If you’re busy between July 28 and September 6 (you socialite), we suggest you clear your calendar and make your way to Obonjan, the world’s first dedicated wellness island, for a six-week ‘restival’ you won’t want to miss.
Untouched for ten years, the idyllic Croatian paradise will reopen this July, transformed into a sanctuary of art, culture, music and wellbeing – think luxe wellness retreat meets music festival – in the hope of offering travellers an alternative to the typical, oft debauched, festival circuit (although feel free to take their “zen den” as you please).
Co-founder Dan Blackledge (who started Croatia’s Hideout and Unknown festivals) told The Guardian, “Festivals do a good job of keeping people happy for a few days, but this is much more. It’s an evolution of the festival idea with all the things you love in one place in a beautiful natural setting. There’s an emphasis on wellbeing and ecology, and we want to encourage a real feeling of community – people can stay for as long as they like. I don’t want to say it’s the first of its kind, but I haven’t come across anything quite like it.”
So if it’s not all booze, bud and bongos, what can we expect from Obonjan?
Things To Do On Obonjan
Dance
It wouldn’t be a festival without sweet sounds and they’ll be playing day and night on Obonjan. With a killer line up including DJs and Live Music, from ambient electronics and sunset soundtracks through to poolside reggae roasts and late night rave ups, you’ll find a vast array of consummate selectors on hand, pitched to perfectly match the moment, be it day, night or ‘what time is it?’
Eat
Forget dirty dogs and street pies, you’ll be tucking into the finest local produce in the Adriatic Sea. On the island you’ll find an assortment of bars and cafés serving fresh, organic fair along with beverages for every occasion, be it ‘Wine Wednesday’ or ‘My Body’s A Temple Tuesday.’
Relax
With a dedicated ‘zen den,’ relaxation is undeniably at the heart of Obonjan and guests are encouraged to focus on the body – through daily yoga classes, meditation, fitness activities, massage therapies and energy healing sessions – as well as the mind, through talks, workshops and Q&As on everything from marine biology to astronomy.
Play
But the fun doesn’t end there. This tropical oasis also comes fit with water sports activities, an open air cinema and an underwater sculpture park, not to mention its untouched, natural beauty including waterfalls, hidden coves and a medieval city merely a boat ride away.
So now you all have a substantial amount of festival fever, we better tell you to get in quick. Attendance is capped at 800 to keep the island carbon neutral and we have a strange feeling it’ll sell out fast.
Whether you’ll be losing yourself or finding yourself at this ‘restival’ is yet to be decided but nevertheless, we’re pretty keen to find out. Book a spot here.
