Description
Enjoy the summer sun, beach and the sea and start every day with a yoga-session that nourishes body and mind.
After our delicious brunch, you can relax on the fine, sandy beach, do active water-sports, explore roman ruins, stroll through boutiques of the villages nearby, hike through protected pine forests or make yourself comfortable in our garden.
The point is that you do what you like and enjoy all the guidance and support we provide. Once a week we offer a walk to the natural beach Waikiki, which is framed by stunning sandstone. This beach can only be reached by foot!
Altafulla has a mild, mediterranean climate all year round with a lot of sunshine. The summer heat rarely reaches above 30 °C and there is always a pleasant sea breeze blowing.
Accommodation
We invite you to the journey of self on the mediterranean coast. Our centre is within walking distance to the beautiful, sandy beach as well as to the magic medieval centre of Altafulla. We are surrounded by beautiful nature, including protected, natural resorts and pine forests.
At the villa you can spend a lot of time outdoors, our garden offers recreation and opportunities for community as well as for retreat. So whether it is a quiet time in the hammock, in the shade of old olive trees or time with friends at the cafe, this villa offers a unique atmosphere.
The property sits somewhat hidden in town and yet everything is within a short walking distance: in about 10 minutes you will find the train station and the beach – a small fishing village, that is protected from further development, with cafes and restaurants.
Steps away is a medieval centre of the village, with small streets and a nicely preserved historical centre, the walls and houses that are centuries old and where the castle of Altafulla crowns the centre at the highest point.
We have two places to accommodate participants: there are rooms in the Villa Isabel, which is a former residence and studio of the famous Catalan painter Josep Sala Llorens or in the family-run Hotel Yola near the beach.
You may choose between single and double rooms as well as shared or private bathroom. Regardless of the accommodation, the meals are available to all participants in Villa Isabel, where the yoga room is located.
Cuisine
Enjoy a healthy breakfast or brunch and a (vegetarian) dinner in our garden or with one of our cooperation partners. We offer high quality vegetarian food, using local organic products where possible. 1-2x / week you may choose fish and seafood.
Retreat schedule
Arrival, day 1:
Check in from 15.00 onwards
19.00: Dinner
21.00: Introduction
Monday to Saturday (with the exception of Thursday):
Mornings:
8.00: Morning hydration
8.30-10.30: Atha Yoga
10.45: Brunch
Afternoons:
17.00-19.00: Recuperative Yoga and Meditation (2x per week)
On request we organise visits to the towns nearby (Tarragona, Reus, Barcelona) or other activities like sailing or massage.
Evenings:
19.30: Dinner
1-2x per week: Group program after dinner
Thursday:
Once a week, usually on Thursday, there is no morning yoga-class, but you can use the room for your own practice if you want. We have breakfast at 8.30 and at 9.30 we start to walk to the natural beach Waikiki (2 hours in one direction). You receive a lunch-package with you (included in the price) and we usually walk back in the late afternoon.
Departure, day 8:
9.00 Breakfast
Check out till 11.00
Teacher
Isabella Welsch or another Atha Yoga teacher guides the group through a program with carefully designed yoga classes on an intermediate level. Atha Yoga is a unique approach to yoga. The sequencing of Atha Yoga is based on the the yogic-ayurvedic system of the 5 elements earth, water, fire, air and space. The well balanced use of the qualities of all elements within the yoga series, harmonises the flow of energy in the organism, no matter which constitution.
You will be guided in a way that you will understand well the concept and become your own teacher. In class, many poses allow you to adjust to an easier or more challenging level. Yoga props can be used if necessary. We need to know a bit about physical and psychological fitness of a participant: Please let us know ahead if you have any conditions.
