Summer is here and our thoughts turn to relaxing and rejuvenating retreats. A week or even a few days of yoga, meditation, massages, delicious vegetarian or vegan fare, all in a serene environment can do wonders for the mind, body and soul!

Neal’s Yard Holidays has a wide selection of summer retreat offers in rural settings such as quintessential English countryside and balmy island idylls – for more on this please see our recent blog on rural retreats. Walk in the woods and meadows, meditate under the stars or sun and just enjoy the summer.

Availability ranges from early July to late September so, go on, take your pick from some of the best summer retreat offers below:

UK

Find Your Passion

Find Your Passion, Raw Horizons’ women-only retreat offers a holistic combination of wellbeing coaching, Kundalini yoga, meditation and detoxifying raw food. Stay at Split Farthing Hall, a restored Georgian mansion near the Yorkshire Dales with infrared sauna and an outside hot tub.

Three nights from £625pp full board twin share (single £745pp) including yoga, retreat activities, hot tub and infrared sauna, transfers to/from the local train station. Available for selected dates throughout the year including 3-6 July and 11-14 September 2018.

OFFER: Mention Neal’s Yard Holidays to receive a complimentary one-hour massage worth £55.

Shamanic healing, spiritual detox retreat

Stay in a spacious country house in Dartmoor, Devon set within its own idyllic grounds, surrounded by woodland, rivers, waterfalls, and sacred sites.
Aluna Healing Retreats provide a healing environment to detox and transform through organic juices, ancient shamanic wisdom, nature connection, sound healing, breath work, meditation and yoga practice.

Six nights from £820pp twin share or double room, or single room for £980pp. The price includes fresh juices, all classes and also activities.
Available from 6 to 12 July 2018.

OFFER: Mention Neal’s Yard Holidays and receive £50 off the retreat.

Yoga retreat: life coaching and love yourself

Chillout Retreats’ base near Arundel, close to the rolling Sussex Downs, combines a luxurious style with barn conversion and Temple Spa products in all bathrooms and an indoor swimming pool with mixed ability hatha yoga classes, core strengthening Pilates, meditation and guided walks. Summer Time Bliss adds life coaching and a Love Yourself workshop. Disabled access.

Two-night weekend retreat from £325pp twin share with shared bathroom. Or £350pp twin room with private bathroom, or single room with private bathroom from £450pp, including full board and activities.
Summer Time Bliss available from 20-22 July 2018.

OFFER: Mention Neal’s Yard Holidays to receive a free 30-minute holistic treatment worth £30.

FRANCE

Hiking and Yoga

Here the biggest of our summer retreat offers with £100 off. AdventureYogi combines adult-only yoga retreats with adventure activities in the French Alps. Stay in a luxurious chalet in the area of Sainte Foy Tarentaise with blissful mountain views. Yoga twice a day, guided hikes, brunch and dinner, sauna, hot tub and on-site massages.

Seven nights from £989pp sharing deluxe twin/double en-suite (deluxe single from £1294pp) including twice daily yoga classes, daily CHK brunch, vegetarian feast and local wine in the evening, two guided hikes and packed lunches, sauna and hot tub and transfers.
Available from 18 July to 29 August 2018.

OFFER: £100 off one-week retreats starting between 18 July and 15 August 2018.

ITALY

Hatha Yoga and mindfulness

Galanias Retreats near Bari Sardo in Sardinia provide a unique boutique hotel with an outdoor pool with waterfall, fresh Mediterranean cuisine in a tranquil countryside, not far from Torre di Bari Beach. The relaxing week offers hatha yoga, yoga nidra, mindfulness and pranayama.

Seven nights from €2,045 (approx £1,725) based on two people sharing a room (single from €1,360, approx £1,115) half board including five days of hatha yoga, mindfulness and yoga nidra classes. Lunches, alcohol, flights, transfers, optional excursions are extra. Available now until early October.

OFFER: Mention Neal’s Yard Holidays to receive 20% discount on massage treatments.

See also our budget and affordable retreats.

Wishing you happy, healthy holidays with one of our summer retreat offers!

