Five Elements Retreats offers knowledge about the five elements of nature and conducts unique yoga and great adventure programs in Rovinj, Croatia.
Yoga Retreats (2)
6 Day Yoga and Meditation Bed and Breakfast Holiday in Rovinj, Croatia
May | June | July | August | September, 2025
from US$ 431
8 Day Transforming Experience with Yoga and Adventure Five Elements Retreat in Rovinj, Croatia
May | June | July | August | September, 2025
from US$ 1,370
Videos (1)
Instructors (3)
Marin Vayu
Marin is your adventure and meditation guide. His life was transformed by the knowledge of Five Elements, which set him on a journey in the world of yoga for over 20 years. He's been teaching yoga and meditation for last 10 years. Before that, he was a professional adventure guide. He published several books about Five Elements and shares the transforming beauty of Nature's wisdom. Today he is the world-leading expert on the topic of the Five Elements of Nature. Since 2017 Marin Vayu has led about 100 beautiful retreats with his wife and friends.
Natali Podner
3 Certificates
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Yoga Alliance
YogaPRO Yoga School
Yoga Alliance
Rise & Shine Yoga
Certified by School
ULU YOGA
Yoga changed Natali's life and gave her stability for so many other talents to express themselves. Most of them she shares with you on the retreat program. As a certified physiotherapist, her great passion is body work and various types of massage. She has more than 10 years experience in her own studio. Thai yoga massage and oil massages are her signature treatments. Also certified yoga instructor in Ashtanga, Vinyasa and Yin but practicing and leading many different styles as well. Love welcoming you in this paradise, enjoy a glass of wine and explore all the beauty of the world.
Five Elements Team
This time, the Five Elements team is made of Marin Vayu and Natali Podner, who are the founders, owners, and leaders of the retreat center, plus other three team members who are all professional yoga teacher and much more. During your yoga bed and breakfast holiday, you will be hosted by some of the other team members or all of them. Yoga classes will also be led by one of the team members or another local professional yoga teacher.
Reviews (130)
Patricia Tetteroo
from Netherlands, September 2024
"Amazing!"
It was an amazing experience! I have enjoyed it so much! The program, the food and the information about the five elements gave me an enrichment for life. The care and the warmth I felt was very nice! I thank all the people who I have met during my stay, it was such a pleasure to be with you 😘and dedicate a warm heart to Marin and Natali ❤️ 🙏 Please make sure to extend your stay If possible with a couple of nights to relax and integrate your experience. I can tell that it will make your way back to normal life more smooth😊
Antje Sawallisch
from Germany, August 2024
Super Frühstück. Sehr nettes Team. Tolle Yogaeinheiten am Morgen. Unterkunft hat viel Wohlfühlcharakter.
Monique Kempkes
from Netherlands, August 2024
"Ready for adventure? Dan zeker deze reis boeken! "
De rode draad van de 5 elementen die per dag behandeld werden en dat element kwam ook weer terug in de activiteiten van die dag en die activiteiten waren gaaf. Het is wel noodzakelijk dat je een redelijke conditie hebt en houdt van sportieve activiteiten. Als deze reis je aanspreekt heb je waarschijnlijk veel van het element vuur 🔥 in je, terwijl het element lucht en water ook een mooie bijdrage kunnen leveren aan deze fantastische week met leerzame lessen over de 5 elementen, heerlijke eten en geweldige activiteiten. 🤗🙏
Tatiana Margan
from Macedonia, August 2024
"Lovely and knowledgeable "
Very pleasant person, nice easy morning yoga.
Annemarie Prattes
from Austria, August 2024
Das Haus von Natali und Marin ist ein wundervoller Ort, um zur Ruhe zu kommen, netten Menschen zu begegnen, wunderbare Yogaeinheiten zu erleben, das großartigste Frühstück zu genießen und auch, um die traumhafte Gegend zu erkunden. Ich komme bestimmt wieder!
Jessica Santos
from Spain, August 2024
"Perfect experience"
Everything was wonderful: from the food and lovely yoga classes to the 5 Elements philosophy talks and activities. Natali and Marin ensure the program is well-balanced, and I felt taken care of the entire time. I couldn’t have chosen better! Come with an open mind and heart, and you won’t regret it.
Alice Ts
from Italy, June 2024
"Amazing time in Yoga BnB"
I loved my experience in this Yoga Bed and Breakfast, the food was excellent e done with love and caring by Natali..
Morning yoga course was amazing with spirit and simpathy of lovely Ivana, and helps to connect with other girls of the retreat.
Marin, Natali and Ivana was very kind and available for everything that you need.
I feel at home, I will be back for sure
Anonymous
from Germany, September 2023
"vacation in great balance"
We enjoyed the well thought-out program offering a variety of highlights like yoga and meditation sessions, fun and sport activities accompanied by amazing food in a pleasent environment and warm atmosphere. We were delighted of the great group of diverse and lovely people and Marin's way of teaching us his wisdom in a personal and undogmatic way.
Karin & Martin from Germany
Anonymous
from Netherlands, September 2023
"Fijn!!!"
De combinatie van yoga, lectures en activiteiten. De aandachtige eerlijke leiding.
Anonymous
from Italy, September 2023
"Best retreat for both mind and body: perfect combination"
This retreat is well thought to give you a sense of peace and balance betweeen body and mind, taking care of both with different typo of activities. The 5 elements philosophy is just so interesting that you will start understand your self so much better just with the small that can be shared in 6 days and it will give you tools to go on on your own personal growth.
The place is just amazing, not to speak about the food that was sensational!!
I really recommend it for a week dedicated to your self.
Angela Karaseva
from United Arab Emirates, August 2023
"Magical retreat 🌺"
Everything was excellent! I'm so happy that I found this retreat, it gave me a lot of insights.
I was thinking to stay for one more week 🤩
Would be happy to come back next year.
