
Finding your perfect retreat is much like trying to find a needle in a haystack, with so many different types of activities, destinations and packages to choose from it’s hard to know where to start. To help you decide here’s our guide of why, what, when and how to find your perfect retreat.
What’s your why?
Each person has a different reason for going on a retreat, for example – do you wish to start or deepen your yoga practice? Do you want to be working out every day to increase your fitness levels?
Or would you prefer to simply switch off and relax? Knowing the answer to this question will help you decide upon the theme of the retreat that’s most suitable for you.
For example:
I’m a stressed out corporate – then go for a calming retreat that’s going to nourish and destress you.
I want to advance my yoga practice – then choose a retreat that offers daily classes and where you can get plenty of support, one to one attention, and adjustments from your teacher.
I want to kickstart my health – a retreat can be the catalyst to start again, to re-charge your batteries and get you taking care of yourself!
I need a detox – then choose a retreat to cleanse your mind, body and soul
I am short on time – there are many short break and weekend retreats you can escape to for a healthy break
Where do you want to go?
Are you a beach, jungle or a mountain person (or all three)? Can you see yourself waking up to the sound of the waves every day and feeling the sand between your toes? Or would you much prefer to be up in the mountains, surrounded by nature and getting a sense of perspective on things and a feeling like time is standing still?
Important considerations are the travelling time and how to get to your destination. This is also dependent on the length of time you’ve got for your entire trip, so do your research and find out exactly where the retreat is located and how long it’s going to take to get there.
Are you going to be ok with spending a full day travelling by plane, boat then possibly a bus, then a taxi? Or would you prefer something that is going to be stress free, closer to home and will only take you a few hours to get to your end destination?
I want to travel around Europe – discover these yoga retreats in 5 of Europe’s most popular destinations – France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Greece
♥ Book retreats in Europe
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200 hour Vinyasa and Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training , Lefkada (Greece), 11 October – 4 November
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200 hour Vinyasa and Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training, Greece 31st August – 24th September
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3 night Stay Healthy retreats at Can Lluc boutique Hotel, Ibiza
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5 or 7 Day Luxury Yoga, Fitness and Healing Retreat, Greece. Flexible dates
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7 Day Luxury Yoga Retreat in Puglia, Italy 5th – 10th September (2021)
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7 day Yoga in Santorini – A YogaYamas Retreat 31st August – 6th September
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7 night Summer Beach Yoga Holiday in Corfu, open May – October
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8 Day Detox, Yoga, Cooking and Hiking Retreat in Mljet Island, Croatia 18th – 25th September
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Algarve Raw Food Detox & Fitness Bootcamp
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Alpine Yoga and Hiking Retreat in the French Alps
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Christmas Yoga Holiday in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria (Flexible check in and check out dates)
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Detox, Spa and Wellness Retreat, Sardinia. Open from March – December
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Embodied Adventure Retreat in Kea, Greece
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Euphoria Emotional and Physical Transformation Retreat, 24th – 31st January 2021
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Family Run Yoga Retreat in the Portuguese Mountains, open March to October
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Five Night Yoga and Hiking Retreat in Altea, Spain, 7 – 12 October / 28 October – 2 November
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Luxury Fashion and Yoga Retreat in Milan, 5th – 10th October
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Luxury Venice Yoga, Culture & Creativity Retreat, 3rd – 8th November
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Luxury Yoga and Spa Retreat in Chianti, Italy 16th – 21st October
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New Year Yoga Retreat in Fuerteventura, 26th December – 2nd January
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New Year’s Yoga Retreat in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands 26th December – 2nd January 2021
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Nourishing Seaside Yoga and Detox Retreat, Croatia
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Open Mind Yoga & Mindfulness Retreat, Portugal 25th September -2nd October (2021)
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Pure Yoga Retreat Going Deeper, Alicante Spain, 27th May – 1st June
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Raw Food Summer Yoga Retreats in Portugal
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Refreshing Yoga and Pilates Holiday in Dalyan, Turkey (open from May- October)
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Rejuvenating Yoga and Pilates in Fuerteventura, open all year round (Saturday to Saturday)
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Relax & Revive 5 Day Spa Retreat in the Algarve, open March – November
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Sailing Yoga Holiday Croatia, May – September
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Summer Greek Islands Sailing Yoga Retreat, 22 – 29 August / 29 August – 5 September
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Transylvania Hiking the “OM” Peak & Yoga Retreat
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Vino and Vinyasa Yoga Retreat in Spain, 16th – 21st November
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Weekend Reset Retreat with Vegan Food in a French Chateau
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Yoga and Cultural Retreat in Andalusia, Spain
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Yoga and Pilates Retreat by the Sea, Spain 13 – 18 May, 10 – 15 June, 23 – 28 September (2021)
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Yoga and Wellness Weekend Retreat in Croatia
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Yoga Holidays in Las Palmas Gran Canaria, open all year round
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Yoga Retreats in Caveland, 27th – 30th May
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Yoga Surf Holiday at Vale da Lama Portugal, 20th – 26th September
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Yoga, Energy and Natural Wellbeing Retreat, Ibiza 24th – 29th May
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Yoga, Gyrokinesis & Pilates Retreat in Paros, Greece 10th – 16th October
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Take me to the beach – get your daily dose of sand, sea and sun salutations.
