Local food stands, street performances, ancient architecture, sidewalk cafes, tucked-away green spaces – these are just a few of the enumerable features you can find in a city. People, particularly those not from urban areas, tend to think of city travel as the downtown business district, but this is just one small sector, and not generally the one where travelers flock to. In fact, in many cities you’ll never step foot in the central business district as a tourist unless you’re seeking it out. Cities can be just as adventurous, inspiring, cultural and downright fun as any other type of destination. This issue is devoted to city travel and all that it has to offer.

From a person that loves a city atmosphere, the list of cities around the world that fall into the category of “must see” is so extensive that it could never fit into a single article. To narrow it down, I’ve chosen some of my absolute favorite cities, as well as those that I think might get overlooked and deserve more attention.

1. Vienna, Austria: While Vienna is certainly popular enough, I think it tends to get overlooked as a “must see”. Why? Name ten major attractions in Vienna (no internet searching allowed). Have you thought of them yet? How about five? Three? Exactly. Maybe you’ve come up with the Opera House, and a palace or two. Beer gardens and cafes don’t count as major attractions, sorry. They are, however, shining examples of the character of the city. Vienna is a living, breathing, working city. It has some magnificent palaces including Schoenbrunn and Belvedere, and the Opera House is certainly beautiful. The real “attractions” in Vienna, though, are walking up the vibrant pedestrian street where people sit at beer gardens and coffee houses, sitting in the park enjoying one of it’s many festivals (film, art, theater), wandering in and out of the numerous shops that line the streets. There are plenty of cathedrals and museums, and they are worth a visit. They just aren’t the “soul” of the city.

2. Buenos Aires, Argentina: Buenos Aires’ charm lies in its neighborhoods. Like Vienna, it doesn’t have numerous sites that call out to tourists (though do visit the La Recoleta cemetery where Eva Peron and several other famous Argentineans are buried). Instead, dine along the waterfront of Puerto Madero, wander through the markets in Palermo and take in a tango show in San Telmo (the non-tourist version). It’s not the cleanest city, so be prepared for some graffiti and litter. Also be prepared to stay up late – virtually no one goes out to dinner until at least 10 PM, and it’s not uncommon to be eating dinner until close to midnight. Most of all, let go of your expectations and enjoy the city like a local.

3. Cape Town, South Africa: Dine on the promenade overlooking the water, take a private tour of the lush vineyards, hike (or drive) up Table Mountain for an unobstructed birds eye view of the harbor and the city, walk in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela. This is the Cape Town experience. If you’re willing to travel a couple of hours outside of the city, you can even explore a game park. Cape Town truly has a little bit of everything, in a picturesque setting with friendly people and pleasant weather. What more could you ask for?

4. Amsterdam, Netherlands: No, not for the reasons you might suspect – though if that’s your thing, there’s plenty of opportunity. The images portrayed of Amsterdam on TV with canals running through the cities, bicyclists riding along the streets, lively restaurants, shops and bars – this really is Amsterdam. If you have the opportunity, visit in the spring when the tulips are in bloom, though it’s an attractive and fun-loving city any time of year.

5. Venice, Italy: People seem to have a love/hate relationship with Venice – they either love it or hate it. Both sides have to admit, though, that it’s like no other city in the world. There are no cars allowed on Venice so you’ll travel by foot or water taxi (I strongly suggest the former). Its winding streets are easy to get lost in, especially at night, but also alluring. The locals live right in the city center, so its not unusual to watch them hanging their laundry, smell their sauces and spices cooking or see them wave at you as you pass by. The canals throughout the city, the local produce and fish stands, the shops and restaurants tucked into every corner and of course the famous St. Mark’s square and the bell tower come together to create a city that’s one-of-a-kind, and for that reason alone is a must see.

