Trips
7 Day Relaxing and Rejuvenating Yoga Retreat in Bulgaria
Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Jun | Jul | Aug | More…7 Day Personalized Truly Transformational Deep Healing Retreat in Varna
June | July | August | September, 20254 Day De-stress and Rejuvenate Yoga Holiday in Varna, Bulgaria
Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Jun | Jul | Aug | More…5 Day Personalized Luxurious Spa and Wellness Retreat with Yoga in Kranevo Beach, Varna, Bulgaria
May | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec, 2025About Tranquil Times Holistic Retreat
Tranquil Times Holistic Retreats offer worldwide yoga holidays incorporating meditation, energy work, Qigong, therapies, and delicious healthy food.
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Instructors
Jo Crowder
Jo's passion for yoga began in her teenage years, offering solace and relaxation amid her busy career. For over a decade, she has organized successful international retreats and classes, consistently enhancing her expertise in the healing arts. Jo is a highly experienced Yoga Alliance certified teacher (RYT500 and ERYT200), a continued education provider, a Medical Intuitive, a Reiki master teacher, and a Sound healer. Additionally, she has qualifications in Nutrition for health promotion and disease prevention, CBT, and Curative Hypnotherapy.
What Do People Say About Us?
All our reviews are from travellers with verified trips booked through our platform.
Annemarie Ward
from Ireland, September 2023
A wonderful trip
Enjoyed a lovely couple of days at Tranquel Times. The variety of yoga from yin, tai chi to the wonderful sound baths improved and enhanced my practice. A trip to the beach and an opportunity to swim in the black sea followed by a nice lunch at one of the local restaurants was a great experience. The accommodation was spotless and the food delicious and very healthy. Jo is a wonderful person and made every effort to ensure I enjoyed the experience.
Christine Olesch
from Germany, August 2023
5 Days of Escaping the Everyday Life.
First of all: Thank you Jo and Mark for the incredibly great time!
I booked the retreat super short termed but that pretty much wasn't a problem for Jo and Mark. They've welcomed me very warmly and I was surprised about how quickly I fehlt at home there.
It's a family run Yoga Retreat that I would absolutely recommend to anyone that needs an escape from the hectic life out there. I actually booked 4 days and extended my stay to 5 days, leaving absolutely calmed down and with new experiences and skills in Yoga and meditation.
Jo is absolutely passionate about Yoga and an amazing Yoga teacher. Open minded and always having an ear for people's needs. She even better knew what I need than I do. I was allowed to dive into very different styles of Yoga and even experience Sound Bathing which was a great thing for me.
Besides Yoga praxis it's a great surrounding to spend calm and relaxed days at the pool reading a book or chatting to other guests or Jo and Mark.
The organic meals with fresh fruits and vegetables from their garden (which was pretty much recommended by other critics as well) was one of the main aspects why I decided to booked in at Jo's. The Home cooked meals prepared by Mark were absolutely fantastic.
Long story short: I would absolutely recommend Jo's and Mark's retreat!
Best, Christine
Nadège Le Nir
from France, August 2021
I felt like like a VIP / member of the family !
It’s been a wonderful restful balancing grounding healing week 🤩😘🙏
I’ve loved practicing and chatting with Jo and enjoyed Mark’s cooking so much I wanted to take some home! The place and the surrendings are great, I wish I had more time to travel around the country.
Uli Ruoff
from Germany, July 2021
Perfekter Retreat in ursprünglicher Umgebung
Die Yogalehrerin Jo hat die Einheiten genau nach meinen Bedürfnissen abgestimmt und viele Tipps gegeben.
Ich fühlte mich sehr wohl.
Die Zimmer sind sauber und geräumig, es gibt eine gut ausgestattete Küche, wenn man mal was selbst kochen möchte. Ist aber wirklich nicht nötig da Mike, Jo‘s Mann perfekt kocht und verschiedene Gerichte z.B. Indisch, zubereitet. Das Frühstück ist sehr gut es gab Müsli mit frischen Früchten und bulgarischem Joghurt.
Der Pool ist sehr schön und sauber.
