Posts Tagged ‘yoga’

• Who is this holiday for? Anyone with an interest in yoga and well-being
• When to go? Courses run all year around due excellent weather in Marbella
• Price? From £800 per person
• Type of Holiday? Exclusive and unique yoga retreat

To make a reservation or for further information email caroline@lotusblooming.com

If attention to detail, exclusivity and quality are what you are looking for then this is the yoga retreat for you!

Lotus Retreat in Marbella is a small luxury retreat that accommodates up to six people which ensures each person gets enough personal guidance and attention. While the holiday is deeply focused around yoga and its traditions it by no means is a boot camp and still has that wonderful holiday feel with all the enhancements and benefits of your yoga practices. The aim is to make your stay as comfortable, relaxing and rejuvenating as possible, to give you good value for your money, with the wish that you leave feeling renewed, refreshed, happy and contented enough to return.

Welcome to southern Spain

Relax on the sun terrace

Cool off in the pool

The beautiful yoga room

The house is situated in a quite residential area of Marbella set against the backdrop of La Concha Mountain and surrounded by well-kept gardens. It is beautifully decorated with lots of hand painted antique furniture and has a peaceful warm atmosphere. There are two twin rooms with a shared bathroom and a terrace and one larger twin room with its own bathroom and sun terrace. The rooms are comfortable and have a unique design. All of the sheets and towels are pure cotton.

The salon is beautifully decorated with hand painted antique furniture, there are books, puzzles and board games to play in your free time. The yoga studio has been purpose built with lots of light and privacy.
There is a large outside terrace and garden for dining, sun bathing or quietly reading in the shade and a communal swimming pool surrounded by beautifully kept gardens and a good tennis club just a short walk away. The retreat is just a five-minute drive from the beach and five minutes from a variety of good restaurants and shops.

An example of a day at the yoga retreat starts with a wake-up call at 7.30a.m and an early morning walk at 8.00a.m, along the beautiful beaches of Marbella or in the surrounding countryside and gardens.
At 10.00a.m. a yoga class for approximately one and a half to two hours in the purpose built yoga studio. This is followed by a brunch at 12.00pm which is freshly prepared with a wide choice of fruits, salads, cheese, yogurt, muslie, preserves, juice and teas.

From 1.00p.m. to 6.00p.m. is leisure time, swim in the pool, sunbathe on the terraces, take an Ayurvedic massage with the qualified therapist. Perhaps you might like to go to the beach or walk around the famous Puerto Banus with its amazing yachts. Here you can shop in stores like Dior, Versace and Loewe or simply sit in one of the many cafes and enjoy the ambiance.

At 6.00p.m. there is a gentle yoga class followed at 8.00p.m. by dinner which is mainly vegetarian but can include fish if you desire. Only the freshest ingredients are used. After dinner relax outside on the terrace, take a glass of wine, chat, read or take a walk to the beach and watch the sun set.

Relax in comfort

Quality bedrooms

Chill by the pool

Eat on the terrace

Yoga Retreat dates for 2010

10 January to 17 January (de-tox Retreat)

24 January to 31 January

03 February to 07 February (4 Days)

14 February to 21 February

03 March to 07 March(4 Days)

14 March to 21 March

28 March to 04 April (Easter)

07 April to 11 April (4 Days)

18 April to 25 April

28 April to 02 May (4 Days)

09 May to 16 May

More dates to follow

Costs per person excluding flights and transport

From £815 per person per week sharing in a twin bedded room

4 day retreats start from £495 per person per week sharing in a twin bedded room

A limited number of single rooms are available at a supplement of £175

Transfers from Malaga airport are available at £175 return per vehicle. There is an excellent bus service from Malaga to MArbella and it is then a 15€ taxi fare to the retreat. Prana are also able to arrange car hire for collection on your arrival at the airport..Call us for details.

Flights
We do not sell flights but can give advice on the best options and times.

The price includes the following features:
Accommodation for the length of the course
Brunch and dinner
All yoga classes and walks

The price does not include the following:
Travel to Lotus Retreat
Additional excursions and treatments not mentioned in the course
Travel Insurance
Drinks and extra meals

When to go?
Retreats are offered year round. The weather in this part of Spain is usually excellent. It makes a perfect winter get away.

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Gabriel Foster is a graphic artist for spirit, mind & body living and http://www.gabrielfoster.com is where you’ll find his inspirational articles and artwork.

Beginning my Yoga Experience – by Boyd Martin

As I walked out of the Bikram Yoga studio toward my car after my first class, I found myself declaring, “If I can actually do this yoga, it will totally change my whole life.” I had only been able to attempt half the postures, with the rest of the time lying down, just dealing with the heated, humid room. But it was a revelation as to the sorry state of my body’s condition, and the pathetic condition of my mind-body connection.

I had already made the firm decision to do yoga class every day for two months, after reading Bikram Choudhury’s introductory yoga book. He says, “Give us two months. We will change you.” After living with years of back pain due to compressed lumbar discs and a sedentary lifestyle, I was ready for that change–so ready, in fact, I was willing to subject my de-conditioned body to 90 minutes of vigorous cardiovascular activity in 105° heat and 60% humidity (making the “apparent temperature” somewhere around 145°). But the prospective discipline of it appealed to me, and soon I was actually enjoying the gentle torture of it, as I began to move muscles, bones and cartilage that hadn’t been moved in years.

Beyond the rewards of seeing my body stretch and reach new ranges of motion in class, it was after and between classes where the payoffs truly lay. Bending over to pick up something no longer hurt, standing up after sitting for a while no longer involved pain and stiffness, and I began noticing how good I felt instead of how bad.

