Health and Fitness Travel has created the ultimate escape for burnt-out executives – a one-year luxury wellbeing sabbatical touring the world.
Priced at £156,000 per person, the 12-month “Ultimate Luxury Around the World Wellness Trip” includes business class flights to 31 wellness retreats in 20 countries, from Australia to Brazil.
Created by Health and Fitness Travel, it may be the most expensive gap year package out there.
The company says: “With larger budgets than their younger counterparts, joining the career breakers in the rise of the adult gap year are the equally exhausted career enders.
“Also known as ‘grey gappers’, this growing phenomenon is fueled by the ‘now or never’ factor with health-conscious baby boomers looking to get the most out of life after retirement.
“Whether in search of an alternative approach to existing health problems, or in need of a healthy lifestyle overhaul after the trials of a divorce or illness, this tailor-made trip is about your personal journey towards a healthier and happier you.”
According to a survey of 2,000 people in January 2014, by the Hilton HHonors loyalty scheme, 38 is the best age to take a sabbatical.
The majority of respondents (81 per cent) thought gap years are better later in life once you have established yourself within your career and don’t need to worry about taking time out.
Meanwhile, according to Saga holiday and insurance company, there’s been a steady increase in “grey gappers”, with as many as one in four people over 55 taking an extended period of time out, or planning a year off.
Described as being “perfect for burnt-out thirty-plus executives feeling the stress of the rat race”, the itinerary will include yoga in India, tai chi on the summit of Marble Mountain in Vietnam, kickboxing in Ibiza, and macrobiotic dieting in Spain.
There will also be stand-up paddle boarding in Hawaii, detoxing in Turkey, hiking in St Lucia, paragliding in Oman and zip-lining through the rainforests of Costa Rica.
Other things to tick off your bucket list will be a helicopter tour of Australia’s iconic Twelve Apostles and a private safari in South Africa.
The trip is designed to help “banish bad habits and reward you with health benefits that will last a lifetime”.
There is also a cheaper six-month version of the itinerary (£87,000 per person in business class) for people with less time and funds.
It is recommended to start the one-year trip in August, 2016, from Spain; and the six-month trip in April, 2016, from Portugal. However, as the trip is tailor-made, there is plenty of flexibility.