This week marks the start of Mental Health Awareness Week. It’s an important topic – with recent stats showing that only one in three Brits with a mental health problem receive treatment. With a stronger focus on self-care, yoga getaways are becoming an increasingly popular form of wellness treatment and fortunately, Europe offers some of the best retreats possible for those looking to relax.
To help you find them, experts at BookRetreats.com, the world’s number one retreat site, have listed the eight best yoga retreats on the continent, for those of us who are hoping to indulge in looking after our bodies and minds.
From morning yoga sessions surrounded by stunning nature, to opportunities later in the day to bathe in the sea or explore historic sites, there are a range of activities on offer to make your getaway the best experience possible.
Sean Kelly, Co-Founder of BookRetreats.com, said that these eight yoga spots are some of the best for providing a combination of exercise alongside chances to immerse yourself in beautiful scenery and fascinating culture.
“Many people experience periods of time where they struggle with their mental health, so it’s important that we do what we can to look after ourselves.
“The UK has many great wellness spots, but, for those looking to venture a little further , a few days’ travel to Europe may be just what you need. Whether it’s green countryside, or deep blue waters, one of these eight places offer you the perfect chance to refresh your body and mind.”
Below are the eight best locations for a wellness yoga retreat, as advised by travel experts at BookRetreats.com:
AgriturismoLa Forra, Tuscany, Italy
Located less than 40 miles, La Forra offers a four-day yoga and multisport holiday for fitness lovers of all skill levels. With weather peaking at just over 30 degrees during summer, this retreat also offers a trip to the local vineyard, and stunning views of the Tuscan countryside.
Casa Moonspiration, Alicante, Spain
Alicante is a popular town with Brits – nearly 80,000 live there – and Casa Moonspiration, situated on the coast of Eastern Spain, offers a five-day package of yoga, meditation and food. With no more than eight people allowed here at a time, this intimate getaway grants a small group of tourists the chance to sunbathe on the town’s Mediterranean beach.
YogaMea School, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Located on Italy’s East coast, and less than 10 miles from larger seaside town Rimini, YogaMea School offers up to two weeks of beach yoga, for those looking to combine exercise with stunning water views. Suitable for health hopefuls of all levels, visitors can also take long walks along the Adriatic coastline in-between periods of stretching.
OM Academy & Mind Spa, Porto, Portugal
Located in Portugal’s “second city,” this six-day yoga and pilates getaway also offers visitors the chance to enjoy nearby beaches of Foz do Douro or Mastoninhos, should tourists be looking to lounge in the sun or try the “world’s best fish.” Only a 20-minute taxi ride to the city’s centre, fitness freaks can also unwind by visiting historic monuments or heading on a wine tour for a day they will never forget!
Samudra Retreats, Gozo Island, Malta
On Malta’s second-largest island, Gozo, this week-long yoga retreat is surrounded by sea and stunning nature. Only a few minutes away from a 4,000-year-old underground cave, wellness lovers can also spend their free time exploring historic earthly sites.
La Casetta del Borgo, Tuscany, Italy
One of many yoga spots located in the Tuscan countryside, La Casetta del Borgo, while only three-days long, offers three different yoga classes and a series of massages performed by wellness experts. Surrounded by hills and fields, this tiny town – with only just over 1,000 residents – also offers tourists a hiking experience, for those keen to stay on their feet.
EYA Retreats, Occitanie, France
High in the hills towards the South of France, visitors can work on their wellbeing surrounded by protected French landmarks, with UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Pont du Gard on its doorstep. Even the villa is historic – for five days you can improve your wellbeing with yin yoga and sound therapy inside a 19th-century building. And if you enjoy learning about the past, the medieval village of Uzès is only a 20-minute car ride away.
Foodpath Yoga House & Restaurant, Palairos, Greece
Greece is already a popular destination for Brits, with over four million of us travelling there each year, and the coastal ancient city of Palairos is another reason to visit the country. Here, Foodpath offers an eight-day getaway for exercisers of all levels that includes yoga, massage, and self-reflection lessons from physical and mental wellbeing experts. There is also plenty more to offer for visitors in need of a mental health break. From old ruins, to sunny beaches, there are a range of areas to explore