Jo Fernandez is a leading UK travel journalist, with much of her career spent working for the London Evening Standard where she was Travel Editor until 2015. Now a freelance travel journalist and copywriter, she lives in Essex and has one daughter. As a travel expert, she still enjoys jetting off to write travel pieces, with favourite destinations including Mexico, Croatia and, of course, Essex.

The post Summer Retreat Offers appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

Many of us are looking for rejuvenating UK wellness retreats this summer. Whether it’s due to uncertainty over Brexit or for environmental reasons, there are many benefits to staying on home soil.

Choosing wellness retreats in the UK certainly fits in with the new Make Holidays Greener campaign from ABTA, the leading association of travel agents and tour operators. Aiming to encourage us to be more environmentally aware this summer, participants can select from 15 pledges, including carbon offsetting and eating and drinking locally, with the chance to win a GoPro camera. Here’s our pick of the best UK wellness retreats for summer 2017:

Four nights from £889pp twin share, £1139 single room including juice detox programme, all classes and workshops. 14-18 August and 18-24 September 2017.

Chillout Retreats at Champneys, Liphook, Hampshire
Set in a former hunting lodge surrounded by enchanting woodland and a peaceful lake, Chillout Retreats experts have teamed up with Champneys’ luxurious Hampshire retreat to offer yoga, Pilates, meditation, life coaching and workshops as part of an exclusive spa retreat package.

£425pp twin share with ensuite bathroom; £497pp single ensuite room full board including classes, workshops and use of spa and relaxation facilities. Excludes spa treatments. Available from 18-20 August and 8-10 December 2017.

Aluna Healing Retreats, Dartmoor, Devon
From the tranquility of a manor house surrounded by forest and ancient rocks and sacred sites, these highly spiritual retreats are centred around cleansing and transforming through yoga, meditation, detoxification and spiritual practice. Find renewed energy and strength also from reconnecting with nature.

£820pp twin share or double, £920 single, including juices, classes and activities. Excludes optional detox kits, massage and transfers. Available from 1-7 September 2017 or private booking for your own tailored solo-retreat.

Yoga and Raw Food in Yorkshire
Raw Horizons offer women-only retreats at Split Farthing Hall, an 18th-century refuge close to the Yorkshire Dales. Led by Dr Claire Maguire, PhD whose holistic approach combines wellbeing coaching, yoga, meditation and delicious raw food using recipes from her book ‘Fresh and Sophisticated – The Art of Radiant Eating’. Expect possible life changing results. Also enjoy the hot tub, views and walks.

Three nights cost £575pp twin share, £695 single, full board including yoga, energy rebalancing workshops and transfers. Come to Thirsk, near York, just over two hours by train from London, Manchester or Edinburgh. Juice Detox Retreats from 1-4 and 15-18 August, or Healthily Happy Retreats from 20-25 August and 17-22 September, or Yoga and Relaxation 22-24 September 2017.

Now you have all you need to book one of the best UK wellness retreats this summer that not only helps you but the environment too. Please read our Top Ten Green Travel Tips for more information.

Happy holidays!

Jo Fernandez is a leading UK travel journalist, with much of her career spent working for the London Evening Standard where she was Travel Editor until 2015.
Now a freelance travel journalist and copywriter, she lives in Essex and has one daughter. As a travel expert, she still enjoys jetting off to write travel pieces, with favourite destinations including Mexico, Croatia and, of course, Essex.

Lead photo courtesy of Raw Horizons in Yorkshire, UK.

The post UK wellness retreats for summer 2017 appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

Desperate for a break but can’t hold out for the winter holidays?

You don’t need to. Treat yourself to a last-minute getaway and get some much-needed time off by picking one of our November retreats – from relaxing weekends in the UK, to sunny shores abroad.

Choose between weekend, week-long, and even longer holidays, at home and abroad. And if you want to know about upcoming escapes beyond our November retreats, let us update you with our monthly e-newsletter – it takes just a few clicks to subscribe.

