A shiny new year is here, and with it comes the opportunity for exciting adventures across the globe, from postcard-perfect beaches to magnificent mountains and beyond.
If you’re wondering where on earth to begin, don’t worry, we’ve done the hard work for you, with a regular series that showcases the most incredible destinations in the world for 2023.
It may have been a while since your last big adventure, but by planning a trip with luxury travel experts Carrier, who curate exceptional experiences in over 70 destinations worldwide, you’ll be in safe hands. Known for their discrete, attentive and bespoke service, Carrier have access to a portfolio of exceptional hotels, plus a desire to take guests beyond their immediate surroundings and help them connect with communities, individuals and each other.
Our third feature is a roundup of the best wellness sanctuaries, for travellers looking to make positive changes towards a healthier life that will last well beyond their stay. Your journey starts here…
In partnership with Carrier
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Como Shambhala Estate, Bali
If you are searching for a restorative retreat, then escape to the holistic paradise of COMO Shambhala Estate in the green heart of Bali. Celebrities and honeymooners have long hidden away here in the sumptuous residences over the sacred Ayung River, but the resort is also popular with solo travellers, for whom the Garden Rooms are designed. The spa advocates a proactive approach to holistic health, combining therapies, yoga and Pilates with energy-boosting cuisine to restore guests’ immune systems and wellbeing.
The Inn at English Harbour, Antigua
The tropical playground of Antigua has always been an A-list favourite, and those in the know check themselves in to The Inn at English Harbour. This Caribbean cocoon on the white sands of the south coast is home to 28 rooms decorated in neutral colours, a freshwater infinity pool overlooking the beachfront, tennis courts, library and spa. You’ll also find one of the most exclusive al fresco restaurants on the island, Terrace, whose menu uses only the freshest herbs and vegetables that have been homegrown in the hotel’s organic garden.
Como Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos
The Turks & Caicos islands boast the third largest barrier-reef in the world, making it a prime destination for divers and snorkellers, and the private island of Parrot Cay is the perfect gateway to this world of mesmerising beauty. If the landscape wasn’t enough to relax you, there are a number of wellbeing rituals you can sign up to – from discovering the healing powers of meditation in a private session or opting for a curated Wellness Immersion programme, where Asian inspired holistic therapies inspire commitment to a healthy lifestyle long after you return home.
Finch Hattons, Kenya
Nestled among acres of untouched wilderness in Kenya, where you may spot thirsty elephants and hippos at the nearby natural springs, Finch Hattons is a much-loved sanctuary for mind and body, with 17 tranquil and airy luxury tents for bedrooms. The camp’s dreamy spa, Chyulu, is the largest bush spa in the whole of East Africa; after a day on safari retreat to this oasis of calm for a yoga class overlooking Mount Kilimanjaro and the Chyulu Hills, or a pampering treatment using locally sourced products. By night, enjoy candlelit Kenyan cuisine and sundowners from the help-yourself minibar.
Trisara, Thailand
Trisara has been built on a private bay along Phuket’s less developed north-west coast, and each suite has a breath-taking sea view, elegant interiors, outdoor shower and its own pool. A zen-inducing stay also includes access to the wonderful spa, with treatment suites that open out to breezy pavilions and leafy gardens. For the ultimate indulgence try the signature, six-handed ‘Royal Trisara’ massage where you are pampered by not one, but three therapists. In your new state of bliss, head to the restaurant, on a palm-shaded deck set to one side of a cascading waterfall.
BodyHoliday, St Lucia
At the family-owned BodyHoliday, a five-star all-inclusive wellness resort on the north-west coast of St Lucia, in the space of 24 hours you might watch the sun rise, attend a spinning class, go sailing, soak up the Caribbean sun, swim in the sea, loosen tight shoulder muscles with a massage in the spa, and finally stretch them out in an afternoon yoga class. You can seek further rejuvenation with cutting-edge treatments and facilities such as a thalassotherapy pool and the BodyScience Clinic. The promise? That you’ll return renewed and revitalised, staying true to the motto: ‘give us your body and we’ll give you back your mind.’
Gili Lankanfushi, Maldives
Despite being just a 20-minute speedboat ride from the international airport in the Maldivian capital of Malé, Gili Lankanfushi feels like a world away from reality. The stunning island is home solely to overwater villas and has a welcome focus on sustainability with bamboo bikes for guests to explore the sandy paths; from its marine biology ‘shack’ to the blissful Meera Spa. Following a ‘no news, no shoes’ philosophy, the resort has an easy, laid-back vibe, made all the more magical by the incredible marine life that you can spot from the jetties at all times of the day.
Danai Beach Resort & Villas, Halkidiki, Greece
Set on one of the finest sandy beaches in Greece overlooking the Aegean Sea, the Danai Beach Resort & Villas is a warm, family-run hideaway that will help lower your stress levels from the moment you arrive. Spend your mornings wandering the lush Mediterranean gardens, surrounded by vibrant native flowers and the scent of lavender and pine wood, before dining at one of three award-winning restaurants and sampling the offering from one of Europe’s largest wine cellars. The serene spa focusses on oriental holistic therapies and dedicated packages including purifying and detox treats.
JOALI BEING, Maldives
Inspired by the jungle, with accents of green mosaics and intricate wickerwork, JOALI BEING’s 68 lofty suites are found on the secluded island of Bodufushi in Raa Atoll, amid crystalline lagoons, pristine beaches and lush coconut palms. It is the younger, more wellness-focussed sister to the popular Joali and the spa stretches across the entire island – a collection of spaces known as Areka including a herbology centre, therapy rooms, an over-water meditation deck and a sound-therapy trail. In the fitness space you’ll find all the usual equipment plus much more – barre and reformer machines, an anti-gravity yoga pavilion and dedicated movement specialists.
Daios Cove, Crete, Greece
Overlooking a private cove and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea, Daios Cove in Crete is a place where health and an active lifestyle come together. The resort’s new 2500 sqm spa, Kēpos by Goco, is a pioneering hub of wellbeing that combines a holistic approach with innovative technology, and partners such as 111SKIN and BRX London. Get your body moving in the two indoor pools, glass-walled yoga studio, cryotherapy chamber, infrared sauna and outdoor fitness space complete with rig, cardio kit and weights.
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