YOGA & HIKING RETREAT

 

“FROM SHORES TO PEAKS”

7-DAY YOGA & HIKING RETREAT

3-10 MAY 2025

Join us for a week of yoga and hiking on the picturesque island of Lesvos, in the northeastern Aegean Sea!

Led by passionate teacher Elsa from Yogazaz, in collaboration with Léo from Gati Yoga, this retreat is an opportunity to deepen your yoga practice for a week, and improve your hiking skills while discovering the hidden beauty of Lesvos. From the small, charming villages to the summits of the island, we’ll step along the Byzantine and Ottoman paths that criss-cross Sappho’s island.

In addition to the daily yoga and hikes, you will also have the opportunity to learn about the island’s history and indulge in a traditional spa, where you can treat yourself to a relaxing massage or soak in the thermal hot baths. And, of course, no retreat would be complete without delicious, traditional homemade Greek vegetarian food to nourish your body and mind!

This retreat is open to all levels of yoga practitioners, from beginners’ to advanced.

In terms of hiking, the hikes proposed offer a range of difficulties, varying from a simple 1-hour walk to a more demanding 5-hour trek with steep passages and a 600-metre elevation gain. Of course, you are free to opt out of a hike if you feel this is too demanding for you.

Overall, this retreat is focused on inclusivity, as Leo and Elsa truly care about this retreat being a space welcoming for all, regardless of age, gender, cultural background, or ability.

Register now for a transformative retreat that embodies the essence of yoga—uniting body, mind, and soul in harmony with nature. You will explore the richness of Greek culture with knowledgeable guides, and illuminate the philosophy of yoga with a fresh perspective!

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

Each day, you will have the opportunity to enjoy an in-depth yoga practice in the heartwarming atmosphere of “Villa Daphnis and Chloé“, a charming century-old villa restored into a Retreat Hotel. Classes will be taught in the cosy indoor and outdoor Shalas, nestled among the lush gardens and olive groves, to allow you to fully immerse and connect with the natural surrounding environment of Lesvos. To complement this, 2 optional theoretical and practical yoga workshops will be offered to allow you to discover this practice beyond what is taught in conventional studio classes. 

Besides Yoga, the retreat will also include 5 hikes in 5 different locations of the island, so that you can discover Lesvos’ peaks and hiddens shores! To fully immerse in the island’s vibrant culture, the programme also includes 3 outings to enjoy a meal in a local taverna (restaurant), a visit of the traditional thermal baths, and a historical tour.

All proposed activities are optional as this retreat is your well-deserved break! The retreat’s programme also includes enough free time for you to relax, connect with your inner self, read, or simply enjoy the sea and the natural beauty of the island.

TYPICAL DAILY SCHEDULE

8:00-9:30             Morning Yoga & Meditation

9:30-10:30           Breakfast Buffet

11:00-13:00          Yoga Workshop / hiking 

13:30                      Lunch by the sea

15:00-19:30          Free Time /yoga / hiking

20:00                     Dinner

YOUR INSTRUCTORS

Leo, a certified yoga teacher, radiates a profound passion for movement, adventure, and the transformative power of yoga. His yoga journey began in 2016 as an escape from the pressures of city life and a demanding full-time job, becoming a transformative path that not only helped him navigate challenging times but also provided strength and resilience. In 2021, Leo completed an Ashtanga Vinyasa teacher training in Andalusia, further expanding his expertise.

Leo’s teaching style seamlessly blends invigorating flows inspired by Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and hot yoga with slower-paced sequences. As an avid rock climber, Leo integrates his love for climbing, hiking, and yoga, infusing his teachings with adventure and connection to nature.

Recently, Leo also pursued a course on mindfulness to deepen his interest in personal growth and to guide his students toward inner peace. His unwavering love for Greece, particularly Lesvos, where he spent his summers growing up, is a testament to his profound connection with the country.

With 13 years of experience practicing different types of yoga, Elsa decided to deepen her knowledge about the philosophy and benefits of yoga on the body and the mind by following a 200-hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training in Brussels in 2019, and since then has also been certified and teaches Hatha, Yin, Restorative,  Pre/postnatal and Menopause Yoga.

Practicing a wide range of sports (climbing, boxing, surfing, etc.) next to yoga and daily meditation, Elsa strongly believes that it is crucial to exercise the mind as much as the body to better manage stress, feel more healthy, confident, focused and grounded.

Thanks to her expertise in teaching beginner and intermediate level practitioners, Elsa believes in working with the body, not against it, focusing on breathing, interoception, core strength, alignment, and joint mobility. She always adapts her classes to her students’ needs and level, and encourages every one to  explore, celebrate and focus on their own practice.

LOCATION

The lush, green island of Lesvos or Mytilini as it is also called, is the third largest islands in Greece. Mostly unaffected by mass tourism, Lesvos is the perfect place to visit if you want to have an authentic Greek experience.

With its rich local cuisine, beautiful beaches, pine and hardwood forests, rivers and over a million olive trees, Lesvos has been a source of inspiration for countless writers, musicians, artists, and philosophers such as Aristotle, the father of Biology, Theofrastus, the first Botanist, Arion the Guitarist and Sappho, the first lyric poet.

 

 ACCOMODATION

“From Shores to Peaks” Yoga and Hiking Retreat will be hosted by Villa Daphnis & Chloé, a serene haven nestled between olive tree fields and the sea. As a charming century-old building lovingly restored in 2010, the villa boasts modern amenities and a warm inviting atmosphere that evokes the feeling of a small monastery. The villa’s cozy layout fosters a close-knit family atmosphere among guests, making it the perfect place to unwind and reconnect with yourself and others.

The villa also features various indoor and outdoor spaces for yoga practice, including an outdoor theater, an indoor practice room, a front garden, and a seaside garden with beautiful views of the Aegean Sea perfect for our sunrise yoga sessions !

“From peaks to shores” Yoga & Hiking Retreat can host up to 12 guests, ensuring an intimate experience for all guests. Guest have the choice between 3 package/room types, each with their own bathroom and kitchenette:

  • Single room – 1080€/person
  • Double room – 900€/person
  • Triple room – 810€/person

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • 7-night accommodation in a property by the beach
  • Daily yoga & meditation sessions
  • 5 hikes to discover east Lesvos
  • 2 in-depth workshops
  • Daily breakfast & brunch and 4 dinner meals (vegetarian and home-made)
  • Thermal baths visit
  • Historical tour
  • Yoga equipment (mats, straps, blocks, etc.)

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED 

  • Traveling costs to Mytilini
  • 3 dinner meals in local tavernas
  • Car rental
  • Extra treatments (i.e.: massage)
  • Extra activities not included in the programme
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips

 

WHAT TO BRING 

  • Comfortable, light clothing during the day
  • Warmer clothing for evenings and early mornings.
  • Sports/yoga clothes
  • Sturdy hiking shoes
  • Swimwear and beach towel
  • Slippers and/or sandals
  • Sun lotion and sunglasses

 

HOW TO GET THERE

The easiest way to reach the island is by air through Mytilini’s airport, that has recently been renovated and now accommodates international flights from all over Europe, as well as 3 flights per day from Athens and 1 per day from Thessaloniki.

You can also get to the hotel with the daily ferry from Athens (+/- 12 hours), Thessaloniki (+/- 7 hours) or Kavala (+/- 10 hours).

All transportation from and to Mytilini’s airport, or ferry terminal will be included and provided by our team if you depart and arrive on the first day and last day of the retreat. The airport is located approximately 40 minutes from the villa and the port is 20 minutes away.

 

BEFORE BOOKING, PLEASE READ CAREFULLY OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS

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