6. Barcelona, Spain: It’s difficult to find a city in Spain that I would not recommend, but Barcelona tops the must see list. The city’s distinct “Spanish” feel but with an international flair differentiates it from the rest of Spain. The bustling Las Ramblas pedestrian street, the plazas surrounded by restaurants and cafes, the sparkling harbor, the cathedrals with their intricate architecture and Olympic Village overlooking the rest of the city are some of the highlights (ignore guide books, the village is worth seeing). As in Buenos Aires, be prepared for late evenings – dinner generally starts around 10 PM at the earliest.

7. Paris, France: Like Venice, people seem to either love or hate Paris. I love it. It has nearly everything I could possibly want in a city. The most enthralling feature of Paris is its neighborhoods. Each section of the city has it’s own distinct feel. Many could be their own little town worth visiting independent of the rest of the neighborhoods. The literary and artistic district of St. Germain, lively Latin Quarter, Montemarte’s famous Sacre Couer, the history of Bastille and of course the popular center of shopping, attractions, museums and more with which most visitors are quite familiar all converge to form Paris. Add in fantastic wines, cheeses and baked goods, people watching and gorgeous green spaces and you have a city that it’s almost impossible not to love.

8. Seoul, South Korea: Bright, busy, and booming, Seoul surprises visitors with its combination of cutting edge technology, modern style and historic influence. As with Paris and Buenos Aires, Seoul is divided into sectors, which range from the local artists district to the bustling shopping center with a wide variety in between. Seoul’s character is further sculpted by its friendly residents and distinct cuisine. To read more on Seoul, check out this recent post which describes in further detail the features that make this city a must visit.

9. Brussels, Belgium: It’s tough to turn down a city that’s known for it’s chocolate, frittes (fries), beer and waffles, isn’t it? All kidding – and food – aside, Brussels tends to be passed over for cities like Paris and Amsterdam. Brussels is a walk-able city, and in fact a large part of the downtown area is a pedestrian zone. Shops, restaurants and cafes line the stone streets, which are filled with locals and visitors after work and on weekends. At the center lies the Grand Market, a large pedestrian square surrounded by eateries and exquisite cathedrals, which have now been transformed into museums. At night, the square is beautifully lit and becomes quite lively, the local hang out for the young and young at heart. Brussels is filled with museums, ranging from the more tradition such as art and history to the Museum of Musical Instruments, Museum of Belgian Brewers and the Toy Museum.

City travel, especially for those who do not come from big cities, can be both exciting and slightly daunting. Where do you stay? How do you get around? Is it safe? While it’s tough to guarantee a perfect location or a seamless vacation, there are certain steps that you can take in planning your city travel to feel more comfortable.

1. Think about hotel location – do you want to be in the center or near a particular attraction? It may be more convenient but it might also be noisy, especially in the evening, and will almost certainly be more expensive. Which of these factors is more important? What type of neighborhood do you want to stay in – downtown, something more artsy, the neighborhood with lots of bars and restaurants? These are all important aspects to consider.

2. Check out the transportation system before you go. It’s important when packing to know how much walking you’ll be doing. While walking is a great way to see a city (see tip #9), learning the transportation system let’s you see sections that may be too far to visit on foot. This can also help with tip #1 – if you’re further out from the center of town, you may want a hotel near local transportation.

3. All cities are not created equal. Just because it’s a city doesn’t mean it’s fast-paced or that there are a lot of “attractions”. Make sure you’re choosing a city that’s right for you, not just because it’s popular or someone else told you to go. Examine what features, activities, atmosphere, whether, cultural preferences you’re looking for and then carefully select a city to match.

4. Keeping tip #3 in mind, it is ok to get out of your comfort zone or try something different. Often it helps to take into consideration the surrounding area as well as the city itself. If you’re curious about a city but not ready to spend a full vacation there, place it in an itinerary with other locations that you feel more comfortable with. Destinations will often surprise you.

