8 zen destinations to relax on vacation

Vacations need to be a relaxing time and more and more people are looking to integrate practices to work on self-knowledge into the program. See Zen and close-to-nature destinations below to reconnect with yourself.

Spirituality In Tulum

Imagine a paradisiacal beach where you have access to all kinds of treatments for body and mind. This is Tulum, Mexico. With a hippy atmosphere, exuberant nature and excellent gastronomic options, the cradle of Mayan culture inspires the menu of most spas in the region. And it’s only a two-hour drive from Cancún.

O hotel Azulik (@azuliktulum), favorite of singers Anita and Paula Fernandes, has a sustainable footprint and connection with nature as its main attractions. The on-site spa offers Zum Pul Che, a shamanic ritual performed by members of the community. It promises to purify the body, cure some types of illness and improve health, in addition to developing harmony with the environment through sacred elements such as water and fire. For those who prefer something more basic, there is the relaxing ancestral massage that uses ancient techniques.

already the holistika hotel (@holistikatulum) has a menu of yoga classes only, and Nomade Tulum (@nomadetulum), the Cocoa Ceremony, which uses the fruit, prized for its rejuvenating and revitalizing properties. The drink made from it and spices is known as an elixir of expansion, and would help to undo emotional blockages and touch the heart. The process is rocked by shamanic chants.

The various vegetarian and vegan restaurants delight even those who turn up their noses at this type of cuisine. Also plan visits to cenotes, caves with crystal clear water for swimming or scuba diving. The icy water is perfect for combating the 40-degree heat that persists even during the Caribbean winter.

Trekking in Patagonia

It is already known that regular walks leave the organism healthy, the mind at peace and the body in shape – exercise is highly recommended by the Brazilian Society of Cardiology. At medium speed, an hour of practice can represent up to 420 calories less. If none of that is a stimulus, Patagonian landscapes certainly are. There, there is silence, the air is pure and nature is in its raw state. No stress can resist this combination.

The best time to travel is during spring, when there is less rain, little wind and blue skies. Between the months of August and November, there are specific expeditions to observe the fauna, as in this period it is more likely to find animals roaming the park.

There are two most frequented places in the region. In Ushuaia, on the Argentine side, the attractions are diversified. Adventurers walk the trails in the middle of wild nature and practice radical sports. Gastronomy connoisseurs look for food pairings with wines. You can combine the two programs.

At the Tierra del Fuego National Park, a natural area of ​​630 square kilometers, you face a two-hour climb up the Martial Glacier until you come across permanent snow on the peak. Another trekking, to the Emerald Lagoon, most surprisingly, it takes up to four hours. Warm clothes and waterproof boots are a must. Pack something to drink and a snack for a mini-picnic with breathtaking views.

At night, enjoy the pleasures of the Arakur hotel (@arakur_ushuaia), with indoor and outdoor pools and a wonderful panoramic view of the beagle channel🇧🇷 At the restaurant, the menu ranges from Argentine parrilla to santola, a giant crab.

The star of the Chilean part is Torres del Paine🇧🇷 Explora (@exploratravel) combines luxury and adventure. There is no TV or wifi. Organize exploration groups for more than 40 routes in the surroundings. There are long walks through the forests, horseback riding through the pampas and rivers, sailing through the turquoise waters of the Lake Pehoé🇧🇷 At the end of the walks, jacuzzis and heated pool surrounded by large glass windows are the reward.

United States Good Vibes

With so many tourist destinations in the American territory, the city of sedona, in Arizona, is little known among Brazilians. A feather. It is one of the most mystical places in the world and attracts visitors in search of cures. The energy of the place is even more turbocharged in the bell rock, red sandstone rock formation that attracts meditation fans. With about 10,000 inhabitants, small Sedona concentrates in one street several points with chiropractors, tarologists, masseuses and other professionals in the area.

There are those who argue that the city is one of the Earth’s chakras, a highly energized point that stimulates spiritual evolution. Since the 1980s, when it was discovered by the New Age movement, rumors have circulated about mysteries involving the place. Visitors report sensations such as hand tremors and tingling. There are those who swear to leave there healed, renewed and enlightened. Residents are not surprised. They often repeat that “God made the Grand Canyon, but he lives in Sedona” – it’s only a two-hour drive between destinations.

