Global Wellness: Where to Recharge your Batteries in Europe
As the year begins we all start to look ahead, re-assess, plan and decide what we’re actively going to change in 2017. Whatever you do, don’t make any drastic new years resolutions. Adopting a *Victoria’s Secret diet/work out plan if you’re a mere mortal with a ‘day’ job might just see you hanging out of the Smeg come Jan 31st, hoovering up a leftover cheeseboard.* – Charlotte Ellis knows all about this so with this in mind, she tries out three different retreat over Europe, doing all the hard work, so you don’t have to.
The Amirandes Hotel, Crete
The luxury Grecotel group have crafted a wellness package offering a host of activities like sun salutation yoga, hiking, biking, singing bowl and aerial yoga, special spa rituals, talks on nutrition and even meditation with a Himalayan master*. Or you can lay and stare at the ocean from the sublime beach-front.
As well as wellness activities and glorious sunshine, the specially crafted menus transform the organic fruits of the land and sea into clever, clean and delicious ‘fine-dining’ dishes, formulated to ensure enjoyment, flavour and above all health and the feel-good factor are central.
At the Amirandes, the goal is to be rested and well fed and the menus celebrate the fruitful Mediterranean diet. Foodies should not forgo a visit Grecotel’s very own farm (50 minutes by car) voted best organic farm in the world by Vanity Fair. Opened in the 70s by founder Nikos Daskalantonakis, it supplies all of the islands’ hotels with the very best in homegrown, sun drenched produce.
Visit Agreco one-hour before sunset to enjoy a tour around the estate before dinner. The set menu changes regularly but you’re guaranteed full flavoured, rustic dishes - from stuffed courgette flowers to Sfakian cheese pies with quince and pine nuts, pickled artichokes, lamb cooked on an open fire (when in Greece!) wood fired bread with farm pressed olive oil of dreams and overflowing fruit platters served with curd cheese.
Come home feeling rested, well fed, sun-kissed and inspired to continue in your ‘be good to yourself’ mission.
FACT BOX
Fly to Crete direct from London Gatwick with Aegean Airfrom £150 return Double Rooms at The Amirandes by Grecotel start from £179 on a bed and breakfast basis. A number of activities will be free free to guests Agreco Farm: The taverna is open from May to October, Tuesday to Saturday every evening from 18.00 hrs and on Sunday mornings at 11.00 hrs. • Actual activities for GWD 2017 will be confirmed early 2017. Please check for all details:www.amirandes.com
SHA Wellness Clinic, Alicante
You won’t find any cheese pies at the SHA. This world famous, multi-award winning medical spa has just been voted Conde Nast Johansen’s Best Destination Spa in the World 2017. Practising and teaching the macrobiotic ‘way of life’ favoured by Madonna at SHA traditional Eastern practises and Western medical advancements go hand in hand to offer an extensive treatment list that ranges from the holistic like Reiki and acupuncture, lymphatic massage and hydrotherapy to groundbreaking cognitive therapy and psychiatry as well as cosmetic aid and enhancements, like dentistry, hair transplants, fat breakdown and rejuvenation treatments.
There’s an oxygen and tea lounge, an organic hair salon that also offers more standard beauty treatments, a gym, hydrotherapry circuits, a sauna, steam rooms and aqua beds, rooftop infinity pool and tennis courts; a library, fashion boutique, SHA shop and a cinema that shows a film every night.
If you're keen to lose weight, quit smoking, can’t sleep, are feeling burnt out, or want to learn how to knock up dinner party worthy macrobiotic dishes - the SHA can help. With a team of doctors, nurses, nutritionists and a Michelin-worthy Shamadi restaurant cooking up lunar-organic produce that’s grown on site, SHA provides all of the support and nurturing you need - in a state of the art, super chic environment.
If you chose to celebrate Global Wellness at SHA there’s no doubt you will leave feeling full of newfound knowledge, lighter (but not hungry), energised and positively glowing from the inside out.
FACT BOX
The SHA WELLNESS CLINIC is 50 minutes drive from Alicante airport.
A 4-day Discovery programme starts from €1,100 per person including all meals, consultations and treatments. Mountain View Deluxe Suites start from €460 per night based on two adults sharing.
Monarch Airlines operates year round flights to Alicante from Birmingham, London Gatwick, London Luton, Leeds Bradford and Manchester airports with fares, including taxes, from £44 one way (£75 return). For further information or to book, please visit www.monarch.co.uk
ESPA Spa, The Corinthia Hotel, London
If you’ve only got a day to celebrate Global Wellness, head to one of London’s most exclusive luxury spas at the Corinthia Hotel. With its core values ‘unwind a busy mind’, and ‘it's not just a gym, its a lifestyle’, as well as a team of world experts the spa offers an unrivalled choice of wellness, beauty and fitness programs, fully equipped to educate, calm and lull you into a zen-like space of wellness.
Mind Over Matter: A introduction to a variety of mindfulness practices:
• A 2-hour Mind Over Matter spa experience including a specialist massage to help reduce stress
• Yoga Nidra, a systematic method of training busy minds to achieve conscious relaxation
• Pranayama Breath Work for relaxation or increased mental clarity and focus
• A 1-course delicious lunch from our Brain Power Menu
• Unlimited use of ESPA facilities including the Thermal Floor, Gym and Sleep Pods (worth £145).
Feeding the Brain & the Soul: Neuro nutrition & Mindfulness
• An educational and inspirational talk by ESPA Nutritionist
• Mindfulness practice with spa Director Laura Vallati
• A cooking lesson with Corinthia’s Executive Chef Adriano Cavagnini including take away recipes
• A delicious 3-course Brain Power lunch accompanied by a signature Moxytocin mocktail or glass of champagne
• Unlimited use of ESPA facilities including the Thermal Floor, Gym and Sleep Pods (worth £145).
What is Global Wellness Day?
June 10th should be marked in your diary as ‘Global Wellness Day’. The idea is that for 24 hours, you spend an entire day by stopping, thinking, resting and generally recognising the value of life by being mindful of your actions, trying to put aside everyday stresses and poor habits. In turn nurturing your physical and mental health, happiness and helping us all to live better overall. Sounds good right? All you need to do is follow the the simple 7-step manifesto:
1 Walk for an hour (doesn’t have to be all at once)
2 Drink more water
3 Do not use plastic bottles/bags
4 Eat organic foods (locally sourced)
5 Do a good deed
6 Have a family dinner
7 Get to bed by 10pm
FACT BOX
Exact dates for Global Wellness day packages TBC.
See: www.espalifeatcorinthia.com/ for all details.
Maximum capacity for the wellness days is 18 people. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Global Wellness Dates coincide with Global Wellness Day on the 10th June www.globalwellnessday.org