♥ Book retreats by the sea
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1Team Fitness Retreats in Florida, open all year round
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7 Day Weekly Yoga Holiday in Cyprus, open all year
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7 Day Yoga Escape at Komune Resort, Bali
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7 Night Yoga Holiday in Fuerteventura, open all year
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Christmas Yoga Holiday in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria (Flexible check in and check out dates)
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Immersive Yoga Retreat in Ibiza, 29 May – 5 June / 11 – 18 September
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Mindful QiGong Pilates Retreat, Pelion, Greece 19th – 25th September
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New Year’s Yoga Retreat in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands 26th December – 2nd January 2021
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Nourishing Seaside Yoga and Detox Retreat, Croatia
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Rejuvenating Yoga and Pilates in Fuerteventura, open all year round (Saturday to Saturday)
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Yoga and Pilates Retreat by the Sea, Spain 13 – 18 May, 10 – 15 June, 23 – 28 September (2021)
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Yoga and Wellness Weekend Retreat in Croatia
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Yoga, Gyrokinesis & Pilates Retreat in Paros, Greece 10th – 16th October
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I want to go to one of best places in the world for healing – let travel be your medicine and go find your magical place of power and peace.
I’ve always wanted to go to Southeast Asia but not sure where!
♥ Book retreats in Southeast Asia
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11 Day 200 hour Goddess Yoga Teacher Training, Bangkok, Thailand. February – November
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15 Nights Health Hub Wellness & Rejuvenation Retreat at Komune Resort, Bali
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200 hour Vinyasa and Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training in Goa, 13th November – 8th December
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200 Hour Yoga Alliance Teacher Training in Ubud, 1 – 26 April / 5 – 30 April
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200-hour Hatha & Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Trainings in Goa, India 3rd – 26th March
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200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, Samahita, Koh Samui
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3 Night Fitness, Yoga & Spa Package at Komune Resort, Bali
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3 Week Bali Yoga Teacher Training with Alchemy of Yoga School, 3rd – 24th October
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4 Night Health Hub Wellness Package at Komune Resort, Bali
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5 Day Pilates Retreat in Koh Samui, 5th – 9th November
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5 Day Rejuvenation & Yoga Retreat at Adiwana Resort Jembawan, Ubud
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5 Day Yoga Retreat at Navutu Dreams, Siem Reap. Open all year round
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6 Day Reset & Rebalance Retreat, Navutu Dreams Cambodia
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7 Day Fitness Escape at Komune Resort, Bali
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7 Day Detox Cleanse Retreat at Blue Karma Seminyak, Bali
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7 Day Detox Retreat at Blue Karma Ubud, Bali. Open all year
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7 Day Detoxification Package Retreat, Adiwana Resort, Ubud – Open all year
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7 Day Juice Cleanse Detox Retreat in Ubud, Bali open all year round
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7 Day Yoga & Fitness Escape at Komune Resort, Bali
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7 Day Yoga Escape at Komune Resort, Bali
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7 Day Yoga Immersion Retreat at Navutu Dreams Cambodia, open all year
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7 Day Yogis Inner Journey Retreat, Blue Karma Ubud. Open all year
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7 Nights Stress Relief Retreat at Adiwana Resort, Ubud open all year
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7-Day Luxury “Divine Body” Transformational Yoga & Meditation Retreat in Bali, 6 – 12 February / 12 – 18 March
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7, 10 & 14 Nights Healing Detox Retreat at Fivelements, Ubud Bali
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All Inclusive Detox Retreat in Koh Samui, Thailand, open all year round
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All inclusive Fitness Retreat – YogaCoreCycle at Samahita, Koh Samui, available all year round
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Christmas and New Year’s Yoga Retreat in Koh Samui Thailand, 19 – 26 December, 26 December – 2 January
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Festive Healing Retreat at Sen Wellness, Sri Lanka, 23rd December – 1st January
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Fitness Fusion Retreats at Layana Resort and Spa, Koh Lanta Yai Thailand
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Five Day Stress & Burnout Prevention Retreat, Aleenta Resort, Phuket open all year
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Fivelements Signature Rejuvenation Retreat, Puri Ahimsa Bali, open all year
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Heal Your Heart 5 day Detox of the Mind Retreat in Angkor, Cambodia. Available 1st March – 30th September
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Healing Ayurvedic Retreats at Sen Wellness Sanctuary in Sri Lanka, open all year
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Health Retreat at Bagus Jati Health in Ubud, Bali. Open all year
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Host Your Yoga or Fitness Retreat at Komune Resort, Bali