5. Lose the map. Once you have the lay of the land, don’t consult your map or guidebook for everything. Often the most memorable experiences, especially in a city, are ones that you stumble upon when traveling like a local. Feel free to carry the map in your purse/pocket (discreetly, not sticking way out of you back pocket, which screams “I’m a tourist”) in case you do truly get lost in an area you don’t want to be in, but don’t consult it every five minutes. Explore a new city like you would if you were showing someone your own. Would you send them to all of the cheesy tourist traps or would you give them the inside scoop?

6. Don’t’ carry much on you. Leave your passport, some credit cards, anything of extreme value in the hotel safe. The safest cities in the world still have some crime, and why invite it when you can do your best to avoid it? Better safe (no pun intended) than sorry. Besides, walking around with half of your possessions in a purse or bag will only slow you down.

7. Explore the city at night. I’ll admit, there might be some cities that you’d rather not walk around by yourself at night, so use your head. Generally, though, cities have two sides – their “day side” and their “night side”. A laid back coastal city could become a bustling hotspot when the sun goes down, and a hectic city by day might look magical when the nights go on at night.

8. Ask the locals where to eat, find the best activities and enjoy nature. Guidebooks might help and concierges can be of use, but who knows a city better than the people that breathe, eat and live it day in and day out? Ask a variety of locals to see what suggestions come up most frequently.

9. Explore on foot. With a few exceptions, you see places when walking a city that you never would if you took a taxi from point A to point B. Be sensible about distances and neighborhoods, but don’t be afraid to wander. Keep a business card from your hotel on you so that if you do really drift off track and don’t know how to get back, you can easily communicate to a taxi driver where you need to go without knowing the language.

10. Travel with an open mind. If I had to choose one tip to share when traveling, not just in cities, this would be it. Just because the food isn’t what you’re used to, the toilets look different, a city isn’t as pristine as you want it to be and the people don’t act as you’d expect doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy and learn from a travel experience. Travel a city as if you’re starting from a clean slate – no expectations either of the city or the culture. Those aspects that you may be so leery of at first may be the same things that you miss most when you return home.

People often seem to think that to do something truly “different” you have to get away from the city. It’s true that there are numerous adventurous and cultural experiences to be found far from the city and that getting “off the beaten path” is one way to achieve this. That doesn’t mean, though, that you can’t find one-of-a-kind (or close to it) opportunities within the city limits. Check out these experiences within some of our most well-loved cities around the world.

1. Catacombs in Rome: Rome’s wonders seem to never cease, and all of the “popular” attractions are absolutely worth a visit. The catacombs, or underground burial tunnels, have a mysterious lure that draws visitors interested in seeing a slightly darker side of the city and its history. Visit the catacombs with a guide. If you’re not a group tour type of person, hire a reputable private guide. These tunnels are dark, winding and easy to get lost in.

2. Robben Island, Cape Town: Behind the beauty of the V&A Waterfront and Table Mountain, the city of Cape Town holds a sordid past. Visitors can now be educated about this history with tours to the prison where Nelson Mandela and countless other political prisoners were held on Robben Island. Not only do you get to tour the jail and see Mandela’s cell, the tours are led by former inmates who were wrongfully imprisoned on the island. These guides give first hand accounts of their experiences as well as historical information about the prison and its inmates that no “outsider” would be able to provide. (Note: the only prisoners giving tours are those who were political prisoners, wrongfully jailed for their efforts to end apartheid.)

3. Haunted Edinburgh/Edinburgh underground tours: Edinburgh is just one of a long list of haunted cities, so the idea of a ghost tour isn’t overly unique in and of itself. What distinguishes these tours is two-fold: first, they are given only later at night – many start around 10 PM (in the summer, it’s light in Edinburgh until at least 9:30 PM so this is a necessity for the ambiance). Secondly, they are conducted primarily underground, in the tunnels where body snatchers used to run stolen bodies. Once in the tunnels, the guides extinguish all forms of light, letting you stand underground in the pitch black for the best chance of hearing or seeing a ghost. It’s beyond spooky, even for those who are avid ghost tour enthusiasts.