Natali and Marin thank you so much for this magical time🫶🌸
Ingrid Trine Mortensen
from Denmark, August 2023
"Nice retreat with great activities"
Such a nice stay i Croatia.
Did lots of fun watersports
Really nice yoga every morning
Interesting information about the five elements
Great food and fine, clean rooms
Lovely people
Jason Rich
from United Kingdom, August 2023
Seriously … exceptional!
How do you rate an experience beyond your wildest imagination?
I was working 120hr weeks for months on end … my wife had always dreamed of a retreat … at the last minute I searched for retreats & the 5 Elements Retreat came up … it said it mixed yoga, meditation and adventure so sounded perfect … I had no idea how perfect it was going to be.
Daily Yoga, daily meditation, daily spiritual presentation of the 5 Elements Theory, a superb approach to balance your life from the perspective of the 5 Elements: Fire, Water, Air, Earth & Spirit (space). Unbelievable food & drink tailored to the 5 elements & any dietary requirements you have (with absolutely no loss in amazing presentation & taste).
It’s worth it for the food alone!
Add to this daily activities (Sun week) of kayaking, paddle boarding, windsurfing, hiking, a boat trip with amazing fresh fish & salad, swimming in the amazing sea, biking on paths with amazing views, a couple of nights at wonderfully selected restaurants (one simply stunning!!) … Rovinj the town is exceptionally beautiful, amazingly clean & I loved an early cycle at 6 to go have a drink & watch the town wake up before going back for yoga.
If you want a rest go for Moon week, Sun week is wonderfully active but very manageable. My wife (we’re in our 50’s) managed everything other than not fancying windsurfing.
Natali (yoga) and Marin (5 Elements guru) were wonderful hosts.
There’s an amazing outside & inside yoga area & gong
Tonje Schanke Grande
from Norway, July 2023
"Amazing week!"
Everything about this retreat was really awesome! Natali & Marin are so welcoming and interesting people <3 Great to start the day with yoga before different fun activities! And the food - omg! Soo fresh and good! Marins talks about 5 elements were superintersting. I booked a shared room, but ended up getting a room all to myself :-D Nothing to think about - you want to go to this retreat!
Christina Maron
from Switzerland, July 2023
"Eine wunderbare Woche in einer traumhaften Umgebung"
Natali und Marin sind grossartige Gastgeber und sehr professionelle Leiter in ihren Fachgebieten. Sie haben mit viel Sorgfalt ein wunderbares Programm entwickelt, das alle Sinne aktiviert und grosse Freude bei den Teilnehmer hinterlässt. Grosszügig und mit viel Engagement kümmern sie sich um ihre Gäste und sind darauf bedacht, dass jeder sich wohlfühlt und dabei sportlich und geistig einen Schritt weiterkommt.
Susanna Resnikova
from United Kingdom, June 2023
"Amazing transformative experience! "
Thank you Marin and Natali for such an amazing transformative experience.
The combination of 5 elements workshop, yoga, meditation, healthy nutrition and activities from water sport, biking to hike are a very unique combination indeed. One will rarely find a retreat of such a variety anywhere. Both instructors are very knowledgable with love and passion to what they are teaching. The retreat is located in stunning nature and surrounded by amazing beaches. My personal highlights were Yin Yoga, Sound Meditation, Windsurfing, Kayaking and Paddle Boarding. As a vegan I've truly enjoyed chefs Marianna's homemade cooking creation, which created a daily smile on my face. Thank you for all the homegrown vegetables and fruits of high quality and unique recipes!
Grateful to have been part of this yoga retreat and thank you for making it such a special experience.
Susanna
Iana Gavriloski
from Russia, June 2023
"The week of retreat was amazing!"
What I like the most:
⁃ yoga early morning practices
⁃ meditations (especially sound one)
⁃ conversations about 5 elements and the way to balance you life with the help of this wisdom
⁃ food (amazing taste and quality prepared with love)
⁃ our group (love you guys)
⁃ dolphins (we met them during boat excursion)
⁃ activities (something new to learn and explore every day)
Thank you Marin, Natali, Buddha & Team💜🧡
It’s obvious that Five elements retreats is not just business for you. It’s your mission and lifestyle.
Anonymous
from Germany, August 2022
"Besser hätte es nicht sein können"
Mir hat alles gefallen!
Veronica Emelianova
from Austria, August 2022
"Best Adventure Ever!"
This has been one of the most exciting experiences I have ever lived. Going to a yoga retreat I was expecting a bit of yoga, maybe some activities here and there, but this blew my mind! 🤯
This is an adventure everyone should experience! It’s very hard to put in words everything that happened during this week..It was so insanely awesome and out of this world. I met so many beautiful souls on this journey and I am sure I will see some of you again 😍
Thank you Marin & Natali for all the wisdom you shared with us, for the most beautiful & delicious food, for putting this program so carefully and thoughtfully together and for welcoming us in your house filled with love, kindness and beautiful energy 💜
Learning about the five elements and how to balance your life around them was a very insightful wisdom and it will help my growth a lot.
You’ll bring back home more than memories. You’ll want to keep them so closely in your heart and it will make your soul smile and your heart full of gratitude. What a gift it is to be alive and to have the opportunity to experience the beauty of life, to face your fears and to grow spiritually 😌
Predrag Munjiza
from Bosnia and Herzegovina, August 2022
This is an incredible story and service from these two wonderful people. Everything was phenomenal, especially the knowledge gained during the stay.
Giulia Tonelli
from France, August 2022
"The perfect mix "
This retreat is not only for relaxation, nor only for meditation, nor only for yoga. It’s a perfect mix of adventure, yoga and reflection. I enjoyed every single moment! Get ready for full days of laugh and activities from morning to night. I strongly recommend it, the hosts are amazing!
Anonymous
from United Kingdom, July 2022
"The best breakfast in town"
Natali and her crew made the best quality food I had ever eaten. So healthy and so tasty.
