Posts Tagged ‘yoga’
Italy – Yoga Holidays in Casperia
- Who is this holiday for? Anyone looking for a relaxed and friendly yoga retreat
- When to go? The yoga retreat is open from mid March to the end of October
- Price? From £470 per person (see below prices in Euro)
- Type of Holiday? Yoga retreat in rural Italy
To make a reservation or for further information visit http://www.sunflowerretreats.com/
A truly unforgettable experience, this Yoga holiday in the heart of the Sabina Mountains, will allow you to unwind, relax and physically, mentally and spiritually recharge. Just an hour and a half from Rome, the tiny medieval village of Casperia, with cobbled streets too narrow for anything but pedestrians, sits atop a hillside surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and forest clad mountains. The village of Casperia, with fewer than 350 inhabitants, is one of the last villages in Italy untouched by mass tourism. The medieval structure and atmosphere of the village give you a unique feeling of being in a historic place in time-gone-by. Casperia is a hilltop village where you can watch the changing scenery from every angle. The night sky is a star covered phenomenon not to be missed.
My first ever yoga holiday but certainly not my last. I’m coming back next year. – S. Dawson, Jul 09
Yoga in Casperia
The Yoga deck
Casperia Streets
Great yoga in Italy
Your holiday will be a unique experience where you can choose to simply relax or select from the many relaxing or active experiences on offer. Locally, you can arrange excursions, treatments or activities – whether you take part is up to you.
On your yoga holiday you can choose to:
- Practice yoga daily
- Spend the day revitalising your body and mind at open-air roman baths and wild hot springs
- Relax and recharge mind, body and soul by choosing from a large selection of holistic therapies
- Enjoy the sauna, created exclusively for guests in the village of Casperia
- Enjoy the friendly and social atmosphere during meals in excellent Italian restaurants
- See the beautiful Sabina countryside on horseback
- Swim at the local pools, or discover unspoilt mountain streams where you can spend hot afternoons bathing and resting in the beauty of nature
- Relax with a good cappuccino or an afternoon tea in local village cafes
- Take a walk across the mountains or valleys, or visit other neighbouring medieval villages and stop to enjoy the local cuisine
- Cycle on panoramic country roads, discovering the area and stop for a dip in a stream
- If you like to paint or take photographs, bring your own equipment and you will be inspired by the amazing variety of scenery
- Experience an Italian cookery class using local organic products
- Learn Italian; Italian lessons can be arranged for those who want to begin to learn the language or brush-up their Italian
Whether you take part in any of the activities and excursions that are available is your personal choice. Local payment is required.
The accommodation at the resort is for a maximum of 20 people per week. There are three different accommodation options available for your stay.
Option 1 are the Village Houses
Accommodation is in characteristic traditionally-furnished medieval village houses. They have breathtaking panoramic views and are in supreme locations in the village of Casperia. Each house has a small terrace where you can have your meals, read or sunbathe. Shared bathrooms and kitchens are provided, with facilities that are characteristic of a traditional Italian village house, rather than bang up-to-date. Single travellers will be accommodated in rooms for two people of the same sex although single rooms may sometimes be available with payment of single room supplement.
Option 2 is Casa Latini
Casa Latini is a lovingly renovated 13th century building for the exclusive use of Sunflower Retreat guests and is elegantly furnished in boutique-style with a Latin and Eastern influence. One level boasts a thousand-year-old cave which has been converted into an unusual luxury bathroom.
There are two private levels: each level has a twin-bedroom, private lounge and en-suite luxury bathroom. There is a small single loft room en-suite with skylights and another small twin loft room en-suite with skylights and panoramic views. Please note that the twin loft room has limited headroom for tall people and can get hot in midsummer.
A spiral staircase on each level leads to the terrace area, where you can enjoy the spectacular panoramic views of the rolling valleys and mountains of Sabina, and experience the wonderful sunset each evening over Casperia. There is also a communal lounge and dining area with a kitchen for self-catering.
Twin lounge rooms may be booked as a single by paying a single supplement.
