6 Influencers Name Their Favorite Places in the World to Practice Wellness

At Pravassa, we believe that committing to a wellness practice deepens ones travel experience. We asked five incredible wellness travel gurus to share their favorite place around the world to practice wellness. Scroll down to read about their experiences firsthand. 

Interested in planning your own wellness getaway to one of these breathtaking locations? Let us book it for you. We'll handle all the details, so that the only thing on your mind will be timing your sun salutations to sunrise. Don't wait, book now:

Leah Santa Cruz • Bali

My favorite place to practice yoga, meditation, breathwork and qigong is Bali. Here, you're completely immersed with nature, surrounded by lush jungle, exotic animals and natural beauty. I believe we become quite unwell when we lose contact with nature for too long. Most of us that have lived in cities for most (or all) of our lives are in deep need for communion with the elements of nature. We often don't even realize how badly we need this—just being in Bali does something incredibly healing to the mind-body system.

Despite tourism on the island, the Balinese still live, eat, dress and uphold their traditions. It's beautiful and mystifying to witness. Yogis from around the world travel here to practice together with a like-minded community. Surfers and tourists come for the scenery, and others come for the healing. Bali teaches you to slow down, let go, enjoy life and be grateful for what you have—all things that lead to happiness. 


Kelley Ferro • Thailand

There’s something about Thailand that is very spiritual for me. While traveling throughout the country on my honeymoon, I felt so connected to the Earth, the people and the nature. I was even more in tune with myself. Practicing yoga just as the sun was rising over a lily padded lake at the Four Seasons Chiang Mai was one of those spiritually connect moments.

I thrive from being outdoors, so having this practice at dawn added so much more to the experience. The rhythmic voice from the instructor mixed with the birds ringing in the morning and the breezes sweeping across my face, I felt totally transported and at ease. Wellness is infused not only the resort, but in the landscape of Thailand. There’s this overwhelming appreciation focus on being outdoors and on the energy of the country.


Jessica Wright • Washington

My favorite place in the world to practice wellness is at The Rolling Huts, a modern camping alternative in Winthrop, Washington. The wellness modality that I practice there is simply unplugging and spending time in nature.

The Rolling Huts a truly special place for me as I go every year with my husband to truly disconnect from the world for three nights. It's one of the few places I've found where nature is untouched in the Cascades National Park and the slow mornings on the patios of the minimalist cabins really grounds me. This time to "just be" has become an annual retreat for us, and it's something I look forward to every spring.

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Sarah Anne Stewart • India

Northern India is one of the most incredible places in the world to practice wellness, particularly at Ananda Spa. This beautiful hidden gem, placed in the Himalayan foothills, is truly a one-of-a-kind wellness spa experience and offers a variety of amenities for their guests. Among one of my favorites is the focus on the healing properties of Ayurveda. Ayurveda is one of the oldest systems of medicine in the world and is based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a balance between the mind, body, and spirit. 

If you are looking to fulfill your personal goals or make a commitment to a big transformation in your life, the Ayurveda experience is magical. Two of my favorite Ayurvedic healing practices include Abhyanga, a traditional synchronized full body massage given by two experienced therapists using Sesame oil, and Pizhichil, a rejuvenating experience during which lukewarm herbal oils anoint the entire body.  Whether it is to heal, cleanse or relax, there are a multitude of amazing experiences at Ananda in northern india.


Lena Franklin • Vietnam 

My favorite place in the world to practice wellness is in my maternal homeland of Vietnam, and Mindfulness meditation is the practice that I immersed myself in while traveling there. Because most of the country is Buddhist, I like to seek out temples where I can sit, get still and absorb the ancient spiritual energy. Practicing meditation in this part of the world where it originated is transformative on multiple dimensions. The devotion and dedication that the Mahayana Buddhist monks have for walking the path of peace infuses into your cells and you return home renewed. Vietnam is the land of my ancestors who went through centuries of war and struggle. To feel the energetic resilience of the Vietnamese people will ground you into the heart of humanity.

Journeying through Vietnam is a moment-to-moment meditation no matter what you’re doing. Vietnam’s diverse landscape, from the rice paddies of the delta in South Vietnam to the limestone mountains of Ha Long Bay in the North, make it a country of tremendous natural beauty. Pair this beauty with the heart-centric welcoming nature of the Vietnamese people and spiritual depth of their Buddhist culture and you receive the alchemy of transformation through presence. Everywhere you turn in Vietnam, you are greeted by warm smiles and wafting incense billowing out of homes and temples. Your senses will take in the Vietnamese culture, awakening your heart to interconnection and love.

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Trevor Morrow • British Columbia

My favorite place in the world practice wellness is Nimmo Bay in British Columbia. Once a fishing lodge when it opened over 30 years, Nimmo Bay has long since evolved into one of the world’s most exclusive and luxurious wilderness resorts. Accessible only by float plane or helicopter, there is a deep sense of seclusion, peace, and privacy.

In this natural and remote location, you’ll feel a unique harmony with the elements around you—which makes it a magical place to practice mindfulness, reconnect with your body, and emerge feeling renewed. This can be enhanced by Nimmo Bay’s wellness offerings that include a holistic therapist, reiki master, intuitive, and masseuse; the resort even has a floating sauna, which sits on a raft in a secluded bay where you are dropped off and picked up by boat. From outdoor showers to body balancing treatments along with guided meditation, you'll feel at one with nature and be able to focus on your self-care. Oh, and don’t leave without taking a dip in their hot tub, located directly next to a powerful waterfall that flows with cold water from a snowpack at the top of the mountain a few thousand feet above.