If you dream of visiting exotic locales but worry about returning with an extra five pounds you’re not alone. Today’s savvy travelers are focused on keeping healthy and fit when away from their regimes. Relax! Whether you’re a hardcore health buff, a raw-vegan connoisseur or simply want to try different healthy diet options, the following list of 8 wellness retreats has something to satisfy every appetite. So, go ahead and nourish your foodie wanderlust.
For the Superfood Nomad: Atmantan Wellness Resort, India
Escape to the regal sanctuary of Atmantan in the Sahyadri Mountain range to discover healthy living through good food and an active lifestyle. Choose from a variety of healthy meal programs; go Ayurvedic and eat according to your body type, macrobiotic for a balanced plate, or explore mouth-watering Mediterranean and Asian cuisine to your liking. With a selection of healthy restaurants to choose from, each offering a different dining experience, indecisive foodies can enjoy all that this holistic wellness retreat has to offer. www.atmantan.com
For the Wholefood Wanderer: SHA Wellness Clinic, Spain
Find out everything you need to know about the wonders of a Macrobiotic diet and healthy food preparation at SHA Wellness Clinic. In conjunction with your chosen wellness program, group classes are held with varying themes according to the day of the week, from energy breakfasts to detox cooking and weight control cuisine. Opt for a private class where you can choose from 50 different dishes to suit your needs. Alongside best practices on healthy cooking methods, learn the health benefits of each food item as chefs give you an informative talk about its active ingredients and why it’s good for you. www.shawellnessclinic.com
For the Gluten-Free Globetrotter: Sianji Well Being Resort, Turkey
If you’re a ‘GF’ traveler, don’t fret. Sianji Well-being Resort on the stunning south-western Aegean coast of Turkey will resolve your gluten-free holiday conundrum. With expert consultations from a professional dietician and detox specialists, be guided with the best tailor-made nutrition regimen for you, with programs including alkaline diet, raw food detox and master detox. Benefit from thrice-weekly healthy living seminars that give you the opportunity to learn a healthier lifestyle, and enjoy other activities like water sports, fitness classes, and yoga that’ll keep you physically and mentally balanced. www.sianji.com
For the Veggie Voyager: Ti Sana, Italy
Indulge in the best of raw and cooked cuisine with Ti Sana’s unique ‘Healtheatarian’ philosophy, featuring a varied but mouth-watering, all-vegetarian menu. Tucked away in the peaceful Italian countryside, you’ll choose organic foods and locally farmed produce, handpicked (literally!) to provide guests with the highest nutritional quality. Let your taste buds delight with fresh juices and organic, seasonal meals prepared lovingly by raw and vegan food chef Valeria and her dedicated team. Expect hearty soups, sushi and vegetarian curries that will fuel you with natural, satisfying foods to detoxify your system the healthy way. www.1711.it
For the Guilt-Free Jetsetter: Fusion Maia, Vietnam
If you’re on the lookout for some Asian-fusion with a healthy twist, Fusion Maia in Da Nang, Vietnam promises to deliver. Be spoiled with an array of zero-guilt Nom dishes that take their inspiration from a combination of traditional Vietnamese, modern international flavors and comfort food classics like vegan pizzas and raw desserts. For those who want to commit, Fusion Maia has designed bespoke nutrition programs like Alkaline Diet, Raw Food Detox, and Juice Cleansing Detox to guide you through your foodie wellness journey. www.maiadanang.fusion-resorts.com
For the Raw Food Epicure: Phuket Cleanse Detox & Fitness, Thailand
Phuket Cleanse champions the power of detox and conveys it through proper nutrition and fitness, detoxifying through exercise and the food you eat. Enjoy delicious, healthy food options with raw-vegan cuisine, and be spoiled with all the choices at the juice buffet. Through daily cooking classes, you’ll explore different ingredients to learn how to make your own enticing raw goodies. You’ll never be bored at meat times as the culinary team at Phuket Cleanse creates their own recipes giving guests the variety they need to sustain themselves throughout the cleanse. www.phuketcleanse.com
For the Zen Foodie: Kamalaya, Thailand
Taste the luscious flavors of Thai cuisine the healthy way in the tranquil sanctuary of Kamalaya, set on the coast of Koh Samui. This wellness retreat is an ideal destination for single foodies where they join the community table during meal times, chat with like-minded individuals and participate in a weekly cooking class where they can learn how to whip up healthy cuisine that’s remarkably flavorful. Obtain the skill set to spicing dishes that are protein-rich like fish and chicken, and experiment with exotic vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains in the comfort of your own kitchen. www.kamalaya.com
For the Green Gastronome: Aro Ha Wellness Retreat, New Zealand
Experience a flavorful and healthy culinary adventure with a spectrum of raw-vegan delights while on holiday at Aro Ha Wellness Retreat. Bask in the spectacular, jaw-dropping scenery of Glenorchy, New Zealand as you enjoy a vegan-meets-paleo diet and an enzymatically active menu that feeds your body a diet rich in trace minerals, vitamins and phytonutrients. Learn how to make healthy meals at home as Aro Ha’s whole food chefs invite you into their kitchen to show you how it’s done through classes, demonstrating DIY-friendly recipes.
For more info and booking: www.healthandfitnesstravel.com