Der Ausflug ans schwarze Meer mit Jo war sehr schön.
Vielen Dank an die sehr gastfreundliche Familie Jo und Mike
Caroline Paturle
from France, October 2019
Les professeurs de Yoga qui sont excellentes et très engagées tant sur le plan professionnel que personnel.
La bienveillance des professeurs et du groupe.
La personnalisation du séjour et le sentiment de faire partie d’une même famille.
La volonté des professeurs de nous faire passer une retraite exceptionnelle et inoubliable.
Les activités optionnelles qui nous ont permis de vivre avec le groupe et de découvrir l’ile.
La générosité, la chaleur et la gentillesse des professeurs de yoga.
Lisa Pollard
from Australia, October 2019
Wonderful experience just what I needed to rest and renew
Loved the location, tranquil setting, beach, nature, walks up to church and into town. The staff were very friendly and welcoming. The massages were the best I’ve ever experienced what a great experience.
Coralie Bouloiseau
from France, September 2019
A wonderful break
A 4-day relaxing break in the Bulgarian countryside, with a lovely teacher, really good fresh food cooked by the family, a swimming pool and a nice room to enjoy. The yoga sessions were varied, Jo adapted to our needs and wishes. I also recommend the reki with Jo, I had a very fruitful session. We loved the cats as well, especially George!
Luiza Samieva
from Great Britain, September 2019
Exceeded my expectation
Jo is excellent teacher and very nice person. She is very experienced yoga Guru and knows almost all techniques in yoga, healings, meditation, breathing techniques. I liked her individual approach to every person. The food was delicious and healthy. I feel very good after this trip and plan to visit again.
Anonymous
from Great Britain, August 2019
Tranquillity is the right word
I was lucky to be out when the sunflowers 🌻 were blooming. A short walk away there were fields of sunflowers and lavender. Stunning.
The accommodation was lovely, comfortable beds, spotless and great shower. Guests kitchen was well stocked and has a coffee machine. Lovely pool to relax by. The food was fabulous! Loved the fact Jo’s husband picked raspberries from the bush in the morning for breakfast!
It was so peaceful here and I came home feeling restored relaxed and rejuvenated!
Absolutely loved it!
Helen Jameison
from Great Britain, August 2019
amazing experience
I had a wonderful time and cannot express how much the time spent at Tranquil Times healed me both physically and mentally. Jo's kindness and generosity of spirit made me feel welcome, supported and really helped me to move out of a dark place with strength and resolve. Mark is an amazing chef and the food was gorgeous and Alex is very good too
Ruth Saville
from Great Britain, August 2019
Relax Restore Rediscover.
Jo is an incredible person she manages to merge the role of expert instructor with friendship, honesty, trust and confidante. Jo listened and adapted the sessions to target my needs which were challenging as they were emotional as well as physical. I left the retreat feeling relaxed like I have never felt before. I had a feeling of peace and a quiet mind. My body felt restored my aches and pains diminished and my posture improved beyond belief. Through the yoga sessions and Jo’s company I have managed to rediscover myself, my beliefs and feel content within my own body and mind.
The house is beautiful and the welcome from the whole family was lovely. I can’t remember a time as an adult of feeling so nurtured. The setting is peaceful and the food is delicious. Every meal was beautifully presented, varied, healthy and so tasty. I truly felt nourished from every possible angle with Jo and the yoga and company, Mark and Alex for the food and Jo and Jake for the music in the gong bath.
I will definitely be returning and would thoroughly recommend it for anyone!
Maryam Kamal Hedayat
from Belgium, July 2019
Review Tranquil times
Vert friendly wonderful people who run the retreat. Other guests were a delight as well.
Swantje Nikolai
from Germany, July 2019
Inspiring and relaxing reatreat
A lovely and relaxing place to be.
Personalized and very good yoga classes. I went back home with new inspirations for my personal yoga path.
The food was delicious and adapted to my personal preferences.
I also loved the beautyful garden with a nice pool and hangmat.
Staying at this retreat felt like visiting a friends home.
Suzanne Harding
from Great Britain, July 2019
I loved my stay at this retreat
It was a fantastic experience that felt bespoke throughout.
