Koufunisia Greece
September 21-25, 2019
Purify you while gazing the Aegean
THE EXPERIENCE
By the Time the Boat arrives at the tiny Port of Koufunisia you can take your shoes off and never wear them again. That's the Spirit of the Island-carefree and easy. No Question, crystal clear turquoise blue water, sandy velvet white beaches, fresh Aegean air without any toxin exhaust fumes and the holistic fertile soil of this conscious island is what charges everyone of us up and fill us with new Energy. Your body, mind and soul are not only going to recharge from your stressed daily business life you also will detox yourself from all bad habits clear your thoughts and becoming lighter whiles shining your biggest brightness. During these 5 days, I'm sharing my passion for yoga, meditation, fire ceremonies and ecstatic Dance movements along with simple ayurvedic tips for living a healthy life. There is no better Place for all these to happen than the magical island of Koufunisia. A Place where the meaning of greek summer is condensed in 3km golden sand, mythical caves and the most glittery water in the Aegean. This island adventure is the best recipe to start living your life to the fullest. Walk everywhere you want, swim from one beach to another, and be on your swimsuit all day long. The meaning of vacationing condensed on a small Cyclades island. This is the absolute hideaway for those who want to escape the ordinary and get a taste of what real island life means! By the time you leave, you'll be a local!
YOGA
I will host two yoga classes daily, each flow is uniquely designed to be like a hug to the mind and soul. There will be 90 minutes morning and evening sessions, suitable for beginners as well as advanced participants. The first Sessions will be focused on feeling good within the body and gradually making it stronger and lighter. I will start by breaking down simple poses while building a consistent practice which by the end of the Retreat you will be able to do anywhere and at any time, according to your needs and level of practice. Mornings will be dedicated to flowy and dynamic Vinyasa sessions, mixed with steady elements of Hatha/Iyengar yoga, while afternoons will be more gentle, with stretching and restorative yoga. The whole Yogapractice is accompanied by my main focus on Yin & Yang Yoga to bring you in a completely balanced mood. Chakra Balancing, Breathing exercises as well as Guided Meditation, either in a seated calm position or in a flowing movement like a conscious dance party, will be part of the Yogaretreat. This is a once in a Lifetime experience, having an unforgettable one that you can take home afterwards.
THE ESSENCE OF HOLISTIC FOOD
A plant-based nutrition is daily prepared by our vegan food expert Esco Essence. Wait till you try his nut-milks and homemade granola and everything you knew about the vegan diet will change. Esco is a passionate vegan chef and a raw food artist. His approach to longevity and happiness is based on three components: physical practice (yoga asana), conscious eating (raw/vegan) and mental exercise (mindfulness). Esco uses the freshest daily produce from Koufonisia and the nearby islands to prepare each meal and there’re always gluten-free alternatives. He makes his own bread and nut-based milk, as well as his famous granola, smoothies and herbal infusions. Each dinner is a big gathering around the table where we taste Esco’s speciality, finishing off the day with a small innocent desert for a sweet night’s sleep. As I am a holistic nutritionist studied in the Swiss I am living on a plant-based vegan diet for 8 Years now with lots of ayurvedic and alkaline influences. My aim is to offer you the best food during this Retreat, that will benefit your daily Yoga practice so you can shine from the inside out. You will feel more lighter and detoxing in a very harmonious joyful way.
THE BEACHFRONT VILLAS
Let the zen juices flow in a boho chic stay! Our Koufonisia resort looks like an island painting. Its white shapes fade into the light brown landscape creating a strong contrast with the turquoise background of the water. Our retreat takes place into two neighbouring villas which together with an outdoor covered yogashala and a Thai-style massage room create a unique space to unwind and yoga finds a new meaning. Open spaces let the landscape flow into the interior, which features a joyful blend of traditional and contemporary elements. The palette is playful, with the dominating earth tones highlighted by vivid splashes of colour. Both villas have large outdoor spaces, open terraces and bamboo shaded dining areas, ideal for hosting Greek style feasts. The main villa has a large open-plan kitchen which is used by our private chef to prepare our meals and for hands-on food workshops & tastings. The bedrooms are comfortable and cozy, with carefully selected fabrics and funky accessories, a touch of whimsy that creates a loving, homely atmosphere. The lower level of the villas is also brightly decorated and equipped with skylights to let the sunlight in.
