The LifeTransforming Wonders of a ‘More Than Health’ Retreat

Towards the end of last year, I was invited to join a luxury health retreat run by a team of medical experts and holistic practitioners. I was intrigued by the retreat's name, ‘More Than Health', which promises to go beyond health and rejuvenate the mind. The retreat runs in Mallorca twice a year in March and November, attracting guests from around the globe, some seasoned wellness enthusiasts and others taking their first steps into a healthier lifestyle. They all give the retreat rave reviews. Some said it helped them shed unwanted pounds, others experienced relief from digestive issues like bloating or constipation, and some particularly zealous attendees said it had changed their lives. As a stressed-out business entrepreneur, I welcome the prospect of rest and relaxation. I gratefully accept, but would the retreat live up to the hype?

The More Than Health programme was developed by London-based doctor Dr Franziska Meuschel. As well as her medical training, she is qualified in naturopathy, homoeopathy, acupuncture, kinesiology, and micro-immunotherapy. Her retreats are based on the Austrian Mayr Clinic philosophy that the digestive system is the root of human health. Dr Franziska's approach incorporates holistic diagnostics and treatment methods that stimulate digestion, lower stress, reduce inflammation, and boost energy levels..

As a wellness-conscious woman in my 50s, I'm curious about what the retreat can offer me. My diet is primarily vegetarian, with occasional fish and organic meat

(since I'm low in Vitamin B). I exercise regularly, and I often attend wellness retreats and workshops. Do I have any vices? Well, yes. I love chocolate (but I choose the quality dark varieties that are generally good for you). Alcohol, socially (although admittedly, in Mallorca, that can be the entire summer if you're not careful), and I have a dry month each year. Stress, sometimes, but that's part of the course of running a business. All in all, I consider myself healthy already, but I diligently complete a lengthy questionnaire, provide the pre-retreat blood samples, and pack my bags with an open mind.

The retreat takes place at the enchanting 5* luxury Fontsanta Thermal Spa Hotel on the south coast of Mallorca, a beautiful venue taken exclusively for the duration. The heritage property is surrounded by landscaped gardens with native plants and lush lawns with scattered sculptures. There are two saltwater pools and the pièce de résistance, a spa with warm, mineral-rich thermal waters – the only natural thermal spa on the island. It's wonderfully serene, and hard for the shoulders not to drop.

My room is a peaceful sanctuary, understatedly elegant, with minimalist decor and luxurious furnishings. A private garden terrace has beautiful views over the gardens, salt flats and that Salobrar de Campos nature reserve that stretches to nearby Es Trenc Beach. I see flamingos that migrate to this area, ambling past through the salt marshes. It's just one of the unexpected surprises in store for me.

Mornings begin with sunrise yoga sessions with Debbie Lash, a talented Mallorca-based yoga instructor, who guides us through a perfect synergy of mindful stretching and breathwork techniques. I'm energised and ready for a healthy breakfast. Each of the eight retreat days unfolds with a set program of personalised wellness appointments with Dr Franziska's expert team, who accompany her from the UK. I have personalised treatments that are tailored to my health assessment. I learn about heart rate variability and the hot topic of controlling stress with breathwork. I have sessions with psychotherapy, nutrition, osteopathy, naturopathy and handson treatments that promote gut health. In between sessions, there are heavenly daily massages and spa treatments, wellness workshops, fascinating talks about health and stress management, guided meditations, hiking, cold water swimming at nearby Es Trenc Beach, and, my favourite session of all, an immersive group-art experience by the sea.

Diet is a strong focus of this 8-day wellness journey. The food is an exciting combination of cleansing, precise nutrition and gourmet presentation. The hotel's restaurant, known for its Michelin-trained chefs, follows guidelines provided by Dr Franziska, with a menu tailored to the dietary requirements of each guest. For the first 5 days, we focus on cleansing, with meals that consist predominantly of fresh vegetable soups, served with a beautiful variety of fresh and dry herbs, raw oils, infused vinegar and vegetable patés. Soups are accompanied with small gluten-free buckwheat rolls that Dr Franziska calls “chew trainers” that must be chewed slowly between 20 to 30 times before swallowing. At first, it feels pretty strange, but after a few meals, I'm eating slowly and focusing on every chew. Portions are small, but the food is good, and becomes more substantial as the week progresses. Even the men, who make up over half of the group, are content. Dr Franziska explains that this calm and conscious way of eating activates the digestive system and facilitates the absorption of nutrients (the body is not ready to digest when we are stressed). I vow to myself I will remember to eat much more slowly from now on.

So here I am, two months on; I'm past the indulgence season of Christmas and well into the New Year. I left the More Than Health retreat trimmer and fitter, feeling motivated about the future and more able to cope with the day-to-day stresses. The benefits have lingered. I'd never experienced symptoms of digestion problems or considered bloating an issue. Yet, my tummy remains much flatter, my body less inflamed, and my eating habits more conscious. So, did it live up to the hype? Absolutely.

The next More Than Health Retreat commences on February 28, 2024, with limited places. This is an exclusive luxury holistic wellness retreat and priced accordingly. For further information on suitability and cost, contact amanda@wellnesstraveller.co or search for Wellness Traveller More Than Health Retreat online.

Amanda J Butler, wellness warrior, writer and founder wellnesstraveller.co - a travel company specialising in wellness travel and healthy experiences