Of course, getting to these improvements took a while; and although I had committed to two months of daily practice, it has now been nearly eight months, and I can now say yoga is an indispensible part of my life. This path has blatantly announced to me how I had incrementally reduced my own range of motion with each tiny discomfort, each injury, each bout of stiffness, in an attempt to protect myself from future pain. It is a common life strategy, but a very wrongheaded one. The body needs to increase its range of motion over time, and each discomfort or injury points the way. As the World’s Stiffest Person at 50, I was on the fast track to being a crippled old man by 60.

I drew a valuable conclusion from this, that all the little aches and pains and microconditions we had as twentysomethings, if not dealt with in a broad and holistic way, are the exact pains and conditions that amplify over time leading us to our ultimate demise. From this perspective, what is commonly referred to as “aging,” is actually more like an excuse for not answering the body’s calls for help early on. I’m just not buying the “I’m just getting too old for this” refrain I hear from my friends. Time, friction, and gravity will take their respective tolls, but only with permission from you. If I end up dying at 94, I would rather have gotten there vital, active and pain-free, instead of feeble, crippled, and tormented.

The main thing I’ve learned from my beginning yoga experience is that it takes MUCH MORE WORK than I thought to reverse my past slothfulness, and much more diligence on the day-to-day to maintain what gains I have acheived. Bikram refers to the “body’s bank account.” You invest into the account with yoga, and then spend the account when not doing yoga. Of course, I found I was sorely and deplorably in DEBT, and am only now seeing the light at the end of that tunnel, striving for the day I can touch my forehead to my toes, rest my leg on my shoulder, and nap on my back with my head on my feet.

SEVEN MORE THINGS I’VE LEARNED IN BIKRAM YOGA

1. If yoga turns it on, yoga will turn it off. I’ve had many classes where a muscle or joint will “release” (I used to wrongly identify it as “strain”), causing pain and stiffness or soreness after class. By the end of the next class, invariably, that soreness and pain disappears.
2. Your body is stronger than you think it is, and you have more energy than you think you do. One day in class I decided to completely ignore my thoughts as to what I could or couldn’t do in class, and was surprised to find a whole new range of motion, and a whole new area of energy and strength. The body obeys the limitations imposed upon it by the mind. Because Bikram Yoga is one of the most strenuous forms of hatha yoga, it is easy to claim to myself that I MUST be tired after all that exertion. Letting myself engage in this way, certainly obtained the result. The REALITY of yoga class is that it CREATES energy. Although it is natural to feel weakness or exhaustion, that feeling is actually RECOVERY, and in a few minutes, I claim to myself that I am refreshed and energetically ready for life. And, magically, I am.
3. Trust your body to know what it needs to do. Patience. As obedient as the body is to the limitations of the mind, it has also retained the awareness of the sequence of how those limitations were imposed, and knows how to undo them. The deeper problem with this is that many times there seem to be opposing limitations and confused commands operating within the body. These were put there by the mind, resulting in the wrong muscles being used to do certain motions. The trick, of course, is to get the mind out of the way, and it WILL resolve.
4. How you do yoga is how you do your life. The corollary to this is what happens during yoga practice is a microcosm of what happens to you in life. Paying attention to this is the road to revelation–as well as some inner grins.
5. Flexibility and core strength are the keys to health. Nutrition is important, drinking lots of water is important, getting proper amounts of sleep is important–all things I had been doing throughout my life. Unfortunately, I had overlooked the two most important things. Exercise is inadequate (and I dare say useless) without flexibility and core strength training. Again, it has taken much more than I thought to keep my body’s bank account from going into the red, and the quickest way into the black is with flexibility and core strength training. (By “core strength” I mean the deepest core muscles that create movement in the body, such as abdominal and back muscles.) With a high degree of flexibility, all the enzymes, minerals, blood flow, and myriad other rejuvenating substances the body creates to heal and build itself can get to those areas that need it. Without flexibility, there is withering and dying. I also noticed that I didn’t engage my abdominal muscles when I should, such as when bending over, lifting, carrying, walking, standing up. This set up bad habits of motion, and the obvious developing flacidity and inappropriate muscle recruitment.
6. Breathe. Combine this command with how you do yoga is how you do your life, and you’ll quickly see where you cut off your life force in daily living. I would stop breathing when I felt weak, for example. Ooops.
7. Use your mind to guide and expand. This is a corollary to Number 3 above. I noticed that by setting and visualizing goals on each posture, as well as for the entire class, and by refusing to entertain any other thoughts–such as how hot it is in the room, what hurts, what I’m afraid of, etcetera, etcetera–lo and behold progress gets made. The body wants to feel better. Help it out by concentrating on improving each posture, and when not doing that, concentrating on breathing. I’m saving myself a lot of unnecessay torture by applying this point in my practice, and in my life.

EMOTIONAL/SPIRITUAL CHANGES

The most impressive effect underlying all the physical changes has been my greatly increased ability to confront life in the proper perspective–what I’ll call the “Small Potatoes Effect.” This is where one does something so monumentally difficult that the rest of life’s daily conflicts, conundrums, irritations and niggly stresses seem to all pale in importance. Or, more accurately, they begin to assume the quality of merely the backdrop texture accompanying my personal goals and purposes. They become the tiny, swirling dust devils stirred up by my atmospheric movements of intention. These are no longer “stresses”–they are revealing acknowledgements that life is changing according to my desires.

As the practice advances, I’m wondering if perhaps it is not so much that it is “monumentally difficult” to do this yoga, but that certain firmly embedded toxic conditions residing for decades deep within organs, muscle and bone are at last being purged–and that translates as a monumental achievement on some subliminal cellular or auric level.

Whatever it is, it has restored my sense of humor, allowed me to rediscover my enjoyment of living, and added an aura of leisure in everyday activities, even as I find myself accomplishing more.

And so I continue on with my daily practice of Bikram Yoga with an inner smile, remembering that Bikram says, “You gotta go through hell to get to heaven,” and remembering that the only reason the “hell” is there was my own doing. But with yoga, my days of redemption are at hand.

