Stella Photi
FOUNDER & MANAGING DIRECTOR
Stands for
‘Everyone deserves a little Wellbeing...’
Stella founded Wellbeing Escapes over 11 years ago when she saw a growing need in today’s hectic world for people to take time to recuperate from their busy lives. Quite the jet-setter, Stella has visited over 54 different countries and has tried well over 100 different treatments. It’s fair to say that Stella certainly knows a thing or two about wellbeing travel and has lent her expertise to many different media publications as well as being a leading member of the International Health and Wellbeing Alliance.
Stella founded Wellbeing Escapes over 11 years ago when she saw a growing need in today’s hectic world for people to take time to recuperate from their busy lives. Quite the jet-setter, Stella has visited over 54 different countries and has tried well over 100 different treatments. It’s fair to say that Stella certainly knows a thing or two about wellbeing travel and has lent her expertise to many different media publications as well as being a leading member of the International Health and Wellbeing Alliance.
Favourite Healthy Holiday: Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary
Favourite Fitness Activity: Walking in nature is a great stress reliever and I make sure that I walk my dog Louis in the park for least 30 minutes daily. I also love dance classes, especially Latin Dance or Zumba. They are really energising and keep the brain working as you have to remember and learn all the new routines.
Favourite Wellbeing Activity: Meditation. Even if it is for just 10 minutes. If you lead a busy and stressful life it is a life saver.
Favourite Treatment: Shirodhara
Favourite Place in the World: That's a tough one – Bali or India...
Top Travel Tip: Once you get on the plane do a 10 minute meditation. Concentrate on your breathing - inhale for a count of 5, hold for 1 second and exhale for 5. This will relax and put you in a good state of mind to start your Wellbeing Escape.
More about Stella Photi >
Peter Stearn
SALES DIRECTOR
Stands for
“Done is better than perfect.”
Peter came to Wellbeing Escapes in 2005, joining his business partners Stella Photi and Robert Keysselitz. Having always been involved in lots of team sports and fitness as well as having travelled extensively, Wellbeing Escapes is a great fit. He grew up in Southern California and came to London on a 3 year job assignment...in 1997. Asked if he has settled into London finally, Peter says: "I don't think London ever lets you settle anything, but it is a great place to live and work."
Peter came to Wellbeing Escapes in 2005, joining his business partners Stella Photi and Robert Keysselitz. Having always been involved in lots of team sports and fitness as well as having travelled extensively, Wellbeing Escapes is a great fit. He grew up in Southern California and came to London on a 3 year job assignment...in 1997. Asked if he has settled into London finally, Peter says: "I don't think London ever lets you settle anything, but it is a great place to live and work."
Favourite Healthy Holiday: Lefay Resort & SPA Lago di Garda, Italy
Favourite Fitness Activity: Hiking, the more challenging the better!
Favourite Wellbeing Activity: Stop and breathe, so simple, so good
Favourite Treatment: Watsu, if you have ever done it, you'll know...
Favourite Place in the World: I have been lucky to visit a lot of fantastic places, but I am not sure there is a better area than the California coast south of Monterey
Top Travel Tip: Pack light and take your music
More about Peter Stearn >
Dominika Palicova
MANAGER OF PRODUCT & SALES
Stands for
‘Be kind and respectful to everything and everyone.'
Dominika joined the Wellbeing Escapes team in January 2017. After working in Thailand as a yoga teacher and travelling solo around Asia for year and half, she came back to London and joined Wellbeing Escapes. Dom has a hotel and event sales industry background and is also a certified Reflexologist and Reiki healer.
Dominika joined the Wellbeing Escapes team in January 2017. After working in Thailand as a yoga teacher and travelling solo around Asia for year and half, she came back to London and joined Wellbeing Escapes. Dom has a hotel and event sales industry background and is also a certified Reflexologist and Reiki healer.
Favourite Healthy Holiday: Palace Merano
Favourite Fitness Activity: Reformer Pilates - it hurts but I love the gracefulness of it
Favourite Wellbeing Activity: Kirtan & long walks with my dog
Favourite Treatment: Hot stone massage - for those upper body knots from sitting behind the desk
Favourite Place in the World: Kuta on Lombok or Lake Toba in Sumatra. Also a little slice of paradise where I lived in Thailand must be on my list.
Top Travel Tip: Always use sunscreen, wear a hat and never drink water from the tap. Learn about the country and its customs before travelling. And travel solo - you meet some incredible people along the way.
More about Dominika Palicova >
Inna Gasimova
CONTRACTS & REVENUE CONTROL MANAGER
Stands for
It's all about a healthy balance
Inna is our systems whizz kid. With a mind mathematically wired for numbers she diligently ensures all of our contracts are ship-shape, trouble shooting any hiccups and ensuring all of our amazing offers are in place. A talented linguist too, Inna travelled to the UK from Azerbaijan in 2002 and speaks three languages, Russian, English and Azerbaijani.
Inna is our systems whizz kid. With a mind mathematically wired for numbers she diligently ensures all of our contracts are ship-shape, trouble shooting any hiccups and ensuring all of our amazing offers are in place. A talented linguist too, Inna travelled to the UK from Azerbaijan in 2002 and speaks three languages, Russian, English and Azerbaijani.
Favourite Healthy Holiday: SHA Wellness Clinic, Spain
Favourite Fitness Activity: Swimming and walking. I love to take long walks along the Thames with my family!
