I’ve always been curious about the health and wellness practices of other cultures, particularly those that predate Western ideas by many millennia. So my interest was certainly piqued when I heard that Switzerland’s Giardino Group, which manages a portfolio of resorts and restaurants, has introduced Ayurveda by Giardino, a comprehensive program built around customized, all-inclusive retreats ranging from three to 21 days.

There are plenty of wellness-centric hotels and resorts across Europe and North America that, at least in part, subscribe to the principles of Ayurveda — a holistic practice with origins in the Indian subcontinent that aims to bring balance to the body and mind through Ayurvedic nutrition, yoga and meditation, among other activities. But it’s much less common to find entire hotel groups committed to integrating Ayurveda as a primary brand pillar. … (continue reading)