Boyd is the webmaster of www.subtleenergysolutions.com and the newsletter writer for that site. He enjoys a wide range of experience both in the ways of the internet and in freelance writing. An active, professional drummer, Boyd performs in the Portland area with several area blues and R&B bands. Boyd is also an avid, practicing Bikram Yoga participant

Yoga is a great exercise for people who need to increase suppleness, reduce stress, get fit, and lead a more healthy life. Nearly anybody can do yoga as it is not strenuous, which makes it well suited as an exercise program all through life. Many folk consider yoga but also have questions about how to get started.

Many folks are troubled that they are not flexible enough to do yoga and will never be in the flexible state that is required to get into the contortionist poses many people associate with yoga. The reality is that yoga is about building flexibility, together with other things, and you do not have to be extremely flexible to begin taking yoga lessons. Yoga also includes learning how to be in a position to the best of your ability, and to relax after a hard day’s work. It takes time to build suppleness and yoga will help you to become more flexible.

Many of us think that yoga is just for ladies, but men can also take part in and benefit from yoga too. Men benefit from yoga in the similar fashion that ladies do: with increased flexibility, strength, stress reduction and overall well being.

Yoga has become more well-liked by men as they, too, have found several health advantages of this traditional exercise. Yoga is famous for having plenty of health benefits, but some people still wonder if it will help them lose weight as this is one of their main fitness goals.

Whilst yoga is not the quickest way to lose weight, it will help you to lose those additional pounds. As yoga mixes physical exercise with positive lifestyle adaptations, you will be ready to better manage stress and eliminate the negative influences in your life that contribute to weight issues.  A lot of exercise programs have stern rules as to how frequently you need to perform them.

Whilst it is important to give your body time to rest after strenuous activity, the gentle nature of yoga makes it the kind of exercise that you can practice as regularly as you like. You can begin with classes a number of times a week and consequently attend more, or you can practice everyday at home. If your schedule permits structured exercise less often, you can practice yoga whenever likely and still gain the health benefits.

Prana Holidays range of small group tours and group adventure tours offer a great way to travel with like minded people while experiencing the best that a country has to offer. Groups are led by local tour representatives who know their country better than anyone. We strongly believe that to experience the road less travelled with local guidance and advice is the most responsible and fulfilling way to run our tours.

With a maximum of only 10 people on each tour and NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS* these tours offer great value and the itineraries are identical to our private tours.

• No Single Supplement – On our group tours, there is no single supplement. We will match you with a roommate of the same gender in a twin room. Our policy is to avoid supplements unless requested by you.

To book any tours, call us on 01670 828521 for instant confirmation and availability.

Click on the tour name for a full itinerary and a list of inclusions
KEY
A = Places Available, L = Limited places, F = Full

Bhutan – Land of the Thunder Dragon

20 Mar 2010 – 01 Apr 2010   -   £2,695 per person (A)
01 Feb 2011 – 13 Feb 2011    -   £2,795 per person (A)

India – Royal Rajasthan

30 Oct 2010 – 13 Nov 2010   -   £1,495 per person (A)
05 Nov 2011 – 19 Nov 2011   -   £1,595 per person (A)

India – Tiger Safari

20 Mar 2010 – 12 Apr 2010 – £2,595 per person (A)
04 Mar 2011 – 19 Mar 2011 – £2,695 per person (A)

Jordan – Discover Jordan

30 Sep 2010 – 09 Oct 2010 – £895 per person (A)
12 Mar 2011 – 20 Mar 2011 – £935 per person (A)

Uganda – Gorillas in the mist

30 Jan 2010 – 08 Feb 2010 – £2,295 per person (A)
03 Jan 2011 – 12 Jan 2011 – £2,355 per person (A)

India & Nepal – The Buddhist Trail

06 Nov 2010 – 19 Nov 2010 – £1,479 per person (A)
04 Dec 2011 – 17 Dec 2011 – £1,535 per person (A)

Sri Lanka  – Buddhism and Beauty Tour

20 Mar 2010 – 01 Apr 2010 – £1,275 per person (A)
01 Feb 2011 – 13 Feb 2011 – £1,355 per person (A)

Thailand  – Cultural Tour

01 Feb 2010 – 13 Feb 2010 – £755 per person (A)
04 Feb 2011 – 16 Feb 2011 – £855 per person (A)

Costa Rica  – Yoga and Nature Holiday

05 Apr 2010 – 17 Apr 2010 – £1,995 per person (A)
17 Feb 2011 – 01 Mar 2011 – £2,095 per person (A)

To book a place on any of our group tours call us on 01670 828521

• Who is this holiday for? Suitable for couples and singles looking for luxury
• When to go? Best time of year is January to April but all year around is good
• Price? From £1,350 per person
• Type of Holiday? Luxury island retreat. Excellent Spa facilities

To make a reservation or for further information - Contact Us

Filitheyo is the only island resort in the un-spoilt Faafu Atoll. A natural tropical island, which is lush in vegetation and surrounded by a stunning house reef. The resort offers guests what can be only be described as a barefoot luxury retreat. Spend your days enjoying the beautiful sandy beaches and swimming in the Azure blue water of the Indian Ocean. A laid back life style awaits you that promises fun, relaxation, adventure and unforgettable memories. The resort is ideal for honeymooners and for those that want to kick off their shoes and relax on the beach or explore untouched reefs.

Filitheyo Island, Maldives

Water Villas, Maldives

Pool and Sunset Bar

Beautiful Maldives beach

Accommodation
Choose from an array of 125 Villas scattered around the rim of island. Surrounded by lush tropical vegetation the Villas offer a serene and homely lifestyle.

• 84 Superior Villas (95 sqm) – Semi detached Villas with part open-air bathroom. They have four poster king size bed or twin beds, a day bed, outdoor shower and private veranda with sun loungers.

