14 Destinations to Recharge and Recover Emotionally
With the recent loss of my dad, travel has been a huge part of my emotional recovery. We used to love traveling together as a family, so now when I travel it helps me feel closer to him.
Some locations feel like they were meant for healing emotionally and help get your mind off being sad while at the same time processing your feelings.
For me, some of these places have been the mountains, the sea, and places where spirituality is strong. Here are the 14 best destinations for emotional recovery.
1. Bali, Indonesia
Bali is also known as “The Land of Gods” because of its unlimited amount of beauty. It has everything from white sand beaches, crystal clear water, volcanoes, rice fields, and lots more. Whether you are looking to do a spiritual retreat in Ubud (the spiritual capital of Bali) or hike up an active volcano, there are so many options for whatever stage of healing you are currently in.
Living here is also super cheap, so if you need to get away for a few months and focus on yourself, there are private villas with pools you can rent for less than $1,000 a month. There’s also cheap fresh food, incredible Hindu culture, and lots of expats you can surround yourself with, so you’re not alone.
2. Chamonix, France
Something about the mountains gives you a different perspective of the world and life. Chamonix is a little mountain village that lies in the shadow of Mont Blanc, the tallest mountain in Western Europe. You can choose to spend your days staring up at the huge mountains that surround you or hike or take a gondola to the top of them.
This area has thousands of miles of trails, so you can hike your worries away or come in the winter to experience some of the best skiing in the world. Either way, this is the outdoor capital of the world, so if this is how you process your emotions, then come to Chamonix.
3. Northern Vietnam
The entire area of Northern Vietnam is a great place to escape from reality and be on your own. One thing that Northern Vietnam is best known for is the Ha Giang Loop. It’s a motorcycle route that takes you to the mountains on winding roads with incredible views of the valleys below and rice terraces that dot the hills. You can rent a motorcycle or motorbike in Hanoi and start your journey from there.
If this doesn’t sound like something that interests you, then you can stay in Hanoi at one of the many wellness retreats. They have yoga, fitness, spiritual, and even detox retreats, to help you re-find yourself while going through the steps of emotional recovery. Vietnam is also a cheap place to stay, which makes escaping everyday life a little easier.
4. Tulum, Mexico
Tulum is a beach paradise in southern Mexico. It’s the place where all the health and wellness Instagrammers go and for a good reason. There are so many retreats and resorts where you can relax, take in views of the jungle, take walks along the beach, and become one with nature.
The people who live in this area of Mexico are some of the kindest and most welcoming people you’ll ever meet, which makes for a great atmosphere for going through hard times.
5. Everest Base Camp Trek, Nepal
If you want something that will challenge you and let you access that raw emotion that you need to heal, then do the EBC Trek. The hike itself is not too difficult, but the extreme elevation of the hike is what will get you. The hike finishes at Everest Base Camp at an altitude of 17,598 feet.
When my wife and I did it, I thought I would have no problem doing it since I am a runner, but as soon as I got to 13,000 feet I got so sick I could barely walk. I was able to finish the hike, but it just about killed me. I literally gave it everything I had and when I finally reached base camp, I knew that I needed to be helicoptered back down. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but man, it felt good to push myself and finish something so difficult.
6. San Diego, USA
This is one of the top vacation destinations in the world. The mild weather, amazing beaches, and great food make it the perfect place to focus on yourself and your recovery.
One of my favorite things in San Diego is going to Torrey Pines beach, finding a parking spot that overlooks the ocean, and enjoying the endless ocean views. There’s nothing more peaceful. Then, you can walk on the beach along the cliffs and walk for miles.
If you’re looking for good food, go to any “hole-in-the-wall” Mexican restaurant and treat yourself to some of the best food in the world. Maybe this makes me feel happy because Mexican food was my dad’s favorite, but I’m pretty sure that a good Al Pastor taco would make anyone feel a lot better.
7. Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a great place to go because it has a strong spiritual community, some of the best beaches in the world, and dense jungles where you can be alone with nature. If you’re a surfer and love just bobbing in the water, waiting for the next set, then Costa Rica is the place for you. Surfing is also a great form of meditation that lets your mind relax and focus on the task.
