Health & Fitness Travel: Wellness Trips In Paris & Istanbul

From state-of-the-art wellness centres to tranquil meditation retreats, there are all kinds of ways to help you feel fantastic as you travel, but a few destinations are a cut above the rest. Today, we're taking a look at two very different cities that offer a wide variety of health and fitness travel opportunities: Paris and Istanbul.

Paris

Widely regarded as one of the most romantic cities in the world, Paris is a great destination for some health and fitness travel in 2018. The French have a world-renowned relationship with food, surely the perfect accompaniment to any healthy holiday. Whether you're looking for the chance to unwind with a relaxing massage, or to indulge in some energy-boosting gastronomy to complement an active, sport-filled routine, there's plenty on offer:

Best massage:

Cities as cosmopolitan and thriving as Paris usually play host to an assortment of luxury spas and wellness centres, offering a wide selection of massages. Depending on your needs, there's plenty to choose from.

For a top-tier foot massage in the French capital, pay a visit to the world-class Thai masseuses at Ban Sapai. Using a 3000 year-old technique that's been heralded in Thailand as restorative to the whole body, this 2-hour indulgence is sure to sweep you off your feet.

For a more familiar experience, head out from your luxury home in Paris to the spa at the Mandarin Oriental. Offering a range of massage treatments designed to aid everything from jet lag to the strain caused by digital devices, this luxury resort is a top-tier experience that wellness trippers simply have to try.

Best luxury gym:

If, during your stay, you value the chance to continue your exercise routine (or even if you're just looking for a unique fitness experience), there are a number of luxury gyms to visit. From the youthful, vintage-styled and ultra-slick mezzanines of Klay, to the original top-tier Parisian Gym Ken Club, there's something to suit everyone with a passion for exercise, and a taste for the exquisite.

If you're planning on making a visit to a luxury gym in Paris, the best choice may well be the star-studded and ultra-high-end L'Usine. With a member list that includes names such as Scarlett Johansson, Kanye West and Clint Eastwood, you're in good company here. With access to an abundance of high-tech equipment including Cybex bikes and Woodway running machines, along with some of the best facilities and coaches in the city, it's easy to see why this mecca of fitness is so popular among the elite.

Best places for running:

If you prefer the outdoors to the indoor environment of a gym, then Paris is still a top health and fitness destination. The city is beautiful, particularly in the early hours of the morning, and there are plenty of routes and locations to change up the terrain and present new challenges.

If you prefer to avoid roads (and traffic), any one of the many parks in the city can make the perfect running track. The Tuileries Garden, with its naturally looping circuit around its multiple large fountains, makes a particularly great spot. For the more masochistic runner, a larger space such as the picturesque Bois de Boulogne in the 16th arrondissement may be a better fit.

Best Yoga & Meditation:

There are plenty of hotspots in Paris if you enjoy a session of yoga, or the chance to practice meditation under the guidance of a world-class instructor. The aforementioned Ken Club provides daily passes for 290 Euros, and offers classes in a variety of yoga techniques, including Hatha and Vinyasa.

For an equally exclusive (but slightly more extravagant) experience, you could book the Royal Detox at the Royal Monceau. This is a yoga class with a rather opulent twist. You'll enjoy a light lunch or breakfast at the Michelin-starred 'La Cuisine' or the Royal Monceau's own Bar Long, before taking part in an hour long session taught by the yoga master at the hotel - one of only a few buildings in Paris with a 'palace' designation. Your choices include Power Yoga, Anusara, Vinyasa, and Ashtanga, and will be capped off with a Clarins Body Contour Wrap.

If you happen to have left your yoga mat (and matching spandex) at home, you could opt for a meditation class - one of the most popular health and wellbeing trends in recent years. For flexible meditation classes and courses, the Centre de Méditation Kadampa Paris offers a comprehensive range of sessions, courses and retreats for all skill levels. Classes are held citywide throughout the week, meaning you can pick a session that's convenient for your schedule.

Alternatively, for a more traditional Buddhist experience during your stay, you could opt for the immersive Buddhist Centre Paris. This traditional centre, a member of the Karma Kagyu League of Tibetan Buddhism, holds guided meditation sessions in English every Sunday, at 6.30pm.

