8 Day Rejuvenating Yoga and Wellness Retreat in Playa del Albir, Costa Blanca, Spain
1-Week All-inclusive Yoga Retreat Spain
La Crisalida Retreats is happy to welcome you to this seven-night / eight-day yoga retreat on the gorgeous Costa Blanca, Spain. Imagine practicing yoga on the roof terrace with stunning views of the mountains, natural park, and with the sea glistening in the distance. If you are looking for some time away to practice yoga in a beautiful seaside location, then this is the place for you!
Meet the instructors
Highlights
- Meditation sessions
- 12 yoga classes
- Daily guided walks
- Short walk to the local Blue Flag beach
- Free transfer between Alicante airport and the retreat
- 7 nights cozy accommodation
- 3 plant-based meals or nutritious juices every day
- Filtered water, herbal teas and fresh fruit
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
Yoga styles
8 days with instruction in English
Accommodation
Facilities
- Sauna
- Swimming pool (outdoor)
- Table tennis
- Air-conditioned public areas
- Air-conditioned rooms
- Dining area
- Garden
- Kitchen
- Lounge
- Luggage room / storage
- Multilingual staff
- Smoke-free property
- Terrace
- Yoga deck
- Yoga studio
- Beauty salon
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
- Ironing / ironing board
- Laundry
- Library
- Outdoor shower
At La Crisalida, they offer spacious ensuite apartments, decorated in light, traditional, and Spanish style, with white-washed walls, throws, and bright scatter cushions. There are different types of accommodation that you can choose from to fit your budget and personal choice. Every apartment includes a seating area, with large sofas and armchairs, plus a television and a DVD player so you can choose to relax with one of their wide selection of DVDs. This is a small area with dining table and chairs, plus an ensuite bathroom. There are also blackout curtains at the windows to help you get a good night's sleep. For convenience, all apartments have a basic kitchen containing kettle and tea-making facilities and a fridge.
La Crisalida Retreats also supplies a hairdryer, safe, iron with ironing board, and clothes drier in every apartment. The accommodation is situated in two buildings. Private apartments (single person) as well as twin-share and multi-share apartments are located on the ground floor and situated around the inner courtyard magnesium pool area, with sunbathing facilities. They all have a small outside terrace area for your apartment. In the second two-storey building, next to the second outdoor pool and close to the yoga terrace, the five apartments are all two-bedrooms - there, you can have your own private bedroom in a two-bedroom shared apartment.
All apartments have free access to Wi-Fi Internet. Rooms are cleaned regularly. All apartments and communal areas include central heating for the winter months and air-conditioning for the hot summer months. Fans are also provided. La Crisalida Retreats offers different accommodation options to cater for your requirements. For example, you might choose to have your own studio apartment (non-share). If you will be travelling on your own, but would like to share an apartment, they will match you with someone of the same gender and, where possible, a similar age. If you will be coming to stay as a couple, you can share a studio apartment (two-share). Please let them know at the time of inquiry. They have double beds available in some of the apartments.
Rooms
You can choose from four types of accommodation:
Private apartment
If you would like to have your own space, you can choose to have your own private charming Spanish-style apartment. These apartments have their own ensuite bathroom, with outdoor terrace area. They are situated around the quiet inner courtyard pool area.
Private room in a shared two-bed apartment
For those people who prefer to have their own private bedroom but are happy to share an apartment with one other person, you might like to choose this option. Each bedroom contains a double bed. The seating, dining, and kitchen areas are shared and so too is the ensuite bathroom. These apartments are for two people (and you can book this option if you are travelling alone, La Crisalida will match you with another guest of the same gender). There are also two apartments that can sleep up to four people coming together as a group. Please ask La Crisalida for prices and availability.
