Wellness has, in recent years, become a major subject of interest among adults in the UK. Concern for our health increasingly motivates us to seek out new foods to eat, new forms of entertainment, and new resorts to visit during our downtime. The wellness industry in the UK is expected to bring in around $88.2 billion in annual revenue by 2030, and much of this new interest will be directed towards overseas wellness resorts.
If you’re planning a trip to a wellness-focused resort, then the Alps might appeal for a whole range of reasons. Let’s consider a few of the more important ones.
The Rise of Alpine Wellness Travel
A great wellness retreat typically comes with awe-inspiring scenery. You might find these resorts on sunset-facing beaches, or even out in the middle of the sea, on a cruise ship.
Naturally, the Alps provide plenty of inspiring scenery. There’s a chance to go skiing, too, and to thereby enjoy all of the health benefits that come from the pastime. But the breadth of options in the average Alpine resort is expanding. Book a trip here, and you might expect to enjoy hydrotherapy circuits, silent travel, forest bathing, and other sought-after features.
What Wellness Looks Like at Altitude
Among the best features of an Alpine resort are the natural ones. If you’ve been skiing, then you might already appreciate the freshness of the mountain air, the quiet and peace of the snow-blanketed landscape, and the awe-inspiring mountain vistas.
Many modern wellness resorts incorporate these things into the design of facilities like spas, which are often build using local stone and other natural materials. Book a spa experience in, say, the Val Thorens ski resort, and you might enjoy contrast therapy, hammam, saunas, and other treatments, all with a clear, inspiring view of the surrounding landscape.
Design, Architecture & Atmosphere
The built environment matters. If you’re surrounded by oppressive, brutalist structures all day, then you might not feel as relaxed and at home as you could be. This is where traditional chalets tend to excel – but modern buildings in the best resorts tend to offer large windows and special ‘quiet zones’ for secluded contemplation. As such, they make it easy to achieve that all-important, zenlike sense of psychological rest.
Wellness Activities Beyond the Spa
Your wellness experience needn’t mean spending days on end in a spa, however large the windows, and however inspiring the view. By getting out into the surrounding country, and enjoying hikes, outdoor bathing, and mountain yoga, you can experience all of the wellness benefits that this kind of environment can confer.
Resorts in the Alps increasingly offer digital detox experiences, which allow you to set your phone to one side for the duration of the trip. The activities, generally speaking, tend to mirror the sleep tourism and outdoor treatment found in many UK-based resorts.
Planning Your Alpine Wellness Escape
Getting the best from your trip often means getting the planning and preparation right. To avoid crowds and slash your costs, you might avoid a trip during the school holidays. You might also seek a resort that’s well-connected, so that you can easily transfer from the airport – unless, of course, you feel comfortable driving down to the mountains yourself.