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Kickstart to Wellness and Weightloss Retreat in Ubud, Bali. Open all year round
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Luxury Art of Detox Retreat at Chiva-Som, Hua Hin Thailand
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Luxury Breathe Vitality Retreat at Aleenta, Phuket, open all year
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Luxury Ocean and Mountain Yoga Retreat, Bali 2nd – 8th April 2021
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Luxury Yoga, Culture & Self Care Retreat in Bali, 24th – 30th March
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Pilates Connect – Pilates and Yoga Retreat in Bali, 2nd – 8th February
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Reboot, Recharge and Reshape Retreat, Anantara Angkor Resort Cambodia. Open all year
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Relaxing Mind Body Detox Retreat at Plantation Villa, Sri Lanka open all year
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Samahita Wellness Retreat – All Inclusive Total Self-Care, Koh Samui, available all year round
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Super Seven Mind Body Detox Retreat, Bali, open all year round
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Yoga and Creativity Retreat in Japan, 10th – 16th April 2021
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Yoga and Wellness Retreats at Nihi Sumba, Indonesia. Open all year
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Yogic Detox Retreat, Aleenta Resort Phuket, open all year
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Zest for Life 14 Day Detox Retreat in Ubud, Bali. Open all year
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I’d like all three please! Then Costa Rica is the place for you.
You can find more retreat destinations here.
Are you looking for luxury or are you on a budget?
This is very much dependent on personal taste and your budget of course. Think about your level of luxury and whether you are going to be happy to share a room with a stranger or whether your own room in a five star hotel is more your style?
I am all about the views and infinity pools – here’s our top (very instagram worthy) picks of the best views you can wake up to
I am looking for luxury – here’s our favourite luxury retreats, city breaks and spa’s
♥ Book luxury retreats
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“The Great Heart” Meditation and Self-Healing Experience in Tuscany, Italy 29th May – 4th June / 25th September – 1st October
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5 Day Luxurious Yoga Holiday in Halkidiki, Greece, Open from 1st May – 15th October
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5 or 7 Day Luxury Yoga, Fitness and Healing Retreat, Greece. Flexible dates
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7 Day Detox Retreat at Blue Karma Ubud, Bali. Open all year
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7 Day Luxury Yoga & Soul Coaching Retreat in Umbria, Italy 29th May – 5th June
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7 Night Tranquility Retreat at Petit St Vincent, Grenadine Islands. Open November – July
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7-Day Luxury “Divine Body” Transformational Yoga & Meditation Retreat in Bali, 6 – 12 February / 12 – 18 March
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A Writing Retreat in Tuscany with Sarah Selecky, 18th – 24th April 2021
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Detox, Spa and Wellness Retreat, Sardinia. Open from March – December
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Euphoria Emotional and Physical Transformation Retreat, 24th – 31st January 2021
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Fitness Fusion Retreats at Layana Resort and Spa, Koh Lanta Yai Thailand
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Five Day Stress & Burnout Prevention Retreat, Aleenta Resort, Phuket open all year
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LaLuna Beach Resort and Villas, Grenada. Open all year
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Loving Kindness Retreat in Tuscany, 4th – 10th October
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Luxury Art of Detox Retreat at Chiva-Som, Hua Hin Thailand
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Luxury Boutique Yoga Retreat in Marrakech, 24th April – 30th April 2021
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Luxury Breathe Vitality Retreat at Aleenta, Phuket, open all year
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Luxury Fashion and Yoga Retreat in Milan, 5th – 10th October
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Luxury Ischia Yoga Retreat, 26th September – 1st October
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Luxury Ocean and Mountain Yoga Retreat, Bali 2nd – 8th April 2021
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Luxury Retreat Villa Amalfi, Tulum, Mexico / Sleeps 8 / 4 Bedrooms / 3.5 Bathrooms & Pool
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Luxury Ritual+Renewal Yoga Retreat, Marrakech 7th – 13th March 2021
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Luxury Venice Yoga, Culture & Creativity Retreat, 3rd – 8th November
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Luxury Yoga & Art Creativity Retreat, Marrakech 21st – 27th February
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Luxury Yoga and Spa Retreat in Chianti, Italy 16th – 21st October
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Luxury Yoga Retreat at Peacock Pavilions, Marrakech 5th – 11th September (2021)
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Luxury Yoga, Culture & Self Care Retreat in Bali, 24th – 30th March
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Personal Yoga Retreat at a boutique hotel in Portugal, open March – November
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Reboot, Recharge and Reshape Retreat, Anantara Angkor Resort Cambodia. Open all year
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Summer Art and Yoga Retreat in Scotland, 25th July – 30th July (2021)
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Summer Yoga Retreat in Iceland, 2nd – 7th August
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The Alchemist Meditation and Yoga Retreat, Lefkada Greece, 20th – 27th October
