Türkiye is the perfect destination to enjoy a wellness experience. Home to ancient healing centers such as Hierapolis and Pergamon, the global tourism hub has a longstanding history of wellness and rejuvenation. Türkiye’s wellness culture dates back thousands of years, but the country also has strong roots in the Global Wellness Day, which happens to be created and transformed into a globally recognized day by the Turkish wellness pioneer Belgin Aksoy. Global Wellness Day is celebrated every year on the second Saturday in June.
As the world is gearing up to celebrate the Global Wellness Day on June 11 this year, Türkiye stands out as a perfect destination to enjoy specialized treatments in spas, thermal springs, Turkish hamams, peaceful nature and yoga retreats. Here are couple of alternatives amidst the Global Wellness Day;
Heal and Rejuvenate in World-Leading Thermal Facilities of Türkiye
An unparalleled wellness tourism destination, Türkiye’s thermal resources rank 1st in Europe and 7th globally. Every year, hundreds of thousands of international visitors flock to Türkiye’s facilities where they enjoy the country’s thermal springs for almost 300 days in a year.
A famed thermal spring destination known as the capital of thermal tourism in Türkiye, Afyonkarahisar in the Aegean region offers high mineral content waters in Gazlıgöl, Heybeli, Ömer, Hüdai, and Gecek. These destinations’ thermal waters stand out with high levels of carbon dioxide, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, bromide, and fluoride and help heal skin diseases as well as stomach, kidney, and bowel illnesses.
Bursa, a historical city, located close to Istanbul, is known for its thermal riches. The former capital of the Ottoman Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Bursa hosts Çelik Saray, Kükürtlü, Karamustafa, Kaynarca, and Eski Kaplıca, whose waters reach 88 degrees and hold thermo-mineral properties. Thermal springs of Bursa are available not only at the baths but also in luxury spa hotels and hospital facilities. The spring waters are rich in magnesium and help heal rheumatic illnesses, neuralgia, stress problems, sports wounds, etc.
Located close to Denizli in south-western Türkiye, Pamukkale offers a wonderful sight of calcite travertines created by mineral waters. Built on the ancient spa city of Hierapolis and a vacationer spot for more than 2,000 years, this historical and natural wonder is home to three thermal regions: Sarayköy, Gölemezli and Karahayıt, all of whose waters are rich in iron and calcium.
Enjoy Traditional and Modern Wellness Treatments in Hammams and Spas
A phenomenon that has been around since Ancient Rome, Turkish hammams are an essential part of Turkish culture. A place of social gatherings in the Ottoman era, Turkish hammams of current times are frequented for a hot steam hydro-therapy which has many benefits ranging from relieving stress, cleansing the skin, eliminating toxins, and improving blood circulation to clearing the respiratory tract.
You can enjoy this relaxing and healing ritual in the historical hammams of Türkiye, in İstanbul and Bursa for instance, or in modern facilities that combine hammams with spa treatments.
In addition to the top-quality traditional hammams, Türkiye is home to great spa hotels. Spa facilities in İstanbul, Antalya, Bodrum, and İzmir employ innovative and integrative methods, offering a wide range of treatments amongst the authentic and natural assets of Türkiye. Seaside spa facilities offer seawater treatments that help heal cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and skin problems. Some of the notable spa facilities in Türkiye offer are massages, medicinal plants, aromatherapy, fitness, yoga, meditation, food supplements, personal care, and weight control.
Clear Your Body and Soul in Peaceful Retreats
A natural haven of turquoise seas, virgin beaches, and vast forests, Türkiye is the perfect destination for nature and yoga excursions. There are all kinds of options all over the country, ranging from spiritual and yoga retreats to organic farms and detox centers. Seaside resorts in Bodrum, Fethiye, and Antalya host yoga retreats in mountain valleys and charming villages where nutritionists and yoga experts await to help you clear your body and soul.
The Black Sea region of Türkiye is another standout for a nature retreat. The plateaus (yaylas in Turkish) of the exceptionally green destination offer many natural beauties such as waterfalls and mountains where you can have a spectacular forest bathing experience, rest and recharge.