Twin room in a twin-share apartment
You can choose to share one of the charming twin-share apartments with one other person. These apartments have been arranged to make the space suitable for social distancing. There are also two single beds, separated by a wardrobe and shelf unit, so the large apartments are divided into two sleeping areas. There are a small seating area, kitchen, and ensuite bathroom (shared by both guests). If you will be travelling on your own, you can book this accommodation type and La Crisalida will match you with someone of the same gender and, where possible, a similar age.
Multi-share apartment
The multi-share apartment is a great option if you will be travelling on a budget. La Crisalida has a limited number of apartments available that can sleep three or four people. This is a large apartment, containing three or four single beds. The apartment has been arranged so that social distancing can be maintained. There are an ensuite bathroom, a seating area, a kitchen, and an outside terrace. These apartments can be reserved by people coming as a group. Individuals travelling on their own can also book this accommodation option if they are happy to share with up to three others (same gender).
Facilities
The retreat is set in lovely Spanish grounds, with mature plants, including bougainvillia, palm trees, and jasmine. There is a wide range of facilities at the retreat including:
Yoga roof terrace
La Crisalida Retreats' roof terrace is used for yoga classes (depending upon weather conditions) so that you can enjoy practicing your yoga with views of the mountains and sea. It is fully equipped with mats, blocks, blankets and straps.
During the day, the terrace will give you magnificent sea and mountain views and will be available for you to enjoy when not in use for retreat activities.
Indoor activity studio
There's also a wonderful relaxing indoor studio. The activity studio is used for workshops, rebounding, and other activities.
Yoga classes are also held there on occasions when the roof terrace is not available (due to weather, e.g. too cold / hot / windy). It is fully equipped for yoga classes, with mats, bolsters, straps, blocks, and blankets. (Please note that there is no weight lifting or similar gymnasium equipment at the retreat). This activity studio is fully heated during the winter months and air-conditioned during the summer months.
Outdoor swimming pools
There are two outdoor swimming pools at La Crisalida. One is a magnesium pool that is heated in the cooler months, designed to support your relaxation. The second outdoor pool is located towards the south of the retreat grounds.
Sun beds and parasols
A large number of sun beds are available around the retreat so you can choose where to relax. There is also an outdoor quiet seating area in which you can read, write, or relax.
Outside dining area
During the summer months, evening meals are eaten outside at large family tables in the outdoor dining area. There are also lots of tables and chairs around the retreat where you can choose to eat at.
Inside dining area and communal area
Breakfast and lunch are served there. You can choose to stay inside to eat around the large wooden tables or move outside to another dining area. This area also contains a sofa and television / DVD area, hot and cold water, herbal teas, and some games for you to play.
Terrace areas
All of the apartments around the lower magnesium pool have a personal terrace area containing a table and chairs with sunbeds.
Other amenities
- Internet access: Free Wi-Fi in all apartments and communal areas is available.
- Table tennis: Enjoy a game of table tennis outside.
- Ambient music: Quiet ambient music is played in the reception and dining areas of the retreat.
- Satellite television: Every apartment contains a television with satellite stations, mainly in English and Spanish, but a few French and German-speaking channels too.
- DVD player in each apartment to enjoy one of La Crisalida Retreats' light-hearted DVDs from the DVD library
- Book swap library - Bring your book and if you finish it, you can swap it for another one from the book swap library.
- Educational books and DVDs to borrow during your stay at the retreat
- Car parking: If you wish to hire a car during your stay, there is private parking available on the retreat grounds.
- Telephone: There will be a telephone in your room.
- Heating: All apartments and communal areas have central heating.
- Air conditioning and fans: All apartments have air conditioning. Fans are also available.
- Other apartment facilities: Fridge, hairdryer, tea making facilities, iron with ironing board, and a clothes dryer.
Room check-in and check-out
Rooms will be available for check-in from 2:00 p.m., although La Crisalida Retreats will do their best to make them ready before this. They request that you check out from your room by 11:00 a.m. on the day of departure. You can participate in all of the activities and enjoy the food or juice until the moment you depart. They have showering and changing facilities available, plus a luggage storage facility to leave your luggage at.