Christine Elliott
from United Kingdom, July 2022
"A Unique Experience"
This holiday is not a regular yoga retreat. If you arrive with an open mind Marin’s 5 Elements philosophy will give you a whole new way of looking at the world, yourself and other people. We loved his daily lectures which were entertainingly sprinkled with his personal stories. The 5 Elements themed yoga and adventure activities were great, challenging at times, but always fun. The accommodation and the food were first rate and everything was well organised. Marin and Natali are lovely hosts, calm and inspiring and it was fascinating to meet new people from all over the world.
We are glad that we took the opportunity to stay on in Rovinj for a few extra days. It’s a very cool place and we also took an excellent minibus tour up to the hill towns.
Riccarda Schmidt
from Germany, June 2022
"What a blissful time with amazing people in a pretty place"
I really enjoyed the time spent at the retreat, the daily yoga sessions were really good to get your mind off anything and the wisdom of the 5 elements follows the whole week. Really liked the activities as well, tried windsurfing for the first time and it definitely won’t be the last one. Marin & Natali are great Hosts!
Beatrice Hayes
from United Kingdom, June 2022
"Wonderful Retreat Experience to Remember for Life"
Natali and Marin create a perfect balance of yoga, knowledge, outdoor experiences, nurturing, food, love and fun for the week.
Each day covers one of the Elements and is thoughtfully linked through the yoga type, lecture, food and outdoor activity.
I was part of a small group, and we bonded straight away, which enhanced the enjoyment of everything offered.
The week was finished to perfection with a boat trip where dolphins circled our boat as the sun went down.
Thank you both for a wonderful week :)
Lauren Bird
from United States, June 2022
"Fantastic week! "
This retreat really ticked all the boxes! The yoga was a perfect calm start to the morning followed by interesting talks from Marin and a super super delicious brunch! (Natali is an awesome cook!) the afternoons were filled with fun and varied activities! A highlight for me was the windsurfing! Marin is a first class teacher and my whole group were standing up in the water surfing the wind and water by the end of it! The 5 elements idea is intricately woven throughout the treat and you can tell a lot of thought and love has gone into planning the fine details! All in all I would highly recommend this retreat!!
Julia Lobenwein
from Hungary, September 2021
"Amazing holiday! Very nice people! "
The organization was very professional and relaxed in the same time, the food was amazing and the adventures always good fun! I had a great time and would recommend it any time! Natali and Marin are very nice People who really do their best all the time and do everything with a lot of love!
Catarina Toledo
from France, August 2021
"Very good however safety must be improved"
Location and accommodation is excellent, Marin has a lot of knowledge to share, Food is absolutely delicious and everyone in the retreat is amazing... however i cant ignore or not share the fact i got injured in the first day of activities.
Franka Dietrich
from Austria, June 2021
"had a great week with 🧘♀️, best food and wonderful people :)"
The yoga place in the beautiful garden, the soul food, the city Rovinj, the hosts Natalie & Marin, the house angel Katrin, the afternoon adventures, the sea, the sunsets, the nature, so many things :)
Elvira Nurmukhametova
from Croatia, October 2020
"Everything I could wish for"
My experience with Marin and Natalie was all-around outstanding. They cater for all likes and preferences offering a range of beautiful experiences, which challenge you, make you think and want to change for the better. I went their primarily for the 5 elements insight and found Marin's lectures incredibly inspiring. Being a yoga teacher myself, I always look for new paths and ways to improve my lifestyle and complement yoga practice, this was one of the missing puzzle pieces for me - to see where I am happy with myself, where I am lacking balance and what I should be focusing on more to achieve the equilibrium.
Natali's daily treats were exceptional! She has great passion for cooking delicious and healthy food and it showed in her beautiful creations. First thing in the morning yoga on the beach always set us on a good track for a peaceful and enjoyable day.
Afternoon adventures were a self-discovery to me. I by nature am not an adventurous person, but they showed exactly where I feel 'safe' and where it's good to 'stretch' myself to open up to new things. Thanks Marin for all your patience.
And I can't not mention the people I've met, which made this week complete and greatly enjoyable.
Rovinj is a magic place to experience all this and I am very grateful that I've become part of this incredible journey. Thank you Marin and Natalie for hosting it and sharing your passion and care. Thank you Sybil, Alexia and Felix for joining me on this wonderful path.
Julia Bettermann
from Germany, September 2020
"Abwechslungsreiche und wundervolle Woche"
The two hosts (especially Marin) are fully absorbed in the 5-Element Retreat Program. The yoga classes, which are different in content and adapted to the elements, took place outside on the beach. Since the originally booked program did not take place due to the number of participants, we were offered an alternative for two days, so that we could still spend a varied week and enjoy the various adventure excursions. The breakfast Natalie prepared herself is different every day and simply wonderful - no wishes were left unfulfilled. You didn't have to expect to be hungry until late afternoon. The bikes are available around the clock and could be used at any time. There is a fully equipped kitchen where you can store and prepare your own food. If you are lacking something, Natalie was happy to help you out.
Svjetlana Cvijanovic
from Germany, September 2020
"Authentisch und liebevoll, ein perfektes Team!"
Unser Urlaub war wunderschön, die Erwartungen die wir hatten wurden übertroffen. Das Abenteuer, Spirit, die menschliche Freundlichkeit und Wärme hat uns so sehr beeindruckt und inspiriert. Der Service, die Professionalität der Kurse, die Hilfsbereitschaft sind top, wir danken Natalie und Marin, Hvala puno 🙏🙏
Anonymous
from Austria, August 2020
"Beinahe perfekt"
Art der Durchführung
Ivellisse Velez
from Germany, August 2020
"Every time I think of Rovinj, I smile"
I loved the accommodations, the incorporation of the five elements into our daily yoga practice, the hosts, the food (delicious and healthy!) and basically everything about this trip!
