Life’s too short, and our wanderlust has never been stronger especially after the Covid lockdown years. Many want to make up for lost time with life-changing adventures, others are prioritising travel experiences that promote wellbeing and prolong life.
Fortunately, there are a number of wellness resorts around the world that provide excellent holistic retreats and treatments dealing with a wide range of issues – from Long-Covid and weak immunity to stress and mental health. These powerhouses of healing are located in serene natural surroundings, some remote, others wild. But what they all have in common is their calming atmosphere both inside and out, sanctuaries for those seeking privacy and solitude. Here, I dive into three of the best to explore their true healing powers…
1. VIVAMAYR MARIA WORTH, AUSTRIA
My initiation into medical health resorts started at VIVAMAYR, nestled within the fairytale-like village of Maria Worth along the banks of Lake Wörthersee. With crystal-clear emerald waters and gentle surrounding hills creating a natural healing environment, it’s no surprise health buffs from around the world have been regularly returning here for decades.
The VIVAMAYR Health Concept is based on the work of Austrian physician Franz Xaver Mayr (1875–1965), whose pioneering diagnostic and therapy methods were developed to promote a healthy digestive system. So, while many of his contemporaries focused on treating illnesses through medication, Mayr tackled their root causes through naturopathy and diet. Nearly six decades after his death, Mayr’s tried and tested principles have evolved into the Modern Mayr Medicine practised at VIVAMAYR clinics today.
Each guest starts with an initial consultation to assess their overall health. Dr. Fink, my personal physician, examines my skin, eyes and tongue, and I am amazed that by applying special tapping and gentle massage techniques on my abdominal area, she can identify issues relating to the stomach, liver and kidneys. Further vital checks follow, measuring body fat, water and muscle ratios (bioimpedance analysis) and muscle testing (Functional Myodiagnostics or Kinesiology). Based on the results, Dr Fink puts together a personalised diet plan alongside holistic treatments, nutritional supplements and therapies supervised by specialists in their respective fields.
My series of therapies is fairly easy and relaxing. The Electrolysis Footbath draws out toxins while my feet are submerged in warm water infused with a saline solution. The Nasal Reflex Therapy, a naturopathic treatment for sinusitis, rhinitis and headaches, is uncomfortable in the beginning. My stress dissipates after a relaxing Sea Salt Peeling body massage, although the heavenly Herbal Bath with changing colours goes far too quickly. An osteopathy session proves slightly uncomfortable, although for me it was much needed. Then the Feldenkrais therapy, which reconnects mind and the body to improve movement, demands careful concentration and coordination.
The most challenging but vital part of the VIVAMAYR programme is embarking on a detox and fasting regime, which can be daunting for first-timers. However, the idea is not to starve patients, but to give the digestive system a chance to rest and recover. In the process, this helps to nurture a healthy gut microbiome and efficient digestive system, enabling the body to regenerate and harness its natural healing powers. The fact that 70 to 80 percent of our immune cells are found in the gut is enough proof that what we eat and how we eat determine whether we stay healthy or succumb to illness.
The medical staff can’t stress enough the importance of practising mindful eating, such as chewing food very slowly, not drinking during meals and not using our mobiles while dining. The habit of snacking in-between meals and eating raw food, fruit and vegetables after 4pm are nipped in the bud, and although they sound harsh, these rules make perfect sense. That’s because when the digestive system is overloaded, this leads to indigestion, fermentation and toxification, the consequences of which include sugar spikes, bloating, acid reflux and sleeping disorders, among other things. And if it’s any consolation, we are told during a lecture that “by chewing well, we need 142 Kcal less a day”.
The good news is the dishes created by Head Chef Emanuela Fischer are packed with goodness and flavour. She uses organic ingredients and cooking techniques that keep nutrients alive, making all the difference to the taste. Each dish is beautifully plated, and every morsel deserves to be savoured slowly in a relaxing environment, and the restaurant’s indoor and al fresco dining areas provide unobstructed views of the garden and the lake. As the days go by, certain foods that have excluded from my diet are gradually introduced.
Aside from the various treatments and sessions, an important part of the VIVAMAYR Maria Worth experience is exploring the pretty village, hiking or taking an invigorating swim in the lake. The indoor pool with a trampoline, my favourite chill-out place, also has views of the lake. At the end of just one week, I feel a lot better and have more energy, inspired by VIVAMAYR’s cookbook Veggie Stars, to cook healthier food at home and continue this wellness journey of my volition into the future.
2. LANSERHOF SYLT, GERMANY
Bracing winds, ferocious waves and towering sand dunes create a dramatic backdrop for Lanserhof’s third and newest medical resort in Sylt, one of few inhabited Frisian islands in the northernmost region of Germany. Perched on the highest elevation in List, the island’s most northerly town, this 20,000-square-metre oasis could easily be mistaken for an alien spacecraft, except that its roof is made of thatched reef, an architectural feature going back centuries.
