The New Luxury is Stillness: ‘Calmcations’—The Travel Trend to Know

Life keeps getting faster. But here's the twist – travellers are hitting the brakes. Welcome to 'calmcations', where luxury meets letting go.

February 2025: Forget rushing between tourist spots or checking off bucket lists. These retreats are about something deeper: unwinding completely, switching off the phone, and giving the soul room to heal.

We’re seeing a real change in what people want from their time away. Gone are the days when a vacation just meant escaping the office. Now, more of us are looking for something meaningful – real connections with nature, with others, with ourselves. From forested Greek sanctuaries to riverside Asian wellness villages, these enclaves redefine what it means to recharge.

Euphoria Retreat, Greece – Hidden in the Hills

Tucked into the green folds of the Peloponnese mountains, Euphoria Retreat feels like stepping into another world. This special place weaves together ancient healing with modern wellness. Here, the boundary between nature and nurture dissolves. Highlights include:

• Wander through centuries-old pine forests for morning meditation and hiking.

• Be soothed by sound healing, yoga and mindfulness, weaving together Byzantine ritual and modern neuroscience.

• Flow through the day with transformative energy work, personalised emotional healing and holistic spa therapies. 

Programmes & Wellness Retreats adopt a holistic approach to health which helps to restore physical, emotional, mental and spiritual balance.   Rooms from £310 per night (374 Euros).  Programmes start from £1,034 (1,245 Euros) for 3 day 'Feel Alive Again'.

RXV Wellness Village, Sampran – A sanctuary for Holistic Healing

Just an hour from Bangkok, RXV Wellness Village is Thailand’s newest retreat for mindful healing, longevity, and reconnection with nature. Set amidst lush greenery, it is a serene wellness sanctuary, combining tradition and innovation for deep restoration for guests of all ages and stages.   Expect:

• A pioneering blend of Eastern & Western wellness practices for all ages, with family wellness  programmes for children over six.

• Immersive experiences, from forest therapy to meditation domes.

• Biohacking & longevity treatments for modern travellers.

3-night personalised programme (6 treatments credits) from £1208.

The Original Mayr Medical Resort, Austria – Silence, Stillness & Reset

Located on the crystal-clear Lake Wörthersee, The Original Mayr is a world-renowned holistic gut health  medical wellness retreat offering:

• Silent eating – a mindful dining experience to enhance digestion & focus.

• Lake swimming and daily hikes – reconnecting with nature’s natural healing properties.

• Full-body detox – comprehensive medical diagnostics and personalised health programmes for stress relief to gut health, personally tailored for total reset.

Seven Day Programme Pricing Per Person Excl. Accommodation (Euros) Detox &Gut Health £2,373 (€2,850) Diagnostic & Longevity £2,747 (€3,300). Accommodation from £233 (€280) per room per night (single room).

Four Seasons Resorts Bali – The Ultimate Digital Detox

Imagine an entire island falling silent for 24 hours. That’s Nyepi – Bali’s Day of Silence, and the Four Seasons Resorts invite guests to embrace this unique cultural tradition. Expect:

• Zero distractions – no WiFi, no TV, no flights, just pure stillness.

• Soul-nourishing rituals – guided meditation, storytelling & blessing ceremonies.

• Deep connection – a rare opportunity to reflect, recharge & renew.

  Prices for B&B double room from £883.

Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire – Where Wilderness Meets Wellbeing

This 3,000-acre historic estate in Yorkshire’s rolling dales has been lovingly transformed into a haven where healing comes naturally - whether wild swimming in the crystal-clear lake, breathing in pure forest air, or moonbathing in woodland pools under a star-studded sky. The raw beauty of this estate creates the space to roam, think, and just be. It’s proof that sometimes the deepest healing happens closest to home.  Highlights include:

• Guided stargazing sessions help guests find perspective – there's nothing like looking up at the vastness above to make daily stresses feel smaller. 

• Nature’s own medicine cabinet is well stocked here - including woodland saunas, forest bathing, ice bathing, and story-led nature walks by starlight, gently pulling participants into the present moment. 

• The Odyssey Trail is a 30km self-guided journey for mind, body and spirit embracing a fire temple, sweat lodge, and meditation labyrinth.

Holidays at Broughton Sanctuary start from £520 for three nights in a 1-bed cottage, on a self-catering basis. Add on the Wellbeing Bundle, a carefully curated programme of four rejuvenating experiences, for £70 per person.

*****

The beauty of 'calmcations' is how they strip away complexity. No packed schedules. No endless activities. Just space to breathe. These getaways aren't your typical escape – they're a chance to remember what matters: finding peace, being present, feeling whole again.

Some come for healing, others for rest. Many just need a pause from life's chaos. But each person discovers something similar: luxury isn't about cramming in more experiences. It's about having the space to fully live in each moment.