An Interview with Eglė Rukšenaitė, Founder of E77, on Aukštoji Liškiava SPA Resort, which was created and developed by E77 company

Set deep within the pine forests of Dzūkija, Aukštoji Liškiava SPA Resort is redefining what a modern wellness destination can be. In conversation with ESPA Magazine, Eglė Rukšenaitė, founder of E77, shares the philosophy, nature-led design, and future-forward vision behind this extraordinary spa retreat.

Q1: You integrate forest therapy, climate therapy, water, and local traditions. Which element has had the most unexpected impact on guests?

Eglė Rukšenaitė:
What surprises our guests most is how deeply restorative true wilderness can be—when it is thoughtfully integrated with modern comfort. Many arrive wondering if such simplicity can really feel luxurious. And then they find themselves bathing beneath a natural waterfall, swimming outdoors at –20°C, or walking forest paths between treatments and dinner, surrounded only by silence and pine-scented air. In addition, discrete five-star service is what unites all mentioned factors into one.

We are witnessing a global shift. Overcrowded spa resorts and oversized wellness complexes are losing emotional value, particularly for Millennials and Gen Z. Today’s modern, well-informed guests seek authenticity, silence, and meaningful immersion in nature—without compromising comfort or quality.

Guests experience the forest without disturbing it, supported by a full spectrum of spa and medical wellness treatments. The forest and water together create a level of immersion that goes far beyond conventional spa experiences.

At Aukštoji Liškiava, we have created a rare balance: preserving the forest’s raw integrity while offering a complete spa and medical wellness experience. From hydrotherapy and underwater massage to detox wraps and mental health-focused meditation, everything exists within nature rather than apart from it. This is not escapism—it is reconnection.

Q2: What natural healing resources do you highlight, and how do they reflect the character of Dzūkija?

Eglė:
Dzūkija is one of Europe’s greenest and purest regions. Endless pine forests—stretching nearly 100 kilometers—create a unique climate therapy environment, rich in oxygen and essential oils. Clean air here is not a luxury; it is a treatment in itself.

Water is equally essential. The region offers exceptionally clean rivers, lakes, springs, and streams, all integrated into our wellness concept. Guests experience organised bathing under natural waterfalls, therapeutic water tubs, and hydrotherapy rituals rooted in local tradition.

The land is also abundant in medicinal plants and herbs, which form the foundation of our spa menu. These resources are used both directly and through professional, eco-certified spa formulations, ensuring safety, efficacy, and authenticity.

Key elements include:

• Seaweed and algae: mineral-rich, antioxidant ingredients supporting detoxification and skin vitality
• Plant-based actives: shea butter, evening primrose oil, sweet almond oil, honey, wheat germ oil—selected for purity and performance
• Forest herbs and moss extracts: local flora embodying Dzūkija’s healing character
• Natural waterfall: an active hydrotherapy element for revitalisation and resilience
• Forest sauna with authentic Lithuanian rituals: moss, algae, and herbal steam therapies delivering gentle mineral warmth

Together, these elements form what we call the Mystical Forest Journey—a holistic experience rooted in place, tradition, and modern wellness science.

Q3: How have Lithuanian wellness traditions shaped your rituals and experiences?

Eglė:
Lithuanian wellness culture has always been deeply connected to nature. At the resort, we revived this philosophy by designing separate buildings for different functions, connected by wild forest paths. Guests walk through nature—from hotel to spa, spa to restaurant, restaurant to sauna—allowing movement, fresh air, and rhythm to become part of the therapy.

We have also integrated long-standing Lithuanian spa rituals, including:

• Moss and leaf rituals: used in steam, water treatments, and even culinary applications
• Herbal infusions and steam therapies: guided by seasonal cycles
• Traditional sauna rites: inspired by Baltic barn and smoke sauna traditions
• Water-based rituals: including cold river immersion and waterfall exposure, adapted to seasonal conditions

These practices are not staged performances—they are living traditions, carefully adapted for contemporary guests.

Q4: Climate therapy is central to your concept. How do you work with it intentionally?

Eglė:
The future of wellness is simple: less structure, more nature. Time spent outdoors—truly outdoors—is becoming one of the most powerful healing tools. Many luxury resorts struggle with this because everything happens under one roof.

In Dzūkija, the climate does the work for us. Crisp air, seasonal shifts, forest microclimates—all gently guide the body back into balance. We design programs that follow these natural rhythms, combining sauna heat with outdoor cold exposure, and creating quiet, protected outdoor spaces for rest and reflection. The result is a deeply restorative, climate-informed wellness experience.

Q5: How does the secluded forest location influence guest outcomes?

Eglė:
The setting is not a backdrop—it is a therapeutic partner. The forest quiets the nervous system, sharpens awareness, and invites presence. Guests sleep better, breathe deeper, and reconnect with their own rhythms.

The remoteness naturally encourages digital detox. Without distraction, people rediscover hunger, rest, and stillness. This reconnection is essential for sustainable wellbeing—and it is something no urban spa can truly replicate.

Q6: What differentiates Aukštoji Liškiava from other wellness destinations?

Eglė:
Perhaps the boldest part was choosing to build something so intimate and investment-heavy (over €8 million) in a remote, protected landscape. It goes against conventional logic. Yet this “unusual” choice reflects the future of wellness.

What makes us different is the synthesis: forest energy, water therapy, climate, ritual, architecture, gastronomy, and medical wellness are woven into one coherent journey. At first glance, these elements may seem unlikely together—but this is exactly what the future wellness guest is seeking.

Q7: Is there a guest moment that captures your vision?

Eglė:
Many guests struggle to put it into words. They describe a “spiritual effect”—a sense of calm, clarity, and restored energy they didn’t expect. In professional terms, it is holistic balance: the alignment of body, mind, and environment. When people leave feeling lighter, clearer, and quietly transformed, we know the forest has done its work. Even guests who do not consciously seek mindfulness experience its effects naturally—through forest walks, silence, water, and rhythm. Sleep improves. Stress softens. Something real resets.

Q8: How does architecture support the experience?

Eglė:
Designing a wellness resort like this is an art. Architecture follows the landscape, not the other way around. Buildings reflect Dzūkija’s ethnographic character, materials are natural and local, and pathways weave through grass, snow, and forest floor.

Even small decisions matter. There are no traditional terraces—guests step directly onto earth. You feel the ground, the season, the place. The boundaries between indoors and outdoors dissolve, allowing nature to remain present at every moment.

Q9: What would you like ESPA readers to take away?

Eglė:
Be ready for a new era of wellness. Aukštoji Liškiava represents a new benchmark for boutique medical and wellness spa resorts—rooted in natural resources, authenticity, and ecology, yet supported by high-quality infrastructure and expertise.

This is where the future is heading, especially for younger generations. Wellness is no longer about scale—it is about meaning. Here, timeless Lithuanian wisdom meets contemporary wellness science, creating a sanctuary that heals body, mind, and spirit in harmony with nature.

More information: https://aukstojiliskiava.lt/en/