Program
La Crisalida Retreats is a health and well-being center located in the quiet seaside town of Albir, north of Alicante on the Costa Blanca, Spain. They offer guests from all over the world a relaxing, all-inclusive retreat experience in their quiet and welcoming retreat center.
La Crisalida Retreats offers a holistic approach to health and wellbeing through their program of activities that include yoga, life makeover workshops, meditation, rebounding, and more, combined with tasty nutritious plant-based food and juices.
With 12 yoga classes across the week plus many other activities on the all-inclusive program, including magnificent guided walks, yoga Nidra to help you to relax, and morning meditation sessions, you will soon feel refreshed and rejuvenated.
At La Crisalida Retreats, the health benefits of yoga are combined with healthy plant-based food. Included in the price are meals, accommodation, and all activities.
Imagine starting your refreshing yoga retreat with a morning meditation and then your first yoga class of the day outside on the terrace with views of the sea and mountains. Enjoy a healthy breakfast before joining a workshop, taking a walk, or maybe relaxing on your sunbed with a good book.
You can try rebounding; aqua aerobics (summer only); or legs, tums, and bums before enjoying a delicious plant-based lunch. After a siesta, you can choose to participate in the afternoon activities or rest around the pool.
There will be a weekly program of activities on offer. All activities are optional so you can do as much or as little as you want to.
Find inner peace and leave feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and more like yourself. After your eight-day (seven-night) break, you will feel refreshed and centered back to the real you once again.
Yoga
Yoga is a core part of the La Crisalida program, and they cater for beginners and people with an intermediate level of practice. Studies have proven yoga to be one of the best ways to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and relieve symptoms such as insomnia, depression, and anxiety. Yoga also helps to improve overall fitness, strength, and flexibility.
Yoga classes at La Crisalida
There are twelve yoga classes every seven days. There is one all-levels yoga class each day (suitable for beginners and intermediate level practitioners) and at least five intermediate classes during the week. Classes are open to everyone. However, the intermediate classes are stronger and more challenging.
There is always one 90-minute class in the morning and five days per week, there is a second yoga class (either 60 or 90 minutes, depending upon the day).
Most of the yoga classes will be Hatha-based, although La Crisalida Retreats also offers a range of different yoga styles, including Yin, Restorative, Kundalini, and Hatha flow. There will be four or five yoga teachers each week, so you can experience different styles and teachers.
If you are new to yoga, this will be your opportunity to try something new! The common theme underlying yoga at La Crisalida is to help you to get back in touch with the inner you, as well as to find balance, strength, flexibility, and inner peace.
Where possible, the yoga classes will be held outdoors on the roof terrace (which has a retractable shade) with views of the surrounding area, sea, and mountains. They also have a lovely indoor studio in which to practice. You will leave your short yoga break feeling relaxed and rejuvenated from your time at the retreat.
Other activities:
Each day, there will be other classes that you can take part in, like yogalates (a combination of yoga and Pilates) and legs, tums and bums, in addition to rebounding and aqua aerobics (summer only).
Yoga Nidra and guided visualization
Each week, there will be a wonderful yoga Nidra session to enable you to deeply relax and reconnect body, mind, and spirit. You will also find deep relaxation in the guided visualizations.
Daily guided walks
La Crisalida's location by the sea and close to a natural park and woodland makes the surrounding area a great one to explore and enjoy the scenery, sea, and fresh air in. They encourage all guests to join the daily guided walks, which will give you some of the very best views on the Costa Blanca.
Various routes can be followed, depending upon your desired level of activity.
Life makeover workshops
The La Crisalida program of life makeover workshops is designed to explore and enhance your sense of mental well-being. These workshops complement the meditation at the retreat and although light-hearted and fun, they seek to capture the base cause of your experiences in life.