Option 3 is Casa Bella Vista
Casa Bella Vista is a beautifully restored 13th-century historic house located on the walls of the village. It has a large kitchen on the ground floor, with an open fireplace and dining area. The house is tastefully decorated in a chic style, with travertine marble floors. The first floor lounge has panoramic views over the Sabina hills from its balcony windows. The second floor bedrooms and bathroom also feature marble floors and fittings and have the same stunning views.
The Yoga Studio
Yoga in Italy
The Holistic Room
Yoga in Casperia, Italy
Costs per person excluding flights and transfers
Accommodation Price per person and (Single Room Supplement)
Prices in Euro will be converted to Sterling at time of full payment at current exchange rate
Medieval Village House - €510 (€110)
Casa Latini (Twin room with lounge) – €650 (€150)
Casa Latini (Twin Loft) – €540 (€110)
Casa Latini (Single Loft) – €540
Casa Bella Vista – €620 (€150)
All prices are for a 6-night, one-week holiday beginning on a Thursday.
Flights
We do not sell flights but can give advice on the best options and times. Transfers to Casperia can be arranged from the airport if there are a minimum of two people and cost £40 per person each way. Alternatively, it is quick and easy to use the local rail system.
The price includes the following features:
Accommodation and breakfast at the lounge-cafe
Fresh linen and towels.
1 yoga class daily (Friday through Tuesday).
A guided walk in the Sabina mountains.
All-week use of bicycles.
The price does not include the following:
Your international flights.
Holiday fees do not include flights or transfers – call us for further details.
Excursions, treatments or activities, other than the yoga classes.
Expenses of a personal nature.
Travel insurance.
When to go?
Italy is at its best in spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November). During these seasons, the scenery is beautiful and the temperatures are pleasant. Temperatures will rise in the summer months (June-September) but due to the altitude it is not uncomfortable in Casperia.
Greece – Walking and Yoga holidays in Crete
- Who is this holiday for? Suitable for couples and singles wishing to explore rural Crete on foot
- When to go? Walks operate in Spring and Autumn
- Price? From £480 per person
- Type of Holiday? Walking and yoga holiday in rural Crete
To make a reservation or for further information email enquiries@westcreteholidays.com
What better way to discover the enchanting Greek island of Crete than with a walking and yoga holiday. Your hosts David and Juliet have created the perfect blend of exploration and relaxation to provide you with a wonderful yoga holiday that will leave you feeling relaxed and energised.
David, your host and walks leader, has lived in the beautiful area of West Crete for 13 years and has come to know it very well. For your walking week he selects a variety of easy grade walks to showcase just how lovely it is. The walks are a minimum of four hours per day, arranged so that there is always a taverna or a picnic at the end of the walk. Walks from May onwards include the famous Samaria Gorge, which is an all day expedition with a boat trip along the dramatic south coast where the mountains come down to the sea. On other days you will find that there are shorter and less busy gorges where you might want to look at wild flowers, griffon vultures and eagles or just admire the view. There are also ridge walks, plus one or two expeditions along quiet stretches of scenic coastline.
Falasarna sunset
Nopigia coast walk
Deliana gorge
Yoga in Crete
At selected times throughout the year, Juliet teaches morning Yoga classes to compliment the walks. A resident Sivananda trained teacher who has studied the Iyengar and Viniyoga styles, Juliet also incorporates meditation into the daily two-hour classes.
The west of Crete is a step back in time with ruins from the Minoan period, through the Greek City State period and Roman times and then to Venetian occupation. Clear evidence still exists in the countryside of this turbulent history right up to World War II. Kastelli, the local town also has a wonderful archaeological museum where you will find excavated items from places you visit. The air is clean, the area unspoiled and the people are open and friendly. You can often pick fruit while walking, warm from the sun. There’s time for the beach and a day trip to Chania or a self guided walk as you have one free day in the week.
You travel to Crete on a Tuesday with the first walk being on the Wednesday. Below is a typical one week programme, but each week will be different depending on the weather and the group.
- Wednesday – Deliana Gorge, up gorge, view church, view gorge from rim, long views to sea and to neighbouring gorges, see Venetian church with frescoes in Deliana village then taverna.
