HEALING HOLIDAYS - GLOBAL SPA & WELLNESS EXPERTS

The founder of Healing Holidays, Frances first recognised a new demand for wellness from luxury travellers over 15 years ago. Having lived through a personal bereavement and her own health issues, she was driven to seek out the best international medical practitioners and finest alternative wellness experts. The result was Healing Holidays, an industry pioneer that has since propelled her to becoming one of Europe’s leading wellness experts and named as Condé Nast Traveller’s Top Wellness Specialist. 

But most importantly, Frances knows how to listen. Her warm, straight-talking nature has made her the first port of call for those seeking wellness wisdom, and she understands that listening and working with a client is the key to creating a unique experience – with tangible results.

Klaudia has a real passion for all things sports, spa, and wellness, having studied physical education at university herself. Klaudia has been providing Healing Holidays with her expertise for over 6 years now, making her an expert in finding the perfect retreat for her clients. 

Favourite Spa: My favourite spa has to be SHA Wellness Clinic in Spain. The spectacular location with its stunning views of the Sierra Helada Mountains makes this a firm favourite for me. SHA offers a  wide variety of programmes, from Detox and Sleep Recovery to Fitness and Weight Loss and divine nutritional foods, making it the perfect location for improving your overall wellbeing. 

Favourite wellness experience: My favourite wellness experience would begin with breakfast to fuel for a trek through the mountains. After this, I would love to sink into a mud pool and hot spring bath, before enjoying an afternoon personal training session, followed by some swimming and then relaxation in the sauna. After enjoying a light dinner, I would then opt for a final spa treatment before heading off to bed. 

Where would you like to wellness next: I would love to wellness next at Six Senses Vana. This world-class sanctuary offers Ayurveda healing as well as traditional Chinese medicine and Tibetan healing and so I would love to learn more about these practices.  

Jessica has previously worked in luxury travel as well as retail and business travel. She is deeply passionate about wellness and loves the gym, yoga, hikes in nature and healthy eating.

Favourite Spa: Lefay Lago di Garda is my favourite Spa because it brilliantly combines a superb wellness offering with Italian glamour and stunning natural beauty.

Favourite Wellness experience: My favourite wellness experiences combine struggle with reward. I love climbing mountains and recently completed the 3-peak challenge in the UK. In my opinion, there is nothing more satisfying than pushing through the discomfort of a long strenuous hike or personal training session and then rewarding yourself with a pampering spa treatment.

Where would you like to wellness next: I'd like to head to India and and visit Ananda in the Himalayas. I love its stunning location in the foothills of the Himalayas and I’m also deeply interested in Ayurveda and Yoga. I would also like to put my hiking skills to the test and try the Hiking For Longevity programme at Palazzo Fiuggi.

Chris has worked for Healing Holidays since day one and has a wealth of industry knowledge which spans almost 30 years. A fan of all things wellness, he particularly enjoys seeking out and discovering new products and destinations to add to the company’s portfolio.

Favourite Spa: I am fortunate to have travelled to many of the world’s finest spas and wellness retreats, but the one I keep returning to is Chiva-Som. Often imitated, but never bettered,  it remains at the very top of the industry tree - always innovating and fine-tuning its treatments, programmes, classes and cuisine. I can happily book in there without being on a programme and will find enough classes and activities to keep me occupied and healthy, from early morning meditation to a late-evening stretch class.

Favourite Wellness Experience: My list of favourite experiences is a very long one, but I have a particular penchant for Thalassotherapy and anything water-based, whether it be a Watsu massage, an aqua-aerobics class, or a high-pressure jet massage.

Where Would You Like to Wellness Next: My eyes are always on a map, and my next trip is going to be Central America, to experience some of the new spas and retreats which are starting to open up in Costa Rica, (although I will always try to squeeze in a trip to Chiva Som…)

A fan of all things fitness and travel related, James loves spending his evenings in the gym and travelling to new places.

Favourite Spa: Six Senses Vana. I love its peaceful location and the fact that all the wellness programmes they offer are 100% personalised to your exact needs and requirements. There is nowhere else quite like it!

Favourite Wellness experience: I’m really into my fitness, so I love trying all the different classes available at the spas I visit.

Where would you like to wellness next: I would really like to visit SHA Wellness Clinic. I love how they combine natural ancient Eastern wellness philosophy with advanced cutting-edge Western techniques. It looks amazing too!

Angelica is a wellness enthusiast who combines her experience in luxury spas and travel with the holistic knowledge of Yoga, as she is also a certified Yoga teacher.

Favourite Spa: One of my favourite spas is definitely Euphoria Retreat in Greece, a very special wellness destination with the luxury of 5-star hospitality. I think this is a true place for healing and transformation, with authentic holistic treatments and engaging activities. I love how the team blends ancient Greek and Chinese Medicine with the latest scientific discoveries. The spa facilities are absolutely gorgeous, the pool is one of a kind, and the overall design of the buildings is extremely unique. 

Favourite wellness experience: I love a combination of breathtaking natural landscapes and a healthy routine, where I can strengthen the connection with myself through meditation, Yoga, fresh and balanced meals and personalised treatments to restore the body.

Where would you like to wellness next: I would love to visit Kamalaya in Thailand, a paradise for true wellness and healing. Everything about Kamalaya is so inviting: the beachfront location, the fantastic selection of group classes and the breath-taking spa treatments. No wonder why so many guests decide to go back year after year!

Lisa is a wellness and fitness enthusiast who is passionate about healthy eating, outdoor activities, meditation, and all things fitness, including Yoga, Zumba, running and weight training. She also loves exploring holistic wellness trends such as forest bathing, sound baths, and crystal healing. Alongside her 15 years of experience in luxury travel, Lisa has studied and has a deep understanding of nutrition, medical conditions and holds qualifications in adult care.

Favourite Spa: It’s very difficult to pick only one spa, but I would say that Palazzo Fiuggi would be right at the top of my list. Nestled within a private 8½ hectare park overlooking the medieval spa town of Fiuggi, it marries the deepest holistic traditions with the most advanced Western medicine and the very best facilities, allowing you to totally rewind and bliss out.

Favourite wellness experience: I could not choose just one particular wellness experience as I like to indulge in a mixture to improve my general overall wellbeing. Some of my favourite wellness experiences include Zumba, sound baths, Yoga, hiking, running, crystal healing and forest bathing.

Where would you like to wellness next: I would love to visit the legendary Ananda In The Himalayas in India. As well as its breathtaking setting, I love their holistic approach to wellbeing which incorporates various elements such as Yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, and spa treatments. It is a place where I feel I could fully immerse myself in a transformative wellness experience, to rejuvenate my mind, body & soul.

Joanne Woolley is a veteran in the travel industry and a seasoned traveller herself.

Favourite Spa: My favourite spa is Lefay Lago Di Garda in Italy. It’s a secluded mountaintop hotel with breathtaking views of the surrounding lake and mountains. I felt relaxed because of the fresh air, outdoor walks and the pampering in their huge spa. It was so nice to disconnect and be surrounded by space and nature. The low calorie diet food was very tasty and it looked appealing. At the end of my stay I felt really rejuvenated and at one with nature.

Favourite wellness experience: I really enjoyed the Tuina Energy Massage with cupping for the health benefits at Lefay Lago Di Garda. It stimulated my energy points and I felt so much better for it. The spa itself was huge and I felt very well looked after.

Where would you like to wellness next: I’m keen to see more of Europe or stay at some of the newer wellness retreats such as Zulal Wellness Resort in Qatar, which opened its doors in 2022. It seems to offer a wide range of activities fit for travellers of all ages.