Lefay spa resort in Lake Garda, Italy has introduced five packages which blend outdoor activities, TCM practices and wellness treatments.

Each journey includes a Natural Wellness Trail set in 11 hectares of beautiful grounds where guests encounter ‘treatment stations’ which represent different shapes, colours, aromas and recommend activities.

The White Tiger journey, for example, represents meditation and autumn, and is characterised by the colour white. The trail is recommended at sunset and includes yoga for overall balance, body awareness and improved breathing. A full body massage aims to curb feelings of melancholy.

“Even before COVID-19, more academic studies were highlighting the benefits of prescribing a connection with nature and the great outdoors,” says Dr Carlo Barbieri, president of Lefay’s Spa Method Scientific Committee.

Cost: €320 (US$378)

Bürgenstock, Switzerland has rolled out three executive retreats focused on preventative health solutions, mindfulness and mobility, respectively, at its five-star medi-wellness facility, Waldhotel.

The preventative health programme is a particular highlight. It’s conceptualised as “the ultimate medical MOT” and includes two days of screening followed by a comprehensive review and onsite intervention recommendations by a medical team member.

Opened in late 2017, the Bürgenstock Hotel is also home to the Alpine Spa which covers 107,000sq ft on three levels.

Cost: CHF2,200 (US$2,372) including lunch and dinner. Can be booked with or without an overnight stay

David Dronet

The Global Wellness Institute’s Hot Springs Initiative team organised a live international soaking event to champion hot spring bathing on 13-14 November.

Live-streamed on Facebook and Soakember.com it ran simultaneously at hot springs in Japan, France, Hungary, China, Germany, Austria, Australia, the US, Slovenia, New Zealand and Costa Rica.

Initiative member and co-owner of The Springs in Colorado, David Dronet, has spearheaded the function to celebrate hot springs’ healing powers and the diversity of global bathing traditions. “Hot spring communities of the world are coming together in the shared belief that hot springs and hydrothermal thermal therapy can provide the mind, body and soul with the rejuvenation and renewal that so many of us need,” he says.

Initiative chair, Charles Davidson adds: “During these difficult times when the world has been so impacted by COVID-19, it’s important that we remember how beneficial mother nature can be to our health and wellbeing. Let’s soak together, to heal together.”

Cost: Free

Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa in the Lake District, UK, has launched a wild swimming package to improve people’s wellbeing using cold water.

Guests can choose a half-day or full-day package exploring local natural water features. This includes the chance to experience and immerse themselves in breathtaking water destinations such as a natural infinity pool; a string of spectacular waterfalls; and secluded locations, including the local Gin Pool, known for its crystal clear waters.

The new wild swimming retreat is designed to let guests discover the benefits of cold water swimming, including pain relief, a reduction in the stress hormone cortisol, and an increase in the happiness hormone serotonin.

Cost: Starts at £90 (US$118)

Anantara Hotels, Resorts and Spas has stepped into the world of medi-wellness with its inaugural IV drip bar, VIVID by Verita Health clinic, at the Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel.

The VIVID bar is characterised by bright, contemporary interiors and offers a variety of solutions to relieve symptoms of anything from jetlag or burnout to addressing beauty concerns. Treatments start at THB5,500 (US$176, €151, £136) for 40 minutes.

Other services include medical grade oxygen therapy, light therapy for circadian balancing and anti-ageing cosmetic treatments.

The new opening is a product of Anantara’s joint venture with Singapore group Verita Healthcare to create a global network of integrated health centres. Two other facilities are earmarked for Anantara properties in Bangkok and Phuket next year.

Cost: Start at THB5,500 (US$176)

Diving is a great way to practice breathwork / Elovich /Shutterstock

Breathwork is a key pillar of wellness and its positive effects are well documented on the physical, mental and emotional state. In St Lucia, Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort and Spa has blended it with diving and yoga to create an underwater wellness programme.

Based around an early morning sunrise dive, the programme sees submerged participants practising four different breathing techniques to aid mindfulness and buoyancy control, while also following demonstrations of controlled yoga positions. The experience is 2.5 hours in total with 45 minutes underwater.

It claims to be the first of its kind to offer underwater breathwork and helps to slow heart rate, lower blood pressure, instil calmness and reduce overall stress and anxiety.

Cost: US$180

Swiss medi-wellness clinic, Clinique La Prairie, has revealed two limited edition retreats, called Energising Wellness and Immunity Boost, available for Q4 2020 and throughout 2021.

Developed by the clinic’s expert health practitioners, the five-day programmes have been conceived to replenish energy and immunity levels and to help guests kickstart health habits.

They include a comprehensive health check-up, which assesses cardiac health, blood analysis, body composition and skin health, plus mindfulness classes, PT training and IV drips to correct deficiencies.

There’s also an emphasis on the role a healthy diet plays in immunity, with the retreats featuring nutritional coaching sessions and a private masterclass about antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients.

Cost: Prices start at CHF6,900 (US$7,520)

Doug Drummond

The Green Spa Network (GSN) has teamed up with the Esalen Institute to produce a complimentary webinar series dedicated to personal and professional healing and growth during the global pandemic.

Founded in 1962, Esalen is a non-profit organisation seeking to ‘explore human potential through experience, education and research’ and is known for its therapeutic massage technique worldwide. The group has a retreat centre in California where it offers personal, spiritual and social transformation practices through healing arts.

Working with GSN, select Esalen healing arts specialists will focus on raising awareness of its practices to provide inspiration in the ever-changing wellness landscape. “We’re looking forward to sharing some unique perspectives,” says Doug Drummond, Esalen’s director of Healing Arts.

Sign up via gsnplanet.org

Cost: Free