Is Italy The New Wellness Hotspot? | Travel

With double vaccinated brits now welcome to travel to Italy, quarantine-free, we thought we’d share some exciting travel news that’s got us thinking Italy might just be the new “it” wellness destination! So, if you’re looking for an autumn break in the sun, look no further!

New mindful wellness rituals at Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como
Tremezzo’s T Spa, sitting between the 18th century Villa Emilia and the historic palace, has enhanced its wellness offerings with the arrival of its T Spa Mindfulness Rituals. This new experience focuses on both the mind and body to help reduce stress and enable guests to “be more present”. The therapist first guides the guest through breathing and visualisation techniques to help relax the mind and release physical and emotional anxieties. The metamorphic zones on the feet are then massaged to help rebalance and maintain a sense of grounding, before a deep massage is continued up through the body to promote positivity to the mind, followed by a face yoga massage with hot stones, a lymphodraining ritual with cold rose quartz crystals finishing with a re-energizing scalp massage.

Grand Hotel Tremezzo will also be introducing a brand-new wellness experience that will be exclusive for guests staying in the beautiful Villa Sola Cabiati. The experience will consist of a 45-minute Silvotherapy – the practice of immersing yourself in nature – including rituals and exercises with a direct touch to the trees in the private gardens, accompanied with breathing techniques to relax the mind and body, followed by a 2-hour mindfulness ritual and a deliciously healthy breakfast.

COMO Shambhala Retreat at COMO Castello Del Nero, Tuscany
COMO Hotels and Resorts is delighted to announce the launch of a new COMO Shambhala Retreat at COMO Castello Del Nero – the first Asian-inspired wellbeing experience in Tuscany. Bringing COMO’s commitment to lifelong wellness to Italy, the new COMO Shambhala Retreat combines targeted treatments, world-class experts, and energy-giving COMO Shambhala Cuisine at the heart of a historic, 740-acre estate. Advocating proactive holistic wellness, the new wellbeing sanctuary – 1,000sqm in size – features seven luxurious treatment rooms, a state-of-the-art gym, relaxation area with breath-taking views over the Tuscan countryside and sun-drenched yoga and Pilates studios. Guests can also look forward to invigorating thermal suites, a 25m heated outdoor swimming pool, two tennis courts, and an outdoor fitness area, named the Forest Gym.

In the elegant, cocooning space, conceptualised by admired Milanese designer Paola Navone, guests will find Asian-inspired mind and body treatments – from soothing signature therapies such as the iconic COMO Shambhala Massage which uses COMO’s bespoke blended oils to relax the mind and rejuvenate the body to the COMO Shambhala Signature Ritual, a full-body therapy using soothing Tuscan lavender and olive oil made on the estate. Non-surgical, anti-ageing facial care treatments are also offered in collaboration with Guinot, developed by Jean-Daniel Mondin, the award-winning doctor of pharmaceuticals behind the brand. Furthermore, invigorating sessions in yoga, Pilates and fitness from COMO Shambhala experts are offered for those looking to improve mobility and strength. Treatments are accompanied by COMO Shambhala Cuisine; nutritious and balanced dishes expertly curated to aid concentration, balance blood sugar levels and nourish the soul.

Mandali Eco Retreat, Lake Orta, near Milan
Since opening in 2017, Mandali has become a spiritual sanctuary designed to help guests disconnect from the pressures of daily life, switch off from technology, and take time to reflect and reset through meditation, yoga and dynamic retreat programmes. Located an hour’s drive from Milan, the centre sits high on a hilltop overlooking Lake Orta with views across to the Swiss Alps, an idyllic setting to help find calm and clarity in the mind. Run by a not-for-profit organisation, Mandali welcomes teachers from all traditions and guests of all abilities. It invites them to bring an open heart and curious mindset to fully benefit from their time at the centre. From the architecture to daily rituals, Mandali has been designed to be as low-impact and sustainable as possible. It offers affordable premium accommodation, homecooked vegetarian food, and holistic body treatments for an immersive retreat experience. Retreat programmes Mandali Experience Retreats are simple but profound and designed for all levels. Taking place over three- or five- days, all activities are optional and include meditation, yoga, breathwork and qigong, combined with personal growth workshops, group sessions and periods of silence. The centre also runs a series of themed retreats throughout the year, led by international visiting teachers from all traditions and lineages.