‘Any reasonable, sentient person who looks at Spain, comes to Spain, eats in Spain, drinks in Spain, they’re going to fall in love. This is the dream of all the world.’ – Anthony Bourdain
Amidst the spectacular and diverse landscape of Andalucía sits an authentic farmhouse with gardens overlooking the sea. Santillan Yoga & Wellness Center is an elegant and peaceful oasis in the countryside inviting moments of tranquility and mindfulness.
The Retreat
Slow down and hear, smell and taste, and let your senses come alive. Be in the moment whether it’s in a yoga pose or seeing an exquisite 900 year old palace or tasting a delicious tapa or feeling the passion when watching a flamenco dancer. Andalucía offers an abundance of sensory experiences to be savored and in this way, we extend our mindfulness practice from the yoga studio into our travel. We seek to balance rest and relaxation offered by the peaceful sanctuary of Santillan Yoga & Wellness Center with exciting and fun new adventures. The retreat is designed so that you can do as little or as much as you’d like. Yoga classes, meals, and included activities are planned but always optional.
Yoga
Yoga practice will be offered on most mornings in the beautiful studio before breakfast. In the evening, a restorative yoga class will help you relax and sleep more deeply. Appropriate for beginning and intermediate level students, classes emphasize the wisdom in honoring your strengths and limitations and to be grateful for all that your body can do. All classes are taught by Lisa Hampton.
Malaga
Along the famed Costa del Sol sits one of the oldest cities in the world and is loaded with history. This beautiful city that gave the world Picasso is also known for the warmth of its people and their hospitality. Our day to Malaga will include a guided tour of the city center and La Alcazaba (the best preserved citadel in Spain), free time, dinner and flamenco show at one of the city’s finest restaurants.
Mijas Pueblo
Mijas Pueblo is a village town that takes you back to what a Spanish village used to look like. This enchanting white village is surrounded by pine forests with panoramic views of the Costa del Sol. Our day will be unplanned allowing you to wander and explore on your own. You don’t want to miss the Mayan Monkey chocolate factory!
Nerja & Frigiliana
We’ll have a full day visiting Nerja, a stunning Andalusian white village nestled on a rocky coastline, the fascinating Cuevas de Nerja and the hillside village of Frigiliana, the ‘prettiest village in Andalusia.’
El Caminito del Rey
For the thrill seekers and nature lovers, you won’t want to miss hiking the El Caminito del Rey (the King’s Little Pathway). This 7.7 km hike clings to the mountainside 100 meters above the River Guadalhorce 😮. Although once known as the ‘most dangerous hike in the world,’ the route was refurbished in 2015 and receives around 300,000 visitors a year.
Andalucía, Spain
Serenity in the Spanish Countryside
| Date | October 30 – November 6, 2022 SOLD OUT | ||||
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| Location | Santillan Retreat Center | ||||
| Cost (per person) | $2,295 shared superior room + $400 single superior room | ||||
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| All superior bedrooms have en-suite baths, balconies & sea views. Rooms have either twin beds or a queen/king bed. | |||||
| Deposit | $700 non-refundable check/cash deposit to secure your spot | ||||
| Balance | Balance due July 30, 2022. If registering after July 30, full payment is due at that time. | ||||
| Register | [email protected] | ||||
| CanceLlation Policy | No refunds will be issued for the deposit. No refunds for the balance will be issued after July 30, 2022 unless your spot can be filled with someone from the waiting list. | ||||
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| Optional Excursions |
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| Does Not Include |
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| Travel | Saturdays are travel days and there is no programming except for a short yoga session on arrival day. | ||||
| Airports: Malaga Airport is the closest airport. | |||||
| Travel Insurance | For your own protection, you must have adequate travel insurance. You are solely responsible for ensuring that you are adequately insured for the full duration of the retreat with respect to possible illness, injury, death, loss of baggage and personal items, cancellation and curtailment, or any other potential loss. You may consider plans from allianz, travelinsure.com, insuremytrip.com, or any other option provided by your credit card, airline or travel company. Also note that your health insurance may not provide coverage internationally. Check with your provider and consider additional coverage if necessary. | ||||
| More Information | Registrants will receive more detailed information including itinerary, travel tips, recommendations on hotels in the area for extended trips, and much more. | ||||
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“And if travel is like love, it is, in the end, mostly because it’s a heightened sense of awareness, in which we are mindful, receptive, undimmed by familiarity and ready to be transformed. That is why the best trips, like the best love affairs, never really end.” ― Pico Iyer, Why We Travel |
The Center
Cited in The Times as one of Europe’s best yoga and wellness centers, Centro Santillan is an authentic Andalusian farmhouse with expansive Mediterranean sea views located in the mountains east of Malaga. All 20 bedrooms are simply and elegantly designed with private baths and most have outdoor sitting areas. Perhaps the most stunning feature is its state of the art and fully equipped yoga studio with large windows overlooking the countryside and sea. In addition to the extensive gardens for relaxing and wandering, there is a saltwater pool, a paddle tennis court and numerous hiking paths around the property.
Cuisine
Organic produce grown under the Spanish sun in the gardens at Santillan, along from local farmers is used by the cooks who share their popular Spanish-influenced healthy Mediterranean cuisine. They also benefit from the fruit trees, an herb garden and free range chickens to provide fresh eggs! Meals are mostly vegetarian but fish is also served. Breakfast, light lunches and dinner are lovingly prepared and served buffet style for guests. Unlimited tea, coffee, water, juice (when available) and fruit is offered. Local wine, beer and other beverages will be served with dinner.
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