• 10 Family Villas (191 sqm) – Two superior Villas with interconnecting door, suitable for families with young children. One double & one twin bed room, day bed, outdoor shower and private veranda with sun loungers.

• 15 Deluxe Villas (111 sqm) – Detached and free standing Villas with part open air bathrooms. They have a four poster king size bed, a day bed, outdoor shower, bath tub and private veranda with sun loungers.

• 16 Water Villas (146 sqm) – Detached, built on stilts over the crystal clear lagoon. They have four poster king size bed or twin beds, spacious bathroom with a whirl pool style bath tub, bubble bath, private veranda, local style swing, day bed and sun loungers.

All rooms come with satellite TV, audio CD player, direct dial telephone, in-villa safe, mini bar, tea & coffee making facility, hair dryer, bathrobes, complimentary toiletries and beach towels. There is also a twice daily housekeeping service, wakeup calls and a laundry service.

Food
The main restaurant serves beach buffets and barbecues that offer delicious international and local dishes. The culinary delights include Chinese, Indian, German and Japanese dishes with special fresh meat, poultry dishes like grilled meats, seafood and pasta, fresh mixed salads, and tropical fruit dishes.
The Coffee Shop, Sunset Bar, Abandoned Ship Deck, and Pool Bar Counter offer wide choice of cocktails, warm coffees, fresh juices, wines and beers.

What to do there?
For recreation, Filitheyo provides numerous activities like snorkelling, diving, big game fishing, canoeing, catamaran sailing, night fishing, scuba diving, sight seeing flights, windsurfing and island hopping which guests can indulge in. The resort also has a swimming pool, souvenir shop, fitness gym, badminton court, snooker table, table tennis and facilities for many other sports and games.
Diving – The Internationally acclaimed Werner Lau Diving Centre offers complete packages, from a basic course for beginners to advanced diving courses. Advanced courses up to CMAS and PADI Dive Master are available for more experienced divers, as well as Barracuda (CMAS), SSI and PADI diving courses continually throughout the year. Werner Lau Diving Centre with its international diving instructors will help you master the art of diving in the beautiful turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.

Mandara Spa

The Mandara Spa at Filitheyo makes the dream complete. Three quietly tropical double Spa Bungalows and one single Spa Room where you can relax body and mind as your senses are indulged and your vitality restored. The Asian-inspired menu offers you choices to soothe and relax your muscles, de-stress your mind, uplift your soul, rejuvenate your skin and restore your sense of well-being. Each of the double Spa Bungalows has a private outdoor shower and plenty of space to relax in style.
Signature Services of the Spa – Balinese Massage
This traditional massage combines stretching, long strokes, skin rolling and palm and thumb pressure techniques to relieve stress and tension, improve blood flow and relax body and mind. A deeply relaxing path to body and mind well-being.

Snorkel at Filitheyo

View from a water villa

Filitheyo Beach villa

Filitheyo Water villas

Cost per room per night HALF BOARD
Superior Villas start from £184 to £227 per room per night.

Call us to get a quote for your holiday and for the latest offers and package deals on all room types.

Honeymoon Offer
All guests on their honeymoon will receive the following .
A fruit basket on arrival
A bottle of wine.
Contact us for full terms and conditions.

Transfers from Male International Airport to Kurumba Maldives are in a SEAPLANE.  Arrivals in Male must be in daylight hours.

You also have the options to upgrade your meal plan to full board or All Inclusive. Contact us for prices.

The ‘All inclusive’ package includes the following:
Lunch in the main restaurant, tea/coffee with snacks (4-6pm daily), all drinks by glass (including mineral water, soft drinks, beer, house wine during meals, whisky, gin, vodka, rum) to be served between 1000 hrs – 2359 hrs only. (All drinks consumed after midnight will be charged at the normal price),two free excursions (1 island hopping & 1 night fishing) per person per stay.

Flights
There are flights to the Maldives with Emirates, Sri Lanka Airlines and a number of charter carriers.  We do not sell flights but can give advice.

When to go?
The Maldives has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year round and a great deal of sunshine. The warm tropical climate results in relatively minor variations in daily temperature throughout the year. The hottest month on average is April and the coolest, December. The weather is determined largely by the monsoons.
There is a significant variation in the monthly rainfall levels. February is the driest with January to April being relatively dry, May and October records the highest average monthly rainfall. The southwest monsoon or hulhangu from May to September is the wet season. Rough seas and strong winds are common during this period. The northeast monsoon iruvai falls between December to April. This is a period of clear skies, lower humidity and very little rain. The Maldives is in the equatorial belt and therefore severe storms and cyclones are extremely rare events. However the country is affected whenever cyclones form in the Bay of Bengal or the Arabian Sea. The spiralling clouds of the weather systems appear over the Maldives causing spells of rain.

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• Who is this holiday for? Suitable for couples and singles looking for luxury
• When to go? Best time of year is January to April but all year around is good
• Price? From £1,350 per person
• Type of Holiday? Luxury island retreat. Excellent Spa facilities

To make a reservation or for further information - Contact Us

The Taj Coral Reef Resort offers a rare combination of a relaxing hideaway with the comforts of a truly world-class resort. Nestled in a pristine, natural setting, it is a perfect destination for romance-seekers, honeymooners, and special occasion guests who yearn for tranquillity and privacy in a stunning natural surrounding. Amateur and experienced divers can look forward to discovering over 600 species of exotic fish, and numerous dive sites, including a house reef with its own shipwreck!

Taj Coral Reef, Maldives

Explore the Maldives

Beach Bungalow

Relax at Taj Coral Reef

Accommodation
Lagoon Bungalows are built over the water and Beach Bungalows are located right on the sun-drenched sands, so you are never far from perfection.

