Elite Traveler Spring 2019

elite traveler SPRING 2019 91

DOURO VALLEY PORTUGAL

Wellness is about balance, and there’s no better way to unwind after a strenuous hike than with a glass of red wine. Surrounded by acres of vineyards and pristine gardens full of fruits, herbs and vegetables, Six Senses Douro Valley overlooks the Douro River, a Unesco World Heritage Site. Explore the pretty terrain by foot with a private guide (the hotel’s resident dog, Aqua, will more than likely join you) to learn about the history of the area and take a peek at the historic villages and farms nearby, then unleash your inner child with a visit to the magical forest — a towering century-old tree has a bell fixed high in its branches, so you can climb up to the top and ring out your success; the views over the valley are sublime. Back at the resort, be sure to visit the wine library for a tasting session of the best ports and wines or, if you’re a teetotaler, try your hand at brewing your own kombucha. Quinta Courtyard Suite from $1,080 per night. Contact Nick Yarnell, general manager, reservations-dourovalley@sixsenses. com, +351 254 660 600, sixsenses.com

GOINGUNDERGROUND ITALY Tucked away in the famous rolling hills of Tuscany you’ll find Grotta Giusti, a 19th-century villa that was poet Giuseppe Giusti’s former home. The hotel has a unique offering — a millennial thermal cave (Giusti called it “the eighth wonder of the world”). It is the only spa in the world that has an underground thermal cave and hot spring lake as part of its facilities; the grotto acts as a natural steam room and houses an underground hot spring lake where guests can have floating therapy, or scuba dive to explore what lies beneath. Be sure to try yoga in this most unusual location with a qualified instructor: Thermal yoga is practiced in the natural warmth of this underground labyrinth to amplify movement, aid concentration and raise body temperature. During the session, you’ll benefit from the therapeutic effects of the cave’s thermal vapors as they generate a steam bath that provides effective treatment for respiratory, circulatory, osteomuscular, nervous system and skin complaints. Junior Suite from $850 per night including thermal yoga. Contact Filippo Felloni, general manager, booking@grottagiustiapa.com, +39 057 290 771, grottagiustiapa.com

SLEEP TIGHT THE MALDIVES

If the soothing sound of the Indian Ocean waves don’t lull you to sleep, then One&Only Reethi Rah’s new sleep program sure will. The 90-minute Sleep Journey begins with an assessment in one of the sumptuous treatment villas to discover your sleeping patterns, from which a highly trained expert will create a bespoke treatment. You’ll learn breathing and visualization techniques to help relax your mind and release any tension, followed by a massage of the metamorphic zones of the feet and a full-body massage with hot stones and warm oil. The treatment is finished with a scalp massage using warm rose quartz crystals, which help clear the mind. After the treatment (if you’re still awake!) have a yoga session followed by a Bliss Bowl (a delicious combination of nourishing ingredients designed to aid sleep) before retreating to your villa. We recommend the exceptional Grand Sunset Residence with three en-suite bedrooms, private beach and 538-sq-ft pool. Grand Sunset Residence from $26,570 per night. Contact Jan Tibaldi, general manager, reservations@oneandonlyreethirah.com, +866 522 0001, oneandonlyresorts.com

Photo Mel Yates