The healthiest holidays aren’t always found in wellness retreats and luxury spas. In recent months, I travelled and found wellbeing in three separate corners of Europe, not just in traditional spa treatments or detox programmes.
In Cyprus, I rediscovered a passion I thought I had left behind. In Lithuania, I learnt the value of slowing down and reconnecting with nature. And in Switzerland, surrounded by mountains, forests and fresh alpine air, I found a sense of physical and cognitive balance.
Regular readers may remember my article on my wellbeing trip to Georgia, where I discussed some of the health issues I had been dealing with. Since then, things have thankfully improved and, physically at least, I feel great. Whilst doctors are still investigating a few things, I knew these upcoming trips would help me mentally. These trips gave me something positive to focus on for my wellbeing.
The Blank Canvas of Paphos
Here is a fun fact: I studied Fine Art for my Bachelor’s degree. I eventually specialised in videography and video editing; however, I painted from primary school through to my first year of university. After university, I had painted sporadically, but I hadn’t picked up a paintbrush for 13 years. That all changed in Paphos, Cyprus.
Of course, I enjoyed exploring the destination itself. From the renowned Aphrodite’s Rock and the Tombs of the Kings to a stroll around Paphos Fishing Harbour, there was plenty to admire. Yet, none of those experiences became the highlight of my trip.
Instead, it happened when I sat down in front of a blank canvas. When I picked up the paintbrush and stroked the canvas for the first time in 13 years, a wave of familiarity washed over me, like riding a bike. Suddenly, everything came rushing back: the muscle memory, the concentration and the rhythm of painting. From an early age, renowned French painter Claude Monet was one of my inspirations, and I found myself returning to a Monet-esque style of brushwork almost instinctively.
Regulating the Nervous System, One Brushstroke at a Time
When I asked school art teacher and master’s art therapy student, Emily Hardy, based in Sheffield, why I felt so mentally at ease when I was painting again, she explained, drawing on her observations and experience as a teacher working with traumatised kids and, before that, people living with dementia. “Repetitive movements in art can regulate the nervous system, which in turn helps with everything: regulating mood, processing trauma, and clarity of thought. Also, deep concentration that can sometimes feel like a meditative state or reaching flow state, which is just excellent for the spirit all around.” Hardy explained.
She also noted that art can help people process difficult experiences whilst developing resilience, experimentation and confidence.
I had always found painting to be my way of escaping during my teens; even after school, I would stay back until late to paint. So, having had the chance to paint again, I found it deeply therapeutic and a grounding experience. More than anything, it reminded me of a part of myself I had almost forgotten.
Ironically, of all the things I experienced in Paphos, Cyprus, this was the absolute highlight of my entire trip. Although there were excellent spa facilities at the Constantinou Bros Asimina Suites hotel I stayed in, it reminded me that sometimes the things that help me most are not the newest discoveries, but a passion I once left behind.
Wellbeing Starts at the Departure Gate
As I prepared to leave Cyprus for my next adventure in Lithuania, I was mindful of keeping stress levels to a minimum. One thing I’ve learnt travelling for 20+ years is that wellbeing doesn’t begin when I arrive at a destination. For me, it starts the moment I leave home. To make the journey easier, I booked an overnight stay at the Hampton by Hilton Stansted Airport through Holiday Extras before my early-morning flight. Rather than worrying about oversleeping and the taxi fare, I was able to start the trip feeling rested and relaxed.
Like Cyprus, I had never visited Lithuania before, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. What surprised me most was the beauty of the Baltic coast and the sense of calm that came with it. Experiencing the dunes of the Curonian Spit, exploring the coastline around Palanga, or spending time in the wetlands near Šilute, I was surprised by how at ease I felt. From there, I headed to Birštonas, near the capital Vilnius, which would become the centrepiece of my wellness experience in the country.
Immunity, Circulation, and the Secrets of Baltic Amber
This surprised me, but birdwatching, something I used to joke about, turned out to be incredibly calming. It came during a peaceful boat trip on the Baltic Sea in the West and became one of the most relaxing experiences of the trip. From that, heading into what was impressive: Lithuania’s amber sauna. I found this both in Atostogu Parkas in Palanga and during my stay at the Medical SPA Egles Sanatorija in Birštonas.
Amber is commonly found in the country in various forms, including jewellery, and I discovered its history at the Palanga Amber Museum, which is set in a beautiful botanical garden. When I used the sauna, the treatment seemed to help my breathing and provided a welcome sense of relief for my lungs. Other health benefits I experienced were helping suppress inflammation, boosting immunity, and enhancing my blood circulation.