The yoga teaching was terrific and I was particularly impressed as my restricted spinal movement didn’t phase Jo at all. She tailored poses for me where it was helpful and as a result, I feel much more confident in my yoga abilities.
The food was delicious,all meals were home cooked and freshly prepared and it was lovely to feel part of the family.
The pool and deck was fabulous for kicking back in the afternoons and I can absolutely recommend the Indian head massage, hot stone massage and reiki treatments offered
Joanna Kaliniecka-williamson
from Great Britain, June 2019
A tranquil haven indeed for souls in need of peace.
The ambience of Jo's lovely retreat brought peace and rejuvination to us at a time of deep stress and unhappiness. Jo's warmth and attention to our needs was much appreciated. She is attentive to her guests' abilities and requirements in a gentle and thoughtful manner.. This was our first yoga retreat and has made us keen to experience more. Everything, from the cosy and comfortable accommodation, to the treatments available and the healthy and nutritious meals provided, contributed to an overall feeling of well-being and notion of being kind to oneself. Jo was wonderfully attuned to what we needed from our visit and I recommend this retreat whole-heartedly.
Heike Werner
from Germany, October 2018
Yoga in Varna
das Essen war sehr gut, die Anlage hatte einen recht großen Pool, ich hatte ein eigenes Zimmer mit einem großen Balkon.
Jo ist super nett und hat versucht, allen gerecht zu werden. Die ganze Familie hat sich wirklich sehr um uns bemüht.
Wir hatten 2x Yoga am Tag. Dazwischen gab es Zeit zum faulenzen am Pool.
Einen Strandtag haben wir gemacht und ein Abendessen in Varna gab es auch.
Nina Schmitt
from Belgium, September 2018
Pleasant Yoga with cats
The atmosphere was very relaxed like in a family. The program gave lots of free time and the opportunity to go to the beach and Varna city. We enjoyed a great pool and wonderfully tasty food. I really liked the Yoga classes which were easy to follow and offered something for everyone.
The massage offers were excellent!
Lisa Donofrio
from United States, September 2018
A great week in August
The week's yoga retreat was exactly what I had been looking for - a serene place, calm atmosphere, super welcome and really good yoga. Jo is an amazing instructor, and takes the time to understand her guest's needs so that she can give them the best yoga experience. She also gives reiki treatments and head massages which are the best! Staying with Jo and her family was so nice - you really feel looked after and comfortable. It was a really important step on my yoga journey. Thank you!
Kay Audoire
from Great Britain, August 2018
A super chilled yoga retreat
Where to start? Loved it all! Jo’s yoga is super accessible and I really enjoyed and progressed with my practice over the week.
The food is super yummy and served very sensible portions. Great swimming pool, lovely and very clean rooms with access to a kitchen/ lounge if wanted. Jo is a very considerate host, nothing is too much trouble, Mark, Jo’s husband is a fab chef and their boys very helpful and nice to have around. We had two outings, a evening meal in Varna and a beach day which were fab! Jo also does the best ever Indian head massages💙 We also did a inner dance workshop with Katie which was very interesting/powerful (for me) We will defiantly be returning for more wonderful chilled yoga retreat.
Diana Cristea
from United States, August 2018
Retreat in Bulgaria, close to the sea
I felt very welcomed and I enjoyed a lot the yoga classes and the inner dance session. Jo took much care in adapting the yoga routine and poses according to the participants' needs. I strongly recommend this retreat.
Birgitte Heiberg Lykke
from Norway, August 2018
Peace of mind and excellent yoga!
The heart-warming welcome by Jo set the tone for the week. She is such a pleasant person to be around. The facilities around the retreat was super, with a pool, sun beds, sofas and a table and chairs for our excellent meals. The rooms were comfortable and the bathroom clean and nice. The food was absolutely excellent. The yoga sessions were great. Jo is an excellent instructor, making it easy for us. She made sure I had alternativ poses when needed. We had a nice evening in Varna and a wonderful day on the beach. As extras we had gong immersion and healing inner dance sessions during the week. Both interesting and rewarding. The transfer worked out well.