4. Dubrovnik’s city walls: Is it touristy? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutley. In recent years, the city of Dubrovnik has become a hot spot. The city itself is interesting enough – it certainly has plenty of history and its location on the water adds to its appeal. But without a doubt, the “must do” here is to walk along top the old walls of the city. It can be done individually or as part of a tour – I imagine a tour might be a bit of a tight squeeze but you may also learn more than you do by walking the walls on your own. The experience is certainly distinct and the views of the town, countryside and the waters below are incredible. (Yes, there are other cities where you may walk the walls, the Beijing’s Great Wall being the obvious other. So this isn’t “one of a kind” but it’s certainly not an experience you can have everywhere, and one that has excited people about travel to this part of Europe.)

5. In-home cooking classes, Florence. While this isn’t, strictly speaking, unique solely to Florence, this is quite arguably the best place to do so. Take a walk to the market; choose your fresh fruits, vegetables and cheeses. Go back to the home of your guide for a private cooking class, and then enjoy the final products with a glass of local Tuscan wine. These classes can include creating everything from homemade pastas to authentic Italian desserts, delicately flavored meat dishes and vegetables harvested fresh that morning. It’s difficult to get more culturally immersed in Italy than this.

Well, maybe not the jungle in all cases, but the wild! From open plains to dense rain forests to rushing rivers and long-stretching deserts, Africa’s landscapes and animals have caught on in a big way. Not only are travelers planning safaris, but many are looking for more than the traditional game drive options and less-explored regions. When it comes to choosing a safari, the styles and destinations are numerous. It’s because of this that we chose to create an entire TraveLuxe edition surrounding safaris. Sit back, enjoy and then start planning your trip to Africa!

Just as with other types of vacations, safaris come in all shapes and sizes, so to speak. The most popular, or at least most readily depicted, is the driving safari. This usually involves heading out in a 4×4 vehicle with an expert guide, and is possibly the most general type of safari – it’s a great way to see a wide variety of (land) animals and can be done in a national park or game reserve. It’s often a small group (afterall, you have to fit in the vehicle) and can be done as a private safari as well.

In addition to the driving safari, though, there are numerous ways to see the animals, some of which are necessary for viewing specific types of wildlife.

• Walking safaris – these can be done with a group or a private guide, and allow guests to travel on foot to see the animals. Without the vehicle between you and the wildlife, it can feel a bit more interesting, albeit perhaps a bit more scary and thrilling the closer the animals get. The guides are experts in the regions and the wildlife, though, and know how to read the animals movements to ensure that safari-goers are not in any danger. These can range from a few hours to multiple nights, with the overnight safaris having both basic and luxury sleeping options.

• River/boat Safaris – this is an excellent way to see water-dwelling wildlife, such as hippopotamus, alligators, and many species of bird, as well as animals who come to the water to drink or bath, such as elephants (who you’ll often see actually in the water or cooling off in the mud by the banks) and multiple types of antelope such as impala, bushbuck, waterbuck and kudu.

• Fly-in safaris – these allow you to see a greater number of area in a shorter period of time. In addition, they also offer an areal view of the landscape and wildlife – a completely unique experience from anything offered on the ground.

• Hot air balloon safaris – These are almost always day trip options, as opposed to multiple-day safaris. It’s tough to beat the spectacular view of sunrise over the African plains as the hot air balloon takes off.

• Canoe safaris – Like boat safaris, a canoe safari focuses on the animals in and around the rives. Unlike the boat safaris, though, canoes are smaller and quieter (no motor) allowing you to get even closer to the animals. These are led by a guide, just as with other safaris, and can range in length from a day trip to multiple days.

• Mobile safaris – These safaris move from place to place, setting up camp each night. They can require longer drives, sometimes up to six hours between locations. Just because they are tented, they don’t necessarily require “roughing it”. Some offer very luxurious, even en suite tents.