Relax in Somerset, UK
At the Manor House near Glastonbury you’ll get the chance to rejuvenate with yoga, meditation and pure relaxation at the hands of AdventureYogi. Got better plans for November? Didn’t think so.
11-13 November, from £295 pp, sharing twin room

3 nights of five-star luxury in Sussex, UK
Head to Arundel in West Sussex for a Chillout Retreat, a special winter-warmer weekend, with Pilates, yoga, meditation, walking, and festive nutrition and a raw-food workshop.
25–27 November, from £350pp, sharing twin room

Weekend away in rural Dorset, UK
As the darkness of November starts to engulf us, Mellulah Holistic Retreats offer healing weekends, yoga, country walks, wonderful vegetarian cuisine, heated pool, sauna, and much, much more.
11–14 November, from £399 shared twin room; single rooms available

Luxury Costa Blanca retreat
This all-inclusive, 6-night luxury fitness bootcamp for women only. Come a life changing natural detox and weight loss, for fitness and wellness at this award-winning retreat and spa, courtesy of the Ultimate Retreat Company.
9–15 November, from £898 for 6 nights in a single room

Swim with wild dolphins in the Bahamas…
… make new friends and give yourself the gift of an unforgettable experience with the help of WildQuest. But hurry – one of our most exotic November retreats is nearly full, so book asap.
6–12 November, from $1,995 pp for 6 nights, sharing double room

Save on Ayurveda in Sri Lanka
Like getting more for your money? Try out the West Coast Ayurveda Resort in November, and get 10% off full-board accommodation. And a re-energising experience worthy of our list of November retreats, of course. Book early, availability is already tight at this popular resort.
8–30 November, normal price from £793 pp per week

This rounds off our list of November retreats that will boost your wellbeing and give you the energy to face the festive season. As always, there’s loads more holiday-browsing to be had on the Neal’s Yard Holidays website.

The post November retreats for those who just can’t wait appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

From swimming with dolphins in the Bahamas to the warm hospitality of rural Turkey, at Neal’s Yard Holidays we have a great line-up of luxury retreats to choose from.

We wanted to make it even easier for you to find the right escape that won’t just rejuvenate but will pamper you in style too.

So here you find a great range of luxury retreats near and far. And you can sign up for free updates so you don’t miss out on our latest news and offers.

Swim with wild dolphins in the Bahamas
Give yourself over to the warm, clear waters of the Bahamas on one of our top ethical  luxury retreats.
From $1,595 for 6 nights.

Yoga and luxury among rolling English countryside
Pilates, meditation, yoga, holistic therapies, detox cuisine, fresh juices – all of these and more are on offer at Chillout Retreats’ charming five-star base in West Sussex.
From £325 for 3 nights.

Costa Blanca luxury boot camp and wellness retreatHead to the Spanish coast for gentle exercise, excellent nutrition and a true sense of wellbeing.
From £848 for 6 nights.

These luxury retreats are not quite what you’re after? Check out all our holidays by activity, date and destination, as well as our current offers and discounts.

The post Top 7 luxury retreats this summer appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

Many of our brilliant wellbeing holidays provide a great range of activities, treatments and accommodation at affordable prices. So how can you tell which ones offer the absolute best in terms of low cost and great service?

Good question. So good, in fact, that we’re starting a new series of blog posts, all about our best-priced escapes* – cheap retreats that also offer great value.

To give you plenty of time to pack, we begin with cheap retreats that offer amazing value this August. It’s a peak time for holidaymakers around the world, and especially all of us in the UK who’re trying to bag a bank-holiday bargain.

We travel across Europe, where the weak euro and warm sun beckon. And we stop off in Asia, where August’s monsoons are offset by low prices and the best period for Ayurveda treatment.

August cheap retreats in Europe

Sun and surf
Small classes for yoga and Pilates, surfing, white sandy beaches and a rugged volcanic landscape – all packed into this neat retreat on sunny Fuerteventura. See image at top.
From €465 for 7 nights.

August cheap retreats in Asia

Time for Ayurveda
Head to Sri Lanka for authentic Ayurvedic treatment at the best time of the year for this type of healing.
From £698 per week.

