Retreat
Retreat: book an experience shaped to what you want. Checked providers in the finest parts of the country.
Difficulty
Very easy – Easy
Duration
A weekend to a few weeks
Location
Wellness centres, guesthouses, out-of-the-way places and wild areas
Season
All year round
What is a retreat?
A retreat is an organised experience given over to unwinding, recovering and personal growth.
Participants step out of their usual pace for a while to pay attention to how they feel in body and mind.
The programmes bring together relaxation, movement, reflection and time in nature.
What they are after is a balance between rest, self-knowledge and well-being.
Retreats: the kinds on offer
Wellness retreat
Unwinding, recovering and things that make you feel well.
Yoga retreat
Yoga practice, breathing and suppleness.
Mindfulness retreat
Meditation, paying attention and taking the edge off stress.
Retreat outdoors
Coming back to yourself through time outdoors and quiet.
Personal development retreat
Workshops on knowing yourself and on changing what needs changing.
Creative retreat
Writing, art, photography and finding your own voice.
How does a retreat work?
Arriving and settling in
Participants settle into the place and the programme.
Practices that steady you
Things like yoga, meditation or relaxation exercises.
Workshops
Sessions on personal development or on a chosen theme.
Time in nature
Walks and easy activities in the open air.
Reflection
Time to let the experience settle and to set your own intentions.
Retreats: who are they for?
People looking to take the edge off stress
The activities help you unwind and recover mentally.
People keen on wellness
Right for those who care about health and feeling well.
Beginners
No experience of yoga, meditation or relaxation work is needed.
People drawn to personal development
It gives you room for reflection and for knowing yourself better.
Nature lovers
Right for those after quiet and a way back to the natural world.
People after some balance
It helps bring the physical, the emotional and the mental into line.
Level of the experience
Deep rest
A quiet programme built around rest and recovery.
Personal balance
Gentle movement, reflection and workshops in one.
Personal change
More demanding personal-development programmes.
At a glance
The theme of the retreat
The theme has to match what you personally want out of it.
Location
A quiet setting makes all the difference.
The programme
Some retreats are tightly scheduled, others leave you more room.
Facilitators
How experienced the leaders are shapes the whole thing.
Food
Some programmes come with special menus or balanced meals.
Switching off
Some retreats ask you to cut down on screens.
Gear
Comfortable clothes
Right for relaxing, for yoga or for gentle activities.
A yoga mat
You may need one for certain practices.
A personal journal
Handy for reflection and for the exercises you do on your own.
Outdoor footwear
You need it for walks and time out in nature.
Personal things
What you need for the nights away.
A refillable bottle
Handy for keeping hydrated through the activities.
Safety
A retreat has to be a place that is safe both physically and emotionally.
Retreats: frequently asked questions
No. Plenty of retreats are built for beginners.
Yes. Plenty of people come on their own, for something personal.
Anything from a weekend to a few weeks.
Yoga, meditation, walks, workshops and things that help you unwind.
It depends on each retreat's rules.
Unwinding, less stress, a clearer head and a way back to yourself.
Making room for rest, reflection and a bit of personal balance.