Go For the Heal

How to best do that, however, depends on the person. An intensive week at a tennis camp, captaining a sailboat in Tahiti or getting to know every Roman ruin to the point of exhaustion may be paradise for some ... and pain for others.

The idea of a vacation where "healing"—be it mind, body or spirit—is the very reason for a trip is a relatively new concept, and it’s growing. An increasingly sophisticated and aware consumer demands more from a vacation these days. Spas, hotels, travel companies and other segments of the industry are responding with the kind of new (and sometimes rediscovered) techniques, choices and programs that give the term "value added" a New Age definition.

Leading the charge are spas, which have become destinations for serious well-being. Indeed, spas have their very origins in healing. In Roman times, for instance, both troops and officers took healing mineral water baths to decompress from battle ... and even the horses had their own healing mineral spring dips. The idea of a spa as just a place to get a facial is relatively new, and relatively American. (In Europe and Asia, spas are based in health treatment rather than cosmetic glam.) It’s only been 30 years since American spas began to explore the mind-body connection in earnest, borrowing traditional ways (meditation, massage) and creating new ones (Watsu, sound therapy) to reach for results that are more than skin-deep.

That’s why spas play a big part in most—but not all—of the healing vacations mentioned below. And these are true vacations, incorporating the relaxation, fun and entertaining aspects of exotic locales with upscale accommodations and amenities.

Get Creative
Set in the verdant Sonoran Desert in the Santa Catalina Mountains 30 miles north of Tucson, Ariz., Miraval Life in Balance has been a pioneering destination spa resort from the beginning. Its philosophy of mindfulness—being fully present and aware of each moment as it happens—is a cornerstone of dozens of groundbreaking programs to strengthen, rejuvenate and uplift mind, body and spirit. With hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, award-winning cuisine (unlike other spas, you can have wine with dinner), a full roster of exotic treatments inspired by ancient cultures, and adventure and awareness experiences to challenge and inspire, Miraval has expanded the horizons of what a spa can provide.

It’s no surprise that the landscape and ambiance here will tap into people’s creative impulses. The results, often unconsciously, get them to deeper issues and avenues to healing. At Miraval, there are plenty of opportunities for this kind of growth. Photography programs feature resident experts who help unlock creativity and mindfulness with sunset photography walks, desert landscape shutterbug hikes and technical instruction for all levels, from beginner to advanced. And one-on-one sessions will help you take photographs to build a personal story of your journey.

Miraval is known for its art and sculptures from accomplished and emerging artists, a changing roster of whom are on hand for lectures and instructions, watercolor to pottery. In "Paint Your Spirit," a guest links art and soul to create a symbol representing his or her spirit and then paints it on a stone to take home.

Even if you’ve never held a paintbrush or a camera or a lump of clay, being able to explore your creative side with a knowledgeable support team will inspire, aid in self-awareness and provide the rewards that only being free to heal through art can give. (www.miravalresort.com)

"Taking the Waters"
Germans have believed in the healing properties of hydrotherapy—using temperature, pressure and conductivity of water to foster well-being and treat illness—since 1696. But it is in the picturesque town of Bad Wörishofen in the Bavarian Alps where the term "taking the waters" assumes an almost religious—and contemporary—importance. Here, Sebastian Kneipp created the global modern wellness movement 117 years ago using water, exercise, nutrition, plants and herbs to balance body and spirit. His approach for promoting holistic health in treating everything from stress and weight management to circular and immune disorders continues to be the standard in Europe—and a big trend in America.

Bad Wörishofen is a Sound of Music type of town, where the very air (crisp and fresh) and landscape (lush and alpine) promote health. Germans come here for two weeks every year (yes, it’s paid for by insurance) to take the "Kur" (a misnomer; while some do come for treatment of maladies, the majority just come to get relaxed and recharged). As befits a health town, lodgings range from comfortable, inexpensive pensions to multi-starred hostelries. In the latter category, two are favorites: the Hotel der Sonnenhof, a grand and elegant hotel favored by bold-faced names, and the nearby mini-chateau Villa Fontenay, a Belle Époque gem with lovely private gardens and intimate, upscale and gracious charm. Both have in-house spa/wellness facilities where guests indulge in all things aquatic: whirlpools, arm and foot baths, hot/tepid/cold bathing and showers of varying intensity.

If you’ve got just a week to spend, a "mini-Kur" is possible, and, no, you don’t have to be German to enjoy this singular healthy experience. A simple walk through the village’s fragrant herb and flower gardens is restorative, but think of how you’ll feel after taking the waters for seven days. You’ll want to yodel for happiness. (Hotel der Sonnenhof, www.spahotel-sonnenhof.de; Villa Fontenay, www.hotel-fontenay.de)

Renew Your Way
The Mayflower Inn & Spa in Washington, Conn., has been a luxe and gracious destination for the stressed since 1992. Set on 58 acres of lush gardens less than two hours from Manhattan, known for world-class dining and accommodations, and museum-quality art and furnishings, it has been a favorite getaway for a sophisticated clientele.

