Wellness Tourism report: Greek bliss on your yoga mat
With its glorious and evocative landscapes, vibrant local traditions and cultures, pure foods and legendary light, it was inevitable that Greece would reach the status of a top international wellness destination where visitors can combine authentic, non-commercial Greek treats with a rewarding yoga practice, meditation and healing, greekcitytimes.com notes in the following report and presents three yoga retreats in the country.
Silver Island Yoga
This lush, 60-acre islet in the Gulf of Volos is what you can literally describe as a getaway. Even though there is an element of understated luxury that has grabbed Conde Nast’s attention, the way it’s run by Greek-South African sisters Lissa and Claire Christie offers a genuine experience of living the natural life. Electricity only runs for a few hours in the evening, food is fresh, seasonal and organic, the accommodations are in the style of traditional houses and above all the days are entirely dedicated to wellness. Instead of wasting hours checking your social media (there is no Wi-Fi) you can swim in tranquil tiny coves or take a kayak out to explore the shores, light a candle in the little church, read on your terrace, go for a walk along the rolling hills and olive orchards or even paint. When you are not doing yoga, of course. Run completely ecologically, using filtered rainwater, solar power and 100% biodegradable toiletries, Silver Island Yoga is an example of an ideal world. Although their courses run from April to October, they are already fully booked until mid July, after which you can choose to attend one week retreats with various teachers coming from around the world and centering on ‘Relax, Rejuvenate, Revitalize’, Quantum Yoga Retreat/Breath’, ‘Life, Yoga/Fierce Grace: Strength. Serenity’ and ‘Surrender/Embodying the Warrior – Creative Yoga’ among others. The day starts at dawn with two hours of yoga and ends with two hours of sunset yoga and can include meditation and other therapies.
Pure Fitness on Ikaria
Since gaining its Blue Zone reputation five years ago, Ikaria island has been attracting increasing numbers of wellness-oriented visitors and experts, while at the same time developing a holistic and ecological identity. For the second year in a row, Fotini Bitrou, who teaches Hatha, Restorative, Ashtanga, and Vinyasa yoga and runs purefitness on the Argosaronic island of Aegina year-round, will be running her retreat (24 – 29 June) on Ikaria. Classes take place at The Egg, the island’s only space designed especially for yoga, dance and holistic workshops, which is in Avlaki village, and participants stay at the Karras Hotel just five minutes walk away. A vegan dinner is served every evening after class at sunset on The Egg’s terrace, overlooking the sea. Apart from the free time students can enjoy during the day, Bitrou also organizes excursiobns to the Therma hot springs, known for their curative properties since antiquity, SUP yoga on the beach and other excursions combining explorative adventure with yoga or wellbeing. The group of students are also taken to the island’s most notiorious Panygiri that of Ai Yiannis church in the village of Christos, Raches, where people come from aroud the world to dance to the music of acclaimed violinist Nikos Fakaros and his band, leap over fires and dance the midnight Ikariotikos in the dark.
Dolphin’s Leap in Pelion
The land of the centaurs could not be more inspiring as a place for profound spiritual and physical healing, with its incredibly verdant landscapes, running mountain waters and beaches with crystalline sea. Dolphin’s Leap Yoga Retreat are running a retreat in its fourth year that combines daily yoga classes (morning pranayama followed by dynamic yoga, and restorative yoga in the evening) in an olive grove that looks out to the sea with other holistic therapies such as sound healing with singing bowls, Tai Chi, Qui Gong and even systematic psychotherapy. During their free time, participants can opt to go for nature walks, snorkeling, horseback riding, receiving a massage or just relaxing at the nearby taverna. The simple but graceful accommodations can be single or shared, and there is also a pool to relax by.
