We live in a society that's relentless and unforgiving. We’re expected to do more and more, and do it all faster than ever before - rarely do we switch off. But 2023 seems to be heralding a change. An emergence of me-time, self-care and mindfulness. And I’m sure we can all agree it’s long overdue.
British Airways recently revealed that up to 50% of holidaymakers respond to work emails, and even undertake work tasks during their annual leave. So it’s no surprise that demand for escapes far away from the hustle and bustle of the everyday grind is on the rise. In fact, the more we understand the importance of taking care of our mental and physical health, the more we prioritise taking time out.
If you collect Avios, using your points and a reward flight finder to pay for BA reward seats can help reduce any financial strain amid rising household bills. By opting to use a Reward Flight Saver for your seats you use more Avios and pay less cash on fees and taxes - with some routes requiring just £1.
As well as save cash in the process, whether the priority is already thinking about next summer, or an escape from the relentless routine of your day-to-day, there's a great variety of Avios destinations where you can embrace time-out. Here are some of our favourites, that you can find on our reward flight finder.
Ibiza, Spain
Ibiza isn’t just tequila shots and megaclubs. Over the last decade it’s evolved from a clubbers’ paradise to one of Europe’s biggest health hubs. And being just a short plane trip away from the UK, it’s an easy journey to make for much-needed downtime. This gorgeous island in the Med offers traditional, bohemian inspired activities including yoga, sound therapy, massage, meditation and even creative art therapy. It's a must-visit destination for those seeking empowerment and spiritual growth.
In Ibiza Bay you’ll find the Nobu Hotel, which houses its very own wellness retreat. Super luxurious, with a sweet avant-garde twist, you’ll be able to immerse yourself in a range of holistic experiences designed to relax and revive you. They specialise in Decompression Sessions, where you can learn special techniques to help you re-focus and reduce feelings of being overwhelmed - an attractive proposition for anyone with a hectic lifestyle. Ibiza Retreats is a celebrated organisation with two locations on the island offering customised and dedicated retreats for families, groups and even businesses. Mindfulness activities, planned out specifically around each visitor's needs include hammam massage, dune treks, breath-work and weaving meditation.
If you’re ready to embark on an elemental journey to rediscover yourself, Economy reward seats are 11,750 Avios each way off-peak, and you can get Business Class Avios reward seats for 20,000 points.
British Airways
The Maldives
The epitome of a luxury getaway, the Maldives sits right at the top of many traveller bucket-lists. Nestled in the Indian Ocean, it’s a totally unique destination, utterly blissful and isolated. Visitors can unwind on silky white sands, swim with sharks and float above the clouds on a parasailing trip across the islands. Given its reputation for indulging visitors with lavish experiences, it’s no surprise that this place has a number of individual wellness resorts for you to choose from. Most resorts offer world-class spas with exotic treatments that take inspiration from ancient healing traditions, wellness gurus, Ayurvedic therapy, fitness facilities, massage and rejuvenation treatments.
A visit to the Hurawahli Island Resort gives guests an opportunity to relax their mind and reconnect with your senses. The Resort prides itself on the techniques it teaches visitors to maintain their new-found balance when they return to their daily life. At the Duniye Spa you’ll learn new and innovative ways to soothe your soul, including sound healing sessions, aromatherapy, contour rituals and footprint therapy which health experts hail as one of the best ways to stimulate blood and lymphatic flow, bringing you a new lease of life and boosting your energy.
If you’re ready to recharge your batteries and open your mind to new discoveries, according to our reward flight finder, off-peak you can get Business Class reward seats for 90,000 Avios each way. If you’re willing to travel in Premium Economy seats, you can book them from 47,500 Avios each way.
British Airways
Costa Rica
Costa Rica boasts exotic beauty and a laid-back atmosphere, making it a perfect destination for a spiritual escape. Wellness resorts can be found hidden within rainforest enclaves, surrounded by thermal hot springs and jaw dropping scenic walks. The resorts here focus on purity, a simple life, free from heavy burdens. Visitors here are encouraged to take things slowly and refill their cups, taking time to rejuvenate themselves for their return to the real world.
The Retreat Wellness Resort sits on a crystal quartz mountain, created by best-selling author and life coach Diana Stobo. Described as a “nature inspired, holistic healing oasis”, visitors can expect a wealth of facilities that nourish your mind, body and soul. Diana has developed a celebrity inspired dining experience based on healing nutritional principles, as well as spiritual programmes, yoga classes, rainforest hikes, Ayurveda natural medicine and detox.
Bosque del Cabo is an eco resort offering vast ocean views and 750 acres of forest reserve. You’ll be sharing your stay with a range of year-round residents, including macaws, monkeys and sloths - an animal lover's dream come true. It’s a resort that caters for more active wellness tourists. Visitors can hike along trails to isolated, paradise beaches, and if you want to get your heart pumping, you can rappel down rocky cliff faces on organised trips. You can also book onto surfing, horseback riding, snorkelling and tree climbing excursions.
