From face-sculpting treatments in Switzerland through to sun-filled yoga retreats in Mauritius, find a dose of luxurious serenity this winter with one of these soothing wellness travel experiences
1 Go wild swimming with Villa Igiea in Palermo, Italy
The renowned Villa Igiea, a Rocco Forte hotel in Palermo, Sicily, has announced it will be open for the first time this winter, offering guests a serene, crowd-free haven. With mild temperatures and a wide range of outdoor activities, Palermo is the perfect winter escape by the sea.
Guests can create a bespoke itinerary centred around wellness can be created to include a variety of elements to support a winter reset – from experiencing the spa & Irene Forte treatments, to the new wild-swimming the hotel has just launched. Known for its many physical and mental health benefits wild swimming can boost circulation, improve immune function and reduce stress.
The invigorating water combined with the beauty of Sicily’s untouched coastline means its a rejuvenating experience for both body and mind. Combine this with hill-hikes and beach-walks, recommended to clear the mind. And in addition, exploration of Palermo would be a must to feed the mind – from the food itself (Mediterranean diet key for longevity) to the incredible culture, architecture and history of the city. Palermo is a truly beautiful place to visit all year around as it remains mild in temperature.
Forte Escapes winter rates start at €350 per night, B&B. Find out more and make a booking via roccofortehotels.com
2 Indulge with The Kulm Hotel, St Moritz x FACEGYM’s new partnership, Switzerland
The Kulm Hotel, St Moritz, has introduced an exclusive partnership with FACEGYM, the innovative facial exercise brand founded by former beauty and wellness columnist Inge Theron in 2014. The new ‘Ski and Sculpt’ concept will be introduced in the Kulm’s luxurious 2000m2 spa, with a menu of treatments designed to lift and sculpt. The partnership marks the brand’s first ever European spa.
The innovative Ski & Sculpt menu is designed to combat the effects of altitude on the skin, reducing puffiness and improving hydration, incorporating FACEGYM’s signature facial exercises along with added boosters for added glow and definition.
Treatments include:
COLLAGEN SIGNATURE SCULPT™ 45min
Blending deep tissue facial massage with EMS technology for an instant lift, tone, and contour. The intense muscle manipulation technique reduces puffiness and boosts circulation, enhancing collagen production for firmer, revitalized skin. The Biotech Collagen skincare deeply hydrates and restores, perfect after alpine sun exposure, resulting in smoother texture, lifted contours, and a radiant, youthful glow.
CRYO OXYGEN SCULPT & GLOW 60 min
The ultimate in transformative facial massage that blends the power of EMS, lymphatic drainage and intra-oral buccal techniques to reduce puffiness, boost collagen production, and release deep muscle tension for a visibly contoured and rejuvenated appearance. The massage is paired with a powerful blast of Oxygen, Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin Infusion that delivers a powerful burst of cooling oxygen and nutrients to revitalize the skin, reduce inflammation and tighten pores for an instant glow.
THE ULTIMATE SCULPT 80min
The ultimate FaceGym Collagen Boosting skin treatment, a multi-step rejuvenation that begins with a custom mask tailored to target unique skin concerns for optimal renewal. The signature deep tissue facial massage and EMS technology lifts facial muscles for a defined look.. Cryo Oxygen therapy infuses cooling oxygen to tighten pores and revitalize the skin, To complete the transformation the LED mask boosts collagen production and tightens the skin, leaving your skin firm, radiant, and youthful.
Find out more and make a booking via kulm.com
Embark upon a stylish yoga retreat with Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort x Wellicious
Escape the winter blues and stretch out instead. Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort in Mauritius has teamed up with Wellicious, a sustainable and circular luxury yoga & activewear brand, to offer a rejuvenating and complimentary Yoga Retreat taking place from 7th – 11th February 2025.
The sessions will be led by renowned British yoga instructor Tara Lee who will be leading four yoga sessions set in the serene surroundings of a beachfront location and Le Château de Bel Ombre. The classes will be complimentary for guests staying in the hotel’s new Adults-Only wing. Tara’s yoga sessions will guide guests through flowing movements and relaxing stretches designed for all levels of expertise.
