Discover all the magic of Provence with gorgeous surroundings like picture perfect small villages, local markets, turquoise water and a rich history. Provence is not only a treat for your soul but also your taste buds. The healthy and creative flavors of Provence are a part of the retreat experience, especially when enjoyed on the terrace at the beautiful, luxurious eco boutique Bastide Avellanne, our home during the retreat.
The itinerary includes Yoga and Yoga Nidra at the Bastide, as well as visits to the local markets in the small villages, a beach day excursion to Porquerolles Island, wine tasting and hiking to the local St Quinis mountain. Read the detailed itinerary below for more info!
The Villa
The Bastide Avellanne is located at the heart of Provence and is owned by Swedes. Linn is one of them, she’s also our wonderful host and she will take us to her “hidden gems”, while she shares her story with us.
The Bastide is a beautiful 17th century fortified villa, a luxury bed & breakfast set in a private park of 3 hectares, where the colors of the olive trees and centuries old oaks blend with the perfumes of Lavender and Rosemary. In this small Mediterranean paradise, you will find a heated swimming pool, giant chess, tennis, pétanque courts and bicycles to rent. Every bedroom has its own stone chimney, provencal furniture and fabrics. Attention to detail, from the bedding to their grand soft towels, is a signature of Bastide Avellanne. All the rooms overlook the magnificent Provençal landscapes, and each is fitted with air-conditioning, assuring coolness and comfort.
You are heartily invited to book a massage at the Bastide (you will receive more info about the massages and how to book one closer to the departure date), enjoy the pool or just relax with a book.
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Cuisine
We will balance our day at the retreat with healthy, local food. Enjoy cuisine which combines creativity and flavors with a special attention to creating balanced meals. The colorful and tasty menus celebrate Provencal, international and Mediterranean flavors and are prepared by an in-house chef from fresh, local organic ingredients. Breakfast consists of eggs, fresh fruit and juices, homemade granola with farm-fresh yogurt, croissants and baguettes. These are prepared fresh for you each morning. Dinner will be enjoyed on the terrace in the shade of the oak trees, or served by candlelight under the pergola or in the veranda. Upon the arrival, before we start the retreat, our wonderful hosts will welcome us with wine and hors d’oeuvres.
Meet your Yoga Nidra teacher
Renu (Diane Zagoria) is the founder of Relaxation with Renu.
It is her passion to help people of all ages navigate through their lives with greater ease by giving them tools to help manage what stresses them.
Renu is an E-RYT 500 Hour certified Yoga teacher and Yoga Nidra facilitator. She has a bachelor’s of science degree in education and minor in psychology. She is also a certified reflexologist, Reiki Master and Life Coach. She is based in Los Angeles, where she has a private practice offering Life Coaching sessions and Energy Healing. She also travels in the US and abroad teaching workshops, trainings and retreats. Her expertise is in Yoga Nidra, specializing in the Integrative Amrit Method.
Yoga Nidra is an ancient meditation technique that has the power to take you to the innermost, deepest levels of relaxation where your whole body and being is permeated by peace of mind and profound stillness.
Her teacher, Kamini Desai says this from her book, Yoga Nidra The Art of Transformational Sleep…Every night when we sleep, we must do one thing; let go of our thoughts. In Yoga Nidra we consciously enter the twilight zone between waking and sleeping, enabling us to rest more and more as the space of being beyond the mind, and less and less as the mind itself. This unlocks the mystical, integrative powers of the subconscious, as well as your higher centers of consciousness, to effortlessly erase your most tenacious, self-destructive habits and behavior patterns. It is said by yogis that 45 minutes of Yoga Nidra is as restorative as three hours of sleep. It is very effective for addressing common stress-related health issues, and self-destructive behavior and thought patterns.
