From Chiang Mai to Helsinki: Places to bookmark for a reset-and-recover break

Fancy a day out in the historic spa town of Harrogate in North Yorkshire, or are you up for the quiet welcome of Rotterdam, Netherlands?

If the past few years were about burnout, this year could be shaping up to be about recovery with intention.

According to a new study by Fresha, global searches for "wellness retreats" have climbed 22% year-on-year, pointing to a shift in how people are approaching rest. Increasingly, it is no longer about switching off entirely, but about switching back on better, faster, and more sustainably, the data showed.

The study went on to identify places in the world that could be leading this shift:

At the top of the list is Chiang Mai, Thailand, which ranks as the world’s leading destination for wellness. The northern Thai city stands out for its sheer accessibility to wellness amenities, with the highest density of spas, yoga studios, and fitness clubs per 10,000 people.

Close behind is Helsinki, Finland, where a culture rooted in sauna traditions, nature immersion, and climate-led recovery continues to define its wellness appeal. The city also recorded the highest air quality score among all destinations analysed, reinforcing the idea that environment plays a critical role in recovery.

Rounding out the top three is Harrogate in North Yorkshire, UK – cited as a historic spa town known for its mineral-rich waters and, notably, the lowest noise levels of any location in the study. In a world of constant alerts and always-on work, quiet, it seems, is becoming a premium.

Other cities making the top 10 include Porto, Amsterdam, Florence, and Zurich, each offering a different take on wellness – from urban accessibility to nature-led restoration.

View the list and each destination's ranking by indicators below:

What's your favourite destination to unwind in, and why? Write to us at editorial@humanresourcesonline.net as we'd love to hear from you!

Infographic / Provided