Hiking in Ibiza, yoga in Croatia: These 24 wellbeing holidays should be on your bucket list

Your wellbeing plans for the year ahead don’t have to end with abandoned January resolutions, as Thom Breathnach suggests the best mind and body holidays around

Sun, 21 Jan, 2024 - 18:00

Thom Breathnach

Sun salutations and sailing. Hiking and horse riding. Meditation and mindfulness. Fitness and wellness holidays are more popular than ever, with more choice, more value and year-round offerings from rustic retreats to five-star boot camps with celebrity trainers. From endurance running to forest bathing, prioritise your health and happiness in 2024 with these exciting wellbeing holidays.

1. Hiking in Ibiza

Ibiza’s not all foam parties, you know. It-spot Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay is inviting guests to lace-up for a holistic hiking retreat on the Balearic island with selected dates this April and May. Three night stays include a schedule of invigorating treks which trail through Ibiza’s raw, natural beauty while wellness experiences run the decibel gauntlet from meditation to shout therapy. The package also includes a bespoke Zen massage at the hotel’s luxury spa, daily breakfast at its vibey Chambao by the Beach restaurant, plus a tasting menu dinner at its renowned Nobu restaurant. From €1,150pps.

nobuhotelibizabay.com

2. Reset in Portugal

You don’t need to travel to Tibet to find yourself. That’s according to New Life Portugal, a retreat centre set in Serra da Estrela Natural Park which invites you to reset your life within its supremely serene surroundings. Unlike many other options, this centre focuses on psychological and spiritual packages aimed at helping guests focus on areas from anxiety to grief recovery while also appealing to those wishing to get away from the daily grind. New Life Portugal is open year round with packages available for up to month-long stays. Three nights from €910pps.

newlifeportugal.com

3. Yoga in Croatia

What could be more relaxing than a yoga retreat on the shores of the Adriatic? A yoga-cruise retreat, we say. Small cruise ship specialist Sail Croatia are offering a number of yoga themed cruises for 2024, sailing to and from the harbour of Split. Passengers can soak in the Dalmatian coast, from all kinds of positions, on the vessel’s sundeck with itinerary highlights including sunset yoga overlooking Mljet National Park. Vineyard yoga also makes an appearance, cheers to that. Seven nights from €1,545pps; departing either April 14, September 7 & 14, or October 5.

sail-croatia.com

4. Wellness in Arizona

If it’s good enough for an Oprah and Gayle girl’s weekend, it’s good enough for us. The super bougie Miraval Resorts & Spas in Arizona is one of the hottest locations right now for high-end retreats Stateside. They offer all-inclusive overnight packages at their five-star property, allowing guests to avail of a daily schedule of wellness lectures, yoga, fitness, outdoor adventures and meditation activities. All Miraval packages include healthy meals andsnacks, smoothies and booze-free beverages — you’ll even find a Tibetan singing bowl in your sumptuous room. From €875pps per night.

hyatt.com

5. Triathlon in Catalonia

Whether you’ve Ironman ambitions or simply wish to get fit on two-wheels, gear up for this triathlon training trip in Catalonia. The week-long break hosted by Responsible Travel includes full triathlon training, from expert bike, swim and run coaching, including video analysis, to recovery treatments from massages to muscle coordination sessions. Base camp is a country house-turned-boutique eco sports hotel in the countryside surrounding Lake Banyoles. Junior and family cycling and triathlon camps are available on request, too. Monthly dates. From €1,099pps.

responsibletravel.com

6. Fitness in Wexford

For a staycation to get your pulse racing, Thistledown Lodge is a gorgeous boutique B&B on Wexford’s Hook Peninsula where you can combine a chilled getaway with bespoke fitness retreat. That’s all thanks to its innovative owners, Enda MacMullan, a designer responsible for the property’s soothing interiors, and Martin Matousek, a personal trainer. The property features its own garden gym where guests can book one of Martin’s HIIT, circuit training or boxercise classes. B&B rates from €60pps and guests can book either group or private fitness classes for €10/€40.

thistledownlodge.com

7. Fell running in Snowdonia

If endurance is your goal, then a fell running (or hill running) getaway in the spectacular Snowdonia countryside could see your performance peak. Responsible Travel are hosting a three day retreat, based in a charming cottage in Llanrwst, where expert training and technique workshops prep participants for a series of day and nighttime runs. Yoga classes meanwhile will get your breathing and flexibility in optimal condition. This retreat is curated for seasoned trail runners, so 2hrs+ on your FitBit is a prereq. From €574pps; March 15, September 30.