Istanbul

Turkey has a longstanding relationship with wellness, and in particular the 'hammam'. This Middle Eastern variant on the steam bath was available to all classes and statuses, helping to cement its place in Turkish history and culture. As the most populous city in Turkey, Istanbul is a fantastic place to enjoy this tradition for yourself - and there are plenty of other energising experiences to enjoy, too.

Best Hammam:

The aforementioned Hammam is arguably the must-try health and wellness experience during a trip to Istanbul. For first-timers, however, the variety of options can be a little overwhelming - and the experience of a public bathhouse is more than a little daunting.

There are many high-end hammams in Istanbul, with luxury hotels such as Raffles Istanbul providing guests with private access to these baths in their spas. These can be a great option, but for a more authentic experience, you might consider something like Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamami.

With advance booking required, this 16th century hamam was constructed by the legendary architect Sinan to serve the Ottoman military, and features one of the most breathtaking designs in the city. An original, large domed roof, exposed brickwork, and entirely natural light create an immersive ambience, as you're treated to one of the finest hamam experiences in Istanbul.

After enjoying a glass of homemade sharbat (a sweet drink made from fruits and flower petals), you'll let your body acclimatize to the hammam by lying in their heated marble room, and then enjoy an exfoliating body scrub from your attendant, and a bubble soap wash. You can even opt for an additional massage, too.

Best luxury gyms:

If after a hammam treatment (or two) you decide to indulge in some exercise, then there are a number of gyms you can attend in Istanbul. One of the most popular high-end gyms in the city is Mars Athletic Club; its three sites offer some of the best equipment and training facilities in the city, with a monthly paid membership. Unless you're able to negotiate a visitor's pass, it may be better suited to a longer stay.

When it comes to the finest exercise opportunities in Istanbul, however, the shining example is the fitness centre at the Ritz-Carlton. Fully equipped with state-of-the-art Technogym fitness machines, the centre is open to paying guests. It even includes an assortment of aqua facilities, including a terraced outdoor swimming pool and Jacuzzi, a jet pool, and a heated indoor swimming pool. The centre is open every day between 7am and 10pm.

Best outdoor activity:

With average temperatures in Istanbul varying between the 10s and 20 degrees C during warmer months, the city has the perfect climate for those looking to escape comfortable accommodation, and to discover the great outdoors. With breathtaking architecture just one of myriad sights to explore, Istanbul is the perfect destination for an active outdoor experience.

While the city may not be typically associated with cycling, taking in Istanbul from the saddle of a bicycle is one of the best ways to combine sightseeing with sport. Istanbul On Bike, founded in 2012, offer a wide variety of guided bike tours that see you visiting everything from the Golden Horn (close to where Galata, our luxury apartment in Turkey is located) to the magic of the Old Town, the wonders of Sultanahmet, and the historical peninsula of Istanbul. The half-day tours are all led by multiple guides, ensuring you know exactly where to go, and helping you get the most out of your exercise and the city.

Best Juice Bar:

With so much delicious and exotic Turkish cuisine to sample during a stay in Istanbul, it can be very tempting to put aside thoughts of a healthy diet in favour of things like a delicious, freshly made baklava. This shouldn't leave you feeling too guilty however, as those who appreciate the value of a healthy travel experience will be able to counter temptation with a visit to one of the city's finest juice bars. Istanbul has welcomed the detox phenomenon with aplomb, and a few bars particularly stand out.

With a successful range of full detox programs (6 to be precise), Juico emerged as one of the early pioneers of the benefits of the concept in Istanbul, and their offerings are still some of the best in the city. Whether you opt for a home delivery of one of their 6 cleanse programs, or visit their bar in Sarıyer, their products are a fantastic complement to a health and fitness focussed travel break.

Alternatively, if cold-pressed juice is more appealing, you could pay a visit to Jüs Istanbul's bar in Cihangir. Founded in 2014 by Aylın Erman, who made her name working in organic juice bars in the U.S, Jüs is the perfect place to enjoy an organic pick-me-up - and they even serve healthy food, too.