No matter your religious leanings, there’s something undeniably therapeutic about breaking away from normal life and looking inward. Here are some of the world’s most rewarding places to do just that.
Many individuals escape the doldrums of everyday life by going on an island vacation, but soaking up vitamin D and sipping on a fruity cocktail on the beach isn’t the only way to de-stress. Here are some of the most noteworthy spiritual retreats across the globe.
Galgorm Resort and Spa in Northern Ireland
Galgorm Resort & Spa puts luxury first. The expansive 163-acre estate features 122 bedrooms, many overlooking the scenic River Maine. Furthermore, families and groups can choose from cottages and log cabins scattered throughout the grounds. The Thermal Spa Village is designed around the four basic natural elements: earth, water, fire, and air. Guests can engage in physical activity alongside spiritual engagement through Celtic sauna rituals, yoga classes, and Ireland’s first “snow paradise,” a Finnish-inspired room cooled to 5 degrees and covered in snow and ice.
Vana Malsi Estate in Uttarakhand, India
Mango and lychee orchards provide shade at this 21-acre wellness center that merges Ayurveda, Tibetan healing, yoga, and various therapeutic approaches. Upon arrival, a doctor tailors a personalized retreat for each guest, ensuring unique experiences. A meditation cave, shrine room, and spiritual study library serve to nourish visitors’ spirits. The sand-colored structures are sleek and modern, enriched with artwork, and are proudly certified LEED Platinum. Additionally, food served is organic and locally sourced, offering vegetarian, non-vegetarian, and vegan options.
Isha in McMinnville, Tennessee
For an Indian retreat experience closer to home, Americans need look no further than rural Tennessee. The Isha Institute of Inner Sciences offers both personal wellness retreats and organized meditation or yoga programs inside a stunning golden dome. Guests can try their signature “Inner Engineering” program devised by leader Jaggi Vasudev. The property features seven waterfalls and scenic trails, making it ideal for hiking enthusiasts.
Song Saa in Cambodia
If your concept of spiritual growth embraces comfort, one of 27 villas at Song Saa Private Island may be just for you. Here, guests can delve into Buddhist teachings and meditations amidst lush rainforest surroundings. You can arrange your own wellness itinerary through Song Saa, or collaborate with the boutique travel agency Full Circle, which offers a unique five-day mindfulness package on the island, complete with massage, bio-rhythms, bath rituals, and blessings from Buddhist monks.
Monastere des Augustines in Quebec, Canada
This 17th-century monastery-turned-wellness-center in Quebec’s old walled city once housed 225 nuns. Now, individuals visit to relax, unplug, take yoga and movement classes, and enjoy wholesome organic meals. The rooms feature original doors and antique furniture from the monastery. Guests can opt for self-guided retreats or take part in yoga or sleep rejuvenation programs, or even seek spiritual guidance from the last nine nuns in residence.
MesaStila in Indonesia
Set within a working coffee plantation, MesaStila encompasses a colonial railway station, tropical gardens, and abundant fresh mountain air. Guests have the opportunity to work with tabib, Javanese healers who utilize herbs to treat both body and spirit. Start your day with local herbal medicine called jamu, and finish it snug in a canopied bed within your sumptuous Javanese villa.
Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giravaaru
This resort offers 103 thatched bungalows alongside expansive beaches. You can unwind in your villa’s private pool or swim with magnificent whale sharks and manta rays in the Indian Ocean. Alternatively, enjoy Panchakarma, an intensive detox program grounded in Ayurvedic principles. For either 14 or 21 days, Ayurvedic physicians prescribe combinations of purgative therapies, alongside “reconnection rituals” that incorporate sound, massage, chakra healing, essential oils, bathing, and body therapies.
Springwater Center in Finger Lakes, New York
Springwater Center offers a silent retreat devoid of a rigid schedule. Plan your own stay or partake in one of the four annual Quiet Weeks. Guests may engage in a daily meditation schedule if desired. Participation in silence during specific hours and an hour of daily contribution to the retreat’s upkeep is all that’s required. The remaining time allows for wandering through forests and meadows, enjoying vegetarian meals, meditating, or meeting with spiritual advisors. The retreat welcomes individuals of all faiths and meditation traditions.