Rebecca Bloor
from United States, August 2018
Reached far beyond expectations
This was the most blissful, relaxing and rejuvenating experience I’ve ever had. It was far more than I expected. Room was perfect, food was amazing, looked forward to every meal (thank you mark!) Jo has a great welcome for you to her retreat, the yoga and meditation has taught me so much more than I had experienced previously. I had Reiki and aromatherapy whilst there, highly recommend it!
I loved the Tai Chi which we did on the beach #awesome and the meal(s) in Varna by the sea was beautiful. I’ve met some lovely people on my weeks stay at Tranquil Times and memories I’ll have forever. Definitely going back next year!
Meg Harvey
from Hungary, August 2018
So relaxing!
What a fabulous experience, I've never felt so relaxed and in tune with my body and mind, I didn't want to leave. Not to mention the food, so nourishing and delicious, I was always counting down to the next fabulous meal. Jo and her family made me feel so looked after in such a short amount of time, I feel like a new women!
Isabelle Obrien
from Great Britain, August 2018
The perfect yoga retreat
This is the perfect yoga retreat: great yoga and surrounding philosophies; superb food provided by Mark; a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere; superb surroundings; a day out to the beach and an evening out to Varna. Jo really goes out of her way to ensure every single guest feels looked after and cared for. This retreat has met all of my expectations ... and more!
Gill Stevenson
from Great Britain, July 2018
A lovely, peaceful break
Jo and family made us feel so welcome and I really felt that the yoga was tailored to our needs.
Minna Kruhse
from Finland, June 2018
Cosy family-run retreat
Really loved everything here - the general atmosphere was very chill and relaxing - just what I needed for a perfect yoga holiday in the sun! Jo and Mark along with their sons made sure everyone felt welcome right from the very beginning. And food was great! Despite traveling solo, did not feel lonely, as there were other guests to spend time with. Learned about some more challenging yoga poses with Jo's assistance - will keep on practising on them at home too! :D
Iris Joustra
from United States, May 2018
Super relaxte vakantie in Bulgarije
Op een prachtige locatie hebben mijn zus en ik een unieke Yoga vakantie beleefd. Twee keer per dag Yoga van Jo. Zij is een warme en oplettende yogi die echt oog heeft voor waar je behoefte aan hebt. Je niveau maakt niet uit. Heerlijke sessies buiten onder vogelgezang brengen zelfs de meest gestresste personen tot rust. Mark kookt fantastisch, ik heb zelden zo genoten van de vegetarische keuken, het was een feest voor het oog en de maag. Jo is als een warme deken, ze zorgt voor je als een moederkloek en het ontbreekt je aan niets. In de avond tafel je met haar gezin aan het zwembad. Tripjes naar het strand en de mooie stad Varna waren ook erg gezellig. Kortom een vakantie waar je totaal zen weer van terugkeert, super!
Annalisa Monzione
from Great Britain, May 2018
Tranquil Retreat review
Yoga was great. Food was amazing and catered to individual needs.
Dawn Marshall
from Great Britain, September 2017
Great for a relaxing break
Very small retreat so there was a lovely family atmosphere. The food is mainly targeted at vegetarians but very enjoyable even so. Jo and Mark made a great team.
I was a reluctant yoga person at first (just went to keep my husband happy) but found myself getting better through the week. I also went with a bad back and it definitely improved.
The guest kitchen is nice for making coffee etc.
Annie Sheret
from Great Britain, August 2017
The best week!!!
Couldn't have wished for a better holiday! Jo and Mark and her lovely boys made myself and my friend have the best week possible. I felt like I was visiting family friends rather than on a retreat! They welcomed us with open arms, cared for us and really ensured we were being looked after in the best way possible. Mark's cooking was amazing, every morning we were looking forward to what delicious meals we were in for!!! Take on board so many recipes and food ideas from him! The quality of the produce he used was brilliant! Absolutely loved the night we had the chocolate fondant!!! Jake and Alex made us laugh and added to the family feel the retreat brought! Jo was a great teacher, I really noticed the improvement in my practise throughout the week! And was delighted to achieve a pose I had struggled doing over the years of yoga!! Had reiki with Jo throughout my stay and that was so very relaxing!