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Yoga and Creativity Retreat in Japan, 10th – 16th April 2021
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Yoga and Wellness Retreats at Nihi Sumba, Indonesia. Open all year
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Yogic Detox Retreat, Aleenta Resort Phuket, open all year
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I am on a budget – the best investment you can make is in yourself, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Find a retreat for £1000
♥ Book budget retreats
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4 or 7 Day Holistic Happiness Holidays, Andalusia (flexible dates all year round)
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5 Day Body, Mind and Soul Retreats in Andalusia
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5 Night Transylvanian Wine Tasting and Yoga Retreat, 9 – 14 October / 30 October – 4 November
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7 Day Weekly Yoga Holiday in Cyprus, open all year
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7 Day Yoga and Hiking Retreat in Andalusia, 30 March – 5 April / 6 – 12 April / 20 – 26 April / 22 – 28 June
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7 Night Breathtaking Hiking and Yoga holiday in Montenegro
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7 night Summer Beach Yoga Holiday in Corfu, open May – October
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7 Night Yoga Holiday in Fuerteventura, open all year
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8 Day Detox, Yoga, Cooking and Hiking Retreat in Mljet Island, Croatia 18th – 25th September
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8 Day Detoxifying ‘Yin & Yang’ Yoga Retreat in Sicily 28th December – 4th January
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Adventure Yoga Retreats in Spain, 31st October – 7th November
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Alpine Yoga and Hiking Retreat in the French Alps
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Autumn Personal Resilience Retreat in Hertfordshire
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Autumn Restore & Nourish Yoga Retreat in Bicester, 13th – 15th November
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Christmas Yoga Holiday in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria (Flexible check in and check out dates)
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Christmas Yoga Retreat in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands 19th – 26th December
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Digital Detox Retreat, Cascais, Portugal 30th April – 3rd May
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Easter Soul Adventures Kundalini Yoga Retreat, Ibiza 1st – 5th April 2021
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Escape Christmas Yoga Retreat at Suryalila, 21st – 28th December
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Family Run Yoga Retreat in the Portuguese Mountains, open March to October
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Five Night Yoga and Hiking Retreat in Altea, Spain, 7 – 12 October / 28 October – 2 November
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Gourmet Cuisine, Yoga and Wine Retreat in Tuscany, 6th – 12th June (2021)
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Hiking and Yoga Retreat in Cádiz, Spain 27th February – 4th March
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Hiking and Yoga Retreat in the Atlas Mountains
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Immersive Yoga Retreat in Ibiza, 29 May – 5 June / 11 – 18 September
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Learn Spanish (intermediate) and Yoga Retreat in Spain, 28th November – 5th December
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Light + Shine Yoga Retreat in Patmos, 23rd – 29th September
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New Year Yoga Retreat in Fuerteventura, 26th December – 2nd January
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New Year’s Yoga Holiday in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria Flexible Check in/Check out dates
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New Year’s Yoga Retreat in Fuerteventura, Canary Islands 26th December – 2nd January 2021
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Nourishing Seaside Yoga and Detox Retreat, Croatia
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Open Mind Yoga & Mindfulness Retreat, Portugal 25th September -2nd October (2021)
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Pure Yoga Retreat Going Deeper, Alicante Spain, 27th May – 1st June
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Refreshing Yoga and Pilates Holiday in Dalyan, Turkey (open from May- October)
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Rejuvenating Yoga and Pilates in Fuerteventura, open all year round (Saturday to Saturday)
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Sailing Yoga Holiday Croatia, May – September
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Springtime Hiking and Yoga Retreat in the Lake District, 5th – 8th April
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Transylvania Hiking the “OM” Peak & Yoga Retreat
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Urban Island Fuerteventura Christmas Yoga Retreat, 21st – 28th December
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Vino and Vinyasa Yoga Retreat in Spain, 16th – 21st November
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Winter Warmer Yoga Retreat in Spain, 13th – 17th March
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Yoga and Cultural Retreat in Andalusia, Spain
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Yoga and Hiking Holiday in Isère, France
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Yoga and Pilates Retreat by the Sea, Spain 13 – 18 May, 10 – 15 June, 23 – 28 September (2021)
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Yoga and Vegan Cooking Retreat in Romania
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Yoga and Wellness Weekend Retreat in Croatia
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Yoga Surf Holiday at Vale da Lama Portugal, 20th – 26th September
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When do you want to travel?