- Thursday – Melissourgio village, along spine of Rodopos peninsula with long views along coast both east and west, Ravdoucha village and Agia Marina church, coast path to Nopigia. Option to swim off the rocks.
- Friday – All day expedition to Samaria Gorge, sea trip to Palaeohora and return.
- Saturday – Later start after the Samaria trip. Vlatos, Milia – a unique reconstructed eco village- stop for lunch in their excellent restaurant, descend through chestnut woodland to small gorge, then ridge walk to Voulgaro.
- Sunday – Sirikari Gorge, lunch at Polyrhinia, up hill to see vista of district and archaeological remains (mainly Roman and Venetian) and walk down to Kastelli. Option to swim at Mavro Molo beach Kastelli.
- Monday – Mouri village, Mouri Gorge, Levandies peak (panoramic view of area), down to Katsamatados village and taverna by river with hammocks. Short expedition to Agia Sophia cave and return through Topolia Gorge.
- Tuesday – A free day.
This programme can be varied according to the weather and the wishes of the group. For example, a round walk of Spilia to see churches including a couple of cave churches, or over the Gramvousa peninsula to Falassarna beach including seeing a remote monastery and Falassarna city state archaeological site, or a round walk at Latziana with panoramic views, charcoal burners and Agia Barbara church with temple ruins. And there are lots more!
Your stay is in attractive and comfortable ensuite twin/double rooms with private balconies or gardens. Stafilia House is villa style accommodation set in the village of Potamida in easy walking distance of mountains and coast. It was built in 1996 to a high specification using features from a ruin in the garden and with custom designed furniture and fittings.
Stafilia House is divided into two:
- Stafilia Apartment has one double/twin bedroom, a fitted kitchen, dining and lounge area. Here, the sofa easily converts for night use into a single/double bed. Outside is a shaded patio and garden. The toilet/shower room is equally accessible from both rooms.
- Stafilia Studio has a lovely dining and sitting room with integral kitchen and double bedroom and a toilet /shower room adjoins. There is space for an additional single bed or cot if required.
Food is vegetarian and catering for special diets is a specialty. One evening meal is included during the week and other dinners can be taken at a range of local taverna’s or can be cooked for you. Whatever you choose to do you will find that the hospitality sets this apart from other walking holidays – they really do take care of you. Both your hosts David and Juliet are therapists and should you want support with your health or to simply enjoy an aromatherapy massage – you can do just that.
Relax on the beach
Polyrhinnia view
Byzantine church
Walking in Crete
Dates of 2010 programme
2010 dates to be published soon.
Costs per person excluding flights
7 nights – £480 per person
14 nights – £910 per person
Rates are for a twin room and if travelling alone you will be matched with a same sex roommate. If you would like a guaranteed single room it is possible to pay a single supplement. This costs an extra £120 per week. To avoid this, why not bring a friend? Our experience is that friendships are often made by sharing.
Non walking participants are also welcome
7 nights – £380 if sharing with a walker
14 nights – £760 if sharing with a walker
Please contact us for child prices
Flights
We do not sell flights but can give advice on the best options and times.
The price includes the following features:
Taxi transfers to and from Chania airport (Heraklion airport transfers are an additional £70 each way with up to 3 people sharing)
Accommodation at the Old Olive Mill
A welcome pack of teas, coffee and biscuits on arrival
Breakfast including home made jams, fresh orange juice and local yoghurt
A daily walk
One delicious evening meal
Morning yoga if taking a yoga and walking week
An information pack on the local area and Greek language
The price does not include the following:
Flights
Treatment or massage (50 euro)
Travel insurance
Expenses of a personal nature
When to go?
Given its geographical position at the southern-most end of Greece, it’s not surprising that Crete shares the same amount of sunshine as Cyprus, that’s an incredible 300 days a year. The winters are mild and damp and the summers long, with gradually ascending temperatures. The warm weather starts early in the year and stretches well into the middle of autumn. The dates of the walks have been carefully chosen to be comfortable but not too hot.