A key fundamental is that to have outer harmony in life, there must be inner harmony and for there to be inner harmony, there must exist mastery of the mind. In these workshops, you can explore very practical ways of developing inner harmony.
You can also look at the role that motivation plays in your life and the role of your inner self, thoughts, and feelings in creating your own very personal reality. You can start to explore the often overlooked aspects of experience that you desire - those relating to inner riches.
La Crisalida retreat program
The retreat offers a full program of activities that run every day of the week, starting at 08:00 and finishing between 20:30 or 21:00 (depending upon the activity). You will be welcome to choose to attend all the activities that you want to.
Sample daily schedule
- 08:00 90-minute morning walk
- 09:30 Morning juice or breakfast
- 10:30 90-minute yoga class
- 12:15 30-minute exercise class (it can be one of: rebounding, core works, or aqua aerobics in the summer)
- 13:00 Meditation
- 13:30 Lunch, followed by siesta / relaxation time
- Welcome chat for new guests
- 15:00 60-minute class (cooking demo or juice demo) on some days
- 16:00 Afternoon juice
- 16:30 90-minute class (it can be one of: workshop or exercise class - e.g. yogalates, yoga)
- 18:30 Dinner: Evening juice or healthy meal
- 19:30 Evening activity (it can be one of: yoga Nidra, guided visualization, mindfulness workshop, life makeover workshop, or evening walk in the summer)
Note that there will be twelve classes of yoga each week. The start time varies by day, week, and season. This schedule is shown for indicative purposes, as classes can vary. You will be given a weekly program of activities when you arrive at the retreat and a new program is available every Sunday for the following week.
Instructors
John Brant
John is an author, speaker, and transformational coach. He oversees the retreats, as well as often leads life makeover workshops, meditation, walking, and if you are lucky, rebounding! John worked in a high-pressure career as an Actuary before making significant changes in lifestyle, culminating in his move to Spain. At the retreats, he shares generously the best of what he has learned and put into practice. John inspires and challenges guests to take personal responsibility for their health and well-being.
Lisa Brant
Lisa is one of the founders of La Crisalida Retreats and one of the yoga teachers, taking a mindful therapeutic approach to yoga teaching. She is also a nutritionist and designs the food and juice menus at the retreat. Lisa originally trained as an epidemiologist, studying health and disease. After studying neurolinguistic programming (NLP), she changed direction in 2011 to take a more holistic approach to health and wellbeing. With more than twenty years of experience, Lisa shares her knowledge and expertise with guests so they can be more self-aware of their health.
LaCrisalida Team
The activities at La Crisalida are run by a talented team of skilled professionals. They have varied backgrounds and training, which encompasses yoga (500 hours or 200 hours minimum), personal training, Pilates, exercise to music, meditation, mindfulness, and much more. This wonderful team leads the activities and workshops. They will also welcome you to the retreat with a group welcome chat and will be around if you have any questions. In addition to all the staff at La Crisalida, the program team will be there to support you on your health and wellbeing journey.
Retreat location
La Crisalida Retreats is located in Albir, a small seaside town on the Costa Blanca coast, in the Alicante province of Valencia, Spain. The town itself is relatively quiet, with tree-lined streets and has an unhurried air - perfect for relaxation.
They are located off the main road, up a quiet side street, within 15 minutes' stroll to the beach. Shops and cafes are also close by in case you forget to bring something!
The coastline is stunning, with azure blue sea and a backdrop of mountains. The beach, the Playa del Racó l´Albir, has been awarded the prestigious EU Blue Flag classification, denoting its excellent facilities and cleanliness. It is a lovely place to relax and swim, all year round.
There is a lovely promenade that you can walk on, which stretches all the way up along to Altea (a beautiful old hill town which is well worth a visit). From the beach, you can see Calpe Rock, the Penon de Ifach.
Surrounding Albir is the Sierra Helada, a protected nature reserve. The walk through trees along to the lighthouse is beautiful and you will be rewarded at the end with the opportunity to spot bottle-nose dolphins.