• Lagoon Bungalows

Built on stilts over the lagoon’s turquoise waters, these unforgettable villas boast private sun decks with stunning views of the ocean. From private sundecks, a wooden ladder leads directly to the water. Guest amenities include international direct dial facility, colour television with satellite channels and in-house movies, coffee/tea maker, minibar, and a personal safe.

• Beach Bungalows and Deluxe Beach Bungalows

Built over smooth white sand and seconds away from tranquil waters, these spacious, rustic villas offer private sit-outs, sun decks, hammocks as well as the exhilarating experience of open-air garden showers. Includes all of the above guest amenities. The Deluxe Beach Bungalows boast an amazing beach view through large glass bay windows and are slightly larger than the Beach Bungalow.
The hotel is less than 32 kilometres away Male International airport, and can be reached by speed boat in an hour or in a typical dhoni, a boat used by locals to reach various islands.

Food
From casual, all-day eateries to formal, fine dining, guests can look forward to a wide selection of delectable dishes and refreshing drinks. Taj offer a distinctive dining experience, one that explores the nuances of the finest Indian and international cuisines, serving traditional and contemporary favourites. The restaurants at Coral Reef are:

• Hembadu Palm Grill. This welcoming restaurant serves grilled dishes as well as tasty seafood. Attire: Informal

• Local Specialty. This restaurant serves fresh, flavourful seafood. Attire: Informal holiday wear

• Rukkuri. Guests can find a great mix of international cuisines and panoramic views at this inviting restaurant. Attire: Informal

• The Beach Bar. Guests can relax with their favourite refreshment and enjoy great views of the beach. Attire: Informal

• The Reef Bar. This palm-fringed, open-air deck offers breathtaking views of the reef and sea. Attire: Informal holiday wear

What to do there?
Guest can take advantage of a good range of recreation activities at the Resort. Fitness and fun includes badminton, cricket, a fitness centre, snooker, a souvenir shop, a swimming pool and table tennis. Beach sports include football, tennis and volleyball.
Recreation outside of the hotel includes a five-star diving school (equipment can be hired with a charge), a glass bottom boat trip, island hopping, a picnic trip and a submarine trip.
Other excursions that can be arranged locally include day & night fishing expeditions, excursions and snorkel trips to sand banks, excursions to the capital – Male, island hopping, private coral viewing and sea plane excursions.

Jiva Spa

Jiva Spas offer a spectrum of authentic and traditional Indian wellness treatments and experiences in a stylish and soothing ambience. Drawing from ancient India healing wisdom and Ayurveda, Jiva Spas believe that a spa unfolds a way of life wherein the life force is the bedrock of wellness.
Jiva Spas enrobe guests in exclusive experiences and environs whilst offering an array of signature treatments, yoga and meditation. The treatments include a choice of Indian, royal and holistic experiences, applications and ceremonies specially designed to maintain physical, mental and spiritual equilibrium.
Inspired by the ancient Indian science of the planning of space, Jiva spas unfold a refreshing idiom of spa design that emanates a harmonious balance of energy and elements in their restful tropical overtones, organic design and contemporary finishes. The spas are equipped with single and double treatment suites, beauty treatment rooms, meditation and yoga pavilions, relaxation pools and fully-equipped gyms.
Highly trained and dedicated spa therapists offer treatments with unique products made from pure Indian herbs, Indian aromatherapy oils, natural creams and special ingredients.

Welcome to paradise

Great food at Coral Reef

Lagoon Villa

Lagoon Villa

Cost per room per night including breakfast
Beach Bungalows start from £313 to £399 per room per night.

Call us to get a quote for your holiday and for the latest offers and package deals on all room types.

Special Honeymoon / 25th Wedding Anniversary offer
Receive one private dinner with a bottle of champagne on the beach, 15% discount in the spa, one Sunset cocktail, fruit basket on arrival, cake and gift.
Contact us for terms and conditions.

Flights
There are flights to the Maldives with Emirates, Sri Lanka Airlines and a number of charter carriers.  We do not sell flights but can give advice.

When to go?
The Maldives has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year round and a great deal of sunshine. The warm tropical climate results in relatively minor variations in daily temperature throughout the year. The hottest month on average is April and the coolest, December. The weather is determined largely by the monsoons.
There is a significant variation in the monthly rainfall levels. February is the driest with January to April being relatively dry, May and October records the highest average monthly rainfall. The southwest monsoon or hulhangu from May to September is the wet season. Rough seas and strong winds are common during this period. The northeast monsoon iruvai falls between December to April. This is a period of clear skies, lower humidity and very little rain. The Maldives is in the equatorial belt and therefore severe storms and cyclones are extremely rare events. However the country is affected whenever cyclones form in the Bay of Bengal or the Arabian Sea. The spiralling clouds of the weather systems appear over the Maldives causing spells of rain.

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• Who is this holiday for? Suitable for couples and singles looking to discover the best of Thailand
• When to go? The best time of year is November to February but all year around is possible
• Price? From £855 per person
• Type of Holiday? A guided tour of Thailand with English speaking guides

To make a reservation or for further information – Contact Us

Prana Holidays 13 day Cultural tour of Thailand is a great value holiday exploring the culture, history and culinary delights of this wonderful country. During the tour you travel as part of an international group, using 3 star hotels and with an English speaking guide. Your tour starts in the capital, Bangkok where you explore the markets and temples and discover the hidden treasures of the capital of old Siam. Travel over the infamous Burma Railway constructed during WWII by prisoners of war and visit the moving war museum. Continue north to Chiang Mai, where you have the chance to attend the famous Chang Mai Thai Cookery School and explore the famous night market. To end the tour, we head back south to the beautiful beaches of Cha-am for a few days of relaxing at the end of this great taste of Thailand.

