Beauty Bucket List: 5 Glowcation Destinations to Book

For the K-beauty devotee

Jeju

South Korea

Off South Korea's southern coast lies a volcanic island of lava fields, citrus groves and waterfalls. It's also the source of many natural ingredients behind the global K-beauty boom, so pack light: you'll want the suitcase space.

Jeju's skincare rituals draw on volcanic minerals and marine ingredients to hydrate, soothe and brighten. Book a volcanic ash detox facial, or try microneedling infused with native botanicals such as green tea, camellia and wild orchid. Between appointments, the island's café culture serves up honey, tangerine and green tea drinks.

The detour
Walk a stretch of the Jeju Olle Trail, a 437km loop past dramatic coastline, fishing villages and the island's famous haenyeo free divers. Then climb Seongsan Ilchulbong, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For the ritual-seeker

Fez

Morocco

Northern Morocco's great medina city is famous for its old town, riads and courtyard houses, and for giving its name to the brimless red tarboosh. Less well known is how deeply beauty is woven into everyday life here.

The hammam is the heart of it. More than a spa treatment, it's a social ritual where locals gather to cleanse, unwind and connect. Fez has more than 100 bathhouses, including the historic Hammam Seffarine in Seffarine Square, so you can choose between a rustic neighbourhood hammam and a more polished spa. Expect steam, a vigorous exfoliating scrub and a cooling plunge, and leave with skin and hair that feel brand new.

The detour
Take a walking tour through the maze of souks and artisan workshops, stopping for mint tea and chebakia, sesame pastries glazed in honey.

For the thermal-water purist

Budapest

Hungary

Fisherman's Bastion, the Gothic spires of Parliament, the Danube glittering between Buda and Pest: the scenery alone would be enough. But Budapest is also known as the spa capital of Europe, with mineral-rich water rising from more than 100 natural hot springs beneath the city.

Start at Széchenyi Thermal Bath, one of the largest thermal spa complexes in Europe. Inside a grand neo-baroque palace inspired by Roman bathing traditions, there are 18 pools and six saunas, from bracing cold plunges to mineral-rich soaking tubs. Plan for a long afternoon.

The detour
Afterwards, wander the cobbled streets of the Castle District for a closer look at Buda Castle, the centrepiece of the city skyline.

For the results-driven traveller

Antalya

Turkey

Between the Taurus Mountains and the Mediterranean, the old Roman port of Antalya has become one of the most in-demand destinations for cosmetic and wellness travel. Alongside the cobbled lanes of Kaleiçi and its ancient ruins, established clinics offer everything from hair transplants to cosmetic dentistry, often paired with a resort-style recovery stay on the coast.

The city is also known for longevity retreats that combine IV vitamin infusions, ozone therapy and platelet-rich plasma treatments with the slow pace of Mediterranean life.

As with any medical or cosmetic procedure, research clinics and practitioners carefully and speak to your GP before you book.

The detour
Between appointments, see the nearby waterfalls, take a boat trip along the coast or wander the historic harbour and old town.

For the wine lover

Santiago

Chile

Beneath the Andes, on the banks of the Mapocho River, Santiago is best known as the gateway to Chile's wine regions. Its spa scene has taken note. Vinotherapy is the signature here: grape seeds, vine extracts and antioxidant-rich grape marc go into scrubs, facials and restorative baths designed to boost circulation and nourish the skin.

Head to the upmarket neighbourhoods of Vitacura, Las Condes and Providencia for the city's leading spas. Many treatments also use regional ingredients such as quinoa, avocado oil and volcanic minerals, first embraced by the Incas more than 600 years ago.

The detour
For the full wine experience, the Maipo Valley is a 40-minute drive from the centre, with centuries-old cellars, vineyards and everything from large producers to small family wineries.