I am convinced that Natali and Marin add a light to the already bright city of Rovinj. Their hospitality and warmth made us feel like we were a part of the family. Each morning, our group would ride bikes to a nook near the beach and practice yoga for about an hour. Natali was a wonderful guide, and taught me exercises that I have not seen in my 3 years of practice. My favorite part was the incorporation of the Five Elements philosophy to the practice. I appreciated that our day could be optionally packed with adventure, or we could choose to lounge around, read, visit the beach, or my personal favorite, sleep on the futons outside :) Rovinj is filled with opportunities for outdoor activities, so don't sleep too much!
Natali and Marin, thank you for the professionalism and care you dedicate to this retreat. I look forward to seeing you again in the future.
Heidi Cole
from United Kingdom, August 2020
"Beautiful homely retreat"
This felt like a home from home. So peaceful & you felt like a part of the family. Amazing food & activities along with the free bikes. Natali and Marin make you feel like you’re a part of the family, so kind. Their garden also feels magical too. And wow, Rovinj itself is so so stunning. Spend your time here, not in Pula. So many coves along pine forests leading to the ocean within a 10 min cycle of the house.
Marin’s daily chats about the 5 Elements were amazing too. Thank you it was so wonderful 🙏
Jozef Miskolci
from Slovakia, July 2020
"Truly fulfilling experience"
The whole experience included the spiritual as well as adventure aspect, which I really appreciated. It was a very nice balance between relax and action. The town Rovinj is so picturesque. The quality of the accommodation and the food was extraordinary. They were really trying to use the local and organic food. They were so sweet that they even let us stay one more day for free and rented us the bikes for the whole week for free. That allowed us to explore the whole town and its surroundings. I enjoyed the yoga and windsurfing the most. And the food, of course... The raw cakes ;-) I might appreciate a bit more of meditation, regardless, the whole experience was very worthwhile and I strongly recommend it.
Rebeca Jimebez
from Mexico, October 2019
"Highly recomended"
Yoga class, lecture, food and hosts
Victoria Sargent
from United Kingdom, September 2019
"This retreat will uplift your spirits"
The whole lot... exciting new experiences/adventures every day, amazing people to connect with, delicious meals, traveling&exploring beautiful hidden little towns near by, philosophy of 5 elements and unique personalities of organisers.
This retreat will uplift your spirits and put a smile on your face;)
Maja Mule
from Serbia, September 2019
"The missing element :)"
Extraordinary yoga, delicious food, phenomenal adventures, all in all an adventure that must be lived :)
Alba Avarello
from United Kingdom, September 2019
"Great retreat, I highly recommend it!"
Each day is dedicated to a different element and the retreat feels a bit like a path you do together with other like minded people.
Everything was better than I expected... The whole organisation was very good from the moment of booking to the end of the programme, as well as the care of the guests. I loved Natali's yoga classes, each class was based on a different element and therefore the routine was different everyday. The breakfasts were amazing (thank you Ana!): fresh and homemade, very rich and with different food everyday; basically you could arrive at dinner time without feeling hungry :-)
The adventures were great: we visited beautiful places in combination with some physical activity (kayak, cycling, windsurf, SUP and hiking) and we always stopped for lunch in very nice places with great quality fresh food.
Thank you Marin for sharing your personal experience and knowledge about the 5 elements.
Sheila Omahony
from Ireland, September 2019
"Amazing Experience"
The 5 elements retreat was a truly fantastic experience. Marin and Natali are an inspirational couple who made me feel very much at home and went out of their way to help everyone on the retreat. I met many lovely like-minded people and enjoyed lots of new experiences. I hope to implement many of Marin and Natali's practices into my own life.
Katherine Doherty
from United Kingdom, August 2019
"Yoga Retreat in Rovinj"
This was our first Yoga Retreat and we had a brilliant experience. The organisation from the moment the Retreat was booked was excellent and continued throughout our holiday. The hospitality, food and accommodation exceeded our expectations. It was a wonderful holiday. We met a fantastic set of people and the yoga and activities were so special it is something we will never forget.
Marin and Natali are wonderful people.
Nathalie Girardin
from France, August 2019
"Wonderful experience ! Great mix between pleasure & yoga "
Quality of food is incredible great ! Thanks to chef Paul
Wonderful experience: new insights, great moments and wonderful encounters
Katie Banfielf
from United Kingdom, August 2019
"A perfectly balance retreat with insightful guidance "
When sourcing a suitable retreat we knew that we were not looking for total silence and mindful simple household tasks. We wanted some calm reflection, stretching of our bodies, to learn something about ourselves and others but also to appreciate the beauty of the country and some water sports - 5 elements provided this. Not only did it provide but exceeded our expectations. The cuisine showed that vegetarian cooking can be so varied and was fine cuisine standard. The hosts were generous and accommodating, the space charming and relaxed. Also loved the bike mode of transport which enables you to see so much.
Irene Wielemaker
from Belgium, August 2019
"My first yoga/retreat experience"
The overall picture was right. Rovinj is a beautiful place like in a fairy tale. The accommodation has everything you need. I really liked the bikes which we could use to go to the city/beach whenever we liked. The food was restaurant quality and I really liked the vegan/veggie experience (might try it at home). Marin and Natali immediately make you feel welcome. I’ve learned so much from the lectures and during yoga class but also from the other participants. There was a very good atmosphere in the group. I think the success factor of this retreat is the combination with the activities. I loved each one of them! And I can definately recommand Natali’s massage, she is doing magic with her hands!
Rebecca Wilkinson
from United Kingdom, August 2019
"Most amazing experience"
The food the yoga the activities were fabulous making the week both relaxing, physical and mentally stimulating and you were made to feel like part of a family. The only negative was having to come home!
Louise Toyberg-frandzen
from Denmark, August 2019
"Outstanding and enriching experience! "
There was truly nothing I did not enjoy. Marin and Natali offered a truly amazing experience and I am so grateful to them!