responsibletravel.com

8. Detox in the Dolomites

A Chinese-inspired wellness break set deep in the spectacular Italian Dolomites. The uber-luxe Lefay Resort & Spa are offering five-night Active and Balance programmes which fuse the therapeutic power of the mountains with the classical five movements from Chinese medicine. The keys to these five pathways will be unlocked via spa treatments from sauna stretching to flotation exercises in the spa’s very own salt lake. Bookable throughout the year from €3,250pps all-inclusive for a stay in a dreamy prestige suite.

lefayresorts.com

9. Horse riding in Spain

Here’s an equestrian escape for riding lovers. Irish-based horse adventure specialist Zara’s Planet is offering riding packages in the rugged mountains of Andalusia. Participants will be hosted in a traditional finca (a country house, in this case, one which grows its own organic produce), while a herd of Andalusian horses are chomping at the bit to be taken into the nearby mountains and local villages. Stop-offs en route for tapas: obligatory. Three nights from €700pps.

zarasplanet.com

Surfing in Cornwall. Picture: Nick Pumphrey

10. Surfing in Cornwall

The Cornish coast offers some of the best wave action in Britain and St Ives resort at Carbis Bay has created a number of surfing retreats with dates this March, October and November. They’re teaming up with personal trainer and surf trainer Andrew Blake as well as salt-water specialists St Ives Surf School for three-night restorative getaways of surfing, yoga and breath training in a bracing coastal setting. Retreats are open to levels from beginner to intermediate and cost from €690pps. That includes stylish lodge accommodation and selected meals including a Cornish afternoon tea.

unastives.co.uk

11. Mindfulness in Morocco

Morocco’s Atlantic coast makes one of the best value locations to unplug for the Irish traveller. And for those seeking to escape the quotidian rat race, then the resort of Paradis Place in trendy Taghazout is offering just the answer — a mindfulness triathlon. Guests to the beachside retreat can get brain fit thanks to a wide menu of activities from yoga and personalised bootcamps to mind- calming nature walks. From €900pps for a weeklong stay.

healthandfitnesstravel.com

12. Walking in Madeira

The Travel Department’s active holiday’s wing offers some of the most popular packages for Irish travellers from Camino escapes in Portugal to photography breaks to Montenegro. For those with a little wanderlust, it’s hard to top the island of Madeira for excellent walking routes, spectacular views and superb food. Seven night tours of the island, which include a trek to the top of Madeira’s highest peak, Pico Ruivo, start from €1,299pps which includes flights and transfers.

tdactiveholidays.com

Arial yoga at REVIVO Wellness Resort, Bali

13. Retreat in Bali

The balmy, wild teak forests of southern Bali are one of the dreamiest places on the planet to retreat to and REVIVO Resorts in Nusa Dua are offering personalised escapes throughout 2024 for guests to reach their peak inner and outer wellbeing potential. Staying in a luxury Balinese villa or suite, you can dip into a range of holistic therapies, from hydrotherapy and soul-soothing yoga to invigorating circuit training while fuelling up on nutritious gourmet cuisine. Three night retreats from €1,900pps.

revivoresorts.com

14. Fitness in Greece

With direct flights with both Ryanair (to Chania) and Aer Lingus (to Heraklion), expect Crete to be on many people’s getaway list this year. For a wellness holiday, Cretan Malia Park is hosting a five-day wellness retreat this October 3-7. Geared to all abilities, the event hosted by German fitness studio Bodyworkers combines yoga and pilates in the sun and delicious farm-to-fork cuisine, all in the drop-dead gorgeous surroundings of Crete. Swoon! From €829pps.

cretanmaliapark.gr

15. Biking in Provence

Seeking to ramp up the adrenalin? Seasoned cyclists are invited to scale the 1912m Mont Ventoux this year together with luxury Provence resort Coquillade. The property will kit you out for the testing ride with state-of-the-art bike rental, coaching, along with transfers to and from the legendary mountain itself. The experience starts from €450pp which also includes an energy-fueling breakfast, snacks, and replenishments while accommodation rates start from €440pps.