Although Albir is just north from Benidorm, the town cannot be more different, with very little nightlife apart from restaurants and cafes. The history of Albir goes back to the Roman times, when there was a settlement close to the seafront. You can visit one of the settlements during your stay.
This Yoga Retreat is vegetarian-friendly
Click to see more vegetarian-friendly Yoga Retreats
Food
La Crisalida Retreats believes that the starting point for rejuvenation of the body and mind is through the foods that you consume. Therefore, they offer an abundance of fresh fruit, vegetables, and whole foods at La Crisalida Retreats. They serve a plant-based diet packed full with nutrition to give your whole system support and a well-deserved rest.
They also use seasonal products and where possible, products that are grown or sourced locally, so the menu is typically Mediterranean with a twist! All dishes are prepared and cooked on the premises, with care and loving attention from the talented chefs.
They use lots of herbs and spices to bring flavor and variety, plus serve a selection of dishes with a variety of textures, colors, and flavors.
All the meals (or juices) are included in the cost of your retreat. They serve three meals every day. You can enjoy a range of dishes, for lunch and dinner, sampling each dish served. Their chefs will serve you (safety measures introduced due to COVID-19) and you will be welcome to top up your plate as many times as you want to.
They also offer you the opportunity to try juicing. This is included in the cost of your retreat. You can choose to juice for one meal, one day, or one week instead of eating. Each day, simply let La Crisalida Retreats know if you want to eat or juice. You will have the flexibility to tailor your retreat for yourself.
The foods that they do not serve include: sugar, bread, dairy products (including milk, yogurts, and cheese), eggs, salt, coffee and tea (except herbal and green teas), alcohol, and sweets. These foods all place extra stress on your body systems, so by cutting them out for a few days or longer, the body will have the opportunity to rebalance itself.
They do serve vegan alternatives, including rice milk or soya yogurts. Most of their food is naturally gluten free, although occasionally, they do serve couscous or a couple of other dishes containing gluten. Each meal will be nutritionally balanced, so it will include vegan sources of protein and a carbohydrate option.
Typical foods served
- Breakfast: Juice or healthy breakfast (homemade granola, homemade muesli, and fruit salad as standard); during the cooler winter months, they offer porridge variations in addition to the standard healthy breakfast
- Lunchtime: Bean burgers, courgette toppers, Buddha bowl, hummus, guacamole, falafel, and lots of different salads and vegetable dishes like beetroot and mint salad as well as olive tapenade on courgette “bread” or sweet potato “fries;” in the winter, they serve freshly made vegetable soups and in the summer, they offer an additional raw dish
- Evening meal examples: Vegan paella, lentil sausages, vegan lasagna, Thai curry with coconut rice, tofu quiche, plus assorted salads and lots of vegetable side dishes; twice a week, they serve amazing vegan desserts and on Friday night, you can enjoy an alcohol-free cocktail
Sometimes, occasional treats are provided - of the healthy variety of course! In the afternoon, La Crisalida Retreats will provide you with a fresh juice to freshen up before the 17:00 class.
La Crisalida Retreats can cater for most dietary requests for allergies or intolerances, including gluten or wheat-free, coeliacs, and people with nut allergies. Please let them know at the time of booking if you have a special dietary request.
You will be encouraged to drink at least three to five liters of water per day whilst at the retreat as this helps with the elimination of toxins and helps to keep the body well-hydrated. Filtered water will be available for you around the retreat.
There is also a wide range of herbal teas, including green tea and hot water so you can make yourself a hot drink whenever you chose to. Fresh fruit is always available as well.
All retreats are alcohol, meat, fish, and dairy-free. They respectfully request that you do not bring alcohol to the retreat. At La Crisalida, they have a relaxed inclusive atmosphere so meals are taken communally.
Juicing
La Crisalida Retreats also offers you the option to juice, instead of eat, for one meal or every meal during your stay. You will have the flexibility to decide for yourself for each meal, so you can make your retreat personal for you.
