6 Day Yoga, Massage, Nature and Waterfalls in Vallemaggia, Ticino, Switzerland
Switzerland Yoga Holiday
Do you wish to discover how to practice yoga in an authentic way? In the heart of nature and adapted to your individual need in a safe way? This yoga retreat will teach you a new way of finding balance from within. Experience how easy it actually is to simply come back to yourself in a joyful way and connect your real innate nature.
Meet the instructors
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Highlights
- 6 days of activities
- 2 yoga classes of 90 minutes daily (morning and late afternoon)
- Asana, Yoga Nidra, Meditation, Pranayama, and Tibetan sound bells relaxation
- Safe yoga adapted to your personal needs
- 1 massage of 30 minutes to your choice
- Excursions to Maggia valley and Ticino's highest waterfall
- 5 nights accommodation
- Daily delicious organic breakfast buffet and dinner
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Yoga styles
Accommodation
Facilities
- Bar
- Dining area
- Environmentally friendly
- Garden
- Luggage room / storage
- Multilingual staff
- Restaurant
- Smoke-free property
- Special menu request
- Terrace
- Bicycle rental
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
- Tour assistance
In this retreat, you can choose to stay either in a private single or private double room. Eco Hotel Cristallina offers various personalized non-smoking rooms with or without a balcony or terrace, dedicated to simplicity and essentiality. It has basic, standard, and standard plus rooms, of which most of them are available for single, double, and some triple occupancy.
To promote sociability among the guests, radio and television services in the rooms have been intentionally excluded. The owners of the hotel identify themselves with a natural way of life and they do their best to establish a harmonious and sustainable relationship with nature and its resources.
A healthy environment with minimal energy consumption and a joyful and pleasant atmosphere that invites to get away from everyday life characterizes the hotel.
Basic room with sink and small terrace
These rooms on the first floor are equipped with two separate beds, a washbasin, a bedside table, and a small terrace facing southeast that offers panoramic views of the nearby mountains. The shared bathroom and shower are in the corridor. Suitable for single or double occupation.
Standard room with toilet and shower
This room with a toilet and shower is in the rear of the hotel and is characterized by its tranquility as it faces the backside garden. Suitable for single or double occupation.
Standard plus room with toilet, shower, and terrace
There are four rooms of this type located on the second floor. The rooms are oriented towards the southeast and are ideal for a longer stay. These rooms are furnished with a table and chairs inside and a large terrace ideal for reading and contemplation.
One of these rooms is equipped with a bio-switch, a device that eliminates the electric field in the room after switching off the lamp.
Double or triple room with a large terrace
This room is ideal for couples or for families. It is divided into two parts and has a terrace of 27 square meters equipped with a table, chairs, and a sun lounger. The terrace is shaded by a grape arbor and comfortable armchairs invite you to read a good book and relax.
This room also has a bio-switch. Other double or triple rooms with different prices are available even if not offered on the website. Please do not hesitate to ask for information.
Program
With the blend of being amidst the beauty of the forest, mountains, rivers, waterfalls, lakes, and sun, and tasting delicious organic food, while practicing yoga in a small intimate group, added with lots of laughter, this holiday is aimed at making you feel good again.
After check-in, there will be an introduction meeting with a welcome drink, followed by a Hatha yoga class and dinner. On the last day of the retreat, the last morning yoga session will be followed by breakfast and check-out.
During this retreat, you may enjoy two excursions, the first one will be at the foot of the mountain and along the mountain river in the wonderful valley of Maggia with a visit to a gorgeous waterfall where you can swim in the natural pool directly under it.
The second guided tour consists of a visit to the majestic and highest waterfall of Ticino (110 meters) combined with a hike in the beautiful region including a picnic on the river bank and an eventual swim in the refreshing emerald waters.
During the retreat, a massage of 30 minutes, done by Margaretha herself, is offered. You may choose from a Back, Foot or Facial massage, or a reflexology. You may also want to extend the massage in duration.
In your free time you are welcome to enjoy the crystal-clear waters of the mountain river Maggia or a cooling plunge in the natural pool under the waterfall five minutes from the hotel. Or simply enjoy Lake Maggiore and its beaches, take a boat tour, or visit Locarno and Ascona.
Schedule
Arrival day
- 15:00 - 15:45 Check in
- 16:00 Welcome drink
- 17:00 - 18:30 Hatha yoga
- 19:00 Dinner
Activity days
- 07:30 - 09:00 Hatha yoga
- 09:00 Breakfast
- 17:00 - 18:30 Hatha yoga
- 19:00 Dinner
- Two excursions included during the week
Departure day
- 07:30 - 09:00 Hatha yoga
- 09:00 Breakfast
- 10:30 - 11:00 Check out
Included excursions
Discover Valle Maggia
You will discover Valle Maggia's mountains, river, and waterfall through the Sentiero Della Pietra route, a historic cultural route that will allow you to discover the magical nature and the typical villages along the path with a visit to a gorgeous waterfall with a natural pool to swim and to meditate.
Experience the wild nature of ancient Valle Calnegia
You will visit the majestic and highest waterfall of Ticino where after reaching its top, discover the beautiful Valley of Calnegia by following an ancient migratory herding route.
Admire the artistic forms of stones shaped by the river, enjoy a picnic on the river banks, and those attracted to take a dive in the refreshing crystal clear emerald waters, are invited to bring their bathing suits.
Instructors
Margaretha Van den Broek
Margaretha van den Broek is an experienced and internationally certified Hatha yoga teacher and a yoga therapist with a zest for the outdoors and a contagious enthusiasm. Margaretha integrates yoga therapy into her teachings to create a respectful and safe way of practicing yoga adaptable to everyone and every level. She will show you that beautiful nature, outdoor activities, and safe yoga are the best combination to come back to yourself and feel good again! She teaches yoga joyfully in four different languages.