Sara Ruiz Chaves
from Spain, August 2019
"100% recommended"
This yoga retreat has been an amazing experience. It's a perfect balance between nice yoga, meditation and water activities to enjoy beautiful croatian's landscape.
During these days I could discover and feel a lot of things about my self, about nature and concerning the other people experiencies.
Thanks a lot to excellents coockers to make us find out such a delicious and healthy food every day.
Thank you very much, Marin and Natalie, for give us the oportunity to life this retreat: fabulous planning, plenty of nice moments and where any detail was made with love.
It was a wondefull week that I will never forget. ❤
Jake Corke
from United Kingdom, August 2019
"Perfect 5 elements."
I loved the whole concept and design of the course. The significance of the 5 elements have been recognized in all cultures all over the world since the early beginnings. I liked the way each day was dedicated to a certain elements. 90 minutes of yoga in the morning followed by the most amazing vegetarian breakfast that anyone could dream of (really amazing food). We then had a philosophical talk and meditation paired with our daily element. A wonderful lunch followed. Then some free time and a daily activity such as kayaking, wind surfing, hiking, boat trips, SUP, etc. Both Marin and Natali were wonderful and caring hosts. The perfect re-introduction to yoga dn meditation for me. I would highly recommend this retreats to all looking for a combination of yoga, meditation and activities. Rovinj is also a beautiful part of the world. The water, climate and old town are all just perfect! Enjoy!
Regula Ulrich
from United States, August 2019
Alles, die grosse Abwechslung, die schöne Landschaft, die lockere Atmosphäre, die netten und friedlichen Kursteiler/innen und Menschen, die
nette Unterkunft und dann die vielen interessanten Yoga und Meditationsstunden.
Anonymous
from United Kingdom, July 2019
"Perfect balance of yoga/meditation and adventure activities "
A fantastic stay with a range of different yoga styles, different meditations, info about the five elements, really enjoyable adventure activities, delicious food and a beautiful location! Exactly what I needed, Natalie and Marin are great hosts.
Anita Pernegger
from Austria, July 2019
"Jeder Tag ein besonderes Erlebnis"
Jeder Tag entsprach einem der 5 Elemente und waren Yoga, Meditation & Abenteuer, ja sogar das köstliche Essen, perfekt darauf abgestimmt. Sehr spannend und erlebnisreich!!
Irena Raeva
from Bulgaria, July 2019
Very balanced :) mixture of "food" for mind, body and spirit
Arlette Mettler
from Switzerland, July 2019
"Ein Urlaub den man nicht verpassen darf."
Mir hat der ganze Urlaub sehr gefallen. Die Gruppe war echt toll.
Natali ist eine unglaublich liebenswerte Person, die auch noch super massieren kann. Eine Frau die man lieben muss.
Marin hat alles super gut organisiert und war immer sehr bemüht um das Wohl aller. Die 5 Elemente waren sehr spannend.
Das Essen war der absolute Traum. Ich habe in meinen ganzen Ferien noch nie so gut gegessen. Absolute Spitze!!
Anonymous
from United Kingdom, July 2019
"In our element!"
Courteous, professional, skilled and fun hosts. Food was amazing. Yoga very varied and absorbing with new approaches that were enlightening. Natalie’s teaching was gentle and graceful - so inspiring. Adventure activities were really well planned, took us to places we would never usually see, and catered for all fitness levels.
Anonymous
from Sweden, July 2019
"A wonderful place!"
A perfekt mixtur between yoga, meditation and ”adventure”, nice atmosphere, wonderful food and nice caring leaders. Marin shared his thoughts of life with us in a personal way and Natali was an inspirational yoga leader. The vegetarian food was delicious and it was nice to be in a group and get to know people from different countries. Perfect to have your own bike!
Anonymous
from United Kingdom, July 2019
"Asana, adventure, meditation and philosophy"
Nice to have a yoga holiday that included philosophy and meditation as well as asana practice. Activities were very enjoyable too. Lovely creative yoga classes.
The retreat centre is basically a house in the suburbs of Rovinj. It is very quiet and pleasant with an outdoor area for eating. You get bikes for the duration which you can use to get to the beach/town (10/15 mins away).
Breakfast and lunch included. Food was varied, pleasant and plentiful. There are supermarkets nearby so if you don't want to go into town to eat in the evening, you can get food from there and prepare it in the outdoor kitchen at the retreat.
Katrin Zincke
from Germany, July 2019
"Best holiday I had in a long time - so good! "
OMG what DIDN'T I like?! It was wonderful, from the first day to the last, from the calm and spiritual Marin to the bubbly and super-lovely Natali and their mega nice and excellent (!) chefs, from The Best Breakfast Ever(y day!) to all the other things we got to taste with them. And yes, I'm also and especially talking about the activities: The Windsurfing, the spiritual and just-the-right-amount-of-challenging hiking, the kayaking, swimming, Stand-Up-Paddling, cycling - I adored every moment of it. It was just what I needed. Feeling so blessed.
Andy Hooke
from United Kingdom, July 2019
"A fabulous week with inspiring, friendly and fun hosts."
The warmth of Natali and Marin was evident from the introductory talk, ceremony and the excellent finger buffet. I felt a real sense of welcome and willingness to help.
The daily yoga was based upon the day's theme.This was taken from the 5 elements. i.e. Monday Fire, Tuesday Water, Wednesday Air, Thursday Earth and Friday Spirit. The yoga was taken by Natali, who was able to provide challenges for all levels of experience, whilst ensuring people undertook the practise safely. The yoga sessions lasted for approximately 90 minutes.
An amazing breakfast was served after the yoga. Home made breads, humous, vegetable dishes and preserves were made from local, organic produce presented by the very talented chefs Paul and Naomi.
After the breakfast Marin provided a talk upon the Element of the day. This was always interesting, Marin spoke from the heart, with good humour and opportunity created for discussions. After the talks we took part in meditation ( a first for me) and Marin provided thorough explanation and guidance to ensure that optimum benefit was gained from the session.