Myself and my friend both were very sad to leave, we honestly had the best, most relaxing holiday! But I think the best bit was we didn't feel like clients or customers we genuinely felt cared for like friends! Jo and Mark took an interest in getting to know us and they paid close attention to how we were feeling or what food intolerances we had etc.
We would highly recommend this retreat to anyone and are itching to go back next year!
Svetlana Rubtsova
from Russia, August 2017
11/10 would do it again
This is a place where you can relax and just enjoy being cared for, on all fronts. Two yoga sessions a day, three delicious meals and a pool right in the middle of the guest area tend to take care of every emotional or physical need you might have at the moment. Two planned outings a week took excellent care of the wanderlust. The schedule leaves substantial chunks of free time as well, so you can wander around the village, curl up with a book or chat with other guests to your heart's content. In short, a great place to tune out of the city rat race for a few days. Comfortable rooms, fully functioning guest kitchen (just in case) and lots of places to chill outside, whether alone or in a company.
Anonymous
from Italy, August 2017
Totally relax
Atmosphere, food and people. The trip to blacksea and to Varna.
Adela Greenfield
from Great Britain, July 2017
As soon as I arrived at Jo's I felt instantly relaxed. The gardens and rooms are beautiful and the hammock was perfect for chilling out and reading. The yoga was amazing and Jo is a great instructor so much so that by the end of the week i was doing all sorts of things that id never had the confidence to do before. The reiki and meditation was also great. Jo is very insightful and caring and tailored the sessions for each one of us. The food is amazing and Jo's family are so warm and welcoming. The trip was just what I needed and I came back rested, relaxed and raring to go!
Sharon Gillette
from South Korea, July 2017
Relaxed and rejuvenated!
The whole experience, from the lovely accommodations, delicious meals, and fun yoga sessions to making new friends and exploring a new country made this retreat special. I didn't want to leave at the end of the week! Jo and Mark welcomed me into their home and made me feel pampered.
Nina Linde
from Sweden, June 2017
Yoga retreat with lovely family in Bulgaria
Time to relax. To be able to take things at my own pace. Jo's actually super functioning voice for guided meditation and her openess and inspiration. Marks food and honesty. The pool. The cats. Basically just meeting unexpectably cool people and to get in contact with myself through yoga.
Alexandra Swann
from Great Britain, June 2017
Wonderful stay at Tranquil Times
There was nothing to not like - TQ is run by the most lovely, welcoming family and the facilities are great. I was only there for four days and regret not staying for longer. I will definitely return and can highly recommend a visit.
Paula O'donoghue
from Great Britain, June 2017
A Tranquil Time
I am very lucky to have spent two weeks with Jo and her family in Sadovo:
I felt most warmly welcomed from the start and easily settled into the very cosy accommodation; restful sleeps ended with the lovely sound of birds chirping, the cockerel crowing and leaves from the high walnut & hazelnut trees rustling in the wind; many trails and walks were to be explored with the stunning view of rolling hills; Jo lit the "Peshka" in The Barn on cooler evenings (I arrived at the very start of the season) for some cosier yoga/meditation sessions which was also a nice space to relax/practice independently during the day.
A real highlight is the delicious food prepared by Mark. Particularly memorable were his French onion soup, home-made paneer korma, his brie & almond parcels, home-made fallafel, a poached egg from one of their hens and chocolate lava cake. Mark generously shared some of his recipes...I hope I can live up to the standard!
The yoga sessions were great with different asanas everyday. I personally really enjoyed the Tai Chi/Qigong & meditation sessions. Jo is a very warm & caring person & I consider Tranquil Times to not just be a place for relaxation and deeper practice but also for nurturing & healing. I really deepened my understanding of energy work.
I would recommend this place to everyone. I hope to return some day.
Helen Bakewell
from Great Britain, June 2017
Such a good experience
The hospitality makes you feel like part of the family. Was so easy to relax and de-stress. The yoga was for all levels and you got individual attention.