Vacations have long been synonymous with relaxation and rejuvenation. But in 2025, travelers are strengthening those convictions, intentionally planning relaxing vacations that transport them away from everyday life.
Recent survey data published by TripIt showed that 81% of Americans travel to break free from routines and responsibilities. Nearly three-quarters (72%) want to unplug from phones and social media while traveling.
Related reading: More Americans Choose Relaxing Vacations Over Adventure Trips. The Reasons Why Might Surprise You.
Relaxation travelers—a subset of travelers who prioritize taking laid-back vacations that center on rest and recovery—are especially focused on detoxing from their day-to-day life. Nearly all want to disconnect (98%) and prioritize their health (97%) when they travel. Taking a mental health break (89%), getting a respite from work (82%), and spending time alone (80%) were among their top trip priorities.
These attitudes are giving rise to what’s known as wellness travel—trips that support one’s health and well-being, whether through physical activity, mind-body connectivity, like-minded community, or personal discovery.
Want to get in on the zen? Here are five types of wellness trips to try in 2025.
1. Find your stride on a fitness-focused getaway
While relaxation trips are more popular, only 34% of travelers feel that they need to choose between one or the other. Many choose to blend the two: 82% said they mix being active with downtime to recharge on a trip.
Sound like you? A fitness-focused getaway might be just the trip you need this year. And you’d be in good company. According to Accor’s 2025 Travel Trend Report, athletic adventures will be one of the biggest travel trends this year. Their data shows a 50% year-over-year increase in searches for workout holidays.
So, how do you get started planning this type of trip? First, consider what interests you. Is a yoga retreat, with daily yoga classes, meditation sessions, and mindfulness workshops, right for you? Or, maybe you’d prefer something more adrenaline-pumping. Consider a resort like Red Mountain Resort in St. George, Utah, that offers hiking, mountain biking, as well as a robust calendar of fitness classes and activities.
Active Escapes offers multi-day fitness retreats in nearly a dozen awe-inspiring locations. Think: group fitness classes, like boot camp-style or HIIT workouts, paired with water sports like stand-up paddle boarding and surfing.
2. Ditch your screens on a digital detox
While some travelers might resist dispossessing their devices on a trip—even at The White Lotus—others are eager for a break from their screens. If you fall in the latter category, consider a digital detox retreat: a trip where you put away your devices and focus on being present.
Not sure you have the willpower to power down? Consider booking a getaway to a hotel or resort with dedicated digital detox initiatives. The Urban Cowboy Lodge in the Catskills, New York, lets guests opt in to their “Unplug and Play” package. In return for their screens, they’re given a Polaroid camera and a list of device-free activities. Or, opt for a digital detox at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. There, your concierge unburdens you of your personal devices, as well as any screens in your room, helping you focus on being present with your travel companions.
Not ready to give up your devices for an extended period of time? Check out this beginner’s guide to taking a screencation.
3. Connect over shared experiences and community
You read it everywhere: the U.S. is experiencing a loneliness epidemic. So it’s little surprise that Americans are attracted to retreats that bring people together. In fact, of those who prefer adventure trips, 82% said the chance to meet others was a reason why. Gen Zers are especially keen to connect with people from different backgrounds—more so than older generations: 72% said they prioritize it when they travel.
Communal-focused retreats can center on shared activities, like yoga or hiking, as well as more curated experiences. Intrepid Travel, for example, offers multi-day small group tours focused on themes, like cycling, festivals, food, sailing, wildlife, and more.
4. Keep calm and go on a quiet vacation
If you’re like the 80% of relaxation travelers who look forward to spending time alone, a quiet vacation might be the right wellness travel trend for you. And even if you don’t want to be alone, per se, but still enjoy your quiet time, you might consider this type of trip.
Here’s why: hotels and resorts are responding in kind to travelers’ desire to unplug and destress. In addition to digital detoxes, some destinations are creating bite-sized opportunities for quiet time. At Rancho La Puerta in Baja California, Mexico, guests can opt for weekly, conversation-free meals. (Introverts, rejoice!)
Read more: How to Actually Relax on Your Next Vacation
Want more from a quiet retreat? Check out Quiet Parks International—they offer quiet experiences that include forest bathing in Portugal, yoga and hiking in Italy, and guided meditations in the mountains of North Carolina.
5. (Don’t) snooze on a sleepcation
Is all that calm and quiet putting you to sleep? That’s the idea for those who travel specifically to get better rest—what’s known as a sleepcation.
The health benefits of getting good sleep are clear. Getting quality sleep improves cognitive function (e.g., memory and problem-solving); reduces stress and anxiety; lowers the risk of chronic diseases, like heart disease and stroke; and boosts your immune system.
To reap these benefits, some travelers are booking sleepcations. In turn, hotels are outfitting their rooms with sleep-friendly amenities, like white-noise machines, sunrise alarm clocks, essential oils, and luxury sleep masks. Others are offering guests a more hands-on experience. In partnership with Headspace, World of Hyatt has launched an educational series to give guests tips on getting better sleep. The video series is available at more than 400 hotels worldwide.
