There are seasons meant for gathering, and seasons intended for returning to yourself. I didn’t fully understand that until this October, standing at the edge of the Aegean in Halkidiki, with summer long gone and the shoreline finally quiet enough to hear my own breath. The Mediterranean in the shoulder season strips life back to simplicity. There is space to check in with your body, to be honest about how you’re feeling, and actually to take care of yourself.
For many women, that kind of pause isn’t instinctive. We carry households, goals, emotions, and entire support systems often at the expense of our own health. And research backs it up: sustained caregiving stress is associated with higher mortality (JAMA), increased coronary heart disease risk among women (NIH), and long-term physical and emotional strain (NIH/NLM). In October, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re reminded that lifestyle and stress matter too. The American Cancer Society notes that consistent rest, exercise, and stress management can play a role in breast health outcomes. The Union for International Cancer Control puts it simply: women’s health is inseparable from women’s right to time and access to care.
So this October, I chose the off-season Mediterranean as my reset button. I began at Zélia Halkidiki, an adults-only hillside retreat overlooking the Aegean. From there, I traveled to 7Pines Sardinia, a coastal sanctuary carved into the natural curves of Baja Sardinia. Both properties are part of Destination by Hyatt, a collection of hotels that reflect their surroundings, rather than a universal idea of luxury. I arrived just as the season was winding down, the last stretch before these properties pause for winter.
Checking In At Zélia Halkidiki
I arrived in Thessaloniki just before midnight and drove for just under an hour to Halkidiki. The roads were quiet, lined with pine trees and small roadside stops that were already closed for the night. When I reached Zélia Halkidiki, check-in was quick and calm. The property sits above the water, surrounded by olive trees, with views that require no narration. It was dark when I arrived, but even then, you could tell when a place is built for breathing room.
Zélia opened in 2024 and takes its “bare living” philosophy seriously in a practical way. Expect clean architecture, natural tones, open spaces, and an emphasis on air, light, and the use of high-quality materials. Days here move at a steady pace. I ate breakfast — eggs, fruit, coffee — outside, then walked the paths through olive trees, sat by the pool, stretched in the olive grove during morning yoga, and let the hours pass without micromanaging them. The beach is just down the hill, and the hotel arranged a ride for me when I wanted to go.
Spa treatments were direct and professional, featuring a seaweed wrap, rose hydration facial, and targeted back, neck, and shoulder work. The treatments were well-executed and effective. Meals followed the same tone. Mesogaea served thoughtful Mediterranean plates. Zest offered simple dishes by the pool. Meals here were light and fresh, exactly what made sense after warm hours outside. At night, Shizen leaned into Japanese-Peruvian flavors. The pace stayed steady from morning to night. I ate when I was hungry, rested when I felt tired, and spent long stretches outside. After Halkidiki, I headed back to Thessaloniki Airport and flew to Sardinia, ready for a different coast and the next stop of this off-season pause.
Arrival In Sardinia
The route from Thessaloniki to Olbia was straightforward, with a brief connection before landing in Sardinia by late afternoon. The resort faces Baja Sardinia, near the La Maddalena Archipelago. My room opened directly to the pool and palm-lined garden, and the terrace became where I spent most of my time. The first evening set the tone: a quiet sunset over the water, with orange light moving across the sky.
Mornings began in the gym. The space is lined with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the pool and pine trees, with the mountains just beyond, so workout sessions never feel disconnected from the setting. I booked a solo yoga session with Michela Pistis, a local instructor who runs Jyoti Studio in Baja Sardinia. Her class focused on form and breath, and as a newcomer to yoga, I felt supported. She combined clear instruction with light humor and easy rapport, making the practice feel approachable and enjoyable.
Afternoons were spent outside, walking to the beach and hiking along the coast in Arzachena. The route followed granite rock, low vegetation, and small sandy coves. My guide and I came across a stretch of shoreline where the sand had taken on a pale pink tint from crushed red stone, subtle yet striking. Meals at 7Pines Sardinia reflected the place. I enjoyed a Margherita Sbagliata pizza at Spazio by Franco Pepe, which helped Franco Pepe earn the title of “Best Pizza Maker in the world.” One evening, I traveled to Surrau Winery in Arzachena, passing through vines and low hills. The tasting felt rooted in Sardinia rather than curated for effect. It was a good counterpoint to days spent by the water, and it closed the trip on an easy note.
Staying Steady At Home After The Mediterranean
October in the Mediterranean allowed me to sleep well, move every day, eat real food, spend hours outdoors, and go to bed early. Simple habits, but they changed how I felt. I returned home steady, clear, and present. This month always brings conversations about screenings and prevention, and those matter. However, it also reminds us that our health is influenced by our daily life, including stress levels, sleep, activity, and quiet moments where we can reflect and think.
Most women don’t get stretches of time like this often, and many can’t fly to another country to find it. However, the pause itself is the lesson. A walk without multitasking. Eating without rushing. Saying no when you are out of energy, not when you’re already depleted. Protecting small pockets of time before someone else fills them.
I’m keeping pieces of that pace at home. Every woman deserves time like this, too. A quiet trip to the Mediterranean in the off-season, or a few protected hours at home that give her space to rest, recover, and put her well-being first.