This is not only a very exclusive Yogaretreat but also very inclusive of diving deep into your own wisdom and consciousness whilst having the following included.
THE RETREAT INCLUDES
EXCLUDED
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5 island days / 4 nights - accommodation on our beachfront yoga resort villa
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Daily housekeeping
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2 daily yoga sessions (90 minutes each) including meditation and rituals
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3 vegan meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner) - Catered by Greece’s top vegan chef Esco Essence
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Fresh produce of local fruits to snack
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Free water and infused Tea
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Group pickup from Koufonisia port upon arrival & drop off on departure
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A beach towel as a gift
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Yoga equipment (mats, straps, blocks, etc.)
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Goodie bag (filled with lots of epic things)
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A Thai-Style Massage with local organic oils
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Flights
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On arrival day transfer from the airport to the Port of Koufunisia
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Alcoholic drinks
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Travel insurance
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Price for other activities like kayaking, scuba diving, etc.
PRICE & ACCOMODATION OPTIONS
TWIN ACCOMMODATION
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two single beds -- 950 €
SHARED ACCOMMODATION
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Queen or King sized bed & shared or ensuite bathroom-- 1.100€
* Suggested for couples, friends & family who want to share a double bed
SINGLE ACCOMMODATION
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Queen or King size bed & shared or ensuite bathroom -- 1.500€
* A deposit of 500€ will be charged upon booking and is non-refundable. The remaining amount must be paid within 90 days before the beginning of the retreat. Payment of the total amount is also possible. More information about the terms and conditions can be found here.
TRAVEL INFO
arrival 21 th septemeber
The Retreat starts at the 22 th september with a get together and welcome snack around 4 pm. We will get to know each other, i introduce you to our staff and what the next days will look like. We will have a little grounding yoga session, that will keep you back in balance after your arrival trip. We close this Day with an delicious Dinner by our vegan chef Esco and let the day pass slowly.
departure 25 th september
Your Yoga journey for this time, ends at the 29 th september. After a small refreshing yoga session we will have our last breakfast together before everyone gets a beautiful packed goodie bag, with wonderful things, that will remind you of this magical time and accompany you after this retreat.
Koufonisia (code KOU) can be reached via boat from Santorini (code JTR), Mykonos (code JMK) or Athens. We suggest that you fly directly either to Mykonos or to Santorini airport. From there you take the boat to Koufonisia which is a much shorter boat ride than taking the boat from Athens.
Tickets can be booked online at viva.gr.
We advise our guests to allow one day prior and after the retreat for their travelling.
Suggested arrival options on the 21th September
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From Santorini port (code JTR) to Koufonisia (code KOU) | departure: 12.05 - arrival: 16.00 | boat name: Sea Jet 2
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From Mykonos port (code JMK) to Koufonisia (code KOU) | departure: 14:35 - arrival: 16.00 | boat name: Sea Jet 2
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From Piraeus port in Athens (code PIR) to Kouf (code KOU) | departure: 07.15 - arrival: 12.05 | boat name: Blue Star Ferries
Departure options on the 25th September
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From Koufonisia to Santorini port | departure: 14.10 - arrival: 18.05 | boat name: Sea Jet 2
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From Koufonisia to Mykonos port | departure: 14.00 - arrival: 15.40 | boat name: Sea Jet 2
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From Koufonisia to Piraeus port in Athens | departure: 12.15 - arrival: 17.00 | boat name: Blue Star Ferries
* Please keep in mind that this is the current boat timetable and there might be changes closer to the summer season. We suggest that you check back again at viva.gr before booking your itinerary. I also suggest that you may have one Night in one of the other harbour islands/city before or after the Retreat.