GREECE
Once a sanatorium and now a luxury mountain sanctuary in a stunning neoclassical building, Manna offers a secluded natural utopia, a haven for wellness and outdoor adventure. The resort, engulfed by the fir forest of Mount Mainalo, stands at an altitude of 1,200 meters in the center of Arcadia within Greece’s mainland region of Peloponnese. Just outside its doorstep, guests can forage for mushrooms, canoe in one of Europe’s cleanest and clearest rivers, ride horses among ancient trees, or explore one of the largest networks of hiking trails in the country. Afterall, Arcadia has, since ancient times, been considered an earthly paradise. “I love the sea, but my mind and body rest better in the mountains,” Original Stratis Batagias says. “You’re closer to nature; it feels mystical.”
ITALY
Perched atop Mount Vigiljoch—the jewel of the Italian Alps and accessible only via cable car—in South Tyrol, Vigilius Mountain Resort is governed by a simple principle that determines its direction and all decision making: “Eco, not ego.” On this foundation, the outside blends seamlessly with the inside, united by nature as the central element. To connect guests with the natural world, architect Matteo Thun used larch wood, glass, and the guiding principle of “organic architecture,” also incorporating a grass-covered roof and internally heated clay walls. Expansive windows frame astounding panoramas of the towering Dolomites, which provide endless outdoor activities. Guests can slow down and recenter during relaxing walks and forest bathing sessions or learn about the local flora and fauna during guided hikes. Those seeking more adventure can mountain bike through verdant trails or climb to feel the bracing wind on the 2,607-meter-high Naturnser Alp.
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