Sacred journeys: discovering spiritual wellness and travels

The Amalfi Coast's spiritual heritage stretches back over a millennium, where ancient maritime republics served as crucial links between European Christianity and Byzantine traditions. This dramatic coastline has drawn pilgrims, mystics, and seekers for centuries, with its soaring cliffs and azure waters inspiring countless souls toward divine contemplation.

In this heavenly landscape, where each rock and body of water has a Greek origin story, the spiritual and mythological intertwine naturally. The famous Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) offers a 7km mountain trail at 630 metres above sea level, where legend says the trench was cut into the earth by the gods as they stampeded down from heaven to save Ulysses from the mermaids' song.

Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel occupies a 13th-century Capuchin monastery, where the Franciscan tradition of simplicity and prayer created spaces designed for spiritual reflection. The region's deep Catholic roots manifest in hidden chapels carved into cliffsides and monastery gardens where monks once cultivated both herbs and inner peace. The nearby Cathedral of Sant'Andrea houses relics of the apostle, whilst this coastline remains a place where the boundary between earthly beauty and spiritual transcendence dissolves naturally.

Mauritius's spiritual landscape reflects its fascinating history as a crossroads of cultures, where Indian indentured labourers brought Hindu traditions that flourished alongside the island's diverse religious communities. This unique heritage creates a tapestry of faiths where temples, churches, mosques and shrines coexist harmoniously across the island.

From Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort & Villas, travellers can explore this rich spiritual diversity, with Grand Bassin standing as the most spectacular Hindu pilgrimage site. Hidden away in the mountains, this peaceful crater lake is surrounded by statues of gods such as Shiva and Durga, reflecting the deep Indian spiritual connections that bind Mauritius to the subcontinent.

The site becomes particularly moving during Shivaratri, when almost half a million worshippers gather in devotion, creating one of the largest Hindu festivals outside India. This profound display of faith demonstrates how Indian spiritual traditions have taken root and flourished in this island paradise, creating lasting connections between Mauritius and its ancestral homeland.

Known as the Island of Gods, Bali offers profound spiritual travels through its thousands of temples and deep-rooted Hindu traditions blended with ancestor worship and animism.

For water purification experiences, the peaceful Gunung Kawi Sebatu Temple offers intimate Melukat rituals guided by local priests, where smaller crowds allow for meaningful ceremonies away from tourist masses. Yet spirituality in Bali extends far beyond temple walls – the emerald rice terraces of Ubud naturally inspire walking meditation, where each step through the ancient Subak irrigation system connects travellers to the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, the harmony between humans, nature, and the spiritual realm.

These sacred terraces honour Dewi Sri, the Goddess of Rice and Fertility, with small shrines nestled amongst the fields where farmers offer daily prayers for bountiful harvests. At Tegalalang and Jatiluwih rice terraces, travellers can witness this harmonious blend of agriculture and spirituality, experiencing the tranquillity that comes from walking through landscapes blessed by centuries of reverent cultivation.

Traditional healing centres offer Balinese wellness practices rooted in spiritual tradition, whilst less touristy temples like Goa Gajah provide serene environments for contemplation. At Uluwatu Temple, dramatically positioned on soaring cliffs, sunset visits offer breathtaking backdrops for reflection whilst traditional Kecak fire dance performances weave spiritual storytelling into mesmerising art. From both Anantara Ubud Bali Resort and Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort, travellers can explore sacred sites where mountains, rivers, and forests are revered as spiritual sanctuaries.

India's spiritual traditions run deepest in Rajasthan, where Anantara Jewel Bagh Jaipur Hotel provides access to diverse practices beyond temple visits. The city's magnificent architecture creates natural spaces for reflection, whilst authentic spiritual travel experiences range from ancient worship to traditional healing arts.

The serene Birla Mandir stands as a masterpiece of white marble artistry, where intricate carvings dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi inspire quiet contemplation. Ancient temple ruins at Gadi Sagar Lake offer a mystical setting where crumbling sandstone structures reflect in still waters, creating an ethereal atmosphere perfect for meditation. At the vibrant Govind Dev Ji Temple within the City Palace complex, the atmospheric Mangla Aarti morning prayers create profound spiritual moments rooted in centuries of devotional heritage.

Galtaji Temple offers a unique experience where natural springs flow through sacred water tanks nestled into the Aravalli Hills. Known as the "Monkey Temple", this site demonstrates how spirituality harmonises with nature. Beyond temples, Jaipur offers spiritual walking tours through the Pink City's ancient streets, traditional astrology readings that connect seekers to India's cosmic wisdom, and meditation practices in historic gardens where maharajas once found inner peace.

In Thailand's vibrant capital, Buddhist temples and Hindu shrines are woven into the urban landscape at every turn. Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel sits at the heart of Ratchaprasong, where seven sacred Hindu shrines create a spiritual roadmap that has drawn devotees and curious travellers from all around the world. The famous Erawan Shrine, dedicated to the four-faced Brahma, draws thousands seeking blessings for career, romance, money, and health. Traditional dance performances honour the gods whilst the golden statues and sweet-scented offerings create an atmosphere of devotion in the heart of this modern metropolis.

The area's other shrines, including Ganesha in front of CentralWorld for creative success, Trimurti for love (where devotees offer red Fanta in a unique modern ritual), and Lakshmi and Jatulokbal at Gaysorn Village for wealth and fortune, illustrating the remarkable way ancient beliefs remain deeply woven into the fabric of modern Bangkok.

Along the sacred Chao Phraya, known as the "River of Kings", Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort provides access to Thailand's most revered waterway, deeply intertwined with the nation's spiritual identity. The river flows past magnificent temples like Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, where Thailand's most sacred Buddhist relic resides. Traditional beliefs honour water spirits through longboat races and riverside ceremonies, whilst the gentle current carries prayers and offerings downstream in age-old rituals that connect modern Bangkok to its ancient spiritual roots.

These sacred travels remind us that spiritual discovery awaits in every corner of the world, from ancient monastery walls to bustling city shrines. Whether seeking inner peace or cultural understanding, each destination offers its own pathway to transformation and connection.