Lunch was always excellent, filling and served with joy....again by Paul and Naomi.
The late afternoon adventures took advantage of the lovely, refreshing Adriatic waters. No experience was necessary and real fun was had. I learned to stand up on a windsurfer and paddle board. Snorkelling, kayaking and a hillside hike to a cave were also amongst the adventures. The whole programme was great fun.
Anonymous
from Germany, June 2019
"sweet retreat"
Natali and Marin are incredibly kind.
The atmosphere of the place is warm and welcoming.
The food was amazing, and you need to try natalis massage skills!
Highly recommanded, especially if you are a (female) first time solo traveller and feel insecure about it- this place gives you the ideal balance between a community feeling (meeting up with other solo travelers) and self time.
Lesley Watson
from Netherlands, June 2019
"Great place/Great people"
Verschillende nationaliteiten deelnemers.
Mooie locatie
Gastvrije eigenaren
Mooie excursies
Prachtig omgeving met ongerepte landschapen
Zwemmen tussen de eilanden
Yoga en meditatie
Lekker eten
Veronika Pichler
from Austria, May 2019
"Herzliche Gastgeber, tolles Haus, wohltuendes Yoga"
Sehr herzlicher Empfang durch Natali und Marin. Schönes Haus mit herrlichem Garten und angenehmem Yoga-Raum. Fahrrad inklusive, man kann damit wunderbar die Gegend erkunden. Hatte einen sehr schönen Tagestrip mit Kayak und SUP. Vielfältiges Frühstück mit vielen selbstgemachten Leckereien - der absolute Hit! :)
Mustafa Alkhowaildi
from Saudi Arabia, October 2018
"I HAD SO MUCH FUN!!!! LOVE MARIN&NATALI! "
The place is very tidy and clean.
The breakfast is all natural home made and just so delicious!!
The adventure is so great, the couple really do put so much effort in making this a great retreat.
Anonymous
from United States, September 2018
"Everything was great!"
Retreat was super organised, food was amazing (Iskra congratulations for your cooking:). I loved meditation with Marin, specially the last one with sounds. Lectures about 5 Elements were very interesting and eye opening. Yoga with Natali was super nice as she is very dear and caring person. Overall retreat was exceptional. Thank you Natalie and Marin!!
Anonymous
from United States, September 2018
"Perfect Retreat"
This retreat was exactly what I was looking for. Natali & Marin provided a beautiful space to explore my spirit, the 5 elements, while offering fantastic food, incredible yoga and adventure activities. They are unimaginably kind & fun. A significant part for me was connecting with my fellow retreaters, as we all got along and enjoyed the experience wholeheartedly together. Rovinj is beautiful and this retreat provides a thorough opportunity to see many parts of it.
Carolyn Crafer
from United Kingdom, September 2018
"Family Experience"
Absolutely loved everything! Came with my (unwilling) husband, 17 year old son and 26 year old daughter wanting a different sort of family holiday and it had something for everyone. The balance of yoga, meditation and water based activities was perfect. The group size worked really well, you could be sociable or not depending how you felt. We all came away inspired to change our lives, and that's saying something! Plus Nathali gave the best massages ever, and we've had a few!
Manuela Kallinger
from Germany, September 2018
"I was so happy in the 5 elements retreat, such a nice place!"
Thank you, Marin and Natali, for all you did for me.
You ´ re wonderful people!
Anonymous
from United States, August 2018
"Amazing retreat"
I had a great retreat in 5 Elements. We had different adventures every day, food in the guest house was simply amazing. My room was very clean and comfortable. All activities were safe and well organized. The Rovinj region by itself is very lovely with a clear blue sea water and beautiful landscapes. Thanks to Marin and Natali for the organization
Dominic Waithe
from United Kingdom, August 2018
"This trip really lived up to and exceeded my expectations. "
The range of activities was excellent, so was the food, the yoga and the people. Marin and Natali were excellent hosts, very warm and accommodating. There was very little waiting around, activities were well planned and smooth running. This course was very suitable for people who are reasonably fit, who can cycle, swim, hike etc. My favourite thing was kayaking to an island and then exploring this island and swimming in the surrounding water, before paddling back as the sunset.
Rosan Breman
from Netherlands, August 2018
"Great retreat"
The five elements retreat was a fantastic experience. The balance between doing things and learning stuff, between doing things and doing nothing is outstanding
Edouard Steinthal
from France, August 2018
"Awesome"
Tasted every second of my stay like an elixir
Raija Laaksonen
from Finland, August 2018
"A fullfilling experience"
The contents of the retriet was very nice - a good combination of yoga, meditation, theory on the 5 elements and nice activities. If you like the above elements, you cannot find a better option!
Carola Ehret
from Germany, August 2018
Die Yogaeinheiten waren sehr gut, die Nachmittagsaktivitäten waren super! Das Essen sehr lecker und alles mit viel Liebe zubereitet. Nette, sehr engagierte Kursleiter!!!
Alexandra Helm
from United Kingdom, July 2018
"Highly enjoyable week! Thank you!"
Marin and Natali were the most welcoming hosts that you could hope for. I enjoyed starting the day with Natali's yoga session and was interested in the philosophy of the five elements. It proved to be a useful discussion point for the week and I will keep thinking about ideas raised. Breakfast and lunch were veritable feasts. I particularly enjoyed all the activities that brought us close to the water and the heart of Croatia. There was plenty of organised time but also enough unstructured time. We were all happy cycling to get around during our free time. The beach is about 5 mins away by bike and the town was about 10-15 mins. We were encouraged to share evening meals together (a group whatssapp was formed) and one of the many highlights was a visit to an organic vineyard/ olive oil farm where we luxuriated in the sunset, company, good food and wine tastings.... followed by a swim in the moonlight.
