We could all use some time to recharge and for that you can’t beat a retreat.
Whether your idea is relaxation is a shot of adrenaline, or soaking in a rooftop hot tub, a wellness break can often be the ideal chance to carve out some dedicated me-time.
From breathwork breaks to womb rooms, sea-gazing, stargazing, and paddle boarding, here are the best new picks for a trip that’s all about you.
Yin and yang in West Sussex
Lining a long sandy shore just east of Bognor Regis, Felpham’s boutique Beachcroft Hotel has begun staging wellness-inspired activity breaks – and they’ve really hit a sweet spot.
Lasting two nights, each includes a mix of adrenaline, guided exercise and contemplation. Off-road cycling across the bumpy South Downs features alongside cold-water swimming and gentle paddleboarding. You’ll also practise pilates and spend time sea-gazing.
Locally curated, the breaks take place on April 21-23, June 7-9 and October 13-15. From £525pp, full board, including all sessions, transfers and accommodation in colourful, coastal-chic bedrooms,
beachcroft-hotel.co.uk
Andalusian inhalation
Deep in the parched hills of Andalusia, on an olive farm scented by orange and lemon trees, Martin Petrus leads seven-night movement and breathwork retreats.
There’s nothing hardcore here, simply an introduction to the historical and scientific evidence of breath control assisting healing, then a series of shala-staged exercises, including HIIT-like interval breathing to regulate the nervous system, interspersed with yoga.
You’ll learn how changing our respiratory rhythm can supply energy, aid longevity and even enable deep emotional release. The next retreat starts on May 27.
From £1,590pp, full board (vegetarian), including transfers from Seville airport and yurt accommodation, martinpetrus.com
Church service in Wales
As featured in Metro last October, Charlotte Church has opened a 47-acre retreat bordered by Celtic rainforest in mid-Wales. Be warned that The Dreaming is easily derided: attendees are ‘soul voyagers’ and the shared earthily luxurious bedrooms have names such as The Womb. Shelve your cynicism, however, and genuine uplift is possible.
Between vegan feasts, you’ll choose from an array of activities – silent discos with stellar views, sound healing ceremonies, dawn singing, den-building – walk to waterfalls through the mossy forest or simply a soak in a rooftop hot tub.
Retreats operate year-round, from Tuesday to Friday or Friday to Monday. From £450pp, full board, including all activities, thedreaming.co.uk
Cabins in Croatia
A new sibling to Yogiville’s retreats in India, this four-night Croatian camp revolves around hatha and kriya yoga plus meditation. It begins soon, on April 27.
Staying in wooden ‘monk pod’ cabins facing Lake Begovac, guests join three daily sessions on a scenic hillside platform.
In between, there are guided nature walks, wild swimming, chanting, stargazing and optional visits to watch a potter at work or admire the cascade-connected Plitvice Lakes.
Massages are available at an extra cost, too, and the food is vegetarian sattvic.
From £510pp, full board, including all activities, ashoktree.com
Taste of Cornwall
The digital health brand Well Curated has begun hosting retreats at Atlanta Trevone, a newly launched collection of five luxurious self-catering homes above Trevone Bay near Padstow in north Cornwall.
Lasting three nights, each escape involves expert-led breathwork classes, yoga, cold-water therapy courtesy of tidal pool swims, guided coast path walks and seaside saunas.
Renting one of the homes, which each have roll-top bathtubs and House of Hackney fabrics, you’ll also enjoy dinners cooked by three local chefs, most notably MasterChef 2020 finalist Claire Fyfe.
Book now for September 21-24. From £795pp, full board, if five share, including a massage; prices rise for smaller parties, atlantatrevonebay.com
Portuguese pick-me-up
Fancy some sunshine with your chakra? A fresh 2023 series of retreats by Retreat Away is being held at the hilltop Longevity Health and Wellness Hotel in Portugal’s balmy Algarve region.
Running from June 1-7, vinyasa yoga and in-depth pilates are the focus of the one taught by specialist Jessica Lambert. Attendees can hit the beach below in between daily classes, fitness workouts, spa treatments (you get a ten per cent discount), group walks, healthy meals and a core-strengthening paddle boarding excursion across Alvor Bay.
Six nights from £1,390pp, half board, including full spa access, retreataway.co.uk
Countryside dancercise
The red-brick Ragdale Hall is a country pile turned destination spa near Melton Mowbray, of pork pie fame, in Leicestershire.
Its range of themed breaks in 2023 spans mindful martial arts, healthy eating and dancercise.
Commencing on June 30 and October 31, the latter lasts two nights and sees you learn choreographed dance routines across four or five sessions.
Three-course dinners are provided, and you’ll receive a complimentary 40-minute treatment as well as full access to the spa – where you’ll find a restorative thermal bath among six soothing pools – and gardens. Every cheerful bedroom is en-suite.
From £524pp, full board, ragdalehall.co.uk
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