Magnesium and Mindfulness
I’m usually afraid of heights, but in Birštonas, there was a peaceful hot-air balloon ride over the town at sunset, which was simply divine. The colours in the sky were a sight to behold. That rush of feeling I got is always great for the mind and body.
At Vytautas Mineral Spa, a top 5-star resort, I received a soothing massage along with a magnesium rub, which is primarily used to target aching muscles, reduce stress, improve sleep quality, and enhance overall skin hydration. This treatment was something new for me. Once they rub it on you, they leave you for 20 minutes to let the benefits take effect, and I actually snoozed because it was so comforting.
I also had a private boat ride on the Nemuna River, which was supremely relaxing. For anyone looking for a wellness retreat, Birštonas is known as a spa town with great walking paths. Whether I was birdwatching in the Baltic Sea in Western Lithuania, floating above Birštonas in a hot-air balloon, or taking in the surrounding nature, it was the opportunity to slow down.
Arriving in Alpine Paradise: Crans-Montana
After Lithuania, the final stop on my wellbeing journey took me to Switzerland, and I arrived in the stunning, luxurious alpine resort of Crans-Montana. Having another early flight, I once again decided to minimise travel stress by booking an overnight stay through Holiday Extras, this time at TRIBE Manchester Airport.
Now, talk about paradise, Crans-Montana really was it. Renowned for its skiing and golf, this trip was made even more beautiful by the wonderful family-run, three-generation boutique hotel, B&B, and SPA, Art de Vivre. It was so peaceful, complete with a heated outdoor jacuzzi and my balcony facing the breathtaking Valais Alps, making it an unquestionably ideal place to relax.
Yoga at 1,500 Metres
With an altitude of over 1,500 metres, there were many highlights of my time in the mountains. The one that jumps out straight away is my yoga session with Louise Lounes from Temple du Prana, where the trees surrounding us were the focus. I’ve been doing yoga on and off for 13 years, and had a decent one on my trip in Cyprus with a group. But, as this was on my own, it was one of the best since my time in Rishikesh, India, in 2018. Ironically, where Lounes learnt her craft, and how we connected.
What’s amazing is that spending time in a tree-filled environment offers significant health benefits. When I spoke to renowned TV personality and British explorer, Levison Wood, about his book on the importance of trees in January 2025, he informed me, “In Japan, under their national health service, doctors prescribe people to head into the trees for the mental wellbeing, known as Shinrin-yoku, which is forest bathing.” Wood explained to me that trees release pheromones and airborne chemicals, and that inhaling them enhances our immune function.
Forest bathing has also been shown to significantly lower cortisol levels (stress hormone), reduce blood pressure, and alleviate mental fatigue. Apart from Lounes being a brilliant teacher, it was no wonder my vinyasa (known yoga move) felt amazing, as the surrounding trees seemed to amplify the sense of calm.
An Invigorating Alpine Finale
To complement that quiet stillness with a bit of high-altitude energy, I took a guided, day-long e-bike tour with the Swiss Ski School. Coasting along the beautiful mountain trails was extremely pleasant, and this was the third trip in less than a year in which the e-bike played a significant role in my mental state. I had the freedom to explore the alpine scenery without the physical exhaustion, also stopping over to unwind by the beautiful Crans-Montana Sports Center overlooking the tennis courts, which is another haven spot for me, as I’ve been playing for 30 years, and it’s one of my happiest places on earth to be.
Between the restorative energy of forest yoga, the invigorating mountain trails on my e-bike and the fresh alpine air, Crans-Montana left me feeling energised and mentally refreshed.
Recognising What the Mind Already Needs
Looking back, each destination gave me something different, but together they formed a clearer picture of what wellbeing actually means to me right now. In Cyprus, it was the simple act of picking up a paintbrush after 13 years and rediscovering a part of myself I thought had been lost. In Lithuania, it was learning to slow down, whether through birdwatching, time in nature or moments of complete stillness. And in Switzerland, doing yoga surrounded by trees, mountains, and fresh alpine air, I found the balance amongst movement, mindfulness, and relaxation.
I’ve never believed wellbeing has to be structured or prescribed, and it certainly doesn’t require a spa menu or a retreat itinerary. Most of the time, it’s simply recognising what we already need and allowing ourselves permission to go back to it.
DISCOVER:
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Shebs Alom is a highly respected, award-winning broadcaster, writer, and podcaster. Major media outlets, including the BBC, The Express, Marriott Bonvoy and Travel Weekly, have featured Shebs’ work and commentary. He is dedicated to inspiring a more representative and thoughtful approach within the sector
