Description
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Escape to Spain for a five night yoga and hiking retreat, and immerse yourself in warm sunshine, ‘drink’ fresh clean sea air, feast on delicious tasty food, open your body in twice daily amazing yoga and hike in stunning natural scenery.
And, if you fancy exploring further, you can go biking and horse trekking, cook up a delicious paella lunch or simply chill in the sun. Our yoga and hiking retreats in Spain are the perfect blend of two complementing exercises.
Whilst hiking is great for the heart and lungs it can create tight leg muscles and an aching back but, with the addition of delicious yoga to lengthen, open and strengthen your posture, you’ll loosen your hamstrings, build strength, mobilise joints and deepen your breathing. The simple fusion of yoga and hiking on one retreat means you receive a complete boost to your health and fitness.
Our yoga and hiking retreat takes place in the coastal town of Altea, an hour north of Alicante. Altea is surrounded by coast hugging mountains that tumble to the sea and is considered to be one of the prettiest towns in this area with little white washed houses lining narrow cobbled streets, interesting artisan shops a stunning blue domed church and a gorgeous coastline. According to the World Health Organisation this is one of the healthiest places to on Earth!
Yoga
The twice daily yoga sessions will complement the hiking with a combination of deep Hatha stretches and the warming flow of Vinyasa to open the body and joints in a sensitive nurturing way.
Morning classes will be uplifting to energise and open the body and senses to the day whilst evening sessions are more restorative, slow and calming to help soothe our bodies and minds from the activities of the day.
The level is suitable for keen beginners, those with a lapsed practice and intermediate yogi’s. Our teaching style is precise but relaxed but, as safety is important, expect to hear plenty of alignment tips to keep you on track.
There’s no pressure here to create the ‘perfect’ yoga posture practice. We’ve all come to yoga with different bodies and abilities and so what’s more important is that you pay attention to how the yoga ‘feels’ in your body regardless of whether you manage the final version of the posture. Slow and steady, your body will open up and let you back in.
The hikes
We’ll also be hiking out exploring this beautiful area at a nice relaxed pace. First morning we’ll take you on an orientation 14k ‘Coast & Country’ hike to help nudge your body into action and explore the area close to the hotel so you get a good feel for what’s on your doorstep which will help you when you want to venture out on your own into town or the beach.
On Sunday we jump into the minibus with a picnic lunch and head into the hills beyond the hotel with a 4.5-5 hour hike in some of the most stunning scenery you’ll ever get to see in this area.
Then, if you’re ready for another hike, we’ll provide you with maps and our local’s knowledge for a 3rd self-guided (easy) 17k coastal hike to the neighbouring town of Albir and its ancient lighthouse on a safe rocky peninsula from where schools of dolphins have often been seen.
Retreat Schedule
Each day on our yoga and hiking retreat begins quietly with herbal tea and fruit to help you slowly awaken. Next it’s morning yoga to open your body and senses to the day.
Then it’s breakfast time – fresh fruits, wholesome cereals, yogurts, local cheeses and cold cuts, Spanish tortilla, eggs, sun kissed tomatoes and avocados, breakfast cakes, breads, fresh juice, teas and infusions. Help yourself to as much as you like.
In between classes you can take part in various activities exclusively for our guests – see activities below.
Late afternoon we gather for another yoga session to help us unwind from the day before a delicious vegetarian supper. We dine at the hotel on all but two evenings. On one of these free eves your taste-buds are free to explore local dining options and on the second free eve, we organise a meal out at a local restaurant, which you are free to join if you wish.
We like our retreats to be super relaxed so if there’s a morning you’d like a lie-in or an afternoon you’d like to wander into town and skip class, no problem! Do what your soul asks.
Activities
If you’re still feeling energetic, you can take this opportunity to join our guided biking excursion through mountain villages, have fun in the aerial yoga workshop or join Chef in his kitchen to help him prepare some traditional Spanish dishes which you’ll then eat for lunch or of course, visit our super beauty and holistic team for therapies, life coaching or nutritional advice.
Naturally, everything is optional. We prefer our retreats to be super relaxed. So if there’s a morning when you want to sleep in, please sleep in. If there’s an afternoon where you’d rather stay by the pool, that’s ok! Whatever your soul needs, please do that.
Cuisine
We aim to nourish you with plant based dishes with locally caught fish offered some eves for those that would like it.
As you’ll be pretty active with yoga & hiking, we make sure you’ll feel nourished so you have energy to do all the things you love.
We’re blessed to have a constant source of underground spring which gives us a year round supply of fresh Mediterranean fruits & vegetables. We change our menus each season to take advantage of this bountiful harvest.