This can depend on things such as when you can get holiday from work and what kind of season or weather you prefer. The ‘best times’ to travel to a destination will be different for each country. For example, for Thailand – the best time to travel is during the cool and dry season between November and early April.
In Europe, if you want sun and warm weather then travel during the summer months. In Costa Rica, January is one of the best times to travel after the holiday peak season finishes and the rain ends, but the rainforests remains lush into the new year while dry sunny weather prevails on the beaches.
Or perhaps you’d like to get away during Christmas and New Year. Going on a retreat can be the perfect solution to do something that you love every day, go on an adventure, discover a new destination and meet new people.
I want to go away for Christmas and New Year – escape the madness (or the bad weather) at home!
I’m a spontaneous and always looking for a deal – then pack your bags for one of these last minute retreats
I’m a huge fan of Mediterranean summers – a retreat is the perfect summer getaway when you’re bored of your annual re-tox holiday and you’re in need of a healthy holiday or a lifestyle detox
Spring is my favourite time of year – if you’re a fan of hiking then this is the best time to get one with mother nature
Help me find a retreat!
Do you want to go alone, with your best friend or partner?
Many people on a retreat decide to travel alone because you kind of get the best of both worlds – you’ve got the group there to support you and you get to meet and connect with new people.
People choose to travel solo for a number of reasons, independence, freedom, adventure, self discovery and the world is just too big to wait around for someone to say yes every time you feel the urge to buy a one way plane ticket.
At the same, if you decide to go with someone else then you get to share a wonderful experience with them.
I love to go solo – here’s our top recommendations on destinations and retreats for the solo traveller.
I’d feel more at home with my friends – Treat yourselves to a retreat whilst having fun and sharing memorable moments with your friends
Who is the teacher?
Make sure you do your research and find out how long they have been teaching for, the style of yoga, pilates or activity that they teach and whether that’s going to suit your level.
It goes without saying to find out about their qualifications and credentials, because you’re going to have a really different experience with someone who has only been teaching for say one year, compared to someone who has been teaching for 20 years, who has a wealth of experience behind them and who has ran a multitude of retreats.
When you have chosen your retreat, make sure you connect with your teacher. Jennie Russell aka The Travelling Yogi shares these tips ”before you arrive, let them know of any current injuries you have and also any dietary requirements so we can make sure we cater for you.
Also, please feel free to let us know what you’d like to work on…headstands, hip opening, relaxation techniques etc…a good teacher will do their best to sequence this into the classes. We’re here to give you the best experience so don’t be afraid to ask!”. You can connect with Jennie on Instagram here.
Master Yoga Teacher and founder of the Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training Course Organic Alchemy Yoga, Maricha Dumont gives this advice, ”as a yoga practitioner teacher, I think that it is really important before you choose a retreat, to ask to yourself “What am I really looking for? Are you looking for a Yoga Immersion in India, that could be emotionally challenging? or a week focused on self care and cocooning on a paradise island?
Both are beautiful experiences, and both are yoga Retreats but you could be disappointed by one or the other if you are not prepared.
Another important point is to check the Teacher certifications, as it’s so easy to get a certificate these days, it is sometimes hard to be sure of the quality of the teachings. In order to avoid any bad surprises, make sure that the teacher of the retreat has many years of teaching experience.
A Yoga Retreat is a wonderful gift that you are giving yourself, that’s why it is so important to take time to choose the right one”.
You can join Maricha on her next Indian Immersion Yoga Retreat in October or her “BeAnAlchemist” Yoga Retreat in Formentera in May 2019. Connect with her on instagram @maricha_yoga.
If you have any questions or need advice on how to find your perfect retreat then you can email Soul Seed Travel on retreats@soulseedmedia.com. Namaste!