Adventure travel and wellness retreats with Gayatri Bhaumik
Professional Help
This April, the Maldives’ Anantara Kihavah Villas is offering guests the chance to create a healthier lifestyle with the help of natural health consultant Toby Maguire. From April 13-28, guests will be able to book sessions with Maguire to help bring their mind and body back into balance through his combination of eastern wellness concepts and holistic healing therapies. One-on-one sessions range from 60-minute qigong and meditation (US$160/HK$1,250) to a comprehensive 180-minute weight loss analysis or de-stress package (US$520/HK$4,050). Also available are auricular acupuncture, hypnotherapy and life coaching (all US$220/HK$1,715 for 60 minutes). Guests will also start their days with healthy breakfasts and nutritious juices, plus healthy cooking classes and Japanese detox recipes.
Escape to Essaouria
This April, head to Essouria, Morocco with Sole Yoga Holidays for a relaxing, active retreat in a captivating city. Running April 4-10, the Magical Morocco Yoga Retreat at the boutique riad [traditional Moroccan house] Dar L’Oussia is built around twice-daily 90-minute Ashtanga Flow yoga sessions, with plenty of time in the afternoon to enjoy the hotel spa, shop the nearby souks, explore the ancient fishing port or just relax by the sea. Highlights of the trip include a 30-minute Hammam treatment and massage at the hotel spa, and a one-hour camel ride along the scenic beach. During the trip, guests will be whisked off on a one-day retreat to a private villa where they’ll enjoy some pool time, a yoga session and a traditional barbecue lunch. Rounding out the experience are daily Moroccan and European-inspired breakfast and dinner at the riad. From €1,350 (HK$11,740) for double occupancy, including round-trip airport transfers in Marrakech. www.soleyogaholidays.com.
Run for It
Looking for a serious challenge? Australia’s Buffalo Stampede trail running weekend is a great chance to test your physical and mental limits. Held in Bright, Victoria on April 8-10, the Buffalo Stampede is a full weekend of marathons through the Australian bush.There are three major events: the 75k UltraSky Marathon, the 45k Sky Marathon, and the 26k Sky 26’er. Feeling hardcore? Combine all of three and conquer the Grand Slam King of the Mountain Challenge. If you’re new to trail running, there’s also the Vertical Sky12, a tough (but relatively short) race that takes runners to an elevation of 1,106 metres over 12.5 kilometres. Kids can get in on the action, too, with the shorter 1.5k and 4.5k Kids SkySprints. Entry fees start at AU$75 (HK$415).
Spa Bliss
Flight Centre is giving spa fanatics the chance to enjoy a luxury spa escape at Fusion Maia, a boutique resort in Da Nang, Vietnam. At this bolthole on picturesque My Khe Beach, guests will enjoy a minimum of two treatments a day at the tranquil Maia Spa, a pampering haven set amidst lush tropical gardens, as well as complimentary activities like meditation, yoga and wellness workshops through the property’s Natural Living Program. The Fusion Maia Spa Package includes flights, four nights’ in a pool villa, transfers, breakfast and your choice of welcome amenity: fresh fruit, truffles, cookies or a healthy raw food treat. When they’re not being pampered at the spa, guests can also jump on the complimentary shuttle bus to explore Hoi An, where they’ll also have access to Fusion Café Hoi An and the use of bicycles. From $10,359 per person through July 31.