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Responsible Travel
All holidays, including yoga holidays, have positive and negative impacts locally and globally. We believe responsible travel should maximise the benefits and minimises the negative effects of tourism.
The following are some tips on travelling responsibly:
- Plan your route to minimise carbon emissions – travel by train and public transport where possible, and minimise internal flights. Ask us about rail or coach travel to your destination.
- Minimise flying time and stopovers – the worst carbon emissions are emitted during take off and landing. For the flights that you cannot avoid, or the cheap airfare deals that you just can’t pass up, offset the carbon emissions of your flight with ClimateCare.org. Your money is invested in carbon reducing initiatives around the world, offsetting the emissions caused by your flight.
- Read up on the local culture and learn a few words of the local language – travelling with respect earns you respect.
- Remove all excess packaging before you leave and recycle whatever is possible – waste disposal is difficult in remote places and developing countries.
- Buy local produce in preference to imported goods and when meals are not included, use local restaurants and cafes rather than large hotel restaurants.
- If not included in your holiday, why not hire a local guide – you’ll discover more about the local culture and people’s lives and they will earn an income.
- Do not buy products made from endangered species, hard woods or ancient artefacts.
- Respect local cultures, traditions and holy places – if in doubt ask advice.
- Use public transport, hire a bike or walk when convenient – it’s a great way to meet local people on their terms and reduce pollution and carbon emissions.
- Use water sparingly – its very precious in many countries and tourists tend to use far more than local people.
- Remember that local people have different ways of thinking and concepts of time, this just makes them different not wrong – cultivate the habit of asking questions rather than the Western habit of knowing the answers!
- If you’ve promised to send pictures or gifts to local people remember to do so, many are promised and not all arrive.
Prana Holidays and the environment
We do our bit as much as we can. We recycle all possible materials we use in the office and use recycled paper for all our correspondence. Our electricity and gas comes from renewable sources.
We are happy to advise and book train and coach travel on our holidays. A lot of our destinations are reached by long-haul flights and we accept that this adds to carbon emissions and encourage all our clients to offset their flights.
Greenwashing
You may not have heard of the term ‘greenwashing’ but we are sure you have been subject to it. The term is generally used when significantly more money or time has been spent advertising being green (that is, operating with consideration for the environment), rather than spending resources on environmentally sound practices. This is often portrayed by changing the name or label of a product, to give the feeling of nature, for example putting an image of a forest on a bottle of harmful chemicals. Environmentalists often use greenwashing to describe the actions of energy companies, which are traditionally the largest polluters.
For further details, visit the Greenpeace website – http://www.stopgreenwash.org/introduction
UK Yoga Holidays & Retreats
We are delighted to present a range of UK yoga holiday weekends and retreats. Click on the link next to each yoga weekend to get the full details. If you are not sure which yoga weekend would best suit your style and ability, just give us a call. We can go through all the details and even arrange for the teacher to call you and discuss your yoga weekend needs.
To make a reservation at any of the yoga weekends or yoga retreats shown, email us by clicking on the contact us button. We accept payment by cheque and PayPal.
To list your yoga retreat here, please us the contact us button on the right.
23rd to 25th April 2010
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga Retreat with Jambo Truong. Deneholme, Northumberland.
A yoga weekend focussing on Ashtanga Vinyasa. Develop your yoga practice on this in depth weekend yoga retreat.
More details of yoga retreat weekend ….
15th to 17th October 2010
Hatha Yoga Weekend Retreat with Neville Cregan. Croydon Hall, Somerset.
From £235 per person.
Enjoy a weekend of yoga, great food, massage and reflexology. With 2-3 sessions of yoga each day, full modern spa facilities, a swimming pool and wonderful walks and views, this is a great weekend yoga retreat.
Yoga Retreat in Spain
Holiday of the Month
Click here to read about it in the Sunday Express!
Prana Holidays is delighted to have teamed up with a great yoga retreat in the south of Spain. With great weather all year around, a maximum of six people allowed at a time and an intimate and personal yoga style, this really is a great getaway now that the dark nights are here and the days are shorter. More on this yoga retreat…..