Let’s help you find where to go on holiday in September – we’ve rounded up some of the best places.

Summer isn’t over yet in September. In fact a holiday in September is best in the Mediterranean for example if you want to avoid the backing heat, yet temperatures are comfortable for the occasional excursions and also sunbathing on the beach and swimming in the sea. The water has gradually been warmed up throughout the summer, and still feels very pleasant even with a gentle breeze.

Besides, with kids back at school, the crowds have disappeared and prices have come down. You are lucky if you can go on holiday in September to benefit from more pleasant temperatures, lower prices, and less crowded places. It’s indeed a good choice to go on holiday in September and enjoy those benefits.

And if you don’t want to fly to the Med there are also home-grown destinations with so much to offer. Whether it’s Ayurveda massages in Wales or outdoor hot tub and spa in Yorkshire, there are plenty of retreats where you can immerse yourself in peaceful seclusion.

If you want to check local temperatures we recommend the BBC weather website for weather reports about two weeks in advance. Once you are away the Met office site provides also useful local details.

Here is our selection to help you find your holiday in September:

In the UK

Ayurveda in Wales: head to South Wales to unwind and relax with a combination of yoga and Ayurveda. Enjoy outdoor hot tub and infra-red sauna, walks in AONB and by the beach. From £570pp for 3 nights, pick your days. (See also photo at top.)

Yoga Cleanse in Cotswold: in early September Rina Golan offers the opportunity to let yourself be nourished, go inwards and pay attention to your needs. Cook together, practice yoga, meditate, walk in nature. From £295pp for 2-night weekend, in early September and October only.

Be Healthily Happy in Yorkshire: Relax with Kundalini yoga, unwind with meditation, refresh and rejuvenate with healthy raw food cuisine, plus enjoy the hot tub and sauna. These are women only retreats offered by Raw Horizons. From £1,095pp for 5 nights, full board.

In Europe

Yoga in southwest Turkey: Huzur Vadisi, one of the country’s best-known yoga retreats is waiting for you, nestled in a peaceful valley amongst olive groves near Turkey’s Turquoise Coast. From £525pp per week.

Fun holidays near Toulouse: get inspired with one-week holidays focusing on yoga, music, dance, cookery or art. From £640pp per week.

Luxury Yoga Retreat in Pelion, Greece: at the foot of the magical Pelion forest where crystal clear water laps rhythmically at the water’s edge. Enjoy vinyasa flow yoga and massages. September only, from £790pp per week.

Further afield

Ayurveda, yoga, beach, 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 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.

Swim with Wild Dolphins, Bimini, Bahamas: this is a once in a lifetime holiday, the ultimate sacred journey retreat with WildQuest. Plus yoga, healthy food and warm, turquoise ocean. Selected dates in September, from $1,695pp for 6 nights, approximately £1,200.

For more inspiration of holidays in September check our calendar and also all year holidays.

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To complement our recent blog on Rural Retreats in the UK here we are specifically focusing on retreats in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty or ANOB, to use the acronym. Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty are designated to protect these areas of particular natural beauty including conserving both the rural landscape and the lives of those who live and work in them.

In these spaces characterised by peaceful pathways, sweeping downs, wild meadows and ancient woodlands we can find a sense of tranquillity and be at one with nature. Lovely at any time of the year, our ancient countryside comes alive in summer with trees and flowers in full bloom.

Here at Neal’s Yard Holidays, we love to indulge our senses in one of our relaxing retreats in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where the surroundings and the restorative treatments, food and environment provide the perfect combination to help you fully unwind. These retreats in truly outstanding and sensory-rich destinations offer meditation, yoga, earthing (*see below), all with delicious locally-sourced food to nourish us inside and out.

Here’s our selection of wonderful retreats in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty:

Ayurveda and Yoga Retreats in south Wales

The secluded retreat on the Gower Peninsula is surrounded by acres of private land and ancient forest not far from the unspoilt coast where seals can be spotted. This peninsula is a haven of rich and varied wildlife, castles, medieval churches set against an awe-inspiring, natural backdrop of hills, valleys, beaches and woodland. (See also photo at top of blog, copyright USp/Neal’s Yard Holidays.)

