Affordable Luxury Yoga Holidays and Retreats
8 Days "Culture and Gastronomy" Luxury Yoga Retreat
05 - 12 September 2020
12 - 19 September 2020
@
Crete, Greece
Join us for an all-inclusive week of yoga, eating great food and experiencing the famous Greek hospitality and love of life!
It is said that Crete’s greatest treasure is to be found in its cuisine. This magical island was also home to Europe's oldest civilisation, a 4000-year-old cultural path that weaves its way to the present. We have created this Culture and Gastronomy yoga holiday, to celebrate these two great riches, and allow you to experience them firsthand. Combined with refreshing yoga classes and breathtaking nature we hope you will leave us enriched, rejuvenated and inspired.
HIGHLIGHTS
7 Nights Luxury Accommodation
All Meals Included
2 Daily Yoga Classes
Pranayama and Meditation
Five Tibetans Workshop
Massage Therapy Session
Greek Cookery Classes
Gastronomy Tours
Greek Dancing Classes
Live Music
Beach Trips and Hiking in Breathtaking Nature
GENERAL INFORMATION
On the arrival day there will be an afternoon yoga class followed by dinner. On the departure day there will be a morning yoga class followed by breakfast.
Guests are free to participate in as many or as few activities as they like. We appreciate that this is a holiday and that sometimes you might just want to skip an activity and chill on the beach!
The retreat is open to all. Our retreats are usually a wonderful mix of solo travellers, couples, friends, mothers and daughters, members of the LGBTQ community. We have a maximum group size of just ten people as we prefer the family atmosphere of small groups.
YOGA
We will start each day with a morning yoga class and there is a second yoga class every evening. Most classes will take place by the pool although some classes will be held in beautiful locations during excursions. The style is predominately Hatha yoga and the classes are suitable for all levels from beginner to advanced. Pranayama and meditation will also be practiced and there will be a Five Tibetans workshop during one of the classes.
MASSAGE
Each guest will have one treatment included as part of the retreat in the comfort of the villa. More treatments are available upon request.
FOOD AND DRINK
The Cretan diet is renowned for being significantly beneficial to human health and for contributing to the famous longevity of the Cretan people. We will be showcasing the Cretan and Mediterranean diets using fresh, locally produced ingredients and organic wherever possible.
Meals at the villa are served outdoors by the pool. Some meals will be provided by our hosts during our specially selected excursions. A picnic-style brunch may also be provided during some excursions. Snacks and drinks will be available outside meal times. We offer a vegetarian menu during the retreat. If you have any food restrictions or allergies then please let us know in advance.
All meals and most drinks are included in the cost of the retreat except for any extra food or drink you consume during excursions that are not part of the menu offered for the particular excursion.
ACTIVITIES AND EXCURSIONS
We have organised a range of activities for you during your stay with us. Some of these will take place in the villa and some in specially selected locations around Crete. They will be based around the theme of the retreat, gastronomy and culture, and since we will be in one of the most beautiful of islands we haven't omitted spending time in spectacular natural locations. The specific excursions offered during your stay will depend on availability and the weather and three will be chosen from the examples listed below.
You will have many opportunities to enjoy and learn about the delicious and healthy Cretan and Greek diets and the Mediterranean diet in general. The meals we provide in the villa will showcase traditional recipes from the region. Furthermore, we offer three cookery classes during your stay so you can enjoy some of these tasty and healthy dishes when you are back home. On three separate occasions we will also go on specially chosen gastronomy and culture excursions outside the villa. These could include:
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A gastronomy tour of Rethymno Old Town where you can enjoy local delicacies cooked in the traditional way while learning about the local history.
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A farm tour where you can see and learn about how the local produce is grown, and help to collect vegetables and aromatic herbs from the organic garden which will then be prepared for you to eat, from the field to the plate.
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A visit to a local vineyard where you can learn about the winemaking process and sample a variety of wines paired with local snacks.
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An olive oil tour where you can sample and learn about the history of the liquid gold that is at the heart of all Mediterranean diets.
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A group meal in a traditional local taverna.
