Spas

Finding Wellness Travel in All the Exotic Places

Published June 6, 2016 | By Clark Norton

Laos’ Pak Ou Caves are a site for Mekong River-based meditation. Photo from Travel Laos.

In recognition of Global Wellness Day — June 11 this year — I thought it would be apropos to mention a few of the more unusual ways to promote health while traveling. As a baby boomer, I’m prone to the usual stiff joints and other nagging ailments, and love the idea of medical tourism, even if it’s mostly an excuse to go somewhere exotic.

Water-based Meditation.

While I don’t practice meditation, I have a few good friends who do, and they always seem focused and calm. Does meditation have this effect, or are naturally calm and focused people drawn to meditation?

I don’t know, but I do know I could use a little more calmness and focus in my life, and I love being on water, so maybe I’ll try:

The Mekong Spa at Belmond… Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Asia, Baby boomer travel, California, cultural travel, health, Luxury travel, Medical tourism, Wellness travel | Tagged andBeyond Vamizii, Calistoga, Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France, Connaught Hotel, Costa Rica, GoldenEye, Jamaica, Laos, London, Luang Prabang, luxury spas, Meditation, Mekong Spa at Belmond La Résidence Phou Vao, Mozambique, Napa Valley, Nayara Springs, Silverado Trail, Solage Calistoga, Spas, St. Bart's, wellness travel, yoga retreats | 2 Comments

Wellness Retreats — Rejuvenate your Mind, Body, and Spirit

Published October 7, 2014 | By Clark Norton

The pool at Calistoga Spa Hot Springs in California’s Napa Valley. Photo from Calistoga Spa Hot Springs.

As we get older (yeah, I know, who wants to be reminded of that?), we need to focus more on our health: eating better, staying active, perhaps taking brisk morning walks or gardening.

I also ride an exercycle, handy for winter days in New York when I can’t ride my bike outdoors.

But travel can also play a big role. Wellness retreats, for instance, allow you to get away from your usual daily activities and focus on renewing your health.

Wellness retreats offer a wide variety of services to rejuvenate your mind and body. Most options are relatively inexpensive and provide an all-new way of relieving mental and physical stress.

From centers in the U.S. and abroad, you can find the ideal retreat to suit your needs — and… Continue reading →

Posted in Baby boomer travel, health, Hiking, Spas | Tagged Spas, wellness retreats | 1 Comment

According to government and private surveys:

Leading-edge baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1955) and seniors account for four out of every five dollars spent on luxury travel today.
Roughly half the consumer spending money in the U.S.--more than $2 trillion--is in the hands of leading-edge baby boomers and seniors.
Baby boomers (born 1946-1964) travel more than any other age group.
When asked what they would most like to spend their money on, baby boomers answered “travel” more than any other category, including improving their health or finances.