Are you already thinking about your next getaway? You’re not alone. These days, people are prioritizing their mental health, practicing self-care, and embracing wellness more than ever, and that means taking advantage of PTO to see the world. But instead of a traditional vacation, how about opting for something deeper by trying destinations, resorts, and hotels that offer mindful movement classes, sound baths, arts and crafts, and more? To help you do this, we’ve tapped several ESSENCE-approved travel experts to share the places and wellness travel trends that will help you reset your body and mind this year.
According to Destination Fab founder Brandi Fowler, ayahuasca travel retreats will be trendy this year due to recent exposure in the media. “If you watched Best Man: The Final Chapters, you saw a glimpse of the psychedelic medicinal experience,” she says. “It’s used to treat physical and mental ailments, and people swear by it to cope with grief effects too.”
She also believes meditative sound baths will be a big trend for 2023 and highly recommends booking a solo travel wellness retreat to experience one. “Try getting a pass at Four Seasons Westlake Village outside of Los Angeles to experience a restful sound bath,” she says.
Fowler was also one of the chosen few to attend the opening of the new luxury resort Atlantis The Royal (and to witness the epic Beyoncé concert). She says the newest hot spot is great for showing your body and mind some love in a luxurious way.
“Solo wellness retreats that include traditional treatments with a twist should also be a big trend this year. If you travel to Dubai, indulge in a hammam bath at the new Atlantis The Royal resort Awaken Spa, which opens February 10. They also offer gold massages with hot volcanic stones layered in 24-carat gold,” she says.
Travel enthusiast and influencer Kalah Walker believes there will be more first-time solo travelers in 2023. “More people, Black women in particular, will travel solo for the first time in the form of wellness retreats. These types of retreats and spaces have excluded Black women in the past, but as more Black-centered and catered travel groups arise, there will be more opportunities to get involved,” she says.
According to travel expert Danielle Pointdujour, travelers will prioritize fitness and wellness opportunities this year. “In addition to exotic destinations and IG-worthy adventures, travelers will expect access to fitness and wellness opportunities, from eating dishes made from locally sourced produce to enjoying in-room access to Peloton classes,” she says.
“Advanced health diagnostics like those offered at Aman New York, mindful retreats like the sound bathing experience at Joali Being in the Maldives, and customized health retreats like those provided by the Four Seasons Westlake Village in California that include nutritional and mental health consultations, guided hikes and sunrise meditations, are just a few examples of how brands are stepping up to meet traveler expectations.”
Pointdujour also predicts that family wellness retreats will be popular as well. “Something else the pandemic shined a light on is the importance of family and how much (or little) time we had been spending together,” she says. “The traditional family beach getaway is making room for family wellness vacations that prioritize being active, exploring nature, discovering family-focused hobbies, and creating long-lasting memories.”
“Cal-a-Vie in California offers retreat packages where families are encouraged to experience yoga, kickboxing, cooking demos, and live music during their stay.”
Next up, she believes travelers will find joy discovering new hobbies. “There’s so much more to wellness than spa treatments and exercise,” she says. “So you’ll see more travelers booking adventures that tap into their creative side with stays at the Royal Mansour, which offers an art studio where guests can be tutored in pottery, weaving, beading, and more by top master artisans or indulging in pottery making and tile work with stays at Blackberry Mountain in Tennessee.”
Travel influencer Kenna Williams has trekked to amazing countries like India, Indonesia, and Thailand, and all of those locations had one thing in common: lots of temples. Williams visited such spaces throughout her travels to experience ease and calmness; she believes travelers in 2023 will want to do the same. “I generally go to the temples for what I call grounding. Not that I share their faith, but there is so much power in being in a place of calmness that allows you to reset your life literally,” she says.
