Dietitians and Travel Experts Agree — The Next Trip You Take Should Be a Wellness Vacation
The buzzy travel trend promises you'll arrive home feeling rejuvenated, stronger, and more grounded than ever.
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If we ask you to imagine a trip souvenir, what comes to mind? Perhaps a postcard, a magnet, or potentially a piece of art or photo that captures a memorable moment from your journey. All of those are lovely mementos. But if you partake in one of the biggest travel trends of 2026, you may come back home with some new muscle cells, a substantial amount of motivation, and countless new habits that might make it possible for you to have a stronger, longer life.
More than four in 10 high-income travelers took a wellness trip in 2025, and 58% have one planned for 2026, the consulting firm Simon-Kucher found. And this trend shows no signs of slowing down. Worldwide, we collectively invested about $990 billion in wellness tourism last year. By 2035, that figure is expected to skyrocket to $2.4 trillion, according to estimates by Grand View Research.
Why the rapid rise? We’re burnt out. Surveys suggest that inflation, work pressures, health concerns, politics, and the news are all serious — and omnipresent — sources of stress and anxiety at home for many Americans. We’re also confused. Only one in four of us feel confident in knowing the steps we should take to care for our health, per a 2026 survey by Abbott Health and Kantar Analytics.
In lockstep with the increased demand, a growing number of hotels, resorts, tour companies, and cruise lines are introducing or expanding programming. Instead of checking off sightseeing spots to snap photos of and share on social media, these experiences allow travelers to check in, then challenge, educate, and rejuvenate themselves through workshops, healthy cooking classes, outdoor adventures, consultations, and more.
What Happens During a Wellness Vacation?
Over the course of the last decade, a growing number of individuals are "embracing a more authentic version of wellness. It’s not just about a spa-focused escape, a fad diet, or some other trendy quick fix," says Avery Hale, Chief Experience Officer for Backroads Active Travel Company.
Instead of a detox or deprivation-spiked sojourn, modern-day wellness vacations are holistic, immersive, and actually fun.
Imagine biking your way from Parma to Verona, Italy or taking part in chef-led cooking classes and savoring Amarone and Valpolicella wines steps from the vineyards in which those grapes were grown. You can do just that on one of Backroads’ new Active Culinary Tours. Or picture taking part in an immersive sound bath, touring an innovative and sustainable garden, then sitting down to a garden-to-table 5-course dinner (made with the same ingredients you just strolled past). This is your reality at Castle Hot Springs. Or visualize ziplining through vibrant forests in Mexico before stepping back on your Crystal Wellness at Sea cruise for an antioxidant-rich cooking class that will forever change the way you make guacamole.
"Wellness vacationers come from a wide range of backgrounds, but they share one common goal: they want to return home feeling better than when they left," explains Dalila Roglieri, the Bari, Italy-based Wellness Ambassador and Culinary Nutritionist for Crystal Cruises. "Some are already deeply committed to healthy living and see travel as an extension of their lifestyle. Others are simply looking for an opportunity to slow down, reset, and reconnect with themselves. We're also seeing more travelers prioritize experiences that support long-term wellbeing over traditional sightseeing alone. Rather than viewing wellness as a luxury, they're recognizing it as an investment in their physical and mental health."
At many wellness vacation destinations, "guests can be as active or as relaxed as they choose, creating a wellness experience that feels personal," explains Kevin Maguire, General Manager of Castle Hot Springs in Morristown, Arizona. "Many come looking to unplug from the demands of daily life and reconnect with nature, themselves and the people they're traveling with — or those who they meet. Many don't arrive seeking a traditional wellness retreat, but they leave feeling healthier and more restored because wellness is naturally woven into the experience," from how they move to what they focus on to how they eat.
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5 Benefits of Booking a Wellness Vacation
We totally understand if your idea of a getaway doesn’t involve getting up early for yoga at sunrise or taking advantage of a consultation with a dietitian. That being said, there’s a wide array of wellness vacation options available in 2026 (and beyond) — and taking part in even just a few days of one can leave a lasting impression. Here's why you might want to give wellness vacations a try:
It offers the opportunity for a reset.
With a packed itinerary full of transfers and to-dos, a fair share of travelers arrive home feeling like they could use a vacation from their vacation, notes Barry Patrick Shingle, Director of Guest Experience at Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, Mexico.