Retreat location
This holiday will take place at the Eco Hotel Cristallina in Valle Maggia in canton Ticino, Switzerland. Ticino is the Italian-speaking region in the south of Switzerland and is famous for its palm-fringed lakes, the Mediterranean climate, and for its architecture and cuisine.
Valle Maggia, the "magic valley", a still predominantly natural landscape that is marked by the traveling river Maggia, characterizes the valley that starts at Lake Maggiore and gives access to the Alpine landscape.
Fine sandy beaches, wide-scale natural pools, abraded rocks, and massive waterfalls shape the image of this valley where visitors can discover the natural beauty and the ancient traditions still untouched by the modern hectic.
In 20 minutes by car, you can visit Locarno, sophisticated and romantic; Ascona, nice and lively, or Brissago and its islands, the dream of a subtropical extraordinary vegetation.
The Maggia Valley attracts attention with its impression of granite and green, its mountain lakes, glaciers, and eternal snow. The nearby Verzasca valley is a hotspot for adventurers and romantics with its picturesque bridges, villages, and crystal-clear deep waters.
Distances
- Locarno - 20 minutes drive
- Ascona - 20 minutes drive
- Brissago and its islands - 20 minutes drive
Unique features
Activities
- Boating
- Hiking
- Massage
- Mountain biking
- Sauna
- Spa
General
- Bar
- Dining area
- Environmentally friendly
- Garden
- Luggage room / storage
- Multilingual staff
- Restaurant
- Smoke-free property
- Special menu request
- Terrace
Services
- Bicycle rental
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
- Tour assistance
This Yoga Retreat is vegetarian-friendly
Click to see more vegetarian-friendly Yoga Retreats
Food
Daily, you will be served a rich organic breakfast buffet including local products, and an organic, three-course vegetarian dinner. Before the morning yoga session, there are herbal teas, nuts and fresh fruits at your disposal. Also "Grander" vitalized drinking water (with and without gas) during dinner, and a welcome drink upon arrival are included.
Eco Hotel Cristallina offers fresh products from organic and regional harvests, including from their own orchard. They also give particular attention to vegetarian cooking and to their mainly wholegrain homemade pasta, in which flour is freshly ground to preserve its flavor and guarantee authenticity.
The menu regularly offers ethnic dishes from culinary cultures as far away as India or the Middle East and accommodates guests with food allergies or intolerances. On request, they prepare meals for various types of diets: Lactose or gluten-free and dishes for guests who prefer vegan cuisine.
Breakfast is served in the spacious and bright dining room or on the terrace with a rich and entirely organic breakfast buffet: Joney and mountain cheeses, a variety of fresh bread, homemade jams, fresh fruit, and hand-milled cereals and flakes.
The hotel bar serves several organic homemade or local products such as wines, beer, homemade syrups, smoothies, etc.
The dinner is served as a three-course vegetarian menu (vegan and non-vegetarian possible on request). If the weather condition permits, an evening barbecue (vegan and non) at the riverbed close to the waterfall will be organized during the week.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Organic
- Other dietary requirements on request
Things to do (optional)
Massage
During your free time, you can relax and enjoy a massage directly in the hotel under the experienced hands of your yoga teacher Margaretha as she is also a qualified massage therapist with perennial experience. Bookings are available upon request for an additional cost during your stay.
Other activities
- E-biking
- Mountain-biking
- Sauna / spa in the hotel
- Take a boat tour of Lake Maggiore
- Visit the beautiful towns Locarno and Ascona at Lake Maggiore
- Visit the Brissago Islands of Lake Maggiore
- Visit the nearby valley Valle Verzasca
- Visit the public thermal bath "Termali Salini" in Locarno
What's included
- 2 daily yoga classes
- 1 hike to the Maggia Valley
- 1 excursion to Ticino's highest waterfall and a hike in the area
- 1 Massage of 30 min of your choice
- 5 nights accommodation
- 5 rich organic breakfast buffet including local products
- 5 organic, three-course vegetarian dinners
- Herbal tea, fresh fruit, and dried fruits or nuts in the morning before the yoga lesson
- Vitalized drinking water (with or without gas) during dinner
- 1 welcome drink upon arrival
- Ticino ticket: all public transport for free within canton Ticino during your whole stay
- Price reduction on boat tours and mountain cableways
- VAT
- Wireless internet
What's not included
- Airfare
- Travel costs from and to Eco Hotel Cristallina
- Travel insurance
- Tourist tax (4.20 CHF per day)
- Public local transportation in the entire Ticino is included in the tourist tax
- Extra excursions and activities
- Lunch
- Snacks and all drinks (except early morning snacks and vitalized water with or without gas)
- Massages
- Sauna
How to get there
Recommended Airports
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg
170 km
Transfer not provided
Milan–Malpensa Airport
71 km
Transfer not provided
Linate Airport
102 km
Transfer not provided
Zurich Airport
133 km
Transfer not provided
Arrival by bus
From Locarno, take the bus to Coglio, the bus station is right outside the Locarno train station. Take Line 315 - Vallemaggia which runs twice an hour and takes you to Coglio in 32 minutes. A 3-minute walk will bring you to Eco Hotel Cristallina.
Arrival by train
There are regular trains from any of the airports to Locarno.
- Milan: Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes
- Zurich: Approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes
- Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg: Approximately 4 hours
You can check timetables and book your ticket online. You can book in advance one single ticket for the whole trip (train and bus) through the website and pay with your credit card.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 28 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through BookYogaRetreats.com. All major credit cards supported.