Day 1 – Bangkok (Friday or Monday)
You will be met upon arrival at Bangkok Airport. Look for your driver who will be holding a sign with your name on it, at the side of the arrival hall. Transfer to your hotel located in the heart of Chinatown. The rest of the day is free to relax.
Overnight at Grande Ville Hotel or similar – Standard Room

Bangkok at night

Wat Arun

Northern Thai Tribes

Visit Chang Mai

Day 2 – Bangkok (Saturday or Tuesday)
This morning you will first explore China Town, one of the most authentic and vibrant areas of Bangkok with its small alleys, markets and hidden Chinese temples. You will also visit Pak Klong Talad, the colourful Flower Market. After exploring with your guide you will continue to Wat Po. This ancient temple houses the giant Reclining Buddha; at 46-metres long and 15 metres high, it is an incredible sight. Later on, we explore the klongs (canals) of Bangkok by longtail boat. You will visit the Royal Barges and Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, before transferring back to the hotel.
Overnight at Grande Ville Hotel or similar – Standard Room
Breakfast is included today

Day 3 – Bangkok (Sunday or Wednesday)
Today we take a unique guided Bangkok cycle tour, starting and ending at the Grand China Princes Hotel. It will take you to places rarely visited by tourists. Klongs (canals) may have once earned Bangkok the title of the ‘Venice of the Orient’ but the tropical landscape and Thai-style homes will shatter all illusions of a European city. The bicycle tour takes you to very small backstreets, alleys, markets, temples and even the small streets and houses hidden below Bangkok’s highways. This day gives a true picture of daily life for the majority of people in this city. While biking along the vast network of elevated pathways (over the klongs) which are only wide enough for bicycles and motorbikes, you will discover ‘the real Bangkok’. Few cars will be seen… no traffic jams, no hassle, no shopping malls, no air conditioning, no modern-day Bangkok life. You will feel as if you are in a remote village, surrounded by people living in small houses and living off of the produce of their land. There are hardly any roads, so you are required to balance on the high concrete paths leading through this picturesque part of Bangkok. On your return to the city in the afternoon, you will not believe that you have just experienced a taste of this unique area. The remainder of the day is free at your leisure.
Overnight at Grande Ville Hotel or similar – Standard Room
Breakfast is included today

Day 4 – Bangkok to Kanchanaburi (Monday or Thursday)
The next few days you will be travelling with an international group of travellers to Kanchanaburi Province. Early this morning, you will be picked up from your hotel by the minivan and guide and driven to the Floating Market of Damnoen Saduak, about 80km (50 miles) west of Bangkok. Your early departure this morning will mean you will get to see the best of the market. We then continue driving to Kanchanaburi town, where we board the train to Nam Tok over the infamous Burma Railway, constructed in WWII under Japanese orders by POW’s and forced labourers. Lunch is taken in Pakseang. After lunch we will take a longtail boat for a trip on the Kwai Noi River and pass mountainous jungle scenery on the way to the River Kwai Jungle Rafts. On arrival, you have the rest of the afternoon free.
Although there is no electricity at River Kwai Jungle Rafts, oil lamps create a special atmosphere. Accommodation consists of basic, though comfortable rooms with hammocks on the front porch and private bathrooms. In the evening there will be the traditional dances and music of the Mon (a modest fee is to be paid locally).
Overnight at the River Kwai Jungle Rafts
Breakfast and lunch are included today

Day 5 – Kanchanaburi (Tuesday or Friday)
After breakfast, you will travel by boat and then drive to visit the Erawan Waterfall. Entrance fees are to be paid locally. You will spend a couple of hours at this wonderful waterfall, where you can walk up all the way to the top and have a swim in the crystal clear water at one of the many levels of the falls. During weekends Erawan is a very popular recreation destination for locals. After lunch at the falls, we transfer to your hotel in Kanchanaburi town. In Kanchanaburi you will visit the Bridge over the River Kwai, the War Cemetery and the War Museum.
Overnight at Kasem Island Resort or similar (Fan Room)
Breakfast and lunch are included today

Day 6 – Kanchanaburi via Ayuthaya to Chiang Mai (Wednesday or Saturday)
After breakfast we drive to Ayuthaya where you will take lunch at a riverside restaurant before visiting Wat Chai Mongkol, famous for its leaning Chedi and Buddha galleries. This afternoon you will be transferred to Ayutthaya railway station for your trip on board the night train to Chiang Mai.
Overnight on board train. 2nd class sleeper.
Breakfast and lunch are included today

Day 7 – Chiang Mai (Thursday or Sunday)
Upon arrival in Chang Mai, we transfer to our hotel, where we will have breakfast. The morning is free to relax and enjoy the pool at the hotel. After lunch at a nice local restaurant, we visit the fascinating Tribal Museum. Here we learn about the different hill tribes which live in this mountainous part of the country. Later, we visit Chiang Mai’s most famous temple, Wat Prathat Doi Suthep. Perched on a 1200 metre high mountain, it offers a great view over Chiang Mai and its surroundings.
Overnight at Pornping Hotel or similar – Superior Room
Breakfast and lunch are included today

Day 8 – Chiang Mai (Friday or Monday)
This morning you will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to the Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School where you will spend the day learning about traditional Thai cooking. The day starts with a visit to the market to learn about and pick out the freshest local spices and produce. Today’s course focuses on an introduction to Thai ingredients and curry pastes. Be prepared to impress friends and family on your return. The dishes may include: Chiang Mai Curry, Panaeng Curry, Fried Fish with chilli and basil, Sweet and Sour Vegetables, Spicy Glass Noodle Salad, Black Sticky Rice Pudding and fruit tasting. The cooking class will last from approximately 10:00-14:00. After a lunch of your own creation, you’ll return to the hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon and evening free to relax or explore on your own.
Overnight at Pornping Hotel or similar – Superior Room
Breakfast and lunch are included today