Read Dianes summary of her first time experience as a leader of this retreat in August 2019:
I had the pleasure of leading The Yoga Nidra Retreat at The Bastide Avellanne in Provence this summer and it was amazing! I had been to France many times, but this was the first time to Provence and it did not disappoint. The landscape was beautiful and each area had it’s own unique charm. It’s a photographers dream everywhere you look. It was lovely to explore on our daily adventures and equally as lovely staying at The Bastide. Linn and her staff were warm and welcoming taking care of our every need. The attention to detail was impeccable. Teaching Yoga and facilitating Yoga Nidra in the outdoor Yoga Shala surrounded by nature was magical. The indoor Yoga room overlooking the pool was also very nice with amazing mats! The sunsets each night were spectacular while we enjoyed beautifully prepared and delicious dinners on the patio. Of course accompanied by local wine of the region. I can’t wait to do it again in 2020, adding 2 more days this time, a few new adventures and repeating the favorites.
The Itinerary (will be updated)
Day 1
Arrival Day
Nice Airport or other designated place for group transfer to The Villa Bastide Avellanne about 75 minutes
Welcome drink and snacks
Welcome dinner at The Bastide
Yoga Nidra to help you recalibrate and sleep well after your journey
Day 2
Day Trip to the town of Cotignac for market day and then to Thoronet Abbey
Breakfast at The Bastide
Then off to Cotignac which sits in the trees at the base of its famous cliffs. At the top of the cliffs, a pair of square medieval towers (the “sentinelles”) have been standing guard over the cliffs, the town and the surrounding countryside since the 12th and 13th centuries. Cotignac is a stunningly beautiful Provencal village, with it’s intoxicating blend of color and charm that’s off the beaten track. An unforgettable place that typifies the best of Provence. Cotignac old town has pretty, winding streets, mellow stone houses some of which date back to the 16th Century with beautiful wrought iron decorations. The market from 8am-1pm is colorful, vibrant and the perfect opportunity to enjoy a quintessential French market Provence style. Great for fresh fruit, vegetables, honey, olive oil and clothing. Enjoy a fabulous gateau or an artisan made baguette from one of the three local bakeries Pouillard, Infosino and Pascale (who has created a special baguette named after the village, the Cotignacéen). Enjoy a light lunch in a French Cafe along the beautiful tree lined street. Perhaps along with a glass of rose wine that the area is famous for producing. There are quirky shops and art galleries to peruse. Those who wish will be given the opportunity to visit Thoronet Abbey. The “jewel” of Cistercian abbeys. The ticket to the Abbey costs about € 8.
Afternoon Yoga/Yoga Nidra
Dinner at the Bastide
Day 3
The Local Market and Picnic Lunch
Breakfast at the Bastide
Together with our host Linn, we will walk into the town of Besse Sur Issole. On Wednesday’s the local market is on. We will all purchase goodies to share for our picnic lunch and Linn will take us to a cozy spot to enjoy our picnic by the lake. Afterwards you can stay and explore the town or spend the afternoon back at the Bastide.
Afternoon Yoga/Yoga Nidra
Dinner at the Bastide
Day 4
Beach Day excursion to Porquerolles Island – this French Island is the Nantucket of the Mediterranean with Caribbean waters!
Breakfast at The Bastide.
Then off to Porquerolles, a 40 minute drive to the wisp of land off the Southernmost tip of the Côte d’Azur. You will take a short boat ride away from the coast to the crescent-shaped island where it nestles a charming village in its center. Please note that the boat fee, which is about €17, is NOT included. There is much to explore around the island and the best way to discover Porquerolles is hiking or cycling, (you can rent mountain bikes or electric bikes) on the numerous marked trails of the National Park. Porquerolles has two sides, on the southern side, the coast is made of steep cliffs and secluded creeks only accessible to hikers. The northern side, on the other hand, offers fine sand beaches and turquoise waters. Our Lady Beach was recently voted the most beautiful beach in Europe. As for the core of the island, it is made of fertile plains on which the botanical conservatory grows ancient and unique species. The island’s limestone cliffs frame a sanctuary of oak and pine trees teeming with chirping cicadas, wild herbs, sprawling eucalyptus, beautiful bougainvillea and the occasional fig tree. It’s a a secluded sanctuary for birds and butterflies, with no cars allowed on the island.