Looking for something different in August, or going away at another time? Check out all our great holidays by activity, date and destination, as well as our current offers and discounts.

Next week we look at luxury summer retreats – escapes that don’t only rejuvenate but pamper you in style too. Catch you then!

* How did we come up with the list? We looked at factors like quality of accommodation, board, choice of activities, airport transfers and other add-ons. We then compared these with length of stay and price to come up with a list of retreats that are not just fantastic getaways but are good for the wallet too.

The post Top 7 cheap retreats this August appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

Along with the announcement of quantitative easing and the ongoing debate over Greece’s Eurozone future, you’ve probably picked up recently on the news of the weak euro.

Indeed, despite some positive news, the Euro recently slumped to its lowest value since the middle of 2010. The fall followed the announcement that the European Central Bank would begin a programme of buying government bonds.

The hard-hitting arguments over Greece’s debt and the pros and cons of the single-currency zone will continue to rage for a while. In the meantime, 2015 has already being heralded as a ‘windfall’ year for British holidaymakers, who can expect to save up to 15% on holidays in Europe. American visitors also stand to benefit substantially from the weak Euro.

So if you’re at all wondering how you can make your holiday savings go further… Well, you could make the most of it by picking a European location for your next wellbeing retreat.

There is evidence already that holidaymakers to Italy and Spain are making the most of the favourable exchange rates, with Greece offering plenty of good deals too. And at Neal’s Yard Holidays there’s no shortage of wellbeing retreats in brilliant European locations to help you make the most of the weak Euro. Getaways to choose from include:

• rejuvenation in Costa Blanca
• yoga and surf holidays on Fuerteventura
• yoga and hiking holidays in France
• and more retreats in Europe

And, with no guarantees that the Euro will continue falling, booking a holiday now would seem prudent. The figures speak for themselves: €500 cost us as little as £375 today, as opposed to £440 just a couple of years ago. So go on, cash in on your ‘continental spending power’ and grab the cheapest holiday season in years by the collar.

With a weak Euro seen as Europe’s chance to regain growth, this could be a win-win for both holiday makers and providers. Watch this space.

The post Weak euro: The time is now for European retreats appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

Looking for a break close to home? – Here are a few of our favourite spots for UK holidays and retreats, just a train ride away.

If you’ve only got a few days to spare, there’s no need to waste precious time on tackling airport queues and foreign currencies. We have a wide selection of UK holidays, in beautiful retreats all around the country, where you can get away from your daily routine, unwind and relax.

In Dorset you can enjoy a long weekend of daily yoga, meditation and Kundalini sound healing at Mellulah Holistic Retreats.  A variety of activities are on offer at this tranquil farm in Milton Abbas, a stunning area of rural Dorset.

Scooting back to the beautiful north, treat yourself to a healthy weekend break (or longer) at Split Farthing Hall in Thirsk, a short distance from York and Harrogate. Life coaching, Kundalini yoga for all levels, meditation and guided walks are on offer, all designed to help you relax and revitalise.

If you really want to get away from it all, you’ll find a hidden gem surrounded by acres of private land and ancient forest in South Wales. Nature walks beckon and a selection of stunning beaches are just a short drive away. A combination of Kundalini Yoga and Ayurveda allows you to unwind and relax. An optional detox with juice-fasting can also be offered.

These are just a few ideas for UK holidays. We hope you find something you like. You can find more UK holidays and retreats on our website. Mention Neal’s Yard Holidays to receive exclusive discounts or treats on some of the above retreats.

The post UK holidays and retreats appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

Is the thought of dark, wet November days getting you down?
Want to recharge your batteries before winter with relaxing November retreats?

It’s the time to grab a winter holiday in the sun – and avoid high-season fares and rates.  Or just treat yourself to a rejuvenating weekend retreat in the UK. Here’s a choice of November retreats handpicked by Neals Yard Holidays.

In the warm winter sun of the Canary Islands, enjoy the unique Yoga, Pilates and Surf Holidays on Fuerteventura.  With white sandy beaches, set against a dramatic landscape of volcanoes, the retreats offers yoga, pilates and meditation classes.

