic Wellness Destinations

Spiritual wellness often emerges through a connection to place, and certain settings feel energetically attuned to experiences that invite mental expansion.

Sedona, Arizona

With Indigenous roots and a desert climate, Arizona has long been regarded as a healing landscape. Sedona, the state’s spiritual epicentre, is famed for its vortexes, places believed to hold concentrated earth energy. Experienced firsthand, people report sensations ranging from a tingling in the skin to a striking sense of mental clarity. 😇  Beyond the many energy-related healing practices in town, you can also explore the surrounding red rock landscapes on foot, a grounding and spiritual experience in their own right.

Where to stay: Staying at a wellness resort from the Enchantment Group allows you to make the most of it all. Mii amo, a terracotta-hued sanctuary set into the desert, is considered the benchmark. Guests can choose from over 80 wellness experiences, including vortex lectures, flow yoga, and labyrinth meditation walks. 🚶

Fly tip: Australia’s Outback offers a similar, scenically endless redness of sand that’s awe-inspiring, made even more powerful by ancient Aboriginal culture and wisdom.

Photo: Amanda in Sedona for Flytographer. Mandy and partner capture memories in Sedona on a couples photoshoot.

Bali, Indonesia

With countless yoga and meditation retreats, forest temples, and an enviable island lifestyle, Bali consistently features on top lists of wellness travel destinations. 🧘 On the island, Ubud is the wellness capital and an excellent base, with Balinese Hinduism providing a backdrop of majestic temples and water purification rituals. You’ll be spoiled for choice, and the crowd is truly cosmopolitan: it’s not unusual to encounter yoga instructors from New York or Thailand alongside chefs from Morocco or Costa Rica, each bringing their own perspective to plant-based cuisine. 💚

Where to stay: Just fifteen minutes from Ubud, COMO Shambhala Estate places you amid tropical jungle and thatched pavilions. Also in Ubud, Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, offers a similar setting, with an extensive range of wellness programs and facilities such as meditation suites and vitality pools, the latter particularly atmospheric during moonlit evenings. 🌜

Photo: Bayu in Bali for Flytographer. Heather and partner capture memories in Bali on a couples photoshoot.

Capturing memories on your wellness journey

Luxury resorts and wellness retreats or boot camps are wonderful, but they’re not essential to a meaningful wellness journey. Wherever you’re headed, the actual goal is to travel with intention, take a break from social media, and stay present. 👏

Wherever your next trip takes you, you can reach out to one of our local photographers. In over 350 destinations around the world, they’ll capture those magical moments as you explore and connect with a place — and with yourself. 💙

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