Almeria Spain Yoga Retreat with Gerry Kielty 

7th – 14th June 2019

Almeria is Spain’s sunniest region and one of the least visited. Its proximity to North Africa means that the area is semi-desert, dry and dramatic, with imposing mountains and dazzling sea. The venue is on the edge of one of Europe’s most remote and beautiful natural parks, the Cabo de Gata, one of the last unspoiled stretches of Spanish coastline. It’s an amazing landscape of perfect half-moon bays, hidden coves, bizarre volcanic rock formations, and spectacular flora and fauna – a wonderful wild coastline, which you will have seen more times than you think as the backdrop in many films including Indiana Jones, Lawrence of Arabia, and Sergio Leone’s famous spaghetti westerns! The venue is in a peaceful, isolated location, but within walking distance of the lovely traditional local village, which can be seen across the valley at the foot of the spectacular mountain backdrop. It is only half an hour from Almeria airport, served by Easyjet, Monarch and Ryanair.

The Venue

The venue consists of the main house, which won awards in the 80’s for its striking modernist design. It sits in the semi-desert landscape amid lush gardens, its architecture echoing ancient Mediterranean civilizations. Its striking natural swimming pool is fed by spring water and filtered by reed beds. It has long been a stylish, bohemian family home, also an exotic venue for photo shoots. It is now being adapted to cater for yoga groups.

Accomodation

The main house has two double en-suite bedrooms, and four twin ensuites. The cortijos have been converted in the original local style into charming accommodation, located a couple of hundred yards from the main house. The cortijo apartments have their own sitting room/kitchens (meals are served at the main house) with 6 twin en-suite apartments. All accommodation has air-conditioning.                                             

Yoga

The retreat includes six, 2 hr morning classes and four, 1.5 hour afternoon classes with two afternoons off.

Meals

Meals are vegetarian by default, served buffet style with fresh local produce, and include breakfast, lunch and dinner. The meals are healthy and varied, with plenty of choice. If requested we can provide the group with one or two meals during the week with fish or chicken. We can cater for gluten and dairy free diets and for medical allergies. However, we regret we can’t cater for personal preferences or complicated special diets. One night a week dinner is eaten out, usually on excursion day.

Flight and Transfer Information

Almeria airport is half an hour from the Finca. The only flights to Almeria from Scotland are with Jet 2 from Edinburgh. For the rest of the UK, there are flights from Gatwick and several other regional airports. The venue can arrange transfers between Almeria and the Finca which typically work out between €30 and €50 per person to include both ways, depending on the number of passengers and number of transfers required to meet flights. We average the cost so everyone pays the same. The driver waits outside the exit (the airport is tiny) with a Huzur Vadisi Logo sign. It works best and keeps costs down if people can join an existing flight. Please consult your teacher or group organiser. Car hire, if required, is only available from the airport. 

Prices

• Twin with ensuite:  shared £895pp or single occupancy £1145
• Double with ensuite:  shared £895pp or single occupancy £1045

Bookings

What is included in the price: accommodation, 10 x yoga classes & all meals are included except one evening when the group go on an optional excursion). Flights are not included in the price of the retreat and must be booked separately.

Places are offered on a first come first serve basis. A non-refundable deposit of £150pp is required to secure a place, and accomodation preference. 50% of the remaining balance is due by Friday 1 February 2018 with final payment due Tuesday 30 April 2018. 

Please Note: the venue requires a minimum number of attendees and therefore has a limited number of single occupancy rooms available. Due to these restrictions, single occupancy cannot be confirmed upon booking. If you are dissatisfied with your room allocation, a full refund of the deposit is available. 

All participants please ensure that you have travel insurance. It is a condition of booking, that you take out travel insurance to cover cancellation and other eventualities.

If cancellation is made once booked prior to the start of the retreat, a full refund (less £100 non refundable) can be issued if a replacement student can be found. Once the retreat has begun no refunds or credits will be issued. Refunds (less non-refundable payment) can only be given if a replacement student can be found.