To watch the sunset, in addition to Bell Rock, Airport Mesa, which is located on top of a mountain, Cathedral Rock and Boynton Canyon are recommended. In the three destinations, there are marked trails for hiking fans or even mountain bikers.

The easiest way to get to Sedona is from the Flagstaff Airport. To stay, there are hotels like the Amara Resort & Spa (@amararesort) and the Enchantment Resort (@enchantment_resort), where Mii Amo is located, a sensational spa. Anyone who wants to get into the mood of the destination can try one of the available campsites. If sleeping in a tent is too challenging, Camp Avalon has the option of stone cabins. It is also possible to rent a trailer.

rethink in bali

Ubud is known as the cultural center of Bali, Indonesia. There is The Yoga Barn (@theyogabarn), a yoga and meditation studio with class options for students of all levels. The place is highly recommended for anyone aiming for an in-depth spiritual quest. Inaugurated in 2007, it is focused on holistic healing with guided practices, massages, group therapies and consultations with professionals from all over the world.

The most complete experience encompasses accommodation right there on the property. Included in the package, breakfast has a vegan, vegetarian and Ayurvedic menu (following Indian tradition), full of raw food and homemade preparations. It is possible to take separate classes, such as meditation with Tibetan gongs, which promotes sound healing, or Ecstatic Dance (ecstatic dance), to release energy blockages.

You can also opt for a program prepared in advance – as is the case with the Yoga Barn Angel, a seven-day retreat that gives free access to all customized practices in accordance with the objectives of mental and bodily well-being.

The star-studded Four Seasons Sayan hosts another three-day retreat, the recently launched Guided by Gratitude, featuring Balinese gratitude rituals, sound therapy with crystal bowls, chakra alignment and water blessing ritual. If you want to extend the experience, give the adventure of climbing the more than 1,700 meters of Mount Batur, an active volcano, a chance.

The groups leave at 3 am, take two hours on the road and walk another two hours up the mountain. At the end there is the breathtaking view of the sunrise. Remember that on your way back, there is always the option to heal your muscles with a delicious Balinese massage.

Spas in Brazil

There are those who think that spa is a refuge to lose weight. Not always. These places can help you overcome illness, help you quit smoking, de-stress and even do a digital detox. Offering controlled diets and activities such as walks, cooking classes and many aesthetic treatments, they promote immersion in an extremely healthy lifestyle, often far from reality.

It’s a very positive shock treatment. And it makes you want to take some learnings into life, such as eating more times a day, setting aside a few hours a week to relax, avoiding excess salt, not drinking during meals, being persistent. Brazil offers great options.

Lapinha

With a naturist philosophy and an ovo-lacto vegetarian diet (without meat), lapinha offers body therapies with Asian and Swedish techniques, with oils, cupping, salt and even underwater. In many of them, the soundtrack is the sound of birds around the construction, in the interior of Paraná.

The green area is one of the great differentials: it has forests with natural trails surrounded by streams, hydrangeas and imbuias, trees typical of the region, and gardens and orchards with the most diverse organic products, used to prepare the four meals served daily. Own production is so successful that it is marketed at various points of sale.

Kurotel

The battery of consultations and interviews upon arrival at the spa, in Gramado (RS), hints that the stay is accompanied by a well-rounded and complete team, including a nutritionist, nutritionist, psychologist, physiotherapist, physical educator, and massage therapist. and head chef. The atmosphere is reminiscent of a luxurious country house, with classic decor and numerous breakout rooms.

ritual

Located in Penedo, in the interior of Rio de Janeiro, Rituaali (ritual in Finnish) has the motto “healthy mind, healthy body”. It offers a welcome massage, personalized menu, daily planning of activities, chats about deep subjects (how about discussing envy or anger, for example?).

Among the programs, emphasis is placed on detox, stress control, achieving balance, improving lifestyle and against smoking. At the end of five days – recommended average time for accommodation –, the feeling is of a renewed soul.

unique garden

There are seven-day programs, which include medical, physical, bioimpedance, coaching, nutritional consultation and various therapies, but it is also perfect for zen weekends, with massages, aesthetic treatments, lots of relaxation and a perfect menu to do a body cleaning.

Unique Garden is just 60 kilometers from São Paulo, has a menu prepared with organic products and has a more than welcome plus: it is pet friendly!

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