I’ve always had a hard time relaxing, especially when I’m traveling. I’m the person who wants to see and do everything, convinced that slowing down means missing out.
But after staying in places that embrace a slower pace of life, I’ve realized that rest is part of the journey. A spa treatment inspired by local traditions isn’t just time to unwind – it’s another way to experience a destination and understand its culture.
Stepping away for an hour doesn’t take away from your travels. It becomes part of them.
Just a note: While you’ll have plenty of free time to enjoy the spa treatments I mention below (and I highly recommend that you do), they’re completely optional – so they’re not included in the price of your journey.
Spas to experience with Roam By Tauck
Huka Lodge
New Zealand: North & South
The first thing you notice isn’t the spa – it’s the sound of the Waikato River and the lush greenery that surrounds the property. The experience at Huka Spa Wellness Grounds is rooted in the Māori concept of mahurutanga – a feeling of peace, security, and deep serenity.
Among the leafy gardens, you’ll find hot pools and private treatment rooms that create a secluded retreat within an already extraordinary escape. Every moment you take to yourself here encourages you to disconnect from the rush of everyday life.
Casa de Sierra Nevada, A Belmond Hotel
Mexico City & San Miguel de Allende
Inspired by San Miguel de Allende’s Laja River, Laja Spa draws on natural healing and holistic beauty therapies to create a deeply restorative experience.
In Mexico, rituals have long been a meaningful part of culture – a way to connect with nature, the universe, and oneself. At Laja Spa, that ancient sense of intention comes to life through treatments designed to purify, harmonize, and leave you feeling restored.
One&Only Cape Town
South Africa & Mozambique
From restorative facials to immersive full moon rituals, every treatment invites you to embrace a slower pace. The Garden Spa offers a peaceful sanctuary where you can sip herbal tea before or after your treatment, allowing the experience to linger.
Wellness extends beyond the spa. Whether it’s sunrise yoga on Table Mountain or an evening stretch beneath the open sky, movement is celebrated here as another way to reconnect – to the destination and yourself.
Borgo San FelicE
Florence & the Tuscan Hills
Here, the morning drifts across the vineyard before the sun reaches the olive trees. Treatments are personalized using skincare products tailored to your needs. Indulge in a signature Wine Therapy – a rejuvenating ritual that harnesses the natural properties of regional grape varieties, celebrating Tuscan traditions.
Carneros Resort and Spa
Golden Gate & Wine Country
Surrounded by Napa Valley’s rolling vineyards and peaceful countryside, Carneros Resort and Spa is a place where wellness feels connected to nature. Every experience reflects the tranquil beauty of the landscape.
Invigorating cold plunges offer a refreshing way to reset both body and mind. Every experience reflects the tranquil beauty of the landscape that surrounds you.
So… what makes me the spa expert?
Honestly? I’m still not one.
I still chase mountain summits, afternoon museum visits, and incredible meals. But I’ve learned that the trips I remember aren’t defined by how much i managed to fit into a day. They’re shaped by the moments that made me feel most connected to a place – and sometimes, those are the quietest ones.
Wellness isn’t about doing less. It’s about making room to experience a destination differently.