Jenna Sullivan
from Australia, July 2018
"Excellent value for money and a wonderful time "
I absolutely loved the daily adventures. Marin put a lot of thought into how to make the adventures exciting and reflective of the local area. eveeything was made easy for us so we could relax and enjoy our time.
Natalie's yoga was a beautiful way to start the day and she was so kind and hospitable. It was great to have each day based on an element.
The food was beyond lovely and we were very well fed. I met a lovely group of people and enjoyed my time very much. Perfect for a solo traveller.
Marcello Gariglio
from Switzerland, July 2018
"Entspannende Woche"
Sehr gute Programm. Feines Essen. Tolle und professionelle Yoga-, Meditations- und Sportessions.
Alles in allem ein sehr gelungener Aufenthalt.
Esther Purkiss
from Ireland, July 2018
"An amazing experience!"
Where to start? The room, I stayed in the fire room, perfect, perfect size, lovely balcony, lovely en suite, spotless! The food, the food! The delicious homemade granola and fresh fruit for breakfast, the bread and homemade jam, the savoury cheese or egg dishes everyday. Then there was lunch; every day a different dish, rice, quinoa, pasta all flavoured with different sauces and spices, different vege burgers, and so much of it, then the sweet dessert after lunch, lemon cheesecake has to be my favourite! The yoga, Natali was amazing, she didnt push us all too much and was so respectful of our different abilities, she knew every day where our aches and pains were and she guided us through yoga so well! The lectures and mediation were brilliant; Marin explained the elements so well and how they relate to life and he was a fantastic guide for our daily meditations. The location, Rovinj is beautiful and being able to hop on the bike and go to the beach or the town was so great, some fantastic local restaurants too! And finally, the adventures, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, windsurfing, cycling, hiking. I had so much fun doing all the activities, it was great to be outdoors in the elements experiencing all these different activities in such a beautiful place! Thank-you to Natali and Marin for being such wonderful hosts, I will hopefully return soon!
Jeanette Bergh
from Sweden, July 2018
"This was the most amazing retreat!"
Hi had the most amazing week! It was way much better than I expected!
Marin and Natali were so hospitable and took good care of every single person who participated.
The food! Yoga! Meditation! The activities! The garden! Everything has been incredible.
I've been playing for a whole week and laughed so much!
I have so many new experiences and memories. I feel so grateful - Thank you!
Love!
Jeanette
Jayne Bailey
from United Kingdom, July 2018
"An unforgetable experience in many ways"
Marin and Natalie were very welcoming to my daughter and myself. We immediately felt comfortable on arrival. The expectations of the week were clearly laid out to us in a respectful manner. The week really ran like clockwork, but with a laid back vibe - we all knew where and when we needed to be somewhere and the whole group responded well. Activities were amazing, lecture and meditation was surprisingly interesting and effective and the yoga was energising at the start of the day. As an experienced yogi it was good to have some alternative routines and my daughter as a beginner was able to follow most of the yoga. Having access to bicycles for the duration was great. Rovinj is beautiful, shops were close by and the accommodation was fine.
Michael Anderson
from Croatia, July 2018
"Excellent variety!"
I particularly loved this retreat as it was a more mature group (i.e. not a bunch of partying 20 year olds :) )
It was also great having yoga and meditation in the morning, and doing amazing adventure activities in the late afternoon.
The food was top notch and catered for difficult people like me (vegan and gluten free)
They also weaved in the 5 elements into everything we did. It's really quite well done.
Everything was done with love and care, and it was truly an exceptional experience.
Suzana Brooke
from Qatar, July 2018
"Discovery and exploration of the self through the 5 elements"
The philosophy and concepts were very interesting and easy to implement into daily practices and activities.
Hayley Sulsh
from United Kingdom, July 2018
"Life Changing Experience"
Marin & Natali are the most wonderful hosts, teachers & loving people.
From day one I felt relaxed & at home.
Met a wonderful bunch of people from all over the world. So much fun, laughter & learning together.
The mix between yoga, meditation & activities along with free time is perfect. (Especially if you use some of that time receiving a massage from Natali)
There were some very special moments & experiences. This trip has changed my perspective & made me much happier and able to deal with the stresses of life. I will return in a heartbeat.
I must also mention the food. An abundance of beautiful veggie & vegan creations. Thank you Iskra the cook & Natali.
Lucrecia Sandoval
from United States, June 2018
"Balanced, restored and relaxed"
This retreat was superb in so many ways. Marin and Natali are amazing hosts who make you feel at home and go out of their way to meet your needs. The retreat was coordinated wonderfully and we really felt taken care of. We were transported to and from the ferry upon our arrival and departure. The entire retreat was coordinated wonderfully and we thoroughly enjoyed the yoga classes, the meditation sessions, the adventures, the accommodations and the amazing food. We could not have asked for anything more. I'm so grateful for all of the experiences that were available during this retreat and for the wonderful people I had the opportunity to meet.
Jennifer Hutain
from Sierra Leone, June 2018
"An adventure in relaxation"
This was my first yoga retreat and I found it to be the perfect balance between yoga, adventure activities, and doing absolutely nothing. The house is a place of great peace and even sharing a room, I slept so well. The food by Iskra was absolutely incredible and for those with special dietary preferences (vegan, gluten free) she made special. The adventures in the afternoon were my favorite, particularly learning to windsurf, a special love for host Marin. There were bikes always available for going into town or the beach.
Namquyen Le
from United States, June 2018
"A perfect place to reset, relax, and ruminate :)"
Natali and Marin have clearly put a lot of thought and effort into organizing this retreat, and it's very obvious that they care deeply about how everyone is doing and feeling during yoga, meditation, activities, breakfast and lunch. They are extremely receptive to feedback and always try to accommodate everyone's needs.
Natali and Marin are extremely quick to get back to you if you have any questions before booking your retreat, and they are very helpful in making sure that all prior necessities (e.g. booking, transactions, transportation to and from the bus station, etc) are planned for and taken care of.