• Elephant-back safari – For elephant-lovers, this might be the ultimate safari experience. While they’re often just a half-day or full-day excursion, these safaris let you see the landscape from atop an elephant. Elephants are typically very gentle creatures, though, and the particular elephants used have gone through training to participate in the safaris. Still, it’s important to know how to ride the elephant and be respectful of the animal and it’s environment. They can still get spooked or excited, and you have to be prepared to hold on if their speed changes or they move suddenly.

• Primate Safaris – Because of their nature, primate safaris are limited to just a few countries in the world. The most sought after include: lemurs in Madagascar, the chimpanzees in Uganda; lowland gorillas in the Congo, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic and Gabon; and perhaps the most incredible, the endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda, Rwanda and the Congo. With under 700 mountain gorillas left in the world, permits for viewing the mountain gorillas are quite limited and are rather costly, though all of the proceeds from these goes directly back to conservation efforts for the gorillas.

Often, people choose to combine several types of safaris and in multiple destinations. Often, game lodges will provide a package with a variety of safari options – for instance 4×4 safaris, boat safaris and perhaps a walking safari. Before choosing your destination, consider which types of safaris you are interested in, which animals you’d most like to see, and which landscapes you’d most like to experience.

Safaris are becoming increasingly popular vacations, and Africa tourism is steadily growing – particularly that of southern and eastern Africa, the continent’s primary safari destinations. Despite their common bond of safaris, the countries in these regions each have their own distinct personality, landscape and wildlife, and type of safari, and vacation in general, that you get certainly varies depending on the destination(s) you choose. While the possibilities are vast, here are some of the most popular destinations, and their top features.

South Africa: This southernmost country in Africa is popular because of the numerous vacation opportunities it offers. The city of Cape Town with it’s harbor and history, is a worldwide favorite for city lovers. With Table Mountain as its backdrop and access to the wine region, visitors often combine a visit to Cape Town with a safari experience. South Africa has numerous national parks and game reserves, the most well-known of which is Kruger National Park. Kruger is home to the Big 5 – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhinoceros – along with giraffe, hippos, cheetah and more. Accommodations range from basic camps to upscale chalets with everything in between. For more details about safari opportunities in South Africa, visit the South Africa Tourism website.

Botswana: Botswana sets itself apart in that they do not fence in their animals. The animals are allowed to roam freely, and if needed, lodges have fences around them to keep larger animals off of the property. It’s thrilling to know that you are truly seeing the wildlife in its most absolute natural setting. Botswana’s major game viewing areas are the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park. The Delta is fed by the Cubango River, and it’s size is dependent on the season (growing in the rainy season, shrinking in the dry season). As rains dry up and water sources deplete in surrounding areas, animals head to the Okavango for water (generally May through October), making this the best time to visit the area. Chobe National Park in northern Botswana has one of the largest concentrations of game in Africa, and is especially known for its elephant population.

Kenya: Along with Tanzania, Kenya is perhaps Africa’s most popular safari destination. Masai Mara National Reserve is its prized destination. You’ll almost certainly see the Big 5 here, along with giraffe, hippos, crocodiles, wildebeest, cheetah, multiple types of antelope and numerous other animals. Most anticipated, though is the migration of millions of Zebra and wildebeest from Tanzania’s Serengeti through Masai Mara that happens between July and October each year.

Tanzania: The Serengeti is Tanzania’s most well-known national park. Visitors can view lions, elephants, giraffe, and plenty of other animals roaming plains which stretch to the protected area bordering Masai Mara in Kenya. Each year in July, wildebeest and Zebra leave the Serengeti and migrate through Masai Mara. The Serengeti has become one of the top places for the relatively new opportunity of hot-air-balloon safaris. A trip to Tanzania would also not be complete without a visit to the Ngorogoro Crater, an incredible natural wonder that’s banks are home to lion, zebra, wildebeest and the endangered black rhino.

