A digital detox, yoga and delicious plant-based menu in paradise sounds much needed after almost two years of lockdown. We’re looking forward to getting away from it all, getting back to our healthiest selves, soaking up some vitamin D in sunnier climes, immersing ourselves in nature, meeting new people and learning something new.
Here’s our roundup of 5 healthy summer retreats not to miss this summer.
1. Five days with Kino MacGregor in Norway
Kino MacGregor is one of the world’s foremost teachers of Ashtanga yoga. With over 1 million followers on Instagram, Kino’s practice is dynamic and flexible but grounded in self-reflection – and accessible to all. This five-day retreat is in magical Nøsen; your home for the week is a classic mountain lodge surrounded by unspoilt nature in Norway. Every day you will be served delicious, photo worthy vegan food. A stone’s throw from your cabin are ample hiking and cycling routes, as well as mountain lakes for wild swimming.
Prices start from £890 all-inclusive of food and drinks for 5 nights, sharing.
2. Short Surf and Yoga in Cascais, Portugal
If you are looking for some guaranteed summer sun, Cascais in Portugal boasts over 300 sunny days a year. The Salty Pelican in Cascais is a dedicated yoga and surf school, offering both year-round. It scores 5 stars on Tripadvisor – and for good reason. The retreats are organised in beautiful surroundings, and relatively inexpensive.
The shortest summer retreat package is three nights and four days and includes daily yoga, one surf lesson and unlimited premium surfboard rental, and food including breakfast and nightly tapas.
Cascais offers some of Europe’s best surf. The retreat centre sits between Cascais and the mountains, perfect for an active stay spent soaking up everything nature has to offer. In your free time, explore nearby Lisbon and the beautiful historic town of Sintra, known for its extravagant palaces.
Prices start from €324 shared or €439 double during the peak summer months, including three nights accommodation, healthy breakfasts, unlimited yoga classes, a relaxing ayurvedic massage, one surf lesson and unlimited surfboard rental.
3. The Glass House Retreat in Essex
For those wishing to stay closer to home, the popular Glass House Retreat is hosting a variety of different retreats this summer, to suit different budgets and needs. Their two-night Wellness Retreat includes: one Cryo Chamber session; a £60 spa voucher; full use of their facilities including a natural swimming pool, a steam room and Himalayan salt block sauna; evening talks; 4 daily exercises classes (choose from a long list of activities including cardio classes, morning walks and acqua).
All food is included – the plant based menu boasts a wide variety of exciting options, including healthy juices and smoothies, healthy pancakes, bean burgers, and Thai curries. The zucchini ravioli stuffed with fresh spinach cashew pesto and served with sundried tomato and basil balances healthy and indulgent. Accommodation is comfortable and modern, and the bathrooms are stocked with vegan, eco-friendly spa products.
Prices start from £259 per person, per night for double occupancy in a superior room. Other packages are available.
4. A Juice Detox in the South-West of France
A stone’s throw from Toulouse, Maison de Lunel is a rural French retreat for those of us in need of a rejuvenating reset. Located in 35 acres of private countryside, the retreat enjoys views onto rolling hills and woodlands, and is equipped with a yoga studio and south-facing swimming pool. Retreats include daily yoga, guided walks, meditation and fully supervised juice and soup detoxes.
Candlelit meditation before bed and starry night skies promise a good night of sleep. Accommodation is described as luxurious, featuring traditional French doors and shutters and beautiful beamed ceilings.
There are various retreats scheduled this summer. The Organic Juice Cleanse & Yoga Retreat (9 - 16 July) costs €1350 for 7 nights in a boutique room.
5. Walking Your Promise Retreat in Gloucestershire
We’ve all heard of the importance of listening to indigenous knowledge for repairing our relationship with nature, and with ourselves. Authors like Robin Wall Kimmerer and Sheila Watt-Cloutier have helped teach us this through their visionary writings. Walking Your Promise draws on leader Danny Shmulevitch’s experience growing up in the Sinai Desert and living among the semi-Nomadic Sawad tribe, as well as working with indigenous people around the world.
Your journey begins in a restored farmhouse in the Gloucestershire countryside. Expect to sleep under the stars, in a candlelit den surrounded by ancient woodland, and get closer to yourself–and in turn the interconnected nature of things. Each retreat is tailored to the individual but will likely involve an element of fasting, ritual and quiet contemplation.
From £295pp for two days all-inclusive
Prepare for these healthy retreats with our Summer Detox. We’ll send you everything you need for a healthy two weeks of nutritionally balanced meals, delicious soups, refreshing juices and healthy snacks.
