If you’ve been scrolling through social media lately you’ve probably heard of the term “self care” and “self-love”,  the concept of taking care of one’s well being starting from the food you eat, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep has been around from ages, but recently it has been brought up quite often, people are trying to find different approaches to taking care of themselves and avoid burnouts trying to keep up with the fast pace of their daily lives. 

Which is exactly why we think self care is important, taking care of yourself, starting from your mental health should be something to prioritise. So what better way to do it than in a foreign country with a bunch of your friends. 

Here are some of the extended list of recommended countries for the best wellness groups trips you can make on your next holiday

1. Malaysia

A tea plantation in Cameroon Highlands, Malaysia 

Known for their delicious dishes and racially diverse population, it may come as a surprise that Malaysia might be one of the best locations for a wellness trip: the beaches of Langkawi and Pangkor Island, glimmering lights from the Twin Tower, and Nyonya dishes (A mixture of Chinese, Malay, South Indian, and Javanese influences ) you can try  should be added to your list.

• Visit the beautiful Chateau Spa & Organic Wellness Resort, nestled in a lush and green rainforest. It is merely  a short 45 mins drive from Kuala Lumpur, where you will enjoy the award winning spa treatments and dining experience in the 18th century inspired castle. 

• Enjoy the natural hot springs around the country with an entrance fee that costs less than a Euro. If you and your group prefer more private space there are multiple resorts offering hot spring retreats.

2. Thailand 

Wat Phasornkaew, Phetchabun, Thailand

This magnificent country is famous for its beaches (one of them is a shooting location for James Bond Franchise), lavish royal palaces, ancient ruins and jaw dropping sanctuaries displaying the figure of Buddha. It is a perfect place to start your wellness journey. 

• Enjoy a Thai Massage, your body will thank you for it! After a session most people would say that it feels like a yoga session, traditional message, and a chiropractic session jam packed into one.
• Visit a monastery and learn with the monks, there are usually options for a one day session or even a retreat.
• Go  a step further and take a Muay Thai class, why not learn from the best while you are at the belly of the beast yourself, take some cool skills and impress your relatives with your new moves.

3. Maldives 

Veligandu Island, Maldives 

Where luxury meets the ocean, Who says that Maldives is all about honeymoons.  Improve your holistic wellness, heal and get inspired. You can opt for a yoga session with a certified instructor overlooking the Indian ocean, or an underwater yoga session and sound healing sessions at one of the resorts might be your cup of tea. There are an abundance of resorts offering retreats or you can look through guest houses, which usually overlook the pristine beaches. 

4. South Korea 

Bukhansan National Park, Seoul, South Korea 

Korean pop or K-pop isn’t the only thing this country has to offer, visit the beautiful island of Jeju and prepare yourself for a breathtaking view, enjoy freshly caught abalone and get to know the women divers in their 80’s which is part of the Jeju culture of “Jeju Haenyo”, each dish is served with Kimchi (a traditional fermented vegetables) that is filled with beta carotene. 

• Visit Cypress Forest Healingtopia and sweat out your body’s toxins by undergoing their basic course which consists of a consultation, resonance spa, germanium spa, foot bath, and cypress enzyme spa, located just outside of Seoul (the capital city).
• Visit a Jimjilbang, a heated room that is popular for all Koreans. The idea is that you soak in their different hot baths with a heated room.

5. Sri Lanka

Built by King Kassapa I, the Ancient City of Sigiriya, Sri Lanka 

Home to diverse cultures and languages, this island country has multiple retreats that are especially crafted for diabetes, rejuvenation, weight loss, and to de-stress. There are also numerous yoga retreats offering Ayurveda Treatments such as full body messages, Marma Relaxation technique and so much more. 

6. Turkey 

Hot Air Balloon in Turkey 

Filled with natural thermal springs, traditional baths that date back to the Ottoman Empire, and modern spas. Here are some of the things you must  do when visiting Turkey. 

• Experience the traditional Hamman or Turkish Bath houses, it is more than an act of cleansing your body, It’s a ritual of purification and relaxation set in a one-of-a-kind setting.
• There are about 1500 hot springs in the area to enjoy, all with distinct flows and temperatures. These facilities have water temperatures ranging from 20°C to 110°C. It is also  well-known to help with physiological disorders. 

7. Czech Republic 

Charles Bridge, Prague, Czech Republic

Last but not least we have the Czech Republic, who would’ve assumed that this is one of the best wellness gateways in the world. No wonder why famous historical figures such as King Charles the IV, Mozart, Beethoven and other well-known celebrities have all flocked here. 

• Visit the city of Karlovy Vary, which was built around mineral springs .
• Indulge in the local peat baths (nutrient rich mud) in Trebon. 
• Soak in a tub full of beer, it is rich in Vitamin B and have the ability to kill bacteria so all you have to do is lean back while sipping beer in a tub of beer, the ultimate combo!

If you want more recommendations on countries for wellness groups trips check out The Best Places for Wellness Group Trip part 1 

So what are you waiting for? indulge your senses in those activities and dive deeper to what each country has to offer. Enrich yourself with like minded people that will play a positive impact on your wellbeing, you can check out some wellness trips below or create your own and connect with our community to find travel buddies and fly off to your next wellness group trip.