For scale: this was the first time I have ever done a foreign transaction, and Natali was extremely helpful in confirming and making sure that all of the money was received for the deposit. She also made sure that I was picked up from the bus station in Rovinj even though it was my first time in Croatia and I wasn't familiar with the area, and I had also arrived a day late.
The yoga and meditation were exactly what I needed, and I really liked the different lectures that Marin provided. I also really enjoyed how the activities played into each meditation and element. Biking, kayaking, wind surfing, and hiking were only a the starters of what I consider one of the best experiences I have ever had. Natali, Marin, and everyone who was a part of the retreat truly made this experience special for me – notwithstanding how beautiful Croatia is :)
Marlies Naeyaert
from Belgium, June 2018
I've had the opportunity to stay 2 more days in the lovely guesthouse and reflect over the past week. It has been an amazing experience for body, mind and stomach :) The passion and professionalism of Marin and Natali is unseen, whether it is yoga, massage, meditation, supporting the sports activities, cooking.... I really liked the balancing of the more 'quiet' activities and the sports, suitable for every level. Being with them and the whole group gave me new insights and great talks with like-minded people, but also a lot of fun and laughter. The nature around is stunning and we discovered great places: small islands, hiking in the wild...Definitely will come back again to get more of these experiences!
Iroda Asqarova
from Ukraine, October 2017
"Yoga Adventure retreat in Rovinj"
I liked everything about this place, Marin and Natalie were wonderful to meet and spend time together. The retreat was well organised and managed. Rovinj is a beautiful place to explore and Marin took us to see the best of it.
Also I personally wanted to thank Marin for making me feel confident and comfortable during windsurfing and kayaking, as it was my first time to try these activities out and I do not swim well. It was a great experience.
I wanted to thank Natalie as well for gluing the team together, treating us with her great hospitality and being so wonderful with us. I had a great time!
Cormac Corcoran
from Ireland, September 2017
"Great experience and insight into the five elements. "
Everything
Michael John Delaney
from Ireland, September 2017
"My thoughts."
I liked the mix of activites/yoga.
Food was brill.
Lectures and meditation provided a nice counter balance to the activities.
Nice group of well matched people.
Close to town but not "in town"
I liked all the activity afternoons.
I liked the yoga sessions they were a good start to the day even though I may not be the most flexible.
Gowsi Ananthan
from United Kingdom, August 2017
"Amazing! Enjoyed everything about it!"
Everything! All adventures, Food, location, hosts, and mostly yoga & meditation! People who I have met in this retreat also made it enjoyable and pleasant.
Gabriele Staudt-haubrich
from Germany, August 2017
"Tolle Kombi Yoga und Aktivitäten"
Morgens Start mit abwechslungsreichem Yogaprogramm, tolles Frühstück, wir haben einiges über die 5 Elemente und Meditation gelernt, supergute Aktivitäten!
Michelle Moran
from United Kingdom, August 2017
"Five elements yoga retreat"
Marin and Natali who were both hosts and teachers have enabled us to have both a wonderful personal experience as well as a wonderfully relaxing yet exciting holiday.
Natalie is great at teaching yoga in her second language which cannot be easy. The content of the classes perfectly matched the concept of the five elements.
Marin was our guru and delivered thought provoking and inspiring lectures on the five elements and guided us through life changing meditation ( for me personally).
They both served us with delicious home cooked vegetarian food and nothing was too much trouble to make our stay enjoyable.
The activities programme was fun filled, challenging and unique. Marin took us to visit places and people that we would never have experienced if we had visited Croatia by ourselves.
Arjet Stevens
from Netherlands, August 2017
"Wonderful hosts, program, yoga and food. ❤️"
Combination of yoga, activities, informality, and place.
Marin and Natali were also perfect!!
Cheryl Anson
from United Kingdom, August 2017
"Exploring the Elements...."
I loved how the yoga and activities were centred around the five elements. Relaxing, exciting & thought-provoking all at once!
The food is up there with the best vegetarian food I've ever tasted and even as a non-veggie, I promise you, you won't go hungry!
Guest house is spotlessly clean and comfortable and has all the facilities you'll need.
Natali & Marin were the perfect hosts and I would recommend the retreat to anyone.
Kayleigh Carr
from United Kingdom, July 2017
"Kayleigh' s review "
The guest house was very clean and tidy with regular cleaning times done by Natali herself! All the food was amazing and was freshly prepared everyday by Natali. Marin did lectures everyday on the elements and how this related to the yoga and meditation he is insightful and knowledgeable and his book complements his wisdom. The time effort and preparation that went into the adventure activities was beyond anything I've experienced! The yoga lessons delivered by Natali were active and easy to follow while challenging you mentally and physically. Natali and Marin clearly put their heart and soul into the retreat to ensure you have the most amazing time!
Leon Kuhn
from Sweden, July 2017
"In my element"
Great concept combining the 5 elements with the yoga sessions, activities and at times even the food. All in all a wonderful way to experience both yoga and the surrounding area. The food was excellent and rooms clean. Very relaxed accomodation and hosts. Thanks again Marin and Natali
Erika Boström
from Finland, July 2017
"Thank you so much, had amazing vacation!"
Super super super retreat! Guesthouse is comfy and silent place in a beautiful city of Rovinj. It's was perfect combination of yoga and other activities, we got a change to see such a beautiful places and scnereries. The canyon we went to see, oh my! That place would be great place for a meditation :) Marim and Natalie, it was great to meet you! Your presence is calm and peaceful and you made your effort for us to feel great, thank you so much! The food you prepared was super delicious! Big hug!
Danielle Bromage
from United Kingdom, June 2017
"Amazing time at the Five Elements Retreat (Rovinj)"
The combination of relaxation (yoga) and adventure (hiking, cycling and kayaking) was just what I needed....... made even more memorable by the great company of fellow travellers at the retreat :-)