Read more at greekcitytimes.com
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations , Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
Photo Source: pixabay.com
- 1) Greek Foreign Minister addresses the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
- 2) Greece will invest $830 million to protect marine biodiversity
- 3) Project Voria casino complex in Maroussi moving ahead after environmental report
- 4) Eleni Gatzoyiannis scholarship offered to Greek students at Boston University
25/04 02:19
Athens Airport voted as the best in marketing strategy at European awards in Denmark
25/04 02:10
President of Hellenic Republic visits La Chascona Museum in visit to Chile
24/04 21:31
Thirty-one Greek political parties to take part in European Parliament elections
24/04 21:25
Payment by bank cards now accepted on Athens Airport Express bus lines
24/04 14:12
Herculaneum papyri unveil more than location of Plato's tomb in Athens
23/04 23:52
Greece’s New Ambassador to the United States visits Queens in New York
23/04 21:49
Traffic regulations in Athens due to the Olympic Torch Relay on Thursday-Friday
23/04 20:59
President of Hellenic Republic wraps up visit to Uruguay at parliament
23/04 15:44
Greek government will pass legislation halving commission paid for POS transactions
23/04 15:03
Precise location of Plato's burial site unveiled by ancient papyrus
22/04 22:33
'Nature Positive' peport highlights new collaborative era in travel & tourism
22/04 21:25
22/04 20:37
Greek and Turkish delegations discuss Confidence Building Measures for 2024
22/04 18:29
Over 114,000 Greek Diaspora citizens register to vote by post in the European elections
22/04 13:40
19/04 01:29
Athens State Orchestra presents 'St. Matthew's Passion' by Bach on April 30th
18/04 21:49
Greek Climate Change Minister signs memorandum for Attica fire protection zones
18/04 20:32
'Easter Basket' and 'Godparents basket' to be put into effect next week in Greece
18/04 20:17
18/04 17:40
17/04 21:06
Thessaloniki Port: Performance growth for 2023 with record container throughput
17/04 20:57
Traffic regulations imposed in Athens for the 41st Peace Marathon on Sunday
17/04 20:52
17/04 18:15
Greek Foreign Minister addresses the 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
17/04 17:12
16/04 21:02
NHM hosts the Trial of Pericles at the Harris Theater in Chicago on April 17
16/04 20:17
Greece will invest $830 million to protect marine biodiversity
16/04 01:46
New York Greek Independence Parade honors 1821 and solemn Cyprus Anniversary
16/04 01:35
Olympic Games Paris 2024: Olympic Flame to be lit at Ancient Olympia in Greece
16/04 00:29
European Committee of Regions and UN release study on Rural Tourism
15/04 20:41
15/04 19:58
Minister: Greece is transforming into a hub for exporting quality agri-food products
15/04 18:51
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
13/04 00:13
UN Tourism and Croatia to launch Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism
12/04 00:03
2024 marks a critical year in the enduring strength of Greek-German relations
12/04 00:00
11/04 22:07
Ambassador: US committed to upgrade of Greek military and support NATO's SE flank
11/04 19:40
Hellenic Pride on display at rainy Chicago Greek Independence Day Parade
11/04 02:06
Delphi Economic Forum IX: Energy collaboration a 'key' in Greek-Bulgarian relations
11/04 01:58
UN Tourism launches investment guidelines for Albania sector
10/04 19:01
Greek FinMin: New package of economic measures in 2025 to lower taxes, raise pensions
10/04 18:25
Greek city of Nafplion hosts Mediterranean Yacht Show for ninth year running
09/04 23:57
Greek PM on Tilos: Innovative projects for a cyclical economy are of key significance
09/04 23:55
UN Tourism members promote agenda for Europe as region leads global recovery
09/04 23:46
HFS presents 1968, Rousing Docudrama about Greece’s First European Cup April 21
09/04 22:48
Stolen 7th-century BC oenochoe returned to Greece by Hanover museum, municipality
09/04 22:42
Greek civil servants confederation ADEDY to strike on May 21
09/04 21:55
Greek Migration Minister meets Senior US Coordinator for Lawful Migration
08/04 23:48
08/04 23:41
Elliniko-Argyroupoli Mayor marches in Greek Independence Philadelphia Parade
08/04 21:53
Project Voria casino complex in Maroussi moving ahead after environmental report
08/04 21:36
Minister: Up to 120 delegations to take part in 9th Our Ocean Conference in Athens
08/04 19:22
Direct flight from Shanghai to Athens offers access to key tourism market for Greece
08/04 18:31
AI conference to attract distinguished speakers to Thessaloniki on April 25-27
04/04 23:28
City of San Jose marks March 25 with 16th Annual Greek Flag Raising Event
04/04 22:16
Urban plans published for seven townships in Thessaloniki and Attica of Greece
04/04 17:24
FinMin: The new EU economic and fiscal framework is good for Greece
04/04 15:30
Greek PM meets with the chiefs of the international pharmaceutical manufacturers
