Those looking to connect with inner strength, stability, or a sense of groundedness, may find Mount Shasta an inspiring place to visit.
Wellness travel is traveling to maintain or enhance your well-being, and the industry is nearing a trillion dollars in valuation this year. According to the Global Wellness Institute, people are heading to spa resorts and yoga retreats in droves with hopes of healing, growth, and spiritual enlightenment.
After compiling data from Yelp, AllTrails, and more, VacationRenter created a comprehensive list of the world’s top healing destinations, finding that the top three healing destinations are Venice, CA; Berkeley, CA; and Scottsdale, AZ. Those who travel to heal often report career improvement (40%), more intimate relationships (38%), and an increased sense of purpose (35%) after returning from their trip.
The study found that California is a true standout in the wellness travel industry, with the Golden State home to the top two cities for healing – Venice, and Berkeley – based on all categories, including yoga studios, hiking trails, naturopaths, and wellness retreats. Similarly, states with coastlines appeared to have an advantage, with four of the top five states for spiritually “well” residents – California, Texas, New York, and Florida – providing access to an ocean, a gulf, or both.
The study also looked at the best places for health and wellness activities and found that, depending on the healing activities you prefer, some locations may be better for your journey than others. For example, if yoga studios help you find your bliss, you’ll have the most options in Venice or Berkeley, both located in California. If hiking is your thing, Moab in Utah was the top destination for hiking in the United States, likely due to the beautiful red-rock trails of Arches National Park. And, if you’re interested in identifying and treating an illness, two Arizona cities – Chandler and Scottsdale – have plenty of naturopathic physicians to choose from.
There are also many international destinations with healing properties. For example, Saturnia in Italy has gained the most search volume attention in the past year, and for good reason – the Waterfalls of Saturnia in the Tuscany region contain sulfur and thermal plankton, which are said to possess healing properties for those dealing with skin, digestive, and circulatory ailments.
Finally, the study looked at connecting to Earth’s energy vortices and found that, just as the human body has specific energy centers, so too does Mother Earth. And, traveling to these places could help you focus on specific chakras and find better balance. For example, the root chakra frequency is most closely associated with Mount Shasta in California. It’s regarded as the root of the Earth’s energy which regulates universal life. Those looking to connect with inner strength, stability, or a sense of groundedness, may find Mount Shasta an inspiring place to visit.
