winter 2015

Few places in the world live up to the phrase “you can have it all,” and Vancouver, British Columbia is that rare exception. It’s hard to believe that this gem of a city, with its temperate climate, is actually surrounded by snow-covered slopes dipping into beautiful marinas below. Vancouver is one of the few places in the world where it’s possible to ski in the morning and sail in the afternoon.

There are travel companies, and then there is explora. Specializing in journeys that take travellers to the remotest South American landscapes, explora promises meaningful escapes tailored to every kind.

At first look, New York City might not seem like the ideal spot for a wellness getaway – it’s fast and frenetic, more concrete than green, and bursting with indulgent dining options. Ask a local, though, and you’ll hear that living in this high-octane, competitive environment makes it more important than ever to find balance.

Eating healthy in the summer is a no-brainer; markets are bursting with farm-fresh produce and the long, hot days beg for light, fresh, veggie-filled meals. But when old man winter comes a-knockin’ so, too, does the desire for carb-laden, calorie-rich, comfort foods. Take these simple tips and tricks into consideration to keep your good health in check all winter long.

You’ve likely transitioned your clothes, shoes and make-up for the cooler weather, so what about your skin? As your largest organ, the skin is a window into everything that’s going on in the body. Your skin also works hard by providing a critical immune-defense barrier, so be sure to give it proper attention this winter.

Naturopathic Doctors have a unique philosophy regarding healthcare that, whenever possible, focuses on treating the root cause of disease. Although sometimes it is important to treat the symptoms – particularly pain – we do so while trying to understand the reason the pain exists in the first place.

Can increasing your connectedness to nature have positive psychological and biological effects? According to mounting scientific evidence, yes. But while it’s easy to get in touch with Mother Nature in the summer months, how do we keep it up through the winter?

Over the last year, new projects and partnerships in sustainable tourism have set the pace for a promising 2016. From new ecotourism trails in Trinidad and Tobago, to a 100% solar-powered hotel in Dubai, there has truly been a global push for responsible travel and a commitment to sustainability.

Voluntourism – a combination of travel and volunteering – has been around for many years, but, of late, the tourism niche appears to be gaining momentum and the travel industry is doing its part by making philanthropic opportunities more easily available to travelers.

In every issue, we ask wellness travel experts, contributors and partners how they stay healthy and calm when they travel. This time around we’ve got advice on everything from jet lag to running shoes.