Yoga Schedule:
Friday 7th February (Afternoon) – Session on deck at Le Château de Bel Ombre, complemented by an apéritif.
Sunday 9th February (Morning) – Session at the beach, followed by a relaxing breakfast on the beach.
Monday 10th February (Afternoon) – Session on deck at Le Château de Bel Ombre, complemented by an apéritif.
Tuesday 11th February (Morning) – Session at the beach, followed by a relaxing breakfast on the beach.
Package:
Complimentary and exclusively available to clients of the Adults-Only wing.
Heritage Le Telfair extends an array of complimentary activities to enrich the guests’ well-being journey. The offerings encompass Pilates, Aqua Tai chi, Body Balance sessions and unique experiences such as Konect, Aerial Yoga, Breathwork, as well as Mobility and Flexibility workouts, all tailored to diverse preferences and experience levels. These complimentary activities ensure that guests experience a comprehensive well-being journey during their stay at Heritage Le Telfair.
Guests can additionally opt for the ‘Wellness Bliss’ program whereby with the assistance of a dedicated Wellness Ambassador, can select activities that align with their personal goals or opt for pre-made packages that offer a diverse array of rejuvenating experiences.
Rates start from £380 per night, find out more and make a booking via heritageresorts.mu
4 Enjoy Sicilian-inspired spa time as Hotel de Rome opens its spa as Irene Forte Spa, Germany
Hotel de Rome, a Rocco Forte hotel in Berlin has unveiled the official opening of the Irene Forte Spa. This exclusive relaunch introduces a Mediterranean-inspired spa concept to Berlin, reflecting the vision and expertise of Irene Forte, Wellness Consultant for Rocco Forte Hotels and Founder of Irene Forte Skincare. Alongside four Rocco Forte properties in Italy, Hotel de Rome is the first hotel in Germany to launch an Irene Forte Spa.
These spas redefine wellness with a holistic approach, combining the regenerative powers of nature and science in treatments to harmonise body and mind. Once the vault of a bank where jewels and gold were stored, the new Irene Forte Spa at Hotel de Rome offers a unique wellness oasis in the heart of the bustling capital.
Find out more and make a booking via roccofortehotels.com
5 Get a dose of Ayurvedic rejuvenation with Engel Ayurpura
Italy’s leading Ayurveda retreat, Engel Ayurpura has confirmed the appointment of their new physician, Dr. Parth Sudhir Mahajan. He replaces Dr. Swami Nash Mishra who is set to retire at the end of the year.
Dr Parth brings with him more than two decades of specialist experience and a deep understanding of the ancient Ayurvedic texts and principles. A new sequence of mindful Ayurveda programmes, to launch in 2025, is in preparation.
Dr Parth’s entirely holistic approach includes working closely with the culinary team to ensure a healthy balanced diet aligned to each individual dosha type.
A graduate in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery from the prestigious Bhausaheb Mulak Ayurvedic College and Research Centre in Nagpur, Dr Parth also holds a postgraduate diploma in Panchakarma from the Tilak Ayurvedic College in Pune, where he met his guru, Dr Ajit Joshi. He added to his skill set through courses at specialist faculties across India such as The Bihar School of Yoga, Belur Math/Ramkrishna Math in Nagpur and Calcutta, the Art of Living Ashram in Bangalore and the Isha Foundation in Coimbatore.
Before joining Engel Ayurpura, Dr Parth worked in retreats in USA, Costa Rica, Jamaica, the Maldives and Europe.
Set within the utterly exquisite Dolomites mountains in Italy, where the fairytale-like nature sprawls so beautifully you’ll consider burning any ticket home in the hotel’s fireplace, there are few places better for a detox delivered with decadence than Engel Ayurpura.
Situated a mere 20km from Bolzano, Engel Ayurpura is located in Nova Levante, an idyllic South Tyrolean village that feels like it belongs within a postcard. The name draws its origins from a trio of meanings – Engel translates as angel, Ayur is an abbreviation of Ayurveda, and the Sanskrit word Pura means house or castle, with an added connotation of purity.
Find out more and make a booking via ayurpura.hotel-engel.com