The Clearing Folk School in Door County, Wisconsin
Landscape architect Jens Jensen conceived this retreat to help individuals clear their minds by reconnecting with nature and one another. It’s particularly suitable for those who identify as “spiritual but not religious,” enabling participants to recharge by wandering through forests, appreciating the Green Bay shoreline, and engaging in yoga or knitting classes, all while enjoying family-style meals.
Etnikas Ayahuasca Retreats in Peru
For those desiring a chemical jumpstart for their spiritual journey, Etnikas provides ayahuasca retreats in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. A blend of nature, Peruvian shamanism, and the hallucinogenic ayahuasca plant promises a memorable stay. Etnikas brings 30 years of experience hosting ayahuasca ceremonies, complete with medical backup and an impressive Trip Advisor rating.
Temenos Retreat Center in McGregor, South Africa
Named after an ancient Greek healing temple, Temenos provides self-guided retreats or dedicated wellness weeks covering mindfulness retreats and silent retreats. Depending on your selected program, your stay may include yoga, meditation, walks in the renowned gardens, aromatherapy, South African flower essence readings, and vegetarian meals. Emotional transformation therapies and other therapeutic tools assist guests in releasing emotions, outdated beliefs, and patterns. Don’t overlook trying the lemon meringue pie during your visit.
Sunrise Springs Integrative Wellness Resort in Santa Fe, New Mexico
This 70-acre resort integrates nature-based activities, Eastern and Western healing modalities, and Native American teachings, helping guests discover deeper meanings in their lives. At Sunrise Springs, emphasis is placed on medicine, with doctors, nurses, and psychiatrists on staff. Additionally, this resort particularly highlights the mental health benefits of animal interaction by allowing guests to care for charming silkie chickens. Choose between one of 32 guest rooms or 20 private casitas.
Holy Mount of Grabarka in Poland
Since the Holy Hill is believed to have saved lives during an 18th-century cholera epidemic, people have trekked to Poland’s Holy Mount of Grabarka to pray for miracles. Pilgrims often navigate the hill on their knees while bearing offerings of votive candles and crosses adorned with their prayers. Peak season is in August when thousands attend the Transfiguration of Christ festival. Visitors usually arrange agritourism stays with local families or opt for accommodations in the pilgrim house. For a more luxurious option, consider the Eternite Spa and Wellness Center, located approximately 15 miles from Grabarka.
Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in Falls Village, Connecticut
Two hours from New York City, urban dwellers find solace in these 400 forested acres. This retreat offers the ideal environment to experience Jewish holidays, hike, pray, attend Torah Yoga workshops, or partake in meditation retreats, alongside delightful farm-to-table kosher meals. A glass-walled synagogue provides breathtaking views of mountains and a serene lake.
Quarr Abbey in Isle of Wight, England
Individuals visit Quarr Abbey for silence and spiritual guidance. This active monastery invites guests to engage in community life centered on Catholic church services. The abbey boasts tranquil grounds, a farm with pigs, and delectable cakes available at the café. Accommodations consist of 10 single rooms, provided on a donation basis. Visitors should be prepared for gender-specific arrangements, such as separate dining areas for men and women.
Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico
Set against the colorful cliffs and canyons of Ghost Ranch, guests can engage in an array of spiritual retreats. Topics such as spiritual memoir, sacred Tibetan art, women’s leadership, and soulful marriage make this Presbyterian-run center truly unique. Expect basic accommodations and an abundance of nature. The landscape may seem familiar; it inspired the renowned artist Georgia O’Keefe, who was one of Ghost Ranch’s most famous residents.
Shakti 360° Leti in India
Travel from Delhi via an overnight train to Kathgodam, where resort staff will greet you for an eight-hour car ride followed by a one-hour hike along a scenic mountain trail. Located at an elevation of 8,000 feet in the northern hill state of Uttarakhand, Shakti 360° Leti offers activities like trekking and picnicking, along with spacious rooms, private fireplaces, and elegant dining experiences.