Co quillade offers myriad family friendly packages too.

coquillade.fr

16. Play padel in Valencia

Anyone for tennis? Well, padel to be exact. The world’s hottest racquet sport is set to trend in 2024, so to get ahead of the game, why not head to a training academy in the sun? Family-friendly Oliva Nova Beach & Golf Resort in Valencia features a seven court complex run by Game4Padel, one of the sport’s top operators which even boasts Andy Murray as a backer. Three night packages which include 11hrs coaching time start from €750pps — perfect for any would-be doubles partnership.

activeaway.com

17. Run a Polar Marathon

It’s billed as one of the ‘coolest’ marathons in the world, and it’s in Greenland. The 2024 Polar Circle Marathon takes place, on October 26, in the tourist hub of Kangerlussuaq with a half marathon scheduled for October 27. The unique course will see participants run through the infinite ice landscape while native fauna such as Arctic foxes or musk oxen act as bystanders. Packages from €2,425 include accommodation, meals and flights from Copenhagen to Greenland; you can also add on extra activities if you’ve energy left in the tank.

marathontours.com

18. Forest bathing in Scotland

Sometimes less is more when it comes to the perfect wellness break. The Treehouses at Lanrick, a smattering of sustainable treehouses in Perthshire, Scotland, recently unveiled their brand new woodland sauna and cold water plunge pool which invites guests to become at one with nature in the most stunning sylvanian setting. Luxuriosuly styled, each treehouse is wifi-free, making an ideal destination for a chilled digital detox. Rates from €439pps for a minimum two night stay. You can upgrade your experience by booking a Swedish massage treatment in your very own treehouse.

lanricktreehouses.co.uk

19. Walking in Santiago

We couldn’t offer a wellness break round-up without including the hugely popular Camino. The famous pilgrimage has transcended its religious roots for many travellers in recent years and is considered an arrestingly spiritual experience, whatever your persuasion. Activity holiday specialist One Foot Abroad has dozens of walking holidays in Europe. An eight day tour along the original Camino, which takes in the final stage from Tui to Santiago de Compostela starts from €639pp. That’s based on B&B stays in three-star accommodation on the route, along with those all-important baggage transfers.

followthecamino.com

20. Time out in Thailand

Extended retreats are a growing market so if you’re in a financial position to seriously splurge on some personal investment, consider an extended stay on the Thai island of Koh Samui. Checking into the tropical Kamalaya resort, you’ll begin your stay with an expert wellness consultation before spending your weeks immersed in a comprehensive wellness programme, a full array of delicious Thai food, as well as the island’s vibrant Buddhist culture. Weekly check-ins are following by a full review pre-departure with 21 nights priced at €10,070pp.

healthandfitnesstravel.com

21. Downward dog in Massachusetts

Western Massachusetts is known for being one of the most health-centred regions of the Northeast, especially the upscale, artsy Berkshires region. Kripalu, in the town of Lenox, is a hugely popular retreat centre which offers a schedule of eclectic wellness events throughout the year, from yoga and tarot reading gatherings to a chakra energetics course. Day passes to the centre which include meals and workshop access are available from €110 while weekend retreats, which include on campus accommodation start from €599pps.

kripalu.org

22. Luxuriate in the Maldives

For the ultimate wellness luxury escape — we’re thinking a holistic honeymoon — The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, has launched The Essence of Balance package for luxury seekers in 2024. Staying four nights in overwater villas straight from your Instagram fantasies, guests will replenish with a comprehensive menu of exquisite treatments (over seven hours worth in total). You’ll also enjoy yoga sessions in pure paradise locations around the island and discover the delicious indigenous cuisine with a Maldivian cooking class. At €6,100pps for this dream experience, the only thing off balance will be your overdraft.

%This link goes to facebook%ritzcarlton.com/maldives

23. Meditation in West Cork

Dzogchen Beara should be on everyone’s wellness radar. The Buddhist retreat centre on the fringes of the West Cork peninsula not only offers daily meditations (Monday-Friday, donations welcome) but they also offer a vibrant calendar of events and retreats throughout the year. This February (23-25) sees The Joy of Simplicity meditation weekend which is aimed at unwrapping the noise in our lives and leaving you feeling fittingly Zen. Sometimes finding inner peace is a lot closer than you think. Rates are €275pp with hostel and cottage accommodation available on site from €30/€130. dzogchenbeara.org

24. Juice camp in Portugal

A high octane week of fitness and juices at Juice Master Jason Vale’s Juicy Oasis will put a spring in your step and a dent in your waistline. Each day offers a full programme of yoga sessions, hiking, spinning, circuit training, volleyball, swimming, even dodgeball, and you can take part in as much or as little as you wish. Fueled solely by three nutritious juices and herbal teas each day (or two juices and one soup in winter), you’ll never feel hungry and will be amazed at increased energy levels. The thermal suite is open 24 hours and there’s a spa on site. Fun, well run and rewarding, most guests are repeat guests for a reason. From €2,472 all-inclusive.