Day 9 – Chiang Mai (Saturday or Tuesday)
A free day to enjoy the amenities of your hotel or explore more of Chang Mai.
Overnight at Pornping Hotel or similar – Superior Room
Breakfast is included today

Day 10 – Chiang Mai via Bangkok to Cha-am (Sunday or Wednesday)
This morning we transfer to Chiang Mai airport and fly from Chiang Mai to Bangkok with Air Asia (Economy class). On arrival in Bangkok we transfer by private car to Cha-Am beach. Enjoy a different world of long, often empty, white sandy beaches, great seafood, blue skies & lazy days. This is Thai beach culture at its best.
Overnight at Long Beach Cha-am or similar – Standard Room
Breakfast is included today

Day 11 – Cha-am (Monday or Thursday)
A day free for the beach or to explore the area. Take a break from lazing on the beach to visit Royal palaces, amazing Temples or go for a walk in the surrounding hills. If you like to play golf, you will be spoilt for choice, with six world class courses within a short distance.
Overnight at Long Beach Cha-am or similar – Standard Room
Breakfast is included today

Day 12 – Cha-am (Tuesday or Friday)
Your final day is free to relax and enjoy the Thai beaches, food and culture.
Overnight at Long Beach Cha-am or similar – Standard Room
Breakfast is included today

Day 13 – Cha-am to Bangkok (Wednesday or Saturday)
We check out of the hotel at noon (12.00) and meet your private driver for the transfer to Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok) in plenty of time for your international flight home.

Chang Mai Night market

Northern Tribes

Cultural Thailand

Experience Thailand

Costs per person excluding flights to Thailand
Min. 2 people travelling from £855 per person (twin/double rooms)
Single room supplement from £190 per person

Flights
We do not sell flights but can give advice on times and routes.

The price includes:
Accommodation as per mentioned
English speaking guide during sightseeing
Entrance fees (unless mentioned)
Domestic flights as indicated
Meals where indicated
Sightseeing as indicated
Transportation as mentioned in the itinerary

The price does not include:
International flights to Bangkok
Airport taxes payable locally
Alcoholic drinks
Compulsory Christmas’ Eve and New Year’s Eve dinner (if applicable)
Travel Insurance
Any optional Tours
Personal expenses
Tips
Transportation not specifically mentioned
Visa fees
Water during meals

When to go?
If you can avoid the rainy season (July to October), it would probably be best, but if you can’t, the rain isn’t permanent – it comes in bursts and cools things down after it has gone! The weather in Thailand is reasonable most times of year, although it certainly gets hot during the summer. November through February are the coolest times of year and there is certainly less rain then than at other times in the year. However, Thailand is a big country with a diverse landscape. There is somewhere to visit whatever time of the year you visit the kingdom.

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• Who is this holiday for? Suitable for people looking for an authentic spa and yoga retreat
• When to go? The best time to visit is February to late June
• Price? From £949 per person
• Type of Holiday? Luxury yoga retreat and spa

To make a reservation or for further information – Contact Us

If you are looking for a luxury yoga holiday, then Thailand is the place for you!

Absolute Sanctuary is a stunning, Moroccan-inspired boutique resort designed specifically with your well-being in mind. Located on the beautiful Thai island of Koh Samui it offers charming gardens, tranquil fountains, the peaceful sounds of flowing water and bright yet soothing colours throughout. Blending luxurious accommodation with a wide range of vibrant detoxification programs, inspiring Yoga retreats, spa-based healing therapies and a health-food restaurant serving tantalizing, nutritious cuisine, Absolute Sanctuary caters to those seeking a journey back to balance, rejuvenation and wellness. Whether it’s all this you’re after or if you just want to escape and unwind, immerse yourself in the tranquillity of a tropical island and indulge in the comforts of modern amenities, Absolute is the place for you.

Yoga at Absolute, Koh Samui

Sunset in Koh Samui

Thai Beach

Wonderful Rooms

Inspired by the stunning architecture of Morocco, Absolute Sanctuary boasts 38 luxurious rooms, each featuring vibrant yet soothing colour themes, unique decorative details and modern amenities to ensure that you never want for anything. Absolute Sanctuary is nestled into the hillside with a stunning views of the Gulf of Thailand on Cheong Mon Peninsula. All the elegantly spacious rooms feature comfortable beds and linens, en-suite bathrooms with stylish tiling, air conditioning & ceiling fan, desk, safe, mini-fridge, hair dryers, telephone and a small terrace where you can relax and enjoy the view. They provide a range of locally made bathroom amenities with which you can pamper yourself even more.

We offer a 10 day yoga holiday program at the Absolute Sanctuary, but can also book any of their range of holidays. Contact us for full details.

The yoga programs are designed for anyone wanting a healthy, invigorating holiday but who do not want to miss out on their daily yoga practice or for beginners who simply just want to take up yoga. There are a wide range of classes taught by internationally-trained yoga teachers. Think of it like your own customized yoga retreat!

The 10 day yoga holiday includes unlimited yoga classes at the Absolute Yoga Centre, 3 A la Carte Vegetarian Meals per day, 1 x 90-min Thai Massage or a 60-min Aromatherapy per day, pool, steam room and mini-theatre access. The yoga centre is spacious with wood-floored yoga space and natural light through floor to ceiling windows. A variety of yoga classes are offered including Hot Yoga, Vinyasa, Yin, Detox, Hatha and Hot Flow. There are between 20-30 classes per week all conducted by experienced and certified international teachers. As an added bonus you also get a voucher for use at the Absolute Detox & Spa Centre and an additional 10% discount on all Detox & Spa Treatments.

Thai Culture

Massage in Koh Samui

Great Thai food

Thai Market

Costs per person excluding flights to Koh Samui
Yoga Holiday in Superior rooms
10 nights from £949 to £1,099 per person based on two people in twin/double room.
Single room supplements are available.