Once inside, I am transported to another realm reminiscent of the film 2001: A Space Odyssey. The resort’s focal point is a galleried swirling staircase connecting five storeys and three wings. Feng Shui principles are evident in the curved walls and bright open spaces, allowing energy to flow freely. Imposing beamed ceilings feature in all 68 elegant bedrooms in earthy tones, creating a cosy, lofty look. After a stressful four-hour rail journey from Hamburg Airport, I finally find myself exhaling.
Like most medical resorts, the Lanserhof programme starts with an initial consultation on the first day, followed by further tests. Based on the results, the physician puts together a personalised diet and programme of treatments and therapies incorporating naturopathy, energy medicine, psychology, chronomedicine and modern medicine.
The Lanserhof Cure follows the same principles established by F.X. Mayr, with the overall goal of promoting health regeneration through fasting and detoxing. Before starting a meal, we are given a shot each of fermented drink and green juice to kickstart the digesting process. They have an unpleasant taste, but eventually we all get used to it. Good eating habits, such as chewing slowly and avoiding drinking during meals are paramount to allow the digestive system to function efficiently.
The Lanserhof Energy Cuisine is highly nutritious and full of flavour, thanks to Head Chef Dietmar Priewe, whose repertoire of dishes combines the freshest, nutrient-dense quality ingredients. Priewe’s cooking techniques are simple, but the end result is loaded with flavour, colour and texture. During one of the cooking demonstrations, my fellow guests and I watch how Priewe and his team make the most scrumptious brownie and Mousse au Chocolat using courgettes (zucchini) as the main ingredient. Suffice it to say, our stomachs are thankful.
Holistic treatments are the highlights of my Lanserhof retreat, particularly the Reiki, Foot Reflexology, Detox Drainage Massage, Natural Detox Hay Pack bath, and the invigorating Cryotherapy, which despite being a chilly challenge, gets rid of my pounding headache after only one minute, wearing save but a swimsuit, gloves, hat, shoes and facemask in a minus 110-degree chamber. Leisure activities such as yoga classes, Nordic walking and biking tours are also offered in the programme.
But Lanserhof Sylt is a not just a wellbeing destination. It’s a special base from which to explore the island of Sylt, which is a wellness destination in itself thanks to the winds blowing from the North Sea, bringing with it rich trace elements such as iodine and clean air filled with droplets of seawater that benefit the skin. Sylt is also a destination for international jet-setters and aristocrats who dominate the fashionable villages of Keitum and Kampen during the summer months.
All in all, the top-notch service at Lanserhof Sylt is hard to beat. The untiring support of the entire staff – physicians, therapists, reception, housekeeping and restaurant teams – make this resort feel like a second home. So it comes as no surprise that it has won several recent awards: World’s Best New Wellness Retreat 2023; World’s Best Spa Design 2023; and Germany’s Best Wellness Retreat 2023. Moreover, the symbiosis between Lanserhof Sylt and the island’s distinct landscape brings the healing process to a whole new level.
3. THE FARM, PHILIPPINES
On the other side of the world is The Farm at San Benito, a medical wellness paradise in the province of Batangas, Philippines. Ensconced within a habitat spanning 52 hectares of lush tropical vegetation, it teems with life-sustaining microbiome ecology and benefits from imposing views of the majestic Malarayat mountains.
When I visit, I am greeted with the most welcoming smiles, a trademark of unparalleled Filipino hospitality. Tranquillity permeates across the entire resort – from the 60 native-inspired luxury suites and villas with pools to the Nipa-thatched pavilion, spa and lagoon, all enveloped in a dense landscape dominated by towering coconut and palm trees. At nightfall the sounds of wildlife came alive, bullfrogs signalling the warm evening’s natural delights.
The Farm doesn’t follow a rigid fits-all programme and diet. However, prior to a visit, guests are asked to complete a questionnaire and take part in a pre-arrival complimentary telehealth consultation via Zoom. This enables the doctor to do a preliminary assessment of each guests’ health issues before recommending the appropriate treatment. On arrival, each guest then undergoes more comprehensive diagnostic tests, followed by a customised schedule.
The range of treatments and diagnostic techniques on offer here is staggering. These include Kidney Cleansing, Immuno Cell Renewal and Heavy Metal Detox, to name just a few. I highly recommend the Detox Cleanse programme as a good start to the healing process. It’s also worth having the ichroma™ II Antibody Test, which measures your COVID neutralising antibodies after an infection or post-vaccination.
Nutrition is a vital component of any healing protocol, and the Farm’s vegan, vegetarian and pescatarian dishes incorporate organic ingredients packed with phytonutrients, enzymes and antioxidants that help boost the body’s defences. Alive! is a purely vegan restaurant, while Prana is vegetarian restaurant offering Indian dishes inspired by Ayurvedic concepts. The Pesce pescatarian restaurant’s dishes are based on the Mediterranean Blue Zone diet that promotes longevity.
The Farm’s healing energy comes from a combination of holistic treatments and a sense of peace emanating from its organic environment. Exploring small towns outside the resort and learning about the simple life of villagers puts everything into perspective. It’s part of the healing process.
