Small fishing boats drift by golden pagodas and beaches of rippled sand. That’s the serene setting you might see here on the Thai island of Ko Samui. Of course, that’s only if you open your eyes between an Indian Kati Vasti hot oil treatment and a Thai massage at Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa resort. After those indulgences, enter the monks’ cave nestled between granite boulders. Stay a while by the small altar to breathe in the cave’s heady atmosphere alongside pictures of the Buddhist monks who meditated in this blessed space. That island tradition of self-discovery inspires the therapists who practice at the Wellness Sanctuary today, combining naturopathy, the Indian “science of life” practice called ayurveda, and full-body Chinese medicine analysis, incorporating acupuncture, herbs and more. In all, Kamalaya offers more than 70 treatments. Five-star cuisine custom tailored to the program you choose makes the experience whole. Just lie down and close your eyes. www.kamalaya.com
