As seasoned travel enthusiasts increasingly desire experiences that leave them feeling mentally refreshed post-trip, luxury resorts are drawing inspiration from the arts to offer curated workshops aimed at mastering the art of being well.
From custom wine blending in Mendoza, Argentina and Mandala Coloring in Mexico to an interactive sensory awakening tour in Rome – these immersive experiences not only cultivate creativity but also unlock the healing potential of engaging in creative acts.
SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites (Mendoza, Argentina): Custom Wine Blending and Tasting Experiences
The heart of Argentine luxury beats SB Winemaker’s House & Spa Suites, pioneering winemaker Susana Balbo’s first foray into hotels, located in the famed wine region of Mendoza, Argentina. Travelers can enjoy learning and playing with their senses while tasting the best Argentinian wines curated by Susana and her family. Guests can partake in a custom wine blending experience at the property, allowing visitors to create their own personalized wine blend under the guidance of expert winemakers. The process includes tasting different varietals, learning about the nuances of each, and blending them to craft a unique wine. This experience not only enhances the understanding of winemaking in a distinctive way, but also offers a form of self expression through the art of learning a new skill and creative outlet.
Up Norway: Wittgenstein-Inspired Workcation for Creatives
Up Norway, the leading curator of sustainable luxury travel experiences in Norway, offers a Wittgenstein-Inspired Workcation. Recognized as one of the greatest thinkers of the 20th century, Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein sought inspiration amidst the Norwegian fjords, spending significant periods of his life in the remote region of Skjolden in a wood cabin away from the complexities of urban life and academia. Wittgenstein’s legacy is arguably more relevant than ever as his cognitive semantics research serves as a foundation for today’s artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, such as ChatGPT. UpNorway’s newest concept takes travelers through the same serene landscapes that once fostered the philosopher’s insights, inviting total wellness, cultural enrichment, philosophical exploration, and creativity. The journey includes a host of enriching experiences such as forest bathingand a private harbor fjord sauna session to self reflect on the water among others.
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit (Riviera Nayarit, Mexico): Mandala Coloring Teambuilding Activity for Groups
Groups meeting at the AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit can participate in the meditative and creative cultural practice of Mandala Coloring. Taking place in SE Spa, this 60-minute activity will be presented by a spa valet. First the meaning and history of the mandala will be explained, followed by a relaxation activity and then the coloring of an oversized design for the team. Coloring mandalas has numerous benefits for the brain, helping develop mental abilities, inducing a state of calm and decreasing anxiety and depression to make attendees more tolerant and understanding. This activity also is considered a spiritual ritual that facilitates an interior illumination and activates the two hemispheres of the brain, developing cognitive abilities and aiding in concentration. This psychotherapy technique is recommended both in the therapeutic field as in art therapy and as an individual and group relaxation technique. Healthy snacks and spa water will be offered during the activity. At the end, participants will be given a small mandala as a gift for a take away. Other mindful breaks at the resort include a dreamcatcher workshop, aromatherapy and even a workshop to create one’s own mandala in a bowl of water with flowers. Other resorts in the Velas Resorts portfolio offer mindful creative workshops like creating traditional Mexican hand fans among the fruit and herb trees at Casa Velas, dreamcatcher weaving, and sunhat painting.
Adriatic Luxury Hotels (Dubrovnik, Croatia): SupetART Interactive Artist in Resident program
Adriatic Luxury Hotels owns and operates a diverse collection of the finest seaside hotels and villas in Croatia. A monthly rotation of both local and national artists, the collection’s SupetART program transforms Hotel Supetar’s communal spaces into a month-long interactive pop-up gallery. Curated in partnership with esteemed Croatian art consultancy agency SHPIGL, the exhibition provides a platform for travelers to engage with artists and immerse themselves into Croatian culture. Each event kicks-off with an opening reception and informal discussion with the artist, providing guests with a built-in opportunity to actively engage with the local artistic landscape and leave inspired. Inspiration fuels wellness by igniting creativity, a cornerstone of the “art of being well.”
