All around the world, more people are incorporating elements of health, prevention and elements of mindfulness into their day-to-day lives and also when it comes to their holiday choices.
Enjoying a wellness holiday as a family has always been a priority for me, be it a far-flung beach destination or a retreat in the countryside somewhere close to home. We enjoy doing things together and love to get involved in various activities such as bike riding, kayaking, trekking, diving, yoga and trying out new cuisines that are nutritionally rich and can really inspire our usual home cooking.
For me, wellness travel is mainly about travel associated with the pursuit of maintaining and enhancing our wellbeing as a family and helping us build an even stronger bond. It is also about enriching our emotional experiences and awareness of the rest of the world and challenging us mentally and physically. However, wellness tourism is sometimes conflated with medical tourism.
Sometimes the term “health tourism” is also used as a catch-all to describe many types of medical and wellness services and activities. We have been on some vacations where the focus has been predominantly on health – from DNA testing and executive checkups to special dietary regimes and treatments involving mineral waters – it’s not to say that the two can’t go hand in hand.
I have come up with a list of European resorts which I think are great for families to have fun but also focus on the health side of things.
Lefay Spa Resort Lake Garda Italy
This resort is located in Gargnano, one of the most picturesque villages on the lake, situated inside an 11 hectares natural park in the heart of the spectacular “Riviera dei Limoni”.
The place hosts one of the biggest spas in the Dolomites, with the five themed areas, including the salt grotto, signature treatment rooms, including Eastern and Western massages to activate your energy meridians, and purifying rituals using natural ingredients.
Both health and wellness programmes can be tailored to your individual health goals and only after you undergo the initial energy interview.
There is plenty of entertainment and spa options for children too! Paolino’s Kids Club is open every day with a whole host of exciting games and activities. Moreover, the idyllic location lends itself well to a number of activities you can easily do as a family such as bike riding and hiking through the beautiful natural parkland that surrounds the hotel.
Marbella Club is one of Spain’s most iconic and exclusive resorts, set within the infamous ‘Golden Mile’ beachfront. I love its traditional Andalusian architecture with elegant interiors and Mediterranean gardens. I keep coming back here with my kids and never get tired!
The hotel really has something for everyone – The Thalasso spa with its many treatments, Golf resort and a recently renovated kids club, with supervised activities from sports, gardening and wildlife experiences to science experiments and play in the open air.
Marbella Club also offers special signature programmes inspired by the healing benefits of the Mediterranean lifestyle and natural elements. Add in a wellness lifestyle coach, nutritionist and Amanda Hamilton-designed healthy menu for a healthy spa break. You can indulge too as the place hosts some of the finest restaurants in whole region, so it’s a good option if you are travelling with someone who wants to be less strict or you want that option as well!
Set in a beautiful Italian countryside just an hour away from the city of Rome, Fiuggi is a beautifully transformed palace which has become one of the best wellness retreats in Europe.
Although this place is better for couples, kids from the age of 14 are also allowed and they can use the spa facilities if accompanied by an adult.
With its state-of-the-art equipment and spa, bespoke wellness programmes and especially devised food plan by celebrity chef Heinz Beck this place will not disappoint !
At Palazzo Fiuggi there are a lot of treatment plans you can undergo either by yourself or as a family and you can make yourself as busy as you like.
Whenever you want a break, there are plenty of outdoor activities on offer which you can enjoy or you can even go on a day trip to Rome!
