International Pilates Day: Five Pilates vacation destinations

With constant notifications, long working days, and constant screen time, modern life can easily leave us feeling burned out. It’s unsurprising that some vacationers are now choosing chilled-out retreats over five-star pampering or relaxing beach breaks. If a getaway centered around wellness sounds good to you, celebrate International Pilates Day by going on a Pilates vacation. This type of trip usually incorporates a restorative blend of movement classes, spa treatments, and relaxation. Here’s what you need to know and where to go.

International Pilates Day, celebrated on the first Saturday of May, is an annual celebration of the exercise system and its founder – Joseph Pilates. On this day, Pilates enthusiasts get together for free community events, classes, and workshops. The day aims to encourage a healthy, balanced lifestyle and to make Pilates accessible to all skill levels.

How better to celebrate the International Pilates Day than by taking your practice to the next level with a Pilates vacation? If this sounds good to you, first you need to work out what sort of Pilates vacation you’d like to enjoy. 

There are many ways to work Pilates into your vacation: You could go for an intensive retreat, completely focused on the exercise, opt for a more general wellness experience that incorporates Pilates, or just find a chilled-out corner of the world where you can practice for a while. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Pilates retreats

Who are Pilates retreats best for? Pilates fans looking to improve their practice.

On a typical Pilates retreat, you’ll have a structured schedule filled with exercise classes hosted by experienced instructors. This could look like a morning and an afternoon Pilates class, with time for relaxation, wellness treatments, swimming, and eating. There may also be complementary classes available, such as yoga. Small group sizes allow instructors to give individual guidance, helping them to improve during the retreat. 

Pilates retreats are typically held in a beautiful natural setting. Popular options include by the coast on Mallorca or the Greek islands, in a countryside setting like Tuscany or the Lake District, at a mountain retreat in the Swiss or Austrian Alps, or in a long haul wellness destination like Bali.

2. Wellness retreats

Who are wellness retreats best for? People looking for a holistic reset that incorporates Pilates. 

Wellness retreats aim to make you feel better in your mind, body, and soul – rather than just focusing on fitness. They generally incorporate a wide range of techniques, from Pilates and yoga to healthy meals, guided meditation, and spa treatments. Evenings are typically calm and social, with shared meals and time to relax. The aim is to bring guests out of their everyday routines to help them reset and rejuvenate. Much like Pilates retreats, wellness retreats tend to take place in natural surroundings. 

It’s worth noting that the level of Pilates that takes place in wellness retreats varies significantly from place to place, so—if Pilates is a priority for you—it’s worth checking you’re happy with the schedule before booking. 

3. Nature-focused retreat

Who are nature-focused retreats best for? Those who want to relax through reconnecting with nature. 

On a nature-focused retreat, the emphasis is on spending time in natural surroundings. The goal? To promote mental and physical wellness, and generally encourage guests to relax. You’ll generally find this type of retreat is less structured than the ones above, although the activities are usually similar – think walking, outdoor yoga and Pilates, swimming, and surfing. Again, these retreats are usually held in beautiful countryside, mountains, forests, or coastal areas.

4. Solo trip

Who are solo trips best for? Those who prefer to work on their Pilates practice on their own.

If you don’t find the idea of group activities relaxing, then why not opt for a solo Pilates vacation? After all, you don’t need a structured retreat in order to practice during a getaway. Just find a peaceful part of the world that appeals to you, and book a hotel or vacation rental. You might want to look for a hotel that hosts classes, or one with an extensive spa to complement your practice. 

The best Pilates vacation destinations are those that blend awe-inspiring natural surroundings with a relaxing atmosphere and quality instructors. And you don’t have to travel far to find them: Europe is home to some of the top Pilates vacation destinations in the world.

1. Madeira 

A “floating garden” in the Atlantic, the Portuguese island of Madeira, is home to fortified wine and its famous wicker toboggans. but here you’ll also find plenty of wellness-focused hotels perfect for a Pilates vacation. 

Sentido Galasol is located just a 20-minute drive from Funchal (the capital) and features a vast fitness suite complete with a Pilates studio that’s home to a peak Pilates reformer. You can also book private instruction here or complement your Pilates experience with time spent in the yoga studio, on the squash courts, swimming, or sea kayaking. There are also massage services and beauty treatments available. After a day of activities, return to your room to enjoy sea views from your balcony. 

2. Spain

Spain is a popular vacation destination thanks to its sunny beaches, delicious tapas, and culture. Did you know that Spain is also a top European wellness destination? Embrace this side of the country, and you’ll find plenty of dedicated Pilates retreats. 

Shanti Som is a holistic wellness retreat close to glamorous Marbella. Choose a Pilates retreat for daily Pilates, yoga, and meditation sessions, with optional extras including reformer Pilates and spa treatments. Other retreats here include yoga, detox, healing, and relaxation. Meanwhile, the on-site spa offers a long list of massages, body treatments, and facials, as well as holistic treatments. 

3. Croatia

It’s hard not to feel relaxed in beautiful Croatia. Here, you can stroll through gleaming marble old towns, swim on the sparkling Dalmatian coastline, and indulge in delicious local olive oil. This is a destination that lends itself to wellness. 

Masalina Resort, which emphasizes mindfulness, is on the north side of the trendy Croatian island of Hvar (around a one hour ferry ride from Split on the mainland). Guests can enjoy a private beach area, infinity pool, and balconies with sea views. The hotel offers several wellness packages based around your goals, including “restore and revitalize” and “active and energize.” Many of these packages include Pilates sessions alongside yoga, massage, personal training, and spa treatments. 

4. Greece

One of Greece’s most emblematic islands, Santorini, is known for its whitewashed buildings, cobalt domes, and spectacular sunsets. This is a high-end destination, and hotels here typically combine wellness with an island stay, rather than focusing solely on healthy living. 

Andronis Concept Wellness Resort is a five-star hotel with an enticing healthy lifestyle offering, including personal training and spa treatments. Its wellness activity menu includes yin yoga, tapping and breathing sessions, morning yoga flow, manifestation ritual, and a two-hour hike with a guide – all of which can complement your Pilates practice. 

5. Portugal

Portugal is renowned for Port wine, beaches, food hotspots, and ancient cities. But it also has a historic tradition of thermal spas, dating back around 2,000 years to when Romans developed bath complexes around Portugal’s natural hot springs. 

The Palácio Estoril Hotel, Golf & Wellness is a large five-star hotel with a wide range of wellness options, including a dedicated Pilates package. On a four-day Pilates Reformer Break, you’ll receive two private classes, one mat group session, a massage, and access to the gym and spa.

The benefits of your Pilates vacation shouldn’t end when you land back home. After dedicating time to your Pilates practice in beautiful, natural surroundings, you should hopefully come home stronger, with better posture and an improved skill set. But one of the best benefits of taking this type of trip is just the reminder that your wellbeing is important and deserves dedicated space in your routine.