On the flip side, wellness vacations surround participants with nutritious meals, expert guidance, movement opportunities, restorative experiences, and a supportive community — all without distractions like errands, laundry, and constant text message notification pings.
"At home, we're balancing work, family responsibilities, and countless distractions. When you're at sea or at a resort, those pressures fall away, allowing you to focus on yourself without feeling like wellness is another task on your to-do list," Roglieri tells Food Network. "An immersive environment also encourages consistency. Guests might attend a morning movement class, enjoy balanced meals, participate in expert discussions on nutrition or longevity, and end the day with meditation or restorative stretching. Experiencing those practices over several days helps people understand how small, sustainable changes can make a meaningful difference and often gives them the confidence to continue those habits once they're home."
It fosters community.
The community helps, too. Scientists have found that lasting behavior change is often easier when you're surrounded by people who share similar goals. A fair share of wellness vacationers depart with a network of friends who continue supporting one another long after the vacation ends, helping reinforce the healthy habits they developed together.
"That's what creates lasting behavioral change rather than short-term motivation," says Julie Boyd, Chief Operating Officer of Hilton Head Health Wellness Resort and Spa on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
Human connection doesn't just enrich travel, but it can also help reduce stress, support emotional wellbeing, and even contribute to long-term health and longevity, Hale chimes in. It can also light a spark. One Backroads participant met her future husband on one of their wellness trips, and "together, they shared three decades of adventures, including many more wellness vacations. After he passed away from cancer, she returned to take a trip they had once planned together, this time with her son, as a tribute to her husband’s memory."
It teaches new habits.
From workout classes to hands-on cooking demonstrations to skill workshops (meditation or via ferrata, anyone?), these trips can equip you with the tools you need to pick up a new hobby, add a new healthy recipe to your meal plan, or build the foundation for a daily mindfulness practice.
"Many of our guests tell us they aren't looking for a temporary escape; they're looking for practical tools and refreshed mindsets they can bring home and continue using long after their stay," Boyd says.
To put this into perspective, Boyd points to Cathy, who walked into Hilton Head Health in 2023 with a hyperfocus on weight loss as the one and only measure of success. She dreaded each Monday, as that meant the start of yet another restrictive diet, all in an effort to see a smaller number on the scale. Throughout her week taking part in the metabolic health program (which targets food psychology, nutritional balance, and joyful movement), "Cathy’s perspective completely shifted. She discovered that better sleep, lower stress, increased confidence, and enjoying movement again were just as meaningful as the number on the scale," Boyd says.
It’s easy to personalize.
You need not arrive with any specific level of fitness, the industry experts we spoke to agree. You just need to be open about what you’re aiming to gain, be curious and open to trying new things, and willing to communicate what’s a comfortable level of challenge.
At Miraval Resorts, your visit begins with a conversation about the "why" behind your visit, explains Simon Marxer, the Tucson, Arizona-based Vice President of Wellbeing and Spa at Miraval. Here, the team creates a personalized itinerary based on your individual goals, interests, and starting point. With Backroads, you can opt for an e-bike, select a shorter path, or even ask for a pickup by a leader at any point you’re feeling too tuckered out to pedal any further.
"Wellness isn't one-size-fits-all, which is why wellness vacations like our Wellness at Sea Cruise emphasizes choice rather than obligation," Roglieri adds. "Our team encourages everyone to participate at a pace that's appropriate for them. Wellness should feel welcoming and inclusive, not intimidating."
The "souvenirs" are long-lasting.
Results vary, however, for an overarching look at what you might gain during a wellness vacation, consider these results from a spring 2026 Miraval Wellbeing Study:
- 62% report feeling less stress even 60 days post departure
- 95% note a strong sense of belonging
- Many point to significant increases in mindfulness, awareness, and self-efficacy (or the belief that they are capable of accomplishing a task or sticking to a habit)
"The greatest benefit from a wellness trip is often a shift in mindset. Individuals leave with practical tools they can realistically incorporate into daily life, whether that's improving sleep habits, making more mindful food choices, incorporating regular movement, or creating moments of calm throughout the day," Roglieri explains. "Many also gain a better understanding of preventive wellness. Rather than focusing on perfection, they learn that long-term health is built through small, consistent habits."
If you ask Hale, some of the most meaningful habits are also the simplest: getting outside, slowing down, and being present. "Those are things you can take with you long after a trip ends," she tells us.
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