We have rates on all lengths of stay plus the Absolute Sanctuary offers Detox and Spa packages.

Flights
We do not sell flights but can offer advice on routes and times.

The price includes the following features:
Accommodation for 10 nights in a superior room
Round trip airport transfer from Samui Airport
Unlimited Yoga Class at Absolute Yoga Centre
3 A la Carte Vegetarian Meals
1 x 90-min Thai Massage or 60-min Aromatherapy per day
2 x Fresh juices or smoothies per day
Pool, Steam Room, Mini-Theatre Access
Bt 4,000 Voucher at Absolute Detox & Spa Centre
Additional 10% discount on all Detox & Spa Treatments

The price does not include the following:
Your international flights to Koh Samui – call us for further details.
Any treatments / classes not mentioned
Expenses of a personal nature
Travel insurance

When to go?
The best time to visit the Samui group of islands is during the hot, dry season from February to late June. From July to October, during the southwest monsoon, it can rain intermittently, and from October to January, during the northeast monsoon, there are sometimes strong winds. However, many travellers have reported sunny weather (and fewer crowds) in September and October. November tends to get some of the rain that also affects the east coast of Malaysia at this time.

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• Who is this holiday for? Suitable for adults wanting a true Ayurveda experience
• When to go? All year around. January to April has the least rain
• Price? From £657 per person
• Type of Holiday? Ayurveda retreat holiday

To make a reservation or for further information – Contact Us

Relax and unwind on this amazing ayurveda holiday in Sri Lanka.

Ayurveda as the name implies (Ayu: life, Veda: Knowledge) is the “Art of healthy living”. Ayurveda is the oldest complete medical system in the world with a history of nearly 5000 years. The traditional medicine was developed by ancient sages through keen observation of life and its functions. In Ayurvedic philosophy the development of each of us from birth is governed by the varied combination of the five basic forces of nature – Water, Fire, Air, Earth and Ether. The most significant advantage of Ayurveda is that there are no side effects or adverse reactions from this treatment. Apart from a healing science, it is also the art of perfect healthy living.

Situated close to Beruwala on the west coast, Neptune Ayurveda Village is a health resort exclusively for Ayurveda guests. With a calm and serene setting the whole resort, which is close to the beach, was created to be conducive to the Ayurvedic way of life. The wonderful landscaped gardens and numerous ponds provide a soothing and rustic environment that is ideal for a programme of Ayurveda while friendly staff make you feel at home.

Neptune Resort

Meditation

Ayurveda treatments

Yoga on Holiday

The 20 air-conditioned bungalows are tastefully furnished and provide a haven for guests seeking relaxation and peace. All rooms have a garden terrace, mini safe, hot water, piped music, hair dryer and telephone.
The Ayurveda treatment area features ponds, water features and landscaped gardens in order to provide an especially soothing environment. There are 12 spacious individual treatment rooms, a doctor’s consultation room and a unique Yoga and meditation room in the middle of a large pond.

On your arrival at Neptune Ayurveda Village you will receive a welcome foot oil massage followed by a meeting with the Consultant Chief Doctor who will examine you and provide an individual treatment plan based on pulse diagnosis. The selection and frequency of treatments will be at the discretion of the chief doctor while they will be administered daily by well-trained friendly therapists under supervision from two resident physicians.

There are three different programs offered at the Neptune Ayurveda Village -
Rejuvenation & Relaxation, Weight & Stress Management, and Ayurveda Panchakarma.

Ayurveda Rejuvenation and Relaxation program
A combination of treatment over seven to 28 days that includes, Face Massages, Head Massages, Foot Massages, Different Body Massages, Shirodhara, Steam Bath, Herbal Water Bath, Steam inhalation, Special Treatments, Flower Bath, Ayurvedic Medicine and Herbal Teas, Acupuncture and Pinda Sweda.

Stress management and weight management programme
This programme is performed though nutrition, fitness, behaviour and medical management over a minimum of 14 days. It includes a combination of Cleansing Therapies, Uda Wartana, Face Massages, Head Massages, Different Body Massages, Steam Bath, Herbal Water Bath, Shirodhara, Pinda Sweda, Flower Bath, Acupuncture, Special Treatments, Foot Massages, Steam Inhalation, Special Diet and Herbal Teas, Yoga, Meditation and Special Medicines.

Ayurveda Panchakarma program
Lasting from seven to 28 days. Treatments include a combination of Ghee Therapy, Suitable Cleansing Therapies, Nasal Cleansing, Bowel Cleaning or Chest Cleaning, Facial Massage, Foot Massage, Head Massage, Body Massage, Shirodhara, Herbal Steam Bath, Herbal Water Bath, Flower Bath, Herbal Medicine, Shirovasthi, Akshitharpana, Pinda Sweda, Acupuncture, Yoga and Meditation.

• Please note that Ayurveda Panchakarma is not for beginners.

Local Wildlife

Wonderful beaches

Ayurveda treatment

Explore Sri Lanka

Costs per person excluding flights
1 Person (Single room) / 2 People (double/twin room)
1 Week from – £863 / £657
2 Weeks from – £1,614 / £1,258
3 Weeks from – £2,366 / £1,858
4 Weeks from – £3,115 / £2,459

Flights
Wedo not sell flights but can give advice and routes.

The price includes the following features:
Full board inclusive of all therapy at the Neptune Ayurveda Village (Please note that this does not include alcohol, which is not served in the village)
Transportation from the airport and return by air-conditioned vehicle.

The price does not include the following:
Your international flights
Expenses of a personal nature.
Any other services not specified above.
Travel Insurance.

When to go?
Sri Lanka enjoys a tropical climate. There are no seasonal variations. The bi-annual monsoon rains provide the only seasons. Colombo and the South West experience rain from April to May and September to October. The East coast gets its share of rainfall from November to January.

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