Opening this summer on Estonia's Hiiumaa Island is Eha, a Nordic wellness retreat that programmes experiences around five distinct seasons – including a transitional period called Springrise not found in any conventional calendar. Olivia Palamountain reports

When Eha opens on Estonia's Hiiumaa Island this summer, guests will follow a calendar that most people have never encountered.

The retreat has built its entire wellness programme around five seasons rather than four – adding Springrise, a transitional period between winter and spring that its founders describe as a hidden hinge in the year, designed for recalibration and renewal.

Set within a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the retreat reflects a growing trend towards seasonal wellness programming that moves beyond standardised spa treatments, aligning experiences with natural cycles and environmental changes rather than following traditional quarterly seasons.  "Designing Eha's retreat programming has been a deeply personal homecoming for me," says Kai Laus, wellness director at Eha. "After years working around the globe with leading wellness brands, I wanted to create something that truly reflects Estonia's connection to nature and the rhythm of our landscape. Each retreat is shaped by the energy of its season, drawing on ancestral techniques and modern practices to help guests find balance and renewal in harmony with the land."The Autumn Retreat demonstrates this seasonal specificity, featuring daily forest walks, thermal rituals and guided breathwork designed to support respiratory health and prepare guests for colder months. Mornings begin with aerial yoga or Tai Chi, while afternoons include functional nutrition workshops exploring fermentation and medicinal mushrooms.

Culinary programming follows the same seasonal principles under Green Michelin Star chef Peeter Pihel, with menus drawing ingredients from the retreat's organic kitchen garden, local growers and foragers across Hiiumaa. The approach emphasises wild seaweed, fermented forest berries and seasonal vegetables that reflect Estonia's connection to nature.Treatments blend Nordic and Estonian ancestral wisdom with modern science, including Tibetan singing bowl massages and whole-body peat wraps using mineral-rich materials from the island's wetlands. The retreat's positioning within Estonia's quieter wellness landscape reflects the country's emergence as a Nordic wellness destination, capitalising on its dark, clear skies and extensive forests – two-thirds of Hiiumaa is forested.With eight suites and three forest cabins, Eha is available for exclusive use upon request. Five-night retreats are priced from £4,100 per person based on double occupancy, including all dining and wellness programming.