This year I’ve been lucky enough to find myself on not one, but two, retreats abroad!
I think retreats seem to be getting more and more popular at the moment, which is exciting! I think they’re a great way to add in something a bit different into your holiday, and there are so many different types that there’s almost definitely something out there for everyone.
Relaxation
When you say the word retreat, it probably conjures up the idea of a trip to a luxury spa hotel or somewhere were you can totally relax – which I suppose is the original meaning of the word!
There are so many of these types of retreats available, from classic spa-type trips to detox or meditation retreats and yoga weeks. Great for people who find it hard to completely switch off on their own and need a dedicated weekend or week set aside to do it!
Fitness
I first got thinking about the idea of going on a retreat when watching Zanna Van Dijk’s YouTube channel where she went to Thailand on a fitness retreat. It looked like loads of fun and it was something I’d never known existed before!
This is definitely something I’d love to try more of in the future as I think it’s a great way to meet likeminded people and get some accountability for your fitness goals. In September I visited the Salty Pelican in Portugal for a week long yoga and surf retreat which was fantastic! Granted I didn’t end up doing too much yoga, but I loved being around others who were so similar to me with the same surfing goals and passion for solo travel.
Food & Drink
On the opposite side of the spectrum to detox and fitness retreats perhaps, are the food & drink retreats! These could include tours around a country or region experiencing the local cuisine with knowledgeable guides, or just joining a week’s holiday with a focus on good wine and vineyard exploring! Yes, these things really exist.
Creativity
I’d love to go on a retreat like this for a weekend or a couple of days; sometimes being in a dedicated environment that is purely just for letting your creative juices free is the best way to unblock your mind!
There are such things as writing retreats, painting retreats or even sewing retreats- so go get creating!
A Mixture
For me, finding a retreat that contains a mixture of different activities and focuses is really important. For example, back in May I went on a week long yoga and hiking holiday/retreat in Montenegro, which involved loads of exciting hiking trails & exploring the mountains by foot and kayaking, as well as daily yoga, a tour of local cuisine and plenty of relaxation with wine on the terrace. It really was the perfect mix!
Below are some great websites to explore and find retreats:
http://www.healthandfitnesstravel.com/singles-holidays
https://www.responsibletravel.com (this is where I found both of my holidays mentioned above!)
https://www.skyros.com/
I go on a photography holiday every year. Same concept as your yoga retreats, except we go out with cameras. The big advantage is that all the planning and preparation is somebody else’s responsibility. All you have to do is the fun bit. I get it that it sounds a bit geeky if the theme of the holiday isn’t for you, but apart from that, I think these themed breaks/retreats are fun and relaxing. And they’re great for solo travellers.
I would love to do a retreat at some point, Adam and I love the program Escape to The Chateau and I’ve got my eye on their food and wine lovers weekends in their amazing house in France – though they always get booked up so quickly! Alice xxx
http://www.woodenwindowsills.co.uk
It is highly essential to choose the right retreat according to your needs and goals. At whitecalm retreats our retreat specialists are just a call away to help to choose from variety of customised locations and schedules.
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