If you’re feeling like you need to refresh your mind, get away from the usual stresses of life or simply recharge your batteries, then a vacation is the perfect way to do all of that. However, if you feel the need for something a bit different, something to really broaden your horizons, why not try a spiritual getaway? Here are some vacation ideas to inspire you on your own journey to self discovery:
Camino de Santiago, Spain
Steeped in spirituality, and based around a breathtaking hiking trail, the Camino de Santiago is one of the most popular pilgrimages in the world. Known in English as “The Way of St James”, it is now a very popular route for hikers and people with a range of faiths and spiritual beliefs to enjoy the picturesque scenery.
There are actually seven different routes that comprise the Camino de Santiago, all leading to the shrine of St James. The Camino Frances is the most popular, whilst the route that is considered to be the original one (Camino Primitivo) starts in Oviedo. There are numerous hostels and other types of accommodation along each route.
Bergslagen, Sweden
For serene peace and tranquility, head to Bergslagen for the lakeside yoga retreat in a wild forest. It offers Nordic nature at its very best, with no mobile phones in sight and the option to take rejuvenating swims in the lake. As well as group walks, yoga and meditation sessions are also available.
Holistic healing and healthy vegetarian meals are another way to get a spirituality boost whilst leaving the stresses of the everyday routine far behind you. Silent retreats are also an option, so if it’s a few days of peace and quiet that you’re after, this could be just the place.
Kho Phangan, Thailand
The ultimate spirituality destination for most people is Thailand and the Wonderland Healing Center on the island of Kho Phangan provides all kinds of healing methods. From detoxing, to meditation and yoga, there are plenty of different therapies to try. If you have recently experienced a difficult time in life, then a week at the Healing Center could help you to get back on track and give you some renewed vigor for life.
The center also offers an array of treatments tailored to suit your specific needs. If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous than yoga, why not opt for an acupuncture session or some holistic therapies. Set in a tropical environment, there are few places better to gain inspiration and heal your own life. For less relaxing and more partying, read this post.
The Machu Picchu Trail, Peru
If you’ve always wanted to visit one of the new seven wonders of the world, enjoy hiking and have a taste for discovering different cultures, then the Machu Picchu Trail could be your ideal trip. As well as all of the amazing experiences to unearth whilst exploring the landscape, you’ll also be able to learn more about the spirituality of the Inca people. Many ancient spirituality practices have endured, with meditation retreats and online psychic reading sites like TheCircle proving more popular than ever.
People are always searching for that much-needed insight into everyday situations, so why not discover other ancient forms of spirituality as part of an enlightening vacation? Many people who have walked the Machu Picchu Trail talk about the intense spiritual awakening that they experience.
Tibet, China
Tibet is well known around the globe for a number of reasons, including being the home of the Himalayas and Mount Everest. It is also renowned for Tibetan monasteries and Tibetan monks, whilst the stunning landscape in Tibet also makes it a great place to visit to take time out from a busy lifestyle to peacefully connect with your inner spirituality.
Places to visit include Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, which is a freshwater lake and is a pilgrimage site for Hindus, as well as being part of the Tibet spiritual retreat. Lhasa is another place of beauty to visit with some incredibly impressive monasteries and temples, including the Potala Palace which is certainly worh a visit.
Varanasi, India
Varanasi is the oldest city in India and is known as the spiritual capital of India. People travel here to bathe in the Ganges River, as it is said that the waters are sacred. There are some beautiful old sites such as the Alamgir Mosque, Durga Temple and the Tulsi Manas Temple that are worth a visit, with the Kashi Vishwanath Temple regarded as the most important temple in the city.
Fans of architecture will appreciate the Shri Vishwanath Mandir, which boasts the tallest temple tower in the world. Varanasi is a holy destination for Hindus and also has a lot of Buddhist connections, with Buddha having given his first sermon in Sarnath, just outside Varanasi.
Worried about what to pack? Check out this great article on what to wear in India.
The Dead Sea, Israel
Israel is another top destination for exploring spirituality with places like the Golan Heights where you can hike along waterfalls, and the Dead Sea which is widely regarded as a site for healing, treating illnesses such as skin rashes and arthritis. The Dead Sea’s shore is the lowest elevation in the world, some 1300 feet below sea level.
Around Tel Aviv and across Israel, you will find numerous wellness retreats including the Mizpe Hayamim Spa Hotel where you can experience mud body masks and massages. The Tree of Life retreat overlooks the Dead Sea and offers activities such as meditation, yoga, nature walks and you can also have a body cleanse detox or attend the spiritual fasting retreats.
If you can arrange to visit one of these great spiritual retreats or places with historical spiritual connections then you should get immense benefits and prosperity from a renewed outlook on life. However, remember that there are many spirituality options that are closer to home that can also help you with self-healing and taking greater control of your life. Why not start 2020 by finding out what spirituality can bring into your life, starting with some local yoga classes or meditation groups?
Wow, these destinations are so inviting…checking each of these now 🙂