Michael Huffman

Paris is known for its grand boulevards, museums, and café culture, but the city reveals a softer, more contemplative side when you slow down. As a Zen traveler, I seek places that restore balance—yoga studios, intimate spas, gardens, meditative churches, specialty cafés, and walking paths that invite intention. Living between Paris and Asia taught me that wellness is not pursued but practiced daily, even in a bustling capital. This guide gathers my favorite restorative, nourishing, sacred, nature-filled, and movement-based experiences, inviting you to explore Paris as a sanctuary of presence.

Welcome to the Zen traveler’s guide to Ubud—a curated journey into sensory rituals, nourishing food, and rejuvenating wellness experiences in Bali’s most beloved jungle sanctuary. This guide isn’t a list of attractions; it’s an invitation to move through Ubud slowly and intentionally, whether you’re traveling solo or as a couple. Each recommendation reflects the essence of mindful travel: reconnecting with yourself while immersing in a place that naturally supports healing and balance. Destination guides like this one are based on my own travel experiences and reflect my philosophy of living a Zen lifestyle and guiding others to wellness travel experiences like this one in Ubud.

My recent stay at Alila Ubud by Hyatt was a return to the peaceful nourishment I crave when Ubud’s center becomes too crowded and full of motion. Each year, I spend extended time in Bali immersing myself in the yoga havens of Alchemy and Yoga Barn, but it’s here—perched above the Ayung River valley—where I truly exhale. The hush of the jungle, the rhythm of my personal early-morning yoga and meditation practice beside the infinity pool, and the luxury of doing nothing remind me why this part of the island will always feel like a sacred pause. I reconnect with what originally drew me to Bali—simplicity, balance, and the beauty of slowing down.

Paris isn’t just about museums and shopping. The 9th arrondissement offers a mindful side of the city with yoga studios, spas, specialty coffee, and artisanal chocolate, along with wine bars and other foodie experiences that are off-the-beaten track for seasoned Paris visitors looking for a fresh vibe. As a regular yoga practitioner, spa junkie, and people-watcher, the 9th is one of my favorites. This itinerary is the one I share with Paris visitors who are seeking a calm, less touristy neighborhood with an eye on wellness and fine-dining options that are mostly appreciated only by locals. Here’s how to spend three days soaking up a Zen-inspired Parisian escape and discovering hidden gems in the 9th.

Wedged between Montmartre’s Sacré-Cœur and the Louvre’s grand boulevards, the 9th arrondissement is often overlooked. But those who know Paris well recognize it as a foodie paradise. This neighborhood is where locals sneak away for bold flavors, inventive bakers, and chocolatiers who take their craft seriously. Like learning the ABCs, I’ve made it a mission to explore the “3 C’s”—coffee, croissants, and chocolate—in every arrondissement. As a Paris-based street photographer, I try to capture the vibe of each place through images. Here I’ll share my favorites so you can taste the 9th like a local.