If that sounds a bit too energetic, try the South Coast Ayurveda Resort in Sri Lanka – nominated best chill out spot by Harpers Magazine.  Offering some of the island’s best Ayurvedic treatments, it’s a “real pampering, a true healing experience”. 10% reduction until 20 December.

November’s your last chance this year to sail with WildQuest and swim with dolphins in the Bahamas.  Snorkeling lessons, daily sailings, coral reefs – and meeting dolphins, plus yoga and a free massage when you mention Neal’s Yard Holidays.

Then, on our doorstep, there’s a great choice of relaxing and rejuvenating weekend breaks. Two great yoga retreats are running in southern England by Chillout in Sussex.

This November, just enjoy chilling out – before the Big Winter Chill hits.
For Neal’s Yard Holidays’ latest offers and travel tips, sign up to our newsletter.

Happy travelling.

The post Where to go for November retreats appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

Looking for a holiday in October? – In some places it’s not autumn yet!
Recharge with a holiday in October before the cold sets in.

October is a great month for a holiday. You can catch the last of the summer warmth in the Mediterranean with average temperatures still around a comfortable 25 or 26 degrees Celsius, and the sea has warmed up during the summer. The crowds will be gone, and if you’re lucky, you’ll even have a beach to yourself.

Saying that, the UK often has some lovely autumn weather with wonderful autumn coloured foliage. So if you want to stay closer to home, check out our short UK breaks and getaways. Here you can always soak in an outdoor hot tub, or enjoy an evening with a good book in front of a roaring fire!

To check local temperatures about two weeks in advance, we recommend the BBC weather website. Once you are away the Met office site provides also useful local details.

For pretty much guaranteed warmth in October, head to the Canary Islands in Spain, Asia, or Northern Africa for your holiday, see latest choice on our destinations page. And see following our pick of where to go on holiday in October.

Beach, Ayurveda, yoga, and up to 50% discount
If you are craving perfect white sandy beaches, palm trees and warm seas, West Coast Ayurveda Resort in Sri Lanka is located right on a stunning stretch of tropical beach with a natural lagoon. Treat yourself to a uniquely luxurious holiday with full body massages. Enjoy up to 50% discount on full board accommodation until 7^th November.

Yoga and Pilates in sunny Canary Island
Or head for the Canary Islands. On Fuerteventura Azulfit offer yoga and Pilates retreats with surfing at the boutique Lotus Retreat location. Begin your day by wakening your body with vinyasa yoga at the white sandy beach of the turquoise ocean. Relax in the evening with blissful yin yoga and meditation. Please be aware that holidays run Saturdays to Saturdays only, due to scheduled flights.

These are only a few ideas. You can find many more October holidays on our website. Mention Neal’s Yard Holidays to receive exclusive discounts or treats on some of the above retreats.

Be the first to hear about special offers and last minute deals, subscribe to our newsletter.

Updated 9 July 2018.

The post Where to go on holiday in October appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

THE holiday month of the year, August!  Time to cool off and get away from it all on a wellness holiday or revitalising yoga retreats.

To feel spoilt for choice, check out our “Where to go on holiday in August”.

The whole Mediterranean basin – as well as our own sceptred isle – is ringed by wonderful yoga and activity retreats this August: here are just some of our favourites.

Let’s start with a Spanish Island. On the Canaries, you can enjoy Azul’s mix of yoga, pilates and surf holidays set inland against the dramatic volcanic backdrop of Fuerteventura; or enjoy beauty and massage treatments after being pummelled by the surf with their beachside option.

From the UK hop across the Channel to France, near Toulouse, peaceful La Roane offers top value for yoga and creativity holidays. Located in a nature lovers’ paradise, with its own swimming pool and award-winning chef, it’s a real treat.

Perhaps you’re ready for something really off the beaten track, but still in Europe?

For many, though, it’s the Greek Islands for yoga retreats – with their simple beauty and lifestyle – warmed by brilliant sunshine, yet cooled by the “meltemi” sea breezes. See our wide choice of Greek holidays.

The post Where to go on holiday in August for yoga retreats plus appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.