If Costa Rica sounds like the ideal Avios destination to unwind and escape the worries of day to day life, you can get off-peak Business Class reward seats for 90,000 Avios each way. If you’re willing to travel in Premium Economy seats, you can book them from 47,500 Avios each way off-peak.
British Airways
Iceland, Reykjavik
Iceland is known for its magical, healing geothermal waters. And self-care is considered high on the agenda for Icelanders across the country, so you’ll find plenty of places to indulge yourself away from work, school runs, meetings and Zoom calls. Slip into the ethereal lagoons, across a landscape of brilliant white powder mountains, feel your muscles relax, and your worries melt away.
The Blue Lagoon Retreat Hotel opens up an exquisite world in which you can stop the clock. Peaceful and serene surroundings provide wonderful opportunities for you to unwind. An award-winning resort, with Michelin-recommended dining, you’ll find a private lagoon and subterranean spa to pamper yourself and benefit from some much-needed me-time. In this heavenly mineral-rich waterscape you can soak your worries away in the lava coves and visit the Ritual chambers, where you can cover yourself in silica, algae, and minerals to rejuvenate your skin. There are massages and beauty treatments galore, you can even renew yourself with a floating massage in the warm waters of the lagoon itself. The soothing pressure and hypnotic release unlock tension, stress, and fatigue, restoring peace and harmony to your mind and body.
If you’re looking to combine relaxation and sightseeing, the Icelandair Hotel Reykjavik Natura is a city centre gem. It’s close to a number of natural attractions, including the sweet little village of Skerjafjordur, Oskjuhlid and Nautholsvik urban beach, which also has an artificial hot spring. Guests at the hotel can access the Nature Spa, which houses a pool, sauna, whirlpool tub and fitness centre, as well as a wide range of beauty treatments and massages using the Bowen technique - a holistic, hands-on therapy which works on the entire body, rather than focusing on a specific condition or body part.
If you’re ready to immerse yourself in opulent holistic experiences with postcard-perfect views, you can get Economy Avios reward seats for 13,750 points each way off-peak. If you want to make every element of your trip a luxurious one, according to our reward flight finder, you can book Business Class reward seats from 24,250 Avios each way off-peak.
British Airways
Japan
For travellers with a passion for ancient, spiritual practices, there’s no better destination than Japan. Over many centuries, the Japanese have developed a wealth of techniques and traditions for promoting inner peace, good health and quieting the mind. Zazen meditation is used to clear the mind of distractions, allowing you to focus on your goals, whilst time-honoured traditional tea ceremonies (or chanoyu), rooted in the principles of Zen Buddhism, allow a moment of contemplation and reflection. Onsens, thermal hot springs found throughout Japan, are revered for their natural power to boost blood circulation, relieving the body of fatigue, pain and stress. The country is also known for its practice of healing Shiatsu massage, a form of bodywork using figure pressure to manipulate the body to alleviate muscle stiffness and digestive problems.
The Hitsuki Sun and Moon Club nestles at the base of Mount Fuji, just under 2 hours away from Tokyo Airport. The owner is a doctor, so wellness of the mind and body is strongly entwined with mother nature. Residents here can participate in guided nature walks, saunas, evening bonfires, sessions with Spiritualists, massage and medicinal baths. If you’re a fan of more active pursuits, you can book onto exhilarating hikes to the top of Mt Fuji, where you can look out over the majestic views of Lake Kahone and the bamboo forests below.
British Airways
A 2-hour journey on the Shinkansen Bullet Train from Tokyo brings you to Kyoto, one of the most recognised health travel destinations in the world. Kyoto itself is home to many a calming sensory experiences. You can walk through the iconic Sagano Bamboo Forest, relish the gentle whispering of the bamboo swaying in the breeze, visit the atmospheric ancient temples or make a stop at a traditional teahouse.
The Aman Kyoto Wellness Resort has a reputation for serenity and elegance, using ancient Japanese practices to wrap you in the sanctuary. Surrounded by magical Japanese gardens and ethereal forests, guests can enjoy a wide range of treatments that aim to bring you peace and serenity, such as Shinrin Yoku (forest bathing), restorative outdoor yoga, Shiatsu massage, visits to the natural hot springs and luxurious spa treatments.
If the serene natural surroundings of Japan sound like your ideal escape, you can get Business Class reward seats for 100,000 Avios each way off-peak. If you’re willing to travel in Premium Economy, you can book Avios reward seats from 50,000 points each way off-peak.
To make finding your perfect Avios reward seats stress-free, use our Availability Calendar to see availability up to a year ahead. You can also sign up for our tools and set up Alerts, and we’ll notify you when your seats are available. That way you don’t need to spend time searching the BA website again and again.
