We sat down with Barbara (Babi) Cesario, our Sales Manager and main POC for Buyer / Retreat Leader Enquiries, to get to know the person behind info@ — the traveller, the dog lover, the entrepreneur and one of the original team who brought Synergy to life.

What started as a quiet moment at a men’s retreat became the first ripple of a profound transformation. Through encounters with wild dolphins, months at sea and deep immersion in somatic and water-based practices, Fabian traces a path where outer exploration mirrors inner awakening in his Journey of Healing.

In today’s fast-paced world, wellness environments must do more than look good—they must feel good. Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese practice of spatial alignment, offers a transformative approach to designing spaces that nurture mind, body, and spirit. In hospitality and wellness settings, Feng Shui can elevate every aspect of the guest journey.

In just four short years, Synergy has evolved from an ambitious concept into one of the world’s leading platforms in wellness travel. Since its inception, the event has attracted some of the most influential voices in the industry, including Don Miguel Ruiz Jr., Laura Hof, Charlotte Church and more…

I want to remind everyone reading this article that the places in our bodies where we experience the greatest physical or emotional pain often hold the greatest potential for healing. What follows is my own story — and the story of how I now support managers, entrepreneurs, and high-performing individuals.

For decades, wellness tourists flocked to destinations where they were bombarded with itineraries packed with fitness classes; detoxification treatments and meals designed to reduce caloric intake and maximize nutritional value. So, is passive wellness the new luxury?

In its fourth and most resonant edition, the show will gather global wellness leaders, visionaries and creatives in the enchanting blue zone of Sardinia, Italy, under the transformative theme “The Role of the Arts in Healing.”

My journey of healing began under the stage lights. As a young theatre student, I was fascinated by the human voice — the way a single note, a pause, or a tremor could ripple through an audience and touch the deepest corners of their psyche.

If wellness is your passion and innovation your language, there’s only one place to be this September: the Destination Deluxe Awards & Wellness Day at the stunning Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok. Over two transformative days, you’ll connect with the brightest minds in spa, travel, beauty, and wellness, experience cutting-edge trends firsthand, and celebrate the trailblazers shaping the industry’s future.

Spa Business, launched in 2003, connects the global spa and wellness community—bringing together owners, operators, directors, consultants, designers, developers, financiers, retreat leaders and suppliers.

In the search for a longer, healthier life, modern science and ancient wisdom are finally finding common ground. If you aren’t in the know just yet, across the globe rare, unique places known as blue zones are being recognised as regions where people consistently live longer and report higher levels of well-being.

Seattle winters can feel endless - the grey sky, the heavy air, the endless rain. Looking back, I realise how much that environment mirrored what was happening inside me. The pressure to succeed, to do more, to prove myself was relentless. I carried it in my body - tight shoulders, shallow breath, sleepless nights. Stress was a constant companion.

On Wednesday, July 23, 2025, Synergy – The Retreat Show hosted its inaugural “A Taste of Synergy” event at the elegant Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London. This intimate half-day gathering brought together a curated group of senior-level leaders from across the global wellness travel ecosystem for a nourishing breakfast and experiential immersion into the ethos of Synergy: connection, collaboration and transformation.

For today’s luxury traveler, wellness is not simply a perk—it is the baseline. And while spa menus and serene surroundings remain essential, one factor is quietly revolutionising the guest experience: premium, performance yoga equipment.

Trained to prioritise the needs of others, I, like many in my profession, was conditioned to push through exhaustion, override stress, and wear burnout like a badge of honour. But the body has its limits, and the mind can only sustain prolonged stress for so long before it begins to falter.

Synergy 2025 will take place in Sardinia, a blue zone renowned for longevity, wellness, and creative traditions. The event explores healing through the arts, ancient wisdom, and community, with Blue Zones as a fitting sponsor in this inspiring, health-focused setting.

I moved to Los Angeles in 2004, intoxicated by its energy, starstruck by its opportunities, and bedazzled by its kaleidoscope of flavors. I dove headfirst into the city’s hustle culture, managing over 100 high-stake events a year.  Life felt fast and full. Or so I told myself. My body told a different story.

​​In 2000, Laura’s fast-paced life in London was consumed by ambition, university and multiple jobs - until meditation offered her a breath of stillness. From a life changing encounter in Thailand her path became a global journey of healing - exploring diverse practices across the world - each tradition and culture offering insights beyond intellect.

This year’s Synergy - The Retreat Show explores the role of the arts in healing, with a powerful focus on creativity as a catalyst for transformation. As we dive into the topic with Synergy’s Founder, Laura Montesanti, we uncover how artistic expression—from movement to writing, sound and cultural crafts—is being deeply woven into wellness travel experiences.

Journeys of Healing is a short story blog series co-created by Synergy’s global community of wellness travel leaders. These inspiring stories highlight the power of travel and holistic practices in overcoming life’s challenges, finding balance and embracing a renewed sense of well-being.