Explore & Restore in Greece
I am excited to share that I have partnered with a wellness retreat management company Fit4Travel to curate an unforgettable retreat experience for you. This 8-day wellness and travel retreat in Greece will provide the opportunity to not only deepen your yoga practice and restore mind, body, and spirit, but to explore the breathtaking islands of Crete and Santorini alongside likeminded community. Each day will be thoughtfully planned to include a balance of wellness activities and cultural experiences.
Location
Our Greek wellness adventure will take place on two of the most vibrant islands in the Mediterranean, Crete and Santorini.
Crete, Greece’s largest island with over 160 miles of beaches, is known as the birthplace of ancient Minoan civilization, and still contains endless ruins and historical sites. During our stay in Crete, our group will visit Greece’s largest and most important archaeological site, Knossos Palace. Crete is also home to many stunning beaches and a diverse landscape, with mountains, canyons, and valleys. Crete has a rich folk culture, including traditional songs, dances, and crafts.
Santorini, one of the most famous islands in the Mediterranean is known for its natural beauty, architecture, and sunsets. Santorini’s architecture includes whitewashed buildings, blue domes, candy-colored houses, and paved paths. Santorini is popular with hikers and has many hiking routes, including the path from Imerovigli to Oia which will be one our group excursions.
Activities & Excursions
Our group will begin each morning with nourishing yoga and meditation practices, followed by breakfast in community provided by the luxury hotels where we will reside. After breakfast, we will embark on daily adventures exploring the beauty and culture of Greece.
The first destination of our journey will be Crete, the largest island in Greece and fifth largest island in the Mediterranean. Our excursions in Crete will include a cooking class where we will learn about the local ingredients, and meze dishes and recipes; a visit to the 3,500-year-old Minoan (muh·no·uhn) palace of Knossos, a sprawling maze of royal chambers, grand staircases, storerooms, and workshops that is believed to be Europe’s oldest city; and a catamaran cruise and snorkeling adventure.
On day five, we will catch a ferry to Santorini, one of the most iconic islands in the Mediterranean. Our activities in Santorini will include a wine-tasting tour at Santos Winery, a hike between the towns of Imerovigli and Oia, and a free day to explore or restore at your leisure.
Accommodations & Rooming Options
Our group will reside for the first four nights at Paralos Lifestyle Beach, a luxury resort on the island of Crete. The resort is located on the sandy beach of Amoudara on Crete’s northern coastline, and the rooms are surrounded by a sparkling set of swimming pools with luxurious daybeds.
The last three nights of our journey together will be spent at Cresanto Luxury Suites on the island of Santorini. Nestled in a stunning and private location just outside the breathtaking Imerovigli, Cresanto Luxury Suites combines natural beauty with generous comfort into an incomparable holiday experience. The resort towers over the entire island and boasts stunning vistas to the eastern shores and the infinite blue of the Aegean Sea.
Single and double occupancy rooms are available. Bedding in double rooms can be separated upon request. Arrangements can be made if you are interested in being paired up to room with another participant. Upgraded packages are available, which include swim up rooms at Paralos Lifestyle Beach, and private hot tubs at Cresanto Luxury Suites.
The Nitty-Gritty
Now that I have your attention, I’ll get into the nitty-gritty of everything you need to know about pricing, payment plans, and flights.
Shared rooms start at $2,899 for a double occupancy standard room and go up to $3,199 for a double occupancy upgraded room. Private rooms start at $3,699 for a single occupancy standard room and go up to $4,299 for a single occupancy upgraded room. Upgraded rooms include a swim up room at Paralos Lifestyle Beach and a sea view room with a private hot tub at Cresanto Luxury Suites.
The cost of the retreat includes seven nights’ accommodations at luxury resorts; 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 4 dinners; daily yoga and meditation activities and group excursions; a round-trip airport transfer and transportation throughout the retreat in an air-conditioned vehicle; a private English-speaking guide for tours and activities throughout the retreat; domestic ferry rides, ferry taxes and fees; and entrance fees, road tolls, and VAT.
The retreat does not include international flights, airport taxes, and extra baggage; hotel early check-in and late check-out; meals not mentioned in the program; entrance fees for any extra sightseeing or optional activities; and travel insurance.
While participants will ultimately be responsible for booking their flights, the support team at Fit4Travel will be assisting with finding flights with the best prices, the least connections, and arrival times that will align with our airport transfer to the hotel. We will be arriving in Crete and departing from Santorini. Round trip flights to Greece typically range between $1,200-$1,600.
The deadline to register is November 3, 2024 and bookings cannot be accepted after this date. To secure your spot, you will need to pay a $500 deposit by November 3rd. Half of the remaining balance will be due by December 3, 2024, and the final balance will be due by February 3, 2025. Deposits are non-refundable and it is recommended to purchase travel insurance to protect your investment.