Retreat Price
Includes
- A total of approx. 14 hours of yoga and meditation on 5 days
- 1 x excursion as described
- Meals at Villa Isabel as described
- 7 nights in Villa Isabel or Hotel Yola
Does not include
- Flights
- Transfers
- Insurance
What past guests have said
“I immediately felt at home here: Villa Isabel is a stylish, cozy house surrounded by an idyllic garden; the atmosphere is relaxed and familiar. Isabella teaches the yoga units very professionally and sensitively; I still dream of Gregory’s delicious cuisine …
Altafulla is a nice little place with a lot of atmosphere; in a few minutes you are in the centre or on the beach promenade. I particularly liked the coastal walks and the trip inland, where the olive harvest was in progress. After this wonderful “Yoga and Hiking” week it was clear to me: I’ll be back!” Astrid
“At this point I would like to thank you again for the wonderful time of the yoga retreat in July; I have rarely been so relaxed and relaxed within a few days. For one thing, the atmosphere in the house is very calm and peaceful. The house is special. You can feel the love with which this house is inhabited and managed – with dedication and a concept of sustainability. The garden and pool as well as the location are great. I have to confess that I have never been swimming in the sea so often.
The yoga class was a lot of fun and very educational. Through your deep knowledge, which you like to impart, I have learned a lot, about backgrounds and the larger context. Much was not known to me or I was not yet aware of it. The lessons take place in a very calm, positive atmosphere and are tailored to the needs of the participants. The daily lessons were simply a pleasure and a blessing.
The trips to the different beaches were great, everything was well organised and you can tell that you are happy to be there for your guests – it is a very friendly, family atmosphere. Gregory is a wonderful cook, I could have watched him for hours happily preparing dishes with incredible ease. The food was very good, healthy, varied and simply great.” Silke
“Overall conclusion: Great organisation and implementation, great accommodation, very tasty and varied food and super professional yoga classes. It was an incredibly great time with great people in Altafulla, who made the team around Isabella Welsch something special! Definitely repeat next year. Hotel: Everything new, clean, tidy and stylishly furnished. Service and friendliness: All questions were answered directly, in the event of difficulties, alternatives or other support options were offered. The team was always happy, friendly and helpful. Food: The food was very varied, healthy and always more than enough. The food was vegetarian, but there was also poultry and fish on request. Pool: Beautiful outdoor area with pool and lawn, kitchen and outdoor dining area, which is well designed. Yoga: The best yoga classes I’ve had so far. Lots and important background information, detailed instructions and adjustment of each exercise to the individual physical characteristics of each one, no matter if beginner, advanced or yoga teacher. “ Simona
How to get here
How to reach us:
Altafulla (pronounced Altafuja) is within easy reach. The nearest airports are Reus, Barcelona and Madrid.
If you are coming from Barcelona Airport (Bcn), it will take you about 2 hours to get to Altafulla, depending on which terminal you arrive at. Bcn airport has 2 terminals, which are well connected by a free shuttle bus. The journey between the two terminals takes between 10 and 15 minutes and is possible around the clock. No matter which way you arrive: Always have our address ready!
Recommended directions to Altafulla from TERMINAL 2:
From Terminal 2 you can take the regional train (“Rodalies”) R2. These trains run every half hour and take about 20 minutes to Barcelona Sants central train station: Schedule of the regional trains R2 from Aeroport to Barcelona-Sants
In Bcn-Sants you have to change to a train that stops in Altafulla-Tamarit (journey time approx. 1 hour). When searching the platform (usually 9 or 10), please note that the various end stops are written in large letters on the monitors. Most of the time, below that, appear the names of the individual stops: Timetable of the trains from Barcelona-Sants to Altafulla-Tamarit.
From the train station Altafulla-Tamarit it is about 10 minutes walk to the seminar house. Call us if you want to be picked up (for free). The train ticket for the entire route costs about 8, – €.
Attention: The last train to Altafulla-Tamarit leaves Barcelona-Sants at 21.33. Then you can only come to us by taxi (about 150,- €).
Recommended approach for INDIVIDUAL ARRIVAL to Altafulla from TERMINAL 1 or 2:
Get on the bus BUSPLANA to TARRAGONA (about 13, – €). In the main season, it runs almost every hour: timetables from Busplana. From the bus station Tarragona please take a taxi to us (about 27, – €)
GROUP TRANSFER:
If at least 5 persons arrive at the airport Bcn at the same time, we gladly organise a group transfer of 35, – € per person.
Booking
To enquire about or make a booking on a 7 Day Summer Yoga Holidays on the Mediterranean, fill in the form. You can also contact the team direct on [email protected] if you have any questions.