The combination of yoga and Ayurveda allows you to completely unwind and relax with optional detox and juice-fasting. In between treatments and yoga sessions you can go for walks in the forest of dwarf oaks on the private grounds, filled with bluebells in May, or bliss out in the infra-red sauna and outdoor hot tub (ideal for star-gazing).

Three nights from £570 for a single ensuite room, full board including Ayurveda treatments and yoga. Available anytime, choose midweek or weekend.

Wellbeing Retreats in Surrey

Claridge House is a Victorian mansion in Lingfield close to the Surrey Hills with a long-standing reputation as a healing centre. The midweek or weekend retreats offer either yoga, mindfulness, meditation, Tai Chi or creative arts. Well-known sites include Box Hill, Leith Hill and the Devil’s Punch Bowl and landscapes with open commons, sunken lanes and picture-perfect villages.

Two-night retreats from £220pp sharing room, full board, including retreat activities. Massage treatments are available for a separate fee. Open year-round, choose from selected retreat dates and themes.

Detox Cleanse Yoga Retreats, Cotswolds

Holycombe retreat is set in a wooded valley on the edge of the Cotswold village of Whichford, surrounded by fairytale villages lined with honey-coloured stone cottages, rare limestone grassland habitat and ancient beechwoods with rich flora. Important grasslands such as Cleeve Hill have survived due to their status as ancient common and a National Nature Reserve protects the finest ancient beech complex. Idyllic natural features include a stream rising from a holy well in the nearby wood.
Practice morning breath work, yoga and meditation with Rina Golan, followed by a silent walk, soaking up the serenity of this wonderful part of the UK. Holistic treatments are also available.

Two nights from £295 twin share in the Lodge; or £345 in the main house, single supplement of £100. The price includes daily yoga sessions, guided meditations, woodland walks, organic food, healthy shakes, and lifestyle and nutritional advice. Treatments extra. Select dates through the year include 15-17 June.

Lakeside Wellbeing Retreats, Somerset

Within easy reach of one of the original Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Exmoor National Park and the Dark Sky Reserve, Holworthy Farm sits on the edge of Wimbleball Lake where ‘True Nature’ hosts wellbeing retreats close to spectacular coastal views, deep wooded valleys, high sea cliffs and famous sites such as the Quantock Hills. Stay in refurbished cottages and practice daily yoga. Wellbeing workshops include singing bowl baths and shibashi (Tai Chi / Qigong), plus *earthing (sometimes called grounding and explained in this article by the Chopra Centre), which harnesses the age-old old power of the earth to improve health.

Two nights from £249 twin share; single room supplement £10. The price includes full board with vegetarian food and retreat activities. Treatments extra. Next dates: 27-29 July 2018. There are also selected day-retreats throughout summer and autumn.

For more retreats set in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty see the collection on our website.

We hope you found these destinations inspiring and helped you to choose your next retreat!

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.

Updated 20 June 2018.

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Some of our cherished Neal’s Yard Holidays devotees recently told us they’d like to browse our new wellbeing holidays without too much fuss.

And why not? If you’ve been on a few of our retreats already, or if you’re simply pushed for time and want to know the latest destinations on offer, being able to see our new wellbeing holidays at a glance sounds like a pretty good idea. Of course, we couldn’t help but listen.

So, here are our latest worldwide retreats. Could one of these new wellbeing holidays be your next getaway?

From sunny Croatia to the jungle in Costa Rica, and from sub-tropical gardens in south Spain to a peaceful country retreat in Surrey – what appeals to you?