There are many emotional healing and recovery retreats all over Costa Rica, but if you want to stay at a great hotel, head to The Retreat Costa Rica – Wellness Resort & Spa. It’s just outside of San Jose (the capital of Costa Rica that you fly into) and is the perfect place to get pampered, eat well, and do yoga.
8. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Thailand is another one of my favorite places in the world. It’s a great place to travel if you are looking for a longer, budget-friendly trip where the most expensive thing is the flight there. Chiang Mai is well known for its mountains, Buddhist temples, and fantastic markets.
When my wife and I lived here for three months, we made it a goal to get a massage at least once a week because you could get an hour of Thai massage for just $5! Massages are a great way to relieve stress, boost immunity, and relieve muscle tension, all of which help you heal.
9. Oahu, USA
Hawaii is heaven on earth. I couldn’t name a more beautiful place if I tried. Oahu is the main island of Hawaii and has all the amenities you would need to be comfortable while literally being in paradise.
The south of Oahu is where all the high rises and fancy 5-star resorts are, but if you’re looking for a chill vacation with incredible beaches and a true Hawaiian vibe, head to the North Shore. You’ll find secluded beaches, huge waves, and great hikes here.
10. Kyoto, Japan
Kyoto is everything that you imagine Japan to be. There are little wooden houses (machiya), Buddhist temples, and many parks and open spaces where you can relax and enjoy nature. Also, traveling just south of Kyoto to Nara, you can see the bowing deer! The deer in Nara gather at Nara Park and will walk right up to you and bow if you give them a little treat. It’s the cutest thing you’ll ever see.
I would describe Japan in two words: calm and organized. This makes it the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of America and be in a country that runs the way that countries are meant to.
11. Pacific Crest Trail, USA
This 2,650-mile trail is one of the world’s most famous long-distance hiking trails. It goes from the Mexico/America border up to the Canada/America border and passes through California, Oregon, and Washington.
Many people who have experienced loss have hiked this trail to clear their minds and reap the benefits of being in the great outdoors. This trail usually takes hikers around 5 months to finish, but you could also split it up into different trips.
If you haven’t seen the movie or read the book “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail,” then you need to. It does a great job of talking about the loss of her mother and how she decided to hike the PCT with no prior hiking experience. It’ll make you laugh, cry, and is just a great movie for people going through the loss of a loved one that will give you hope for the future.
12. Rishikesh, India
Yoga anyone? Rishikesh, India is known as the yoga capital of India and the birthplace of yoga. It’s in Northern India, just a 4-hour drive from India’s capital, New Delhi (which is a place I would not recommend going to for emotional recovery). This little mountain city is right on the Ganges’ banks, India’s most sacred river.
Rishikesh is a vegetarian-only and alcohol-free city, so it’s a great place to detox from the average American diet. You can choose to practice yoga at a traditional center for yoga and meditation or you can book a class outside on the bank of the river.
13. Lourdes, France
I first heard about Lourdes while watching the “Down to Earth with Zac Efron” show on Netflix. After watching it, I knew I needed to go. This city is at the base of the Pyrenees Mountains in France and is very Catholic. People around the world do what’s called a “pilgrim’s journey” to get to this little city famous for miracles.
If you believe in miracles, Lourdes has 70 recorded miracles recognized by the Catholic church. These miracles are caused by the city’s drinking water. It’s said that if you drink the water at the Sanctuaire Notre-Dame de Lourdes, you’ll be healed from any medical problems.
14. Camino de Santiago, Spain
Last on the list is another pilgrimage called the Camino de Santiago. This is an actual trail that starts in France in the city of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, traverses Northern Spain, and finishes in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The trail is 500 miles long and takes about 30 days to complete.
On this pilgrimage, you’ll pass through lots of little towns and churches along the way, and each night, you can stay in a hostel where only people on the trail can stay. This allows you to bond deeply with the people you’re hiking with as you hike together during the day and sleep together at night. If you’re feeling lonely after the loss of a loved one, do this hike, and you’ll make friends that will last a lifetime.
