The highly anticipated World Wellness Weekend makes its return this year celebrating its fifth edition taking place on 18th and 19th September. It will welcome wellness seekers and lovers to its dedicated global pro-bono event. During that weekend, thousands of wellness, sports, tourism and hospitality professionals will open their doors to the public, offering free 60-minute activities, classes, workshops with the aim to connect people through wellness activities, following the local safety measures.
What is World Wellness Weekend?
The World Wellness Weekend is a non-profit event aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (Good Health & Well-Being For All). With the belief that Social Prescribing is truly a catalyst to promote healthy lifestyle choices, the celebration connects communities and educates them on the ‘Five Pillars of Wellness’:
- Better sleep to increase creativity
- Better nutrition to strengthen immunity
- More movement to enhance vitality
- Deeper sense of mindfulness to enjoy serenity
- Heightened sense of purpose to share more solidarity.
Since the launching of the event in 2017, the programme has been active in Europe, the US, Asia and the Americas. World Wellness Week is supported by more than 60 Federations from across the world, supporting its efforts for growth. Aiming to deliver top quality experiences, the World Wellness Weekend is committed to connecting communities across different borders.
The event takes place each autumn just before the September Equinox showcasing the expertise and passion of wellness and fitness professionals with the support and guidance of the local ambassadors, motivating local communities to be more active, more often, with family and friends.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic
The pandemic has severely affected key aspects of life such as sleep, lifestyle, diet and mental health for many around the world. However, despite the Covid-19 related difficulties, the World Wellness Weekend has grown steadily with more and more participants. Last year, the imposing quarantine and lockdown measures around the world created a shift in our mentalities, making us think more about our wellbeing and driving us to take action. As a result of that, last year, the World Wellness Weekend was celebrated by 1,123 venues in 543 cities in 109 countries, from Argentina to Zambia, helping people to discover more opportunities for wellness at a time of need. As of today, 1,380 venues are listed on the Wellness Map and appear in 131 countries (943 cities).
This year, the World Wellness Weekend will be present in 133 countries and over 1,500 venues in total. In Europe, wellness lovers can participate in the event in the United Kingdom. Ireland, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Greece, Croatia, Netherlands, Romania and Norway. More than ever before, the World Wellness Weekend has come at a time where many across the world can allow themselves to find serenity and vitality.
Top European highlights this year:
- France: There will be a variety of ‘bathrobe’-only experiences in 18 cities in Auvergne, nordic walk and wine tasting in Alsace, yoga sessions with 70s music in La Grande Motte, a ‘Wellness by night’ event in Agen, while doctors and nurses will be taken care of in Paris at Ecole Catherine Sertin.
- Italy: The olympic Val di Fiemme will host a yoga festival, close 15km of road for family biking, open the Observatory and prepare wellness meals with a Michelin-star chef; guests in Tuscany will experience sound baths and yoga on the lagoon, while in Milan there will be many fitness events including Wanderlust 108, a wellness beach in Alassio, a Wellness district in Torino and a Festival for living well in Forli
- United Kingdom: All Aqua Sana Spas (Center Parc) will participate, as well as iconic Corinthia London, Jumeirah Carlton Tower
- Norway: Thanks to the International Sauna Associations, the participants will have a plethora of opportunities to experience a Sauna session at Farris Bad, Soria Moria, Lily Country Club or Pust Tromso for a Sauna & Northern lights experience
- Greece: There will be yoga sessions with Caldera views in Santorini and sea views in Mykonos with Katikies Spa, an online guided relaxation with philosopher Alkistis Agio, outdoor events in iconic resorts such as Six Senses and Euphoria Retreat
- Portugal: 13 Satsanga Spas and 3 Mandalay Wellness & Spas across the country with host workshops, alongside the acclaimed Six Senses Douro Valley Spa, Corinthia Lisbon, InterContinental Lisbon, Sublime Comporta Country Retreat & Spa…
- Belgium: Visitors will be immersed in fitness activities at Martin’s Spa, thermal spa experiences and a sound journey at Spencer Handpan Academy,
- Netherlands: There will be meditation workshops and self-massage techniques
- Croatia: Guests in Opatija will join a free Nordic walking tour along historical trails and promenades…