Drinking fresh fruit and vegetable juices is a popular part of the La Crisalida program. Juicing is a fantastic way of delivering maximum nutrition to the body. The juices are designed to give the digestive system a well-earned break - much of the energy is saved because intensive digestion work normally carried out by the body has already been done.
This allows the body to divert energy towards any worn out or unhealthy cells, which allow them to repair and rejuvenate with ease.
With natural fresh juices, the very best nutrients are squeezed out of your favorite fruit and vegetables and put in liquid form into a glass. It often amazes guests how their juices can leave them feeling full for hours. Please be aware that some guests might be juicing during their stay for detox and / or weight loss.
The juices are freshly prepared each mealtime using fruit and vegetables sourced locally. There is a well-designed menu of juices for breakfast and lunch. There is a small afternoon juice also provided in between the activities for all guests. You can choose your own juice for dinner from the extensive menu, or, if you feel adventurous, choose your own ingredients!
Juicing is a great way to cleanse the body of toxins, and this elimination process will work in harmony with your yoga practice at the retreat.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Tea
- Detox juices
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Raw food
- Lactose Free
- Whole food
- Other dietary requirements on request
What's included
- All your retreat program activities, starting at 08:00 and finishing at 21:00
- 12 yoga classes per week
- Free transfers between Alicante airport
- Pool towel to relax on the sun loungers around the retreat or take to the beach
- Free Wi-Fi in your apartment and communal areas
- Satellite television in your apartment and DVD player
- Book swap, DVD library, and informative books
- Use of two outdoor swimming pools, one heated in the winter
- Arrival any day of the week - open 365 days per year
- 7 nights stay in a large ensuite apartment (shared or private) with substantial facilities
- 3 meals per day (or nutritious juices, your choice)
- Unlimited fresh fruit
- Unlimited filtered water and herbal teas
What's not included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Holistic treatments - massage, transformational or life coaching, facials etc. payable locally
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Transfer included
Alicante–Elche Airport
52 km away from your destination
Arrival by plane
Please book your flight to arrive at Alicante–Elche Airport (ALC). La Crisalida Retreats offers a free collection and drop-off transfer service from Alicante airport by shuttle bus. Please note that a minimum of a three-night stay applies. Flights must arrive and depart between set times during the day (they will tell you the times in their communication). You must arrive at the retreat before 21:00. Simply inform La Crisalida Retreats about your flight details, as they require a 72-hour notice to arrange your transfers. If you prefer a private transfer, please let La Crisalida know, and they can arrange this at an extra cost.
La Crisalida uses a transfer provider to collect you from the airport and drop you back for your return flight. This transfer service is included in the price of your retreat (note that a minimum three-night retreat is needed to qualify for the free transfer).
The standard shuttle transfer can take from one hour up to two and a half hours from the airport to the retreat. The collection for your return transfer can be up to four hours before your flight departure time to make sure that you get to the airport two hours early for check-in.
Albir can also be reached from Valencia airport. The retreat does not offer transfers from Valencia, so you will need to make your own way. There is a good bus service from Valencia to Benidorm, and then it is a short 15-minute taxi ride to the retreat.
Arrival by bus
You can also take a bus to Benidorm and then take a short taxi ride to the retreat.
Arrival by train
If you will be taking a train to Alicante, La Crisalida Retreats can organize a free shuttle transfer from the train station to the retreat for trains arriving between 09:00 and 19:00. This shuttle service is shared with other people (not retreat guests) and has several stops before arriving at the retreat. The drive can be between 60 to 180 minutes.
Let La Crisalida know your arrival (and departure) train times, as they require a 72-hour notice to arrange your transfers.
Arrival by car
If you want to explore the area before or after your retreat, you can hire a car. Let La Crisalida know if you would like driving directions to be sent to you. The distance is approximately 60 kilometers.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 18% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
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