Breakfasts are abundant with wholesome cereals, hot eggs, Spanish cold cuts & local cheeses, yogurts (inc. dairy free), fresh fruits, freshly squeezed orange juice, sun kissed tomatoes & avocados, selection of breads, breakfast cakes, infusions & teas. Gluten & dairy free dishes are available too with advance notice.
We take supper ‘at home’ on all but two eves where Chef loves to prepare tasty 3-course plant based suppers including a healthy dessert – after all, you’ve been working very hard with all the yoga & hiking! There are 2 eves where your taste buds will be free to explore local dining .. its a great way to immerse yourself in a new culture .. and we’ll organise a meal out on one of these free eves too should you like to join us.
Accommodation
We’re delighted to host this retreat at a 300 year old Olive farm that’s been owned by the same Spanish family for all 300 years! The farm has been renovated into a traditional country house hotel and sits in a peaceful spot with lovely views to the mountains and sea and yet, the pretty town and beaches of Altea are within easy reach.
There’s a pool in the garden, a small gym and sauna, a light filled yoga studio and a restaurant. Vincenta, the hotel owner, looks after us supremely well bringing fresh eggs from her happy hens and baking breakfast cakes each day.
The 22 spacious and superbly equipped rooms have double or twin beds, hot/cold air-conditioning, WiFi, a fridge, TV, safety deposit, telephone and a daily maid service to keep things fresh & sparkling. Every room has its own ensuite bathroom with fluffy bathrobes, fresh towels, complimentary toiletries and hairdryer.
We never ask nor expect guests to share so, if you are coming on your own, you’ll have your own double room with private bathroom, unless you’d like to share with a friend of course.
Retreat price
Prices are in British pounds
2023 : March 23-28 £890 / April 27-2 May £920 / Oct 5-10 £920 / Oct 26-31 £890
Includes
* 5 nights accommodation in a superbly equipped double en-suite room
* Welcome gathering and refreshments day one – chance to get to know everyone
* 3-course vegetarian suppers at the hotel x 3 with refreshments
* Pre-morning yoga ‘mini-breakfast’ of fresh fruits and herbal teas
* Hearty and healthy buffet breakfast spread each day after morning class
* Twice daily yoga sessions x 90 minutes
* Mudras, mantras and meditation workshop
* One full day hill guided walk with picnic lunch
* One half day country guided walk
* Maps for self guided coastal walk
* Services of a Retreat Manager to help organise your stay
• Unlimited Yogi Teas throughout your stay
• Well-being gifts to help you unwind
join us if you fancy.
Optional activities
* Guided biking
* Horse trekking
* Therapies and Spanish cookery workshop
* Life Coaching
* Therapies
* Nutritional services
What past guests have said
“What a fantastic yoga and hiking retreat. Every detail was well thought out and exceptional quality. Altea is a beautiful town and the restaurants superb value. Our hotel couldn’t have been any more relaxing. Nicole is a wonderful yoga teacher and managed both the experienced pupils and the novices (like me) perfectly. Thoroughly enjoyed meeting the other guests as well, such a friendly bunch. A truly inspiring experience and one I look forward to repeating.” Richard & Kate
“Everything about my yoga and hiking retreat was great! The yoga instruction given by Nicole was excellent and she was able to support those with little experience while challenging others to go further. The hotel was lovely and I got to meet a great bunch of people from different parts of the globe. Nicole, who was running the course, made sure everyone was enjoying their experience. Along with the yoga there were various optional activities on offer which really added to my experience. I chose to do a guided bike ride and a sunset kayak trip- both stunning!! In summary, a great location, excellent tuition, a friendly and welcoming atmosphere -what more could you ask for?!”. Lynn
“I have never been on a yoga holiday before but I can’t imagine I could have found a better one for what I was looking for.” Cynthia
Thank you SO much for an incredibly fun, relaxing and insightful week. It was exactly what I needed and I could have done it without you!” Louise
How to get here
Our private group airport transfer from/to Alicante airport takes an hour to reach us & is €38 each way. We leave the airport on arrival day between 12.00-13.00 and arrive back at airport on final day at approximately mid-day. Check your flight options to Alicante here.
Please ensure your flight arrives no later than 12.45 to allow sufficient time to collect your luggage & meet our driver. On the final day you should book a flight departing after than 13.30.
Can’t find a flight to join our transfers?
We can book a private taxi (aprox €90) for you & any other guests that miss our transfer or, we can reserve a seat for you on a airport shuttle bus service (€30) that brings you to a stop nearby where you’d catch a taxi for the final 10 minutes to us.
Or, consider arriving a day earlier & spending the night in Alicante returning to the airport the following day to meet our transfer.
Booking
Fill in the booking form to make an enquiry or booking on this yoga and hiking retreat. You can also contact the team direct on [email protected] if you have any questions.