04/04 00:15
Deputy Minister for Macedonia-Thrace meets US Embassy Deputy Mission Chief
03/04 20:12
Syracuse AHEPA Chapter 37 marks March 25th Greek Independence Day
03/04 18:10
Greece's Delphi Economic Forum on April 10-13 to focus on 'The Great Transition'
03/04 16:42
Minister: Industrial production has returned to the pre-crisis levels in Greece
02/04 18:06
30/03 23:21
Eleni Gatzoyiannis scholarship offered to Greek students at Boston University
29/03 16:44
3rd edition of 'This is Athens - City Festival' with 250+ events from May 1 until June 2
29/03 15:53
Athens Metro station Aghia Varvara to stay closed on Saturday and Sunday
29/03 13:55
Greek Foreign Minister for Economic Diplomacy concludes visit to Montenegro
29/03 12:00
29/03 11:51
28/03 18:41
Attica Region to channel 640 bln euros to services of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups
28/03 17:32
Greece to auction three-month T-bills on April 3, 2024 in a book entry form
28/03 15:46
Greece's Meteora Pyli Geopark added to UNESCO Global Geoparks network
28/03 14:44
IPTO announces framework agreement tender for undersea power cables in Greece
28/03 11:49
IOBE: Construction sector in Greece records robust growth and good prospects
26/03 23:51
St. Thomas Hellenic School honors 1821 and the Feast of the Annunciation in NJ
26/03 21:59
PM at Economic Club of Canada: Greece is an attractive investment destination
26/03 17:56
Greek State budget primary balance reaches a surplus of 3,378 million euros
26/03 11:45
Ancient Messene to get upgraded visitors' facilities after approval by Council
23/03 17:43
New requirements for 'Golden Visa' program to kick in on March 31
23/03 16:49
Athenians continue to head out of the Greek Capital for March 25 long weekend
23/03 16:47
Greek Parliament lights to be turned off for Earth Hour 8:30-9:30 pm
22/03 21:54
US President on Greek Independence Day: Alliance with Greece stronger than ever
22/03 19:51
High diplomacy and geopolitics at Delphi Economic Forum IX in Greece
22/03 19:32
Tax authorities enable payments with foreign bank cards in Greece
22/03 14:19
22/03 00:24
Greece ranks first on list of countries with fastest business environment progress
22/03 00:02
Hellenic Police acquires first electric VAN-type highway patrol vehicle
21/03 22:41
21/03 15:33
Unseen Museum presents "The stele of the twin babies" exhibition in Athens
20/03 22:48
Health Minister: 95% of Greek hospitals to perform afternoon surgeries
20/03 21:52
Greek Deputy Minister of Justice meets delegation from US Embassy in Athens
20/03 21:44
Greek Interior Minister to visit United States and Canada on postal vote
20/03 20:55
Philadelphia Icarians mark 85th Anniversary and organize Apokriatiko Dance
20/03 18:01
Development Minister: We continue the battle against high prices in Greece
19/03 22:28
President of the Hellenic Republic meets her Ethiopian counterpart in Athens
19/03 20:57
19/03 20:25
FinMIn: Moody’s analysis records significant progress in the Greek economy
19/03 11:15
Sector chiefs report: Good news for Greek tourism in 2024 at ITB Berlin
18/03 22:20
American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association honors Past Supreme President
16/03 13:01
Greek Deputy Foreign Μinister meets her Slovenian counterpart in Athens
Athens Airport voted as the best in marketing strategy at European awards in Denmark
President of Hellenic Republic visits La Chascona Museum in visit to Chile
Traffic regulations in Athens due to the Olympic Torch Relay on Thursday-Friday
Payment by bank cards now accepted on Athens Airport Express bus lines
Herculaneum papyri unveil more than location of Plato's tomb in Athens
Thirty-one Greek political parties to take part in European Parliament elections
Precise location of Plato's burial site unveiled by ancient papyrus
Greece’s New Ambassador to the United States visits Queens in New York
Greek government will pass legislation halving commission paid for POS transactions
President of Hellenic Republic wraps up visit to Uruguay at parliament
Athens Acropolis Museum to host photo show of historic Greek costumes
Over 114,000 Greek Diaspora citizens register to vote by post in the European elections
Greek and Turkish delegations discuss Confidence Building Measures for 2024
Greek Deputy Transport Minister flies in first test seaplane flight from Lavrio port
'Nature Positive' peport highlights new collaborative era in travel & tourism
UNESCO adds Greece's Zagorochoria to its World Heritage List
Infrastructure works on Spinalonga island to assist visitors and protect the monument
Greek authorities simplify storage process for vehicles with foreign license plates
Greek Environment Minister meets Chinese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources
PM at Axia discussion: Greece offering great investment opportunities in 2023
UNWTO promotes people's role and MSMES as sector transformation agents
Apartments prices continued upward momentum in Cyprus during Q4 2022