Costa Rica

Yoga and Soul Wellness Retreat near Montezuma
Stay at a peaceful jungle lodge set in beautiful flowering gardens within a private reserve next to Cabo Blanco National Park on the pacific coast with its wonderful beaches. This oasis has a swimming pool, jacuzzi, and hammocks to relax in.
Selected dates between 1 March and 6 December
From £890 per person for 6 nights. Single rooms available

Spain

Yoga Retreats in Almeria
“It’s location to the airport, beaches and walking distance to the local village all add to the sense of ease and let go.” Week-long yoga retreats for all levels organised by Huzur Vadisi.
Year round – in Almeria in South Spain
From £775 pp pwk in twin/double shared room. Single rooms available

Sri Lanka

Seaside Ayurveda Yoga retreat, Bentota
Newly built, nestled between the river and the Indian ocean, with lush green surrounds. Stay in individual cabanas, swim in the sea or pool. Personalised Ayurveda treatments, yoga, river cruises and Sri Lankan hospitality at its best.
Open year round – near Bentota at Sri Lanka’s west coast, 100km from airport.
From EUR1190, approx £1067 pp pwk in single room.

England, UK

Wellbeing Retreats in Surrey
Come for Yoga, mindfulness and meditation, Tai Chi and/or creative arts, weekends or midweek. Their massage therapist is offering a variety of treatments onsite. Find rest and renewal at Claridge House.
Year round – near Lingfield in Surrey
From £189pp for 2 nights, or £365 for 4 nights hb single ensuite room

Detox Yoga Weekends in the Cotswolds
Rest and rejuvenate on this idyllic English countryside retreat. Learn to prepare both raw and cooked food. Rina Golan teaches powerful yoga and breathing techniques, and offers nutritional and lifestyle advice to rediscover your wellbeing.
Selected dates throughout the year at idyllic country house near Stratford-upon-Avon.
From £295pp for 2-night weekend, shared room. Single rooms available

Remember – these are just some of our new wellbeing holidays. For more activities, retreat destinations, offers and old favourites, take a look at our website.

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It’s time to book this year’s summer break to rejuvenate your mind and body. You’ve decided on short haul, but where are some of the best retreats in Europe?

According to ABTA’s annual report, the hot European spots this year include Croatia, with its idyllic islands and Sardinia for its captivating beaches and wild interior. While off some people’s radar, away from the larger cities, coastal Turkey continues to offer dazzling beaches, scenery, and cuisine (see the latest FCO advice and note that Thomas Cook has seen a rise in the popularity of Turkish resorts including Dalaman and Antalya).
Now, what type of retreat? Do you want to stay in a villa for a home-from-own feel or a hotel with the service that brings? Do you want to practice daily yoga or mindfulness – or both!? Read on for our selection of the best retreats in Europe:

ITALY family fitness, cooking and yoga
Think you can’t take a cookery or yoga break with children in tow? Think again. The stunning surroundings in Arezzo, Tuscany are the setting for Mum and Baby Experience’s breaks at this restored stone farmhouse with lake and mountain views. Inside all is well-equipped for babies and children, from highchairs and cots to trained babysitters. Choose twice-daily yoga classes and a cookery lesson or thrice-daily yoga, Zumba, and circuits or a walk. A massage or facial and trips to the medieval town of Anghiari are included.

SARDINIA mindfulness and yoga
Yoga in Sardinia involves a relaxing mix of gentle hatha yoga, mindfulness, pranayama and yoga nidra. Boutique Galanias Hotel in Bari Sardo offers coastal views and panoramic pools set in leafy grounds. Excursions include trips to the local beach, vineyards, diving and kayaking with bike hire available from the hotel.

TURKEY yoga
Turkey’s longest established and best-known yoga retreat, Huzur Vadisi in rural Göcek, near Dalaman, offers a variety of styles. Stay in yurts in a peaceful valley setting surrounded by olive and fig groves. Cool off in the natural stone swimming pool, indulge in a massage or take a siesta in the traditional Turkish ‘treehouse.’ Excursions include boat trips. So popular is the classic, wholesome Turkish food on offer here, they created their own cookbook.

Just think, once your summer retreat is booked you can start planning your winter retreat! Sorry to say but places for New Year are always limited and tend to get booked up well in advance.

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 Quick guide to the best retreats in Europe appeared first on Neals Yard Holidays Blog.

The weather outside is frightful – cheap retreats would be delightful…

Sorry, we just couldn’t help ourselves – and yes, winter has been incredibly mild this year, so, really, that first bit just doesn’t hold.

But maybe this does: the wallