wellness expert

Preparation is key. Enhancing your gut health prior to travel is vital to help prevent tummy bugs, colds and other sickness that may ruin your holiday. 

Dr Oscar Mayorga

Dr. Mayorga is a surgeon, specialized in anti-aging medicine with a degree in Immunology & Microbiology and a specialization in Natural & Biologic Medicine. Moreover, Mayorga has experience in cellular activation, stem cells treatment and growth factors. He is currently the in-house medical consultant at SHA Wellness Clinic in Spain. 

SHA Wellness Clinic is a pioneering well-being clinic, focused on improving and notably lengthening people's health and well-being through the fusion of the best therapies. When its doors opened to guests in November 2008, the hotel and clinic started a revolution in wellness - the world's first macrobiotic wellness resort. SHA's objective is for its guests to leave after a pleasant stay, feeling renewed inside and out, more alive and energetic with a much healthier appearance.

 This May, a new boxing fitness camp will arrive on the soft shores of COMO Uma Canggu in Bali. Six days of exercise and fitness – under the guidance of world-class boxers Darren Barker and Ryan Pickard to kick-start a new fitness regime, while also immersing in Canggu’s laid-back, bohemian charm.

Suzie Walker

Suzie is a nutritionist and founder of The Primal Pantry. She transitioned to a paleo lifestyle 6 years ago, and decided to set up The Primal Pantry in 2014 after struggling to find healthy, on-the-go snacks that support a paleo diet. Suzie is on a mission to challenge the packaged food industry by forging a real food revolution.

by Dr. Sarah Brewer

A Nutritionist and Doctor

Self-esteem, or learning to appreciate your own value, starts forming early in life, and is of the most important things a parent can help their child to learn. How? By praising their children so they learn to value their achievements. And when it comes to encouraging pride and self-respect in your children, therapists recommend the following.

Anandi (Alison Francis) was given her spiritual name, which meaning ‘in bliss’, by her guru in India in 2007. She has been in the wellness field for 30 years as an Ayurvedic practitioner, senior yoga teacher, yoga teacher trainer and a certified Chopra meditation teacher. Anandi is the founder of The Sleep Guru, the author of ‘Breathe Better Sleep Better’ which explains how to use the breath as a healing tool and the creator or Sleepology by Anandi®, a new wellbeing process and in-depth enquiry into the causes of stress, exhaustion and sleep issues.

Shining the spotlight on the role of love in emotional balance, Emilie Chanon, Spa & Wellness Manager at Fusion Maia in Vietnam, shares the benefits of reiki on our health and well-being.

Dr Niels Vollaard

Dr Vollaard completed an MSc in Human Movement Sciences at the University of Maastricht, followed by another MSc at the University of Aberdeen (in Sports Nutrition). He then returned to Maastricht for a one-year spell as a research assistant, looking at the validity of bioimpedance for assessing body composition.

Dr Vollaard subsequently completed a PhD in Exercise Physiology at the University of Essex, investigating the effects of oxidative stress in exercise, endurance training, and tapering. His first lecturing position was at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh (2003-2011), after which spending 5 years at the University of Bath, before joining the University of Stirling as a Lecturer in Health and Exercise Science in October 2016.

by Steve Halsall

A Celebrity Personal Trainer

Does anybody truly have an ideal weight? Really, do you know exactly what you weight right now reading this? What's more, is it 'ideal'? There are so many factors that contribute to your 'ideal weight': perception, energy, diet, seasonality, training, age, body type and importantly sociological pressure. 

Training load is the strain and stress that exercises put onto your body - it is that strain and stress that challenges you, and given you take sufficient rest you will come back to the exercise stronger.

Marissa Frew

Marissa is a holistic living and wellbeing consultant with over 20 years experience in her field and a lifetime working with alternative wellbeing practitioners. She’s an inspiring presenter, guest speaker and writer as well as a personal trainer specialising in flexibility, movement and rehabilitation. Marissa is the founder of Rocket and Beets and is passionate about empowering others through teaching the elements of health. Her Happy Body Lifestyle Program brings together the key elements of how to properly lay the foundations of a vibrant lifestyle and an enlivened energetically enriched body.

Paul is the co-founder and CEO of Samahita Retreat, Thailand’s very first dedicated yoga retreat, operating now for 16 years on the tropical island of Koh Samui.

In addition to running Samahita, Paul continues to teach yoga internationally while also researching its effects with an empirical scientific approach based in original textual study. He recently conducted a large clinical study as a PhD scholar at Emory University. As a scientist, educator and entrepreneur he drives the evolution of Samahita and its teachings, while still drawing from deep traditions of yoga and healthy living.

What is Borgo Egnazia and who’s it for?

Borgo Egnazia is the perfect destination for anybody who wants to escape the daily stresses of life. From an award-winning spa and Michelin star restaurant, to stunning rooms and scenery, there’s no doubt that this luxurious 5-star resort will offer an experience like no other.

Keri-Anne Payne

Keri-anne Payne is a British swimmer, specialising in marathon open water swimming, and long-distance freestyle swimming in the pool. She is a two-time World 10 km Open Water champion, an Olympic Silver medalist and the founder of Triscape.

by Toby Maguire

A Taoist Master

Is it possible to develop our concentration so that we can work more efficiently and prevent our mind from being distracted? Is it possible to control our thoughts rather than let our thoughts control us? Is it possible to learn how to let go of negative emotions such as depression, fear, anxiety, stress and anger?  Is it possible to improve our memory, learn things more quickly and become a more calm, friendly and confident person?

Understand the true meaning of wellness holiday on any of our luxurious beach hotels in the Mediterranean. Experience a bespoke beach spa holiday with a combination of reviving treatments and an array of fun and exciting activities you can do by the ocean. Never-ending stretching coastlines, panoramic views of blue skies and seas and white sandy beaches will surely whisk your mind away from the stresses of everyday life. Dine on highly nutritional cuisine and embrace Mediterranean dishes as you reap the rewards of fresh and locally sourced food that’s as delicious as it looks!

As we focus on the latest fitness crazes and packing our diets with superfoods, it can be easy to forget that emotional health is just as important for living a healthy and happy life. Being emotionally healthy is about more than being free of anxiety or depression; it is feeling content with life, creating rewarding relationships and adapting to change. You may not be able to buy happiness, but embarking on a healing holiday can boost your mental well-being and leave you with an improved sense of overall wellness.

With wellness becoming even greater of a priority for travellers, new travel trends within this niche are always emerging to fit the needs of all manner of people. For the past year, travelling has become accessible once more, but the memories of the COVID-19 pandemic remain. Health anxieties, mental health awareness, sober-curiosity, and other factors are seeping into the industry,and will undoubtfully continue into 2023.   

Other wellness travel trends set to dominate in 2023 include more provision of sustainable and air-free wellness retreats, as well as more affordable holidays due to the cost of living crisis. We know that you want a wellness holiday that adapts to your current mindset and living situation. Taking into account our most requested retreat types for 2022, here are the top 10 wellness travel trends for 2023. 

by Steve Halsall

A Celebrity Personal Trainer

The Holy Trinity of energy (good sleep, food and attitude) is underpinned by the one thing we all love most; that being a good night's sleep. Good sleep is something every human being deserves, no matter what age you are, and having a good night's sleep allows for better decision making in all areas throughout the following day. Getting your head down and sleeping well is one of the most important things in anyone's life.

With the end of summer fast approaching, many travellers are looking ahead to booking autumn wellness retreats to boost their fitness, detox or simply relax. From yoga and spa holidays in Portugal to detox retreats in Thailand, these retreats offer something for every type of wellness traveller with some even including great money-saving offers for the Autumn months including up to 30% off room rates. With the summer holidays out of the way, there isn’t a better time to invest in your whole-body wellbeing than the Autumn on one of these luxurious wellness retreats: