Ten of the travel wellness trends to watch in 2025

Next big things in travel: Wellness

Quieten your brain and heighten sensations with the latest salves for 21st-century overload.

Talk it out

Morning yoga at Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Retreat, Hawaii.

It is one of the simplest wellness techniques, but guided conversation is back in a big way. Even at a high-tech, data-driven resort like Hawaii’s glorious Sensei Lanai, a Four Seasons Retreat. Sessions with your personal sensei can help you identify your key challenges and how to deal with them. The results are inspiring. See fourseasons.com

Pedal your problems away

Cycling the Vistula River Bike Trail to Krakow with UTracks.Credit: Shutterstock

Does it feel like everyone you know has just come back from a walking holiday? That’s about to change, now that cycling holidays are having their turn in the spotlight. New fleets of e-bikes are on offer right around the world: give them a spin on intriguing European itineraries such as UTracks’ Prague to Krakow trip. For mountain biking fans, try Saddle Skedaddle’s epic 13-day Peruvian adventure from Lake Titicaca to Machu Picchu. See utracks.com, skedaddle.com

Relax head-on

Massage and hair styling in one at Tokyo Head Spa.

First it was Thai massage parlours, now Asian head spas are popping up in cities around the world. They take the simple act of washing and conditioning your hair and turn it into a deeply relaxing experience, with multiple conditioning treatments, a soothing soundtrack and head, neck and shoulder massages thrown in – and your hair looks terrific afterwards. See tokyoheadspa.com.au

Embrace your inner samurai

Japan’s samurai may have been fierce warriors but they also knew a thing or two about wellness. UK retreat Broughton Sanctuary offers a four-day The Way of the Zen Samurai package led by a 16th generation samurai that uses martial arts and immersion in nature to improve focus, balance and coordination. See broughtonsanctuary.co.uk

Master menopause

Escape Haven Bali runs a menopause support program.

There is no shortage of menopause retreats being rolled out, many combining science-backed therapies and traditional healing.

At Bali’s Escape Haven, the six-night Thrive Through Menopause package includes an in-depth analysis of everything from muscle mass to sleep tracking, with the results used to create a bespoke program. See escapehaven.com

Cruise into calm

Guests taking the plunge in Tasmanian waters with Onboard Expeditions.

For a true wellness afloat experience, think small. The Port Davey Wild Wellness Expedition offered by Onboard Expeditions takes a maximum of 12 passengers exploring along Tasmania’s untamed south-western coast and incorporates breathwork, journalling activities and cold-water submersion. See onboardexpeditions.com.au

Drink up

Protein smoothies and wheatgrass shots are so yesterday. Drinks lists in today’s spas are more likely to feature anxiety-reducing ingredients such as reishi mushrooms and ashwagandha or even collagen. The collagen chai latte – with coconut milk, dates, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves – is a favourite at TIA Wellness Resort in Hoi An, Vietnam. See tiawellnessresort.com

Toned-up trips

The world’s first urban fitness resort, Siro One Za’abeel.Credit: Natelee Cocks

Tired of losing form on holiday? At some of today’s top getaways, the gyms are destinations in their own right. Dubai’s Siro One Za’abeel sets the pace with 1000 square metres of floor space dedicated to fitness and recovery, including dedicated studios for spin, yoga, and Pilates, more than 50 weekly classes, and some serious post-recovery treatments. See sirohotels.com

Boost your brain

Open-air wellness centre Cognitive House at Kamalaya Koh Samui.

As longevity science goes mainstream, wellness retreats are increasingly focused on keeping not just your body but also your brain in top form. Kamalaya Koh Samui has just launched its Cognitive House, where personalised programs include everything from cognitive assessments and neurofeedback to brain stimulation therapy. See kamalaya.com

Turn down the noise

Eremito Hotelito del Alma run silent retreats packed with mod-cons.Credit: Marco Ravasini

Silent retreats have come out of the ashram and into the mainstream, although they often lay on more luxury than the OG version. At Eremito Hotelito del Alma, housed in a 14th century Italian monastery, guests sleep in compact monks’ cells but enjoy candlelit dinners, yoga classes and sessions in the steam room. See eremito.com