So when the Mayflower unveiled a state-of-the-art, 20,000-square-foot spa two years ago, it created tremendous buzz. Even more newsworthy was the spa’s revolutionary approach to the mind-body-spirit connection: a five-night, all-inclusive, Sunday-to-Friday stay that is completely customized for each guest. Before arrival, guests are interviewed by the spa director to see what kind of activities and issues interest them (stress, detoxing, weight), what kind of results they seek (nurturing, revitalizing, etc.) and whether or not the guest wants to be social. A complete schedule of activities is agreed upon—from kayaking to drumming, fly fishing to lectures—all interspersed with unlimited spa treatments (Reiki, massage, reflexology) from an impressive menu.

You’ll find that the healing may start with the fact that everything—five-star spa cuisine, treatments/activities, suite accommodations in a special building next to the spa, and all clothing and workout gear—is included in the price. (Even the most delightful effects of a traditional spa visit often disappear with check-out sticker shock—something Mayflower’s policy eliminates.) The personalized spa experience is limited to 28 guests for the five-day program. (Other hotel guests can use the spa only on weekends.) The spa is luminous and features impressive sculptures and art (the Garden Room’s massive De Kooning astounds), indoor pool, mosaic domed whirlpool, exercise studios ... all with soothing postcard views of forest and pond and the Inn’s award-winning herbal and Shakespeare gardens.

The Inn’s owners are known for attention to detail, and that extends to the spa’s staff, a group of accomplished practitioners in everything from fitness to nutrition to soul-enhancing rituals. This approach to complete customization ensures that each guest has a personal team of experts to support his or her goals, and it sets the standard for the 21st century spa experience. (www.mayflowerinn.com)

Sleep Much Better
"To sleep, perchance to dream ..." For an increasing number of people, Shakespeare’s slumber seems distressingly out of reach. Simply getting a good night’s healthy sleep—at home or on the road—is too often elusive these days. Lack of sleep has a profound impact on every area of life: personal relationships, business alertness, judgment, personality and health.

At the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village in southern California, guests have all the amenities of a multi-starred resort (golf, tennis, expansive spa). But this is the only hotel/resort to launch an extensive program to combat the epidemic of sleep disorders in partnership with a nationally recognized scientific institution, the California Health & Longevity Institute (conveniently located next door). Created by physicians, dietitians and other sleep medicine experts, the resort’s "Sleep Well" program extends to all parts of the resort. To set the tone, your room features specialty pillows, eye masks, ear plugs, foot warmers, humidifiers, sound machines and even a teddy bear, if desired. A special menu of dinner dishes—meant to dampen heartburn and soothe stomachs—is available, as well as in-room spa treatments to set you slumbering.

The Westlake program, however, goes way beyond these helpful amenities. Together with CHLI experts, such techniques as clinical hypnotherapy, guided imagery, acupuncture and the latest findings from medical sleep studies all come into play. Experts can diagnose and treat sleep apnea, insomnia and other disorders; sleep yoga programs and the importance of "good sleep hygiene" (yes, there is such a thing) will give guests a new outlook on bedtime and solid techniques to apply at home.

Guests can participate in any of the services offered, and they can customize their stay depending on their sleep issues (jet lag, inability to sleep in unfamiliar surroundings, snoring, etc.) The result? A better quality of life, at home or on the road. (www.foursea sons.com/westlakevillage)

Stretch and Meditate
"Let go of expectations, ego, preconceived ideas, outdated beliefs, attachments, comparisons, competitiveness, force and other self-limiting notions and beliefs, resulting in greater happiness and peace of mind." Sounds good to us—and if this "Awakening Happiness" program takes place in the mystical and exotic land of Bali, then so much the better.

A week-long exploration of relaxation techniques to enhance health and well-being, this yoga and meditation retreat is geared to singles as well as couples of all levels—from absolute beginner to advanced practitioners. Here the healing component lies in the well-documented benefits of yoga and meditation: greater movement and flexibility, reduced stress and tension, developing awareness and improved concentration. Studies show that people who meditate are often happier, more apt to be able to concentrate for long periods of time, calmer, and have the ability to abandon negative thinking and replace it with positive. Meditation helps with mental relaxation, clarity and contentment, while yoga strengthens and tones the body, promoting proper breath control that, in itself, soothes.

Offered by YogaBound, which hosts yoga and meditation retreats throughout the world and throughout the year, the Awakening Happiness program is offered either in the beach town of Kuta or Ubud, the artistic center of Bali. Guests may choose from many levels of accommodations—comfortable basic to luxe resort. Each day, geared for relaxation, begins with one hour of meditation followed by two hours of yoga and then breakfast. The rest of the day is free until a two-hour late-afternoon individualized yoga practice (postures targeting specific areas of the body, like shoulders or hamstrings or hips, each day). There are also afternoon walking meditations through the rice fields or near the sea. The result? A trip that is both inward- as well as outward-bound. (www.yogabound.com)