Afternoon Yoga Nidra
Dinner at the Bastide
Day 5
Your own day at The Bastide
Morning Yoga/Yoga Nidra
Breakfast
Time to relax, maybe in a hammock, explore the surroundings walking through the vineyards, take a bike ride, swim in the pool, play tennis, get a massage, facial or reflexology session, read a book or perhaps play a card game or learn to play petanque! Pétanque is a French (Provençal to be precise) outdoor game played by two opposing teams. Or play chess with giant size pieces.
The Bastide will provide a lunch buffé for those who wish to purchase lunch at the retreat today
Dinner at the Bastide
Group Reiki Circle before bedtime
Day 6
Hiking and Wine Tasting!
We’ll start with coffee, tea and fruit then leave early before the heat breaks to hike to the local St Quinis mountain. At the top you will see spectacular views over Provence. On a clear morning you can even see the Alps! There is a 500 year old church for respite before hiking back down.
Brunch at the Bastide
Afternoon Yoga/Yoga Nidra
Late this afternoon before dinner, we will have a private wine tasting by the local Francois. He has a biodynamic vineyard and shares his philosophy on nature and wine.
Dinner at the Bastide
Day 7
Time to say goodbye…all good things must come to an end…at least until next time!
Morning Yoga/Yoga Nidra
Breakfast
Check out
Shuttle to Nice Airport
*Please note Itinerary is subject to change.
Included:
- Villa accommodation (spacious bedrooms, private bathrooms, linens)
- Daily Yoga and/or Yoga Nidra Meditation
- Daily Breakfast
- Daily Dinner
- Snacks at the retreat
- Welcome gift – a healing Lava stone or Amazonite bracelet from forUjewelry
- Use of the Estate premises (hiking trails, pool, courts etc)
- Hiking to St Quinis
- Beach Day excursion to Porquerolles Island
- Day Trip to the Cotignac market and then an optional trip to Thoronet Abbey
- Local guide
- Wine tasting
- Transportation to all the activities
- Airport transfer
Not included:
- Lunch
- Massage (book in advance)
- Travel insurance
- Airfare, Nearest airport: Nice (NCE)
There will be group transfers provided:
- ARRIVALS = 1 from Nice Airport
- DEPARTURES = 1 to Nice Airport
How to say yes to a journey of a lifetime…
Step 1: Learn all about the trip; the theme, the teachers, the venue, the location, our policies etc.
Step 2: Register online.
Step 3: You’ll get a confirmation email + 2 emails leading up to your trip preparing you for an amazing adventure.
Policies and terms – get clear before your purchase
We strive to maintain a balance between offering our programs to the widest range of participants and running a sustainable and thriving company so that we can continue to create and share our experiences with you.
By reserving your space through placing your deposit with us, you are agreeing to the stated policies in our Agreement. Please read in full and please note:
All prices are per person in Euro. All bookings include a deposit that is 20% of the total trip cost. Final payments are due 60 days before the start date of the trip to keep your spot secure.
Payment
Early Bird: €1910
(The price is based on a shared room with 2-3 people)
1st deposit: (20%) due upon reservation – non refundable: €382
2nd deposit and final payment: €1528
Added fee for a single room: €720
Regular price: €2225
(The price is based on a shared room with 2-3 people)
1st deposit (20%) due upon reservation – non refundable: €445
2nd deposit and final payment: €1780
Added fee for a single room: €720
Deposit is due upon registration!
Additional transaction fees might be added to international payments.
You will receive payment information upon registration!
Airline tickets – Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip is confirmed with the minimum number of participants required to operate.
Cancellation policy
If you wish to cancel your retreat you must notify us in writing. Once we’ve received your notice, cancellation will take effect subject to the following: If cancellation takes place more than 60 days prior to your departure date any payments made will be refunded minus your deposit.
Maria Söderholm reserves the right to make any changes deemed necessary by our team, trip leaders, teachers or partners. In the rare case of a cancellation on the part of Maria Söderholm (due to political unrest, dangerous weather, or low sign-ups), we require all participants to purchase travel insurance and highly encourage them to purchase “cancel for any reason” to protect them against the rare chance of cancellation.
Register here!
Maria Söderholm 