Spirited Escapes

Not all wellness techniques need to be bound to spa rooms!

Head to Soul & Surf in Kerala’s Varkala if your idea of a wellness break is a little more laid-back than just indulging in Ayurvedic therapies. A surf school and yoga retreat, the place is a good fit for those who sync well with a Bohemian spirit. The 15-room guest house was set up in 2010 by Ed and Sophie Templeton, an English couple who felt at home along Kerala’s shores. With this, Varkala Beach became one of the earliest surfing destinations in the country. A quintessential experience at Soul & Surf is made up of the little things—from a ride in their quirky cars, colour-popped rooms, and all-day music playlists, to al fresco film screenings, bonfire nights, and impromptu gigs. Here, there are no rules to wellness. To get the best of sun, sand, and surfing, plan a visit between October and May.

Starts from `4,000/US$58; soulandsurf.com