Kostis + healthcareYOGA
Yoga & Olive Harvest Retreat to Greece

November 15-20, 2024

November is the best time to invest in yourself! Days get shorter and darker, weather gets colder, and busy December is just around the corner. Why not take time out of your busy schedule and come away with us to Greece for a proper recharge.

Allow yourself to experience the calming, soothing and recharging effects of an intimate yoga practice

overlooking beautiful scenery, to treat yourself with luxurious accommodation, local home cooked healthy meals and get to participate in olive harvesting and olive oil pressing. On top of that, let's enjoy together the wonderful and astonishing nature and cultural sides of Peloponnese in the warm and soothing Greek autumn weather.

BOOK YOUR SPOT
...or get in touch with any questions you might have...

All you need to know...
psst... scroll down to see pictures, and you will simply have to join us

Setting

Kalamata is situated on the southern point of the Peloponnese at the foot of the magnificent Taygetos mountains and on the stunning coastline of the Messinian bay with its numerous blue flag beaches.

Kalamata is a diverse city that is world famous for it's Kalamata olives, the Kalamatianos dance, and as the starting point of the Greek uprising for independence 1821. It is a city filled with culture, tradition and history and one of outstanding natural beauty. Kalamata has a cosmopolitan café scene, a large central square offering a wide range of shopping, and many possibilities to pamper yourself with the various spa and massage treatments available.

Despite the current economic climate in Greece, Kalamata has benefited from the agricultural sector in this region. As you will see in the landscape, the cultivation and production of olive oil in this area is very important. Everywhere your eyes take you, you will see olive trees! Greece is the third largest producer of olive oil world wide, and 35% of this oil is produced in the Kalamata region. The olive oil produced here is of a superior quality, the majority being rewarded either POP or Extra Virgin status, as a result of the quality of the soil and favorable weather conditions.

Yoga

We will have two yoga classes a day, one in the morning and one in the evening for all levels. Classes will be lead by Kostis and Marianne, and they will be a combination of Hatha, Vinyasa or Yin + meditation. All levels will be able to participate, and we will make sure that you bring long lasting memories and benefits no matter if you are an experienced yogi, or if you want to begin your journey building a solid foundation with us.

Olive Harvest

We will take you to Kostis' olive grove for a day of harvesting olives. During this day, we will explain the techniques to harvest the olives, with methods that have been handed down from generation to generation. You will have the opportunity to participate with us to harvest the olives that we will take to the olive press the following day. At the olive press, you will be able to follow the journey of the olives you have harvested through the press and see it turn into olive oil. Here we will present you with 1.5 liters of freshly produced olive oil, that you helped to make, to take home with you – do not forget to leave space in your suitcase.

Excursions

We offer you to experience some of the most beautiful spots of Peloponnese led by a local guide. We will arrange for these excursions, which will be included in the package price, but you can always freely choose to explore by yourself, or simply just spend some well deserved relaxing-time on your own.

Polylimnio Waterfalls: A trip to the breathtaking waterfalls where you can hike through the lush flora up a series of small pools until you reach the large main pool.

Ancient Messini: A short drive into the mountains you reach the relatively unheard of, however yet significantly important and pristinely excavated archaeological site.

Hiking in the Taygetos: Many ancient walkways leads into the mountains that are preserved by the Kalamata Mountaineering society. We will undertake the walk that both suits your fitness levels and what you want to see.

Explore on your own: Beautiful coastlines and magnificent beaches, cozy villages, authentic tavernas or or simply time on your own to take a breath.

Accomodation

You will stay in the luxurious Villa Myria, Situated on the mountainside, surrounded by olive trees and overlooking the Kalamata bay. Yoga classes will be lead from the livingroom by the fireplace or from one of the terraces overlooking stunning scenery in all directions: The Taygetos mountains, the blue Kalamata bay or Kalamata, "the white city", with lots of lights at night, or we will take the practice to the olive grove if suited. You will always have the opportunity to take a swim in the pool or enjoy the warm autumn sun in one of the many cozy spots around the Villa. All meals are provided for and cooked by a local professional chef using all the best local ingredients and is including lunch packages for excursions. Everyday, the fridge will be full with local and fresh groceries, and you will arrange for breakfast yourselves.

One evening we will arrange dinner at a local traditional tavern.

When you arrive, a welcome drink and a light snack will be waiting for you. On the last day, we will have an early breakfast together before leaving.

Practicalities

Pricing - what's included:

Package price:

dkk 8.500

Secure your spot by paying a deposit (dkk 3.000) upon booking

Remaining payment no later than September 1, 2024*

Included in your Yoga and olive harvest retreat:

5 Nights, luxury Villa, private pool, shared room with single beds
8 yoga classes
Olive harvest, pressing and 1L of olive oil to bring with you home
Heathy vegetarian friendly homecooked meals & lunch packages
Beautiful guided excursions (entrance fees are payed by participants)

What's not included:

Flight tickets (On our last search, direct flights are about dkk 1.300 (return ticket)

Transportation from the airport in Athens to Kalamata (we can help you arrange shared cars).
Note that there is no medical insurance included, so bring with you your international medical blue card just in case
1 Lunch and 1 dinner

Yoga Mat, bring your own

* Cancellations later than September 1, 2024: Deposit cannot be refunded. You may arrange to sell your spot to a third party.

Transportation:

Transportation from the airport to Kalamata (approx. 2.5 hours) can be by bus or taxis, and the cost will be around 55 euros (one way per person). If you wish, we can arrange that for you. In our previous retreats, the group rented 2 cars /shared expenses, which is what we strongly recommend. This arrangement is the cheapest solution and you will have the freedom to drive around and explore . We will help bring the group together in order to arrange for this.

So, come away with us...

Check out the pictures below, get in the spirit, dream the dream and hurry up to book your spot, as we are planning on keeping this intimate, with only 8 spots available, for the best possible experience.

Keep peace in your mind,

strength in your body

& love in your heart

- Kostis Argouslidis