More activities that we have chosen for you to experience the Cretan culture include:
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Greek dancing lessons by the pool, a great icebreaker and a lot of fun!
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Live music with traditional Cretan instruments and songs.
And not forgetting the nature, we will have plenty of opportunities to experience it close up with a selection of activities such as:
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Trips to various beaches.
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Hiking in the surrounding hills.
We believe that we have put together a great selection of activities to offer you a full and unique experience during your yoga holiday and you will even have plenty of free time to go off exploring or simply lounge by the pool.
LOCATION
We spent several weeks scouting the magical island of Crete to find the perfect location for our flavour of retreat and we are very happy to say that we found our ideal place!
The setting is in the breathtaking nature of a traditional village on Kouroupa mountain. It is strategically located just 10 minutes from the stunning Kourtaliotiko gorge, 15km (9 miles) from the beaches of the south Rethymno coast and 25km (15 miles) to Rethymno town and the north coast beaches.
The village is very quiet and peaceful and the locals are very welcoming. Staying here you will get a taste of rural Crete and enjoy nature at its best. The pure mountain air will revitalise you and the quiet nights ensure an undisturbed and restful sleep, accompanied only by the song of the crickets and night birds.
For those seeking to experience the countryside, the area is suitable for hiking and nature walks. Rest under ancient oaks and quench your thirst with the cool water of the natural springs that flow out from the nearby mountains. If you are looking for traditional flavours handmade, local cheese and wine are available to buy in the area as well as honey and wild herbs.
We are confident that you will fall in love with the place just like we have!
ACCOMMODATION
The accommodation is a superb blend of traditional and modern. The complex consists of an old olive press building and two traditional stone and wood built farmhouses that have been fully renovated and modernised whilst retaining their original charm. All the apartments are furnished in traditional Cretan style with modern facilities.
The villa is surrounded by lush vegetation, trees and flowers, and boasts beautiful views across the valley up into the mountains. The outdoor areas cover 800m2, with a pool and jacuzzi, and there are several private spots for anyone wishing to read a book or meditate alone. Wifi is available throughout.
There are two rooms with double beds and three rooms with twin beds. If you are booking for two people then please let us know if you require a double bed or two single beds. The cost of the retreat is based on two people sharing, however, if you require a room to yourself then there will be a 50% surcharge on the cost of the retreat. There is a strict limit of 10 people for this retreat.
ARRIVAL INFORMATION
The accommodation is easily reached by both Chania International Airport (CHQ) 86km away and Heraklion International Airport (HER) 107km away.
We highly recommend renting a car to explore the island and you can arrange to collect it at the airport when you arrive and drop it off at the airport when you leave. We can help you organise this if you require it. If any guests are interested in sharing a car with other guests then just let us know and we can connect you.
If you decide not to hire a car then the best way to arrive to the accommodation would be by taxi. We can help to connect guests arriving at the same airport who would like to share a taxi. If you need help arranging a taxi then please let us know.
INSTRUCTORS
Atalya is the resident yoga teacher and co-founder of Blue Planet Retreats. She is fully certified and originally trained under Shakti Mhi, the founder of Prana Yoga College. She is constantly adding to her knowledge by studying with respected teachers on her numerous trips to India and around the world.
She predominantly teaches Hatha yoga with a strong focus on safety, proper alignment, breath control and the intuitive flow of the asanas. She teaches all levels from beginner to advanced with hands-on guidance and no pressure on her students to do anything they are not comfortable with.
BOOKING & FEES
The total cost of the package is €1190 per person based on two people sharing and includes accommodation, all meals, all classes and activities and all excursions. The retreat is limited to a maximum of 10 places so book early to avoid disappointment. Please indicate your room preference when you book. If you are a couple or pair of friends who would like to share in which case you should indicate so at the time of booking. Should you require sole occupancy of a room then there is a 50% surcharge for a total of €1785
You can book by writing to us at blueplanetretreats@gmail.com (remember to tell us your choice of room)
We look forward to meeting you soon!
BOOK NOW
For more information or
to reserve your place please contact us at: blueplanetretreat@gmail.com