Sedona
Red rock hikes, meditation and some of the country’s most celebrated spa resorts.
- Best months
- March to May, September to November
- Typical length
- 3 to 5 nights
- Best for
- Couples, solo travelers
Wellness & hot springs
Sometimes the best trip is the one you come home rested from.
By the Global Escapes travel team · Updated
- Typical length
- 4 to 10 days
- Best time
- Year-round; every season has its spots
- The pace
- Slow mornings, spa afternoons
- Where you stay
- Wellness resorts, spa hotels and hot springs
- Often included
- Classes, healthy meals and spa credits
- Great for
- Couples, friends and solo travelers
Why wellness travel works
Rest, movement, a reset, or simply quiet. We’ll find the place that gives you what you need.
Wellness travel ranges from a long weekend at a spa resort to a week of yoga, hiking and healthy food, or soaking in mineral hot springs from Japan to New Mexico.
It’s a wonderful trip for friends, couples and solo travelers, and many wellness resorts make it easy and comfortable to travel on your own.
Where to go
Spa resorts, retreats and hot springs, close to home and around the world.
Ojo Caliente & Santa Fe
Historic mineral springs in the high desert, near art-filled Santa Fe.
- Best months
- Year-round, best on cool days
- Typical length
- 3 to 5 nights
- Best for
- Soakers, art lovers
Japan’s onsen
Ryokan inns with natural hot spring baths, from Hakone near Tokyo to the mountain towns of Kyushu.
- Best months
- October to May
- Typical length
- 3 to 4 nights within a Japan trip
- Best for
- Culture and calm
Nosara, Costa Rica
Yoga retreats, surf lessons and a laid-back Pacific coast known for long, healthy lives.
- Best months
- December to April
- Typical length
- 5 to 7 nights
- Best for
- Yoga lovers
Bali
Ubud’s rice terraces, healing traditions and spa resorts in the jungle.
- Best months
- April to October
- Typical length
- 7 to 10 nights
- Best for
- A longer reset
Tuscany’s thermal springs
Natural hot springs like Saturnia, plus spa hotels among the vineyards.
- Best months
- April to June, September to October
- Typical length
- 4 to 6 nights
- Best for
- Couples, food lovers
Iceland’s lagoons
Geothermal lagoons, saunas and cold plunges under the northern sky.
- Best months
- Year-round
- Typical length
- 4 to 6 nights
- Best for
- Short flights, aurora
Palm Springs
Pool days, desert spas and sunshine all winter.
- Best months
- November to April
- Typical length
- 3 to 5 nights
- Best for
- Winter warmth
Texas Hill Country
Lakeside spa resorts outside Austin, with yoga, hiking and farm-to-table food.
- Best months
- March to May, October to November
- Typical length
- 3 to 5 nights
- Best for
- Girls’ trips, long weekends
When to go
Every season has its perfect place to unwind.
DestinationJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
SedonaJan: GoodFeb: GoodMar: BestApr: BestMay: BestJun: GoodJul: Off seasonAug: Off seasonSep: BestOct: BestNov: BestDec: Good
Ojo CalienteJan: BestFeb: BestMar: BestApr: BestMay: GoodJun: GoodJul: GoodAug: GoodSep: GoodOct: BestNov: BestDec: Best
Japan’s onsenJan: BestFeb: BestMar: BestApr: BestMay: BestJun: Off seasonJul: Off seasonAug: Off seasonSep: GoodOct: BestNov: BestDec: Best
NosaraJan: BestFeb: BestMar: BestApr: BestMay: GoodJun: GoodJul: GoodAug: GoodSep: Off seasonOct: Off seasonNov: GoodDec: Best
BaliJan: Off seasonFeb: Off seasonMar: GoodApr: BestMay: BestJun: BestJul: BestAug: BestSep: BestOct: GoodNov: Off seasonDec: Off season
TuscanyJan: Off seasonFeb: Off seasonMar: GoodApr: BestMay: BestJun: BestJul: GoodAug: GoodSep: BestOct: BestNov: GoodDec: Off season
IcelandJan: GoodFeb: GoodMar: GoodApr: GoodMay: GoodJun: BestJul: BestAug: BestSep: GoodOct: GoodNov: GoodDec: Good
Palm SpringsJan: BestFeb: BestMar: BestApr: BestMay: GoodJun: Off seasonJul: Off seasonAug: Off seasonSep: Off seasonOct: GoodNov: BestDec: Best
Texas Hill CountryJan: GoodFeb: GoodMar: BestApr: BestMay: BestJun: GoodJul: Off seasonAug: Off seasonSep: GoodOct: BestNov: BestDec: Good
Best Good Off season
Winter
Desert spas, hot springs and Japan’s onsen are at their coziest in the cold months.
Spring
Sedona, the Hill Country and Tuscany are ideal, with wildflowers and mild days.
Summer
Bali’s dry season, Iceland’s endless light and mountain retreats.
Fall
Clear desert skies, harvest season in Tuscany and fall color around Japan’s hot springs.
Find your kind of reset
Wellness means something different to everyone. Here’s how we think about it.
Spa resorts
Beautiful places to rest, with treatments, pools and nothing on the schedule.
Active wellness
Hiking, yoga and fitness classes, balanced with healthy food and early nights.
Hot springs
Natural mineral springs, from Japanese onsen to desert pools in New Mexico.
Retreats & programs
Structured stays focused on sleep, nutrition, movement or mindfulness.
Wellness at sea
Spa days between ports on Silversea, Regent Seven Seas and Explora Journeys.
A day at a wellness resort
- Sunrise
Morning movement
Yoga, a guided hike or a quiet walk.
- Morning
A good breakfast
Fresh, healthy and genuinely delicious.
- Midday
Spa time
A massage, a soak or a body treatment.
- Afternoon
Unplug
A book by the pool, a nap or a class that catches your eye.
- Evening
An early dinner
Then a soak under the stars.
Often included
- Daily fitness and yoga classes
- Healthy meals at many resorts
- Spa credits with many packages
- Pools, thermal baths and hot springs
- Guided hikes and workshops
Often extra
- Individual spa treatments
- Private sessions and consultations
- Extra nights to settle in
- Travel insurance
Destination spotlight
Sedona and the Southwest
Red rock hikes, desert spas and the historic springs at Ojo Caliente, all within a short flight.
Explore the SouthwestGood to know
The small things that make a big difference.
Book treatments early
Popular spa times fill quickly. We reserve them with your stay.
Arrive a day early
A buffer day lets you settle in before the program starts.
Know the onsen etiquette
In Japan, you wash before soaking, and some baths restrict visible tattoos. Private baths solve this.
Ask about solo stays
Many wellness resorts welcome solo travelers with communal tables and group classes.
Go off-peak
Midweek stays and shoulder seasons are quieter and often better value.
Hydrate
Desert air and high altitude dry you out faster than you think.
Questions we hear a lot
What’s the difference between a spa resort and a wellness retreat?
Spa resorts focus on rest and treatments on your own schedule. Retreats follow a structured program with classes, meals and goals.
Are wellness trips good for solo travelers?
Very. Many resorts are designed with solo guests in mind, with group activities and communal dining.
Can we combine wellness with adventure?
Yes. Sedona, Costa Rica and Iceland are perfect for pairing big days outside with spa time.
Do we need to be fit?
Not at all. Most programs let you choose your level, from gentle stretching to challenging hikes.
Are hot springs safe for everyone?
Most people enjoy them, but check with your doctor first if you’re pregnant or have heart or blood pressure concerns.
Let’s plan your reset
Tell us what you need most right now. An advisor will take it from there.