Uganda: Bordering Tanzania and Kenya, Uganda boasts the “Big 5 + 2”. It offers all of the traditional safari animals, including the big 5, giraffe, hippos, alligators, and more, plus the very rare opportunity for trekking with the endangered mountain gorillas and chimpanzees. There are only three countries in the world where the mountain gorillas are found, with less than 700 of them left in the world. Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest contains more than half of the remaining gorillas, and daily permits to go trekking and sit with the gorillas are limited. Chimpanzees can be found in Kibale National Forest and while permits for chimpanzee trekking are required, they are much less expensive and easier to get. Uganda is the only country in which visitors can see the Big 5 plus mountain gorillas and chimps.

Namibia: Though distinctive for it’s vast deserts, particularly Kalahari and the Namib, rainforests, woodland savannahs rivers and mountains are also part of Namibia’s terrain. Etosha National Park, Namibia’s primary game viewing location, covers close to 23,000 square kilometers. Because it’s centered around a dry calcrete depression, it has man-made water points that attract animals during the dry season of June through November. Over 150 mammal species can be found in Etosha, including several endangered species such as the black rhino and the rhino-faced impala.

Zimbabwe: Most tourists who head to Zimbabwe are there to see Victoria Falls (which can be seen from both Zimbabwe and Zambia). Though not a safari, this amazing natural wonder is absolutely worth a visit if you’re headed to either country. In the Victoria Falls area, there are numerous activities available, including elephant back safaris, walk with the lions, horse riding safari, canoe and boat safari,s plus day and night game drives through the Nakavango Private Game Reserve. Hwange National Park, on the edge of the Kalahari, is Zimbabwe’s largest game reserve that offers the Big 5, in particular a large number of elephants, plus 400 species of birds.

Zambia: As with Zimbabwe, Zambia attracts visitors looking to see Victoria Falls. Also like Zimbabwe, it has plenty to offer in addition to the falls. Kafue, one of Africa’s largest National Parks, offers some of the continent’s best lion and cheetah viewing. South Kuangwa Park is one of the few parks that allows night drives, which increases the chances of spotting the elusive leopard. It’s also known for it’s large groups of hippos and endemic types of giraffe, zebra and wildebeest. Lower Zambezi National Park boasts spectacular natural scenery and is an excellent spot for canoe safaris.

Packing for a vacation is always one of the trickier parts. Do you really need to bring your umbrella or rain coat? How often can you wear the same jeans before you officially feel gross? How many pairs of shoes can you shove in your suitcase? Ok, that last one might just be me, but packing truly can be one of the most challenging parts of preparing for a trip, especially when traveling to multiple destinations that may have varying weather. With city travel, you can pretty much manage to get by your traditional everyday outfits unless you completely misjudge the weather. On a safari, however, what you pack actually can affect your activities and therefore takes a little extra planning.

While some of what you pack will certainly depend on the type of safari you’re taking, the time of year, and the destination, here are some general tips that can apply to most safaris.

1. If you’re planning a walking safari (or think you may partake in one) pack some neutral items of clothing to blend in as much as you can. Bright colors will draw attention to you, which could be unsafe – think of the red flag that the matadors wave to entice bulls.

2. Pack lotions, shower gels and other bath/body products that have light or no scent. Again, anything too strong could draw the attention of the animals. While it’s not particularly likely unless you’re wearing something especially pungent, it’s better to be safe (literally) than sorry.

3. Bring clothes that layer well. If you’re staying at a game park, game drives are often scheduled for early in the morning and around sunset. Temperatures in Africa can change dramatically throughout the day, and morning drives in particular get can start out chillier and end up quite warm.

4. The rainy seasons in Africa vary from country to country, and sometimes even in different regions within a country. If you’re planning a multi-destination safari, it’s possible that you may hit the rainy season, or at least the cusp of it, at least once. Rain jackets are relatively easy to pack and don’t take up too much space. Some countries, such as Botswana, can get quite severe thunder storms and with much of your time spent in wide open spaces (even at the lodges), this is a case in which a rain jacket is most certainly preferable to an umbrella.