Favourite Wellbeing Activity: Curling up with a good book and reading, especially about history, knowledge keeps the mind sharp and active.
Favourite Treatment: A deep tissue massage to work out all the knots in my shoulders.
Favourite Place in the World: Paris, France is just so fun and Azerbaijan for the food, sea and people.
Top Health Tip: Don't wait until something is wrong before you get a treatment. Prevention is better than cure.
More about Inna Gasimova >
Megan Brown
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Stands for
'What has to be taught first, is the breath'
Megan joined the Wellbeing Escapes team in 2022. She is fascinated by people and the world around her. She is always looking to learn from others and dive deeply into their life experiences and beliefs about the world and beyond. She is a qualified massage therapist and has a keen interest in wellbeing, natural remedies and holistic health. She loves to travel, eat local cuisines and explore different destinations and cultures.
Megan joined the Wellbeing Escapes team in 2022. She is fascinated by people and the world around her. She is always looking to learn from others and dive deeply into their life experiences and beliefs about the world and beyond. She is a qualified massage therapist and has a keen interest in wellbeing, natural remedies and holistic health. She loves to travel, eat local cuisines and explore different destinations and cultures.
Favourite Healthy Holiday: Lefay Resort & Spa Dolomiti
Favourite Fitness Activity: Strength training and Pilates.
Favourite Wellbeing Activity: Focusing on the breath. Can be done anywhere, anytime and has a profound affect on mind and body.
Favourite Treatment: Any touch please! A full body massage with reflexology and Indian head massage would be lovely.
Favourite Place in the World: So far... probably northern Italy.
Top Travel Tip: Ask the locals where to go for food.
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Rebecca Gould
WELLBEING TRAVEL SPECIALIST
Stands for
“Feel the fear and do it anyway”
Rebecca has over 20 years of experience within the travel industry. Growing up in a small seaside town in Dorset it gave her a desire to spread her wings and travel. She moved into the wellness sector in 2017 following travels to India where she completed a 200 hour yoga teacher training programme and advanced studies in Ayurvedic Medicine. Rebecca is a keen amateur artist and paints everyday to seek a little bit of calm and to help keep the balance in check.
Rebecca has over 20 years of experience within the travel industry. Growing up in a small seaside town in Dorset it gave her a desire to spread her wings and travel. She moved into the wellness sector in 2017 following travels to India where she completed a 200 hour yoga teacher training programme and advanced studies in Ayurvedic Medicine. Rebecca is a keen amateur artist and paints everyday to seek a little bit of calm and to help keep the balance in check.
Favourite Healthy Holiday: Somatheeram Ayurveda Beach Resort
Favourite Fitness Activity: Long distance walking (especially in my native Dorset along the Jurassic coast
Favourite Wellbeing Activity: Yoga nidra
Favourite Treatment: Shirodhara or a traditional Aromatherapy Swedish massage
Favourite Place in the World: Dharamshala in the Himalayas in India is in my opinion, the most beautiful place on earth, it is so profoundly spiritual, it really changed my life. I also love Arambol in North Goa for its hippie vibe and yogi community. Morrocco is also a favourite destination of mine.
Top Travel Tip: Travel solo, you can really push yourself outside your comfort zone and will find you meet so many interesting people along the way whilst learning a lot about yourself. Also, eat where the locals eat!
More about Rebecca Gould >
Illya Bay-Thorne
WELLBEING TRAVEL SPECIALIST
Stands for
“Travel is a bridge between who you are now and who you need to become"
With a background in creating life changing, one of a kind luxury trips, Illya many years of experience curating travel that enriches the soul and takes the breath away. He's previously worked with Kensington Tours and Audley travel (two of the biggest names in luxury travel worldwide),Illya explored over 40 destinations worldwide from thermal hot springs in the frozen Arctic, yoga in Asia's ancient capitals and cold plunges in glacial rivers - to olive oil and wine tasting in Tuscany’s rolling green hills and soaking the sun in the world class beaches of the Mediterranean and Adriatic. Having lived around the world and immersed himself in different cultures, he is fluent in 4 languages, and possess a deep knowledge that only boots on the ground experiences can offer.
With a background in creating life changing, one of a kind luxury trips, Illya many years of experience curating travel that enriches the soul and takes the breath away. He's previously worked with Kensington Tours and Audley travel (two of the biggest names in luxury travel worldwide),
Illya explored over 40 destinations worldwide from thermal hot springs in the frozen Arctic, yoga in Asia's ancient capitals and cold plunges in glacial rivers - to olive oil and wine tasting in Tuscany’s rolling green hills and soaking the sun in the world class beaches of the Mediterranean and Adriatic. Having lived around the world and immersed himself in different cultures, he is fluent in 4 languages, and possess a deep knowledge that only boots on the ground experiences can offer.
Favourite Healthy Holiday: Es Raco D'Arta
Favourite Fitness Activity: Rock climbing, sea kayaking, or high-intensity weight lifting
Favourite Wellbeing Activity: Hot sauna followed by a cold plunge
Favourite Treatment: Deep tissue massage
Favourite place in the world: Haida Gwaii archipelago in Canada
Top Travel Tip: Be fully open to new experiences as you never know what the universe has in store for you
More about Illya Bay-Thorne >
