SATURDAY 17 - SATURDAY 24 MAY 2025

Escape for a seven-night luxury retreat on the stunning Greek island of Ithaca, combining yoga, hiking, sound healing and boat adventures with idyllic beaches and pool-side relaxation.

Overlooking the sea and within a 5-minute walk to pristine beaches, our beautiful retreat venue is set in a place of outstanding natural beauty. You'll relax on sun-drenched terraces or under the shade of oak trees, take a dip in the pool and enjoy the peaceful sanctuary that our stunning venue offers. This retreat is a perfect opportunity to reset and nourish your body and mind, with twice daily yoga overlooking the sea, delicious Mediterranean infused meals, and plenty of time to rest and unwind. There is the opportunity to explore the beauty and history of the surrounding area with guided hikes and optional activities including boat trips, water sports, bike rides and massage. At the end of the week, you'll return feeling energised, nourished and restored.

THE VENUE

Our venue offers stunning luxury accommodation, with each room having its own identity and charm. All bedrooms in the main house are ensuite, with air conditioning and views across the Ionian Sea towards Kefalonia. There is also a beautiful, secluded cave house that is built into the rock, which has a double bed, an ensuite bathroom, and a large outdoor private space for relaxation. Or choose one of the two large luxury yurts that sit on platforms staggered up between rocks, forestry and winding walkways. The yurts are light and spacious and have ensuite bathrooms and standing fans.

Ithaca is one of the smallest in the Ionian island constellation. Its shores play host to a long Homeric and mythical history whose many mysteries are sensed amongst animated panorama and secretive coves. Our venue overlooks the sea and the eastern coastline of neighbouring Kefalonia from an elevated wilderness of olive trees and exposed rocks, allowing its natural beauty to speak for itself. An emphasis on indoor-outdoor living ensures full use of the land and its treasures that extend to sweeping and hidden beaches below.

THE YOGA

There will be two 90-minute yoga sessions each day, including meditation, pranayama and asana. The morning sessions will be dynamic to awaken your body and mind ready for the day ahead. The evening sessions will be gentle and restorative to allow for complete relaxation. One afternoon, we'll also have a yoga workshop to focus on developing form and technique.

Our outdoor shala is a shaded platform surrounded by wild oak trees and rocks, overlooking the sea. Practising beneath a canopy of dappled shade, you'll be surrounded by nature, hearing the waves and listening to the sound of cicadas. There is also a beautiful indoor shala that we have the option to use too. Plenty of yoga props are available including mats, blocks, bricks, thin blocks for knees, belts and blankets.

A little prior experience of yoga is recommended but not essential. You definitely don't need to be a yoga expert, and all abilities will be catered for. If you have not practised yoga with me before, you can read more about me and my teaching style and experience here.

THE ACTIVITIES

During this retreat you can do as much or as little as you wish. You can relax with a book beside the beautiful outdoor swimming pool, enjoy the clear waters of the local beaches and snooze under the shade in the many outdoor spaces. Massage treatments are also available as an optional extra.

In addition to the yoga practices, we'll also have two sound healing ceremonies - one at the start of the week and the second at the end - with certified sound healer Leigh Stevens. Leigh will use crystal sound bowls, toning and other instruments to help your body and mind to relax and restore.

If you'd like to be more active, we'll go on hikes to explore the local beauty and history of the surrounding area. This will include Homer's walk, where we'll learn about the story behind Odysseus and Ithaca, as described by Homer's poetry 28 centuries ago. Other optional activities include boat trips to explore secluded beaches, bike rides to visit local villages, and water sports such as kayaking and scuba diving.

THE FOOD

The food will be fresh and delicious, made from local produce and prepared by a local chef. All vegetables are organic where possible and sourced from the best of what Ithaca and neighbouring Kefalonia has to offer. Plentiful, home-cooked menus blend traditional Greek cuisine with a contemporary style. All meals will be vegetarian.

All allergies can be catered for; please advise me of any specific requirements when booking.