5. Some countries require vaccination records, particularly for yellow fever. If the countries you’re visiting require this, make sure to pack this in a secure but handy spot for when you enter the country. You can learn more about required and recommended vaccinations on the CDC website.

Check out the Chimera Travel Blog for more packing ideas!

While the exact figures vary, it’s safe to say that a rather high percentage of New Year’s resolutions in some way deal with health and wellness – from weight loss to healthier eating to reducing stress. Most of us legitimately make these resolutions with the best intentions, and somewhere along the way, we get sidetracked and these intentions don’t come to fruition.

Travel can be a major contributor to this downslide. On the road it can be trickier to find our favorite organic foods, get in a run or a gym trip and take time to work on reducing stress. It’s because of this, though, that it’s important to find ways to stay tuned in to your health and wellness goals when traveling.

This issue will address ways to keep those resolutions when traveling, including healthier travel items, wellness-focused hotels and methods for keeping and increasing your energy levels when traveling.

This issue would not have been possible without the help of Jolene Hart is a natural beauty expert and Beauty & Health Coach, certified by the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and the American Association of Drugless Practitioners. She coaches women on beauty issues ranging from adult acne to weight gain and anti-aging nutrition, and educates consumers about nontoxic beauty products through her company, Beauty is Wellness. A giant thanks to Jolene for her tremendous knowledge and help with our Travel Wellness issue!

Happy reading, happy travels and happy New Year!

Maya

One of the easiest ways to incorporate wellness into your vacation is to stay at a hotel or resort that features opportunities for healthy activities. Some resort actually hold health and wellness as a central theme, offering everything from nutrition consultations to yoga classes and spa therapies.

While the options too numerous to name, these hotels provide examples of the range of features and amenities that travels can enjoy in pursuit of wellness.

Red Mountain Resort & Spa, Ivins, Utah: For those specifically focused on taking a health and wellness vacation, this resort offers packages with names such as Detoxification & Renewal, Emotional Fitness, and Zen to Zion, to name just a few. Red Mountain Resort also offers amenities such as fitness facilities, guided hiking and biking and cooking classes. Packages can accommodate short getaways or week long stays.

The Sullivan Estate & SPA Retreat, Oahu, Hawaii: This private estate, featuring six bedrooms and six baths, boasts the title of the world’s first holistic anti-stress center. Among their many spa offerings, wellness treatments for the 7 senses and longevity treatments are among the most notable. OlaLoa Health Gourmet Cafe features organic, healthy and gourmet foods for nourishing guests from the inside as spa treatments nourish from the outside.

The Standard, Miami, Florida: Unlike many other spa and wellness hotels, The Standard places a major focus on water treatments and baths. A few of these include their famous hamam, Cedar sauna, Roman waterfall hot tub and a mud lounge. In addition, this hotel offers yoga and meditation, a center for integrated living and acupuncture.

Pura Vida Retreat & Spa, Costa Rica: This yoga-and-wellness-centered retreat is perched up on the mountains overlooking the town of Alajeula. The resort’s main attractions are the yoga packages – which include yoga classes, meals, and tours/activities – and the spa, who’s less traditional offerings include a rose petal massage, somatic harmonization and Tui Na (a treatment based on Chinese medicine).

Rancho La Puerta, Baja California, Mexico: With it’s own organic farm, cooking school, eco-activities and spa services such as craniosacral therapy, Rancho La Puerto is a one-of-a-kind health and wellness experience. The location boasting 325 days of sunshine a year doesn’t hurt either!

Le Source de Caudalie, Bordeaux, France: Located among the vineyards, this hotel & spa makes good use of it’s surroundings. The Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa includes treatments such as a red wine bath, honey & wine wrap, crushed cabernet scrub and grape seed oil massage.