6 Days Pilates and Yoga Retreat in Alicante, Spain

Facilities

The hotel sits in a fabulous peaceful position, at the very point where the countryside meets the edge of town and so you have the tranquility of the countryside but yet, you are an easy 10 minutes walk to the whitewashed old town of Altea - considered to be one of the prettiest in the area - and an easy 25 minutes walk to the beach.

The hotel has an outdoor pool and sunbathing deck in the garden, a yoga studio with lovely views, a sauna and small gym plus, a Michelin listed restaurant that creates delicious vegetarian and fish dishes for us whilst Vincenta - the hotel owner - brings fresh eggs from her hens and cooks a delicious cake for us every day - heaven!

The 20 en-suite rooms are spacious and superbly equipped with double or twin beds, individually controlled air-conditioning, mini-bar, TV, ensuite bathroom with complimentary toiletries, fresh towels and hairdryer, Wi-Fi and a daily maid service. Solo travelers are not asked nor expected to share their room with others so all rooms are available for single use for only.

Within the first days of this retreat, you will notice improvements in your core strength, greater flexibility and mobility, stronger muscles and a quieter, calmer mind. Long-term, your body will benefit from the re-education of the muscles, fascia, and movement patterns ensuring you achieve natural alignment and support once again.

These retreats are not a blend of yogalates. The teachers are dedicated to their chosen field of yoga or pilates and so the instruction you will receive is the pure form of both disciplines. If you want to progress your existing practice or you are a complete beginner, you will learn from each specialist teacher keen to help you.

This retreat includes an 'Essentials' workshop where you may cover the yoga and Pilates basics and the 'Intensive' sessions for yoga and Pilates for those guests who would like to go a little deeper. You may also enjoy a meditation workshop and choose from optional guided biking, horse trekking, therapies, and Spanish cookery workshops.

Yoga and Pilates for all levels

These holidays are suited to anyone who has some yoga or Pilates experience and those with a regular, extensive practice who want to develop and expand upon what they have been taught so far. The vast majority of guests come on their own too so do not worry if you are thinking of traveling solo as everyone is always warm and welcoming.

There will be a class of yoga and a class of Pilates each day for every guest. To ensure small group sizes of no more than 11, guests will be allocated into two groups according to their experience, beginners will form one group and intermediate or advanced will form the second one. If you feel during the retreat that you need to move into the other group, just let Yoga Breaks Spain know and they will do their best to accommodate you.

The Pilates sessions will be mat-based and will be designed to strengthen abdominals and the lower back whilst correcting postural imbalances. Yoga classes will warm, tone deeply stretch and open the body creating a greater sense of inner space together with mind quietening and stress relieving techniques to calm the nervous system.

Both yoga and Pilates encourage strong posture, good balance, excellent coordination and flexibility that allow our bodies to realign and gain strength. You will definitely feel rejuvenated and energized which in turn will help you feel relaxed and vibrant.

Typical day

Each day begins with a cup of herbal tea and fresh fruits to help you slowly awake before an inspiring 90 minute morning class of yoga or pilates with the specialist teachers. After class, nourish yourself with a healthy buffet brunch of wholegrain cereals, yogurts, cheeses, Spanish tortilla, fresh seasonal fruits, pancakes, nuts, honey, hams, local tomatoes, and avocados!

After breakfast, you will have a range of optional activities you can join if you wish. It's your holiday so no-one will mind if you just want to head to the beach with a book you have wanted to read all year! In the late afternoon, you will regroup for another pilates or yoga class before supper at the hotel. Optional activities include:

• Guided bike ride exploring the quieter lanes & villages nearby
• Guided 12k coastal hike beautiful scenery & fresh sea air
• Guided horse trekking
• Range of holistic therapies to soothe body & mind

Based at a renovated 300 year old Olive farm with amazing mountain and sea views, this 4-star country house hotel is located in the coastal town of Altea, an hour north of Alicante.

Nearby places

• Altea - 10 minutes walk
• The beach - 25 minutes' walk

Wholesome and tasteful healthy Mediterranean meals will be served during retreat. Breakfast/brunch after morning class include a spread of fresh seasonal fruits, wholegrain cereals, yogurts, cheeses, pancakes, local breads, nuts, honey, Spanish tortilla, fresh local tomatoes and avocados, freshly squeezed orange juice and teas. During the evening time, the chef will be serving delicious and imaginative vegetarian suppers on 3 evenings (fish offered some nights too). On the other 2 eves your taste buds are free to explore the excellent local restaurants. On one of these evenings we will organize a group meal at a local restaurant, your attendance is neither compulsory nor complimentary, but please join us if you fancy.

Guests have exclusive access to a range of optional activities & therapies.

• Daily 90-minute yoga classes
• Mudras, meditation, and mantras workshop
• 5 nights accommodation
• Essentials workshop
• Intensive workshop
• Healthy daily nutritious brunch
• Delicious vegetarian dinner
• Guided 14k coast and country' hike
• Unlimited herbal and fruit infusions during your stay
• Welcome meeting with refreshments
• Services of the retreat manager to help you organize your stay
• Access to optional activities

• Flights to Alicante
• Return airport transfers (see below for details of our transfer service)
• Additional snacks and drinks outside of the holiday program
• Optional activities and therapies

Arrival by airplane

We offer a private transfer service from/to Alicante airport. Meeting guests between 11.00 - 13.00 on arrival day and arriving back on final day at midday. Transfers are 40 EUR each way. Flights arriving outside of our transfer times can be accommodated with a private taxi or public transport. Contact Yoga Breaks Spain for more details.

Arrival by bus

If you'd like to travel with the 'locals' there is a resort 'hopper' bus service from / to Alicante airport at various times throughout the day. The drop off point in Altea (where this retreat takes place) is a 10-minute can ride from our yoga hotel. Journey time can be up to 1.5 hours due to number of stops en-route. Please ask Yoga Breaks Spain for details before booking flights.

Arrival by train

If you wish to catch the train, you first need to take a cab to the north end of Alicante harbor where youll find the FGV (Ferrocarril de la Generalitat Valenciana) train service calling at Altea. Train journey takes approximately 2 hours from Alicante centre. Ask the organizer for more advice.

• The deposit is fully refundable if the booking is cancelled up to 66 days before the arrival date.
• The rest of the payment should be paid 62 days before arrival.