Wellness & adventure
Tours in this collection give equal
billing to movement, mindfulness and nourishment. This includes Wellness Iceland, where groups will go from hiking on glaciers and lava fields to meditating at waterfalls and on volcanic black-sand beaches.
ENLIGHTENED ADVENTURES This growing trend reflects wider societal shifts around health and travel. Since Covid, travellers have been yearning for transformative trips, with better understanding of how outdoor pursuits can boost mental health and more importance placed on self-care. Hiking and surfing are even being prescribed by GPs to help manage anxiety and depression. “One of the ways people are caring
for their mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing is through adventure travel,” observes Joanna Reeve, head of business development at Intrepid Travel. “Many are opting for trips that let them breathe fresh air away from the crowds, while also staying active.”
travelweekly.co.uk
Activities such as river kayaking are becoming more popular as awareness of the value of nature for mental health increases
Tim Williamson, customer director
at Responsible Travel, reports seeing “activities such as river kayaking becoming more popular as awareness of the value of nature for mental health increases”. Bookings for trips that focus on physical wellbeing have risen by almost 100% over the past five years, he adds.
A FEMALE-FUELLED FUSION Both the Global Wellness Institute and Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) report that solo female travellers are driving the uptick in adventure-meets-wellness escapes.
Elinor Fish, founder and chief executive of Run Wild Retreats, which runs women-only ‘mindful running’ tours across North America, Europe and Asia, explains: “Women have more opportunity and means than ever to travel, but when they do take time away from their families, careers and everyday lives, they want it to satisfy more than one need – to have new experiences that challenge them but also to feel safe and supported in that activity. Our professional guides and mindful running coaching ensure they gain confidence on the trails.” With their inherently balanced approach, wellness adventures also appeal to adventure ‘grazers’ or newcomers, including older travellers and families looking for slower-paced, lower-risk activities. One concept tapping the soft adventure end of the spectrum is Backroads’ Dolce Tempo tours, a series of easy-going, tailored e-biking and walking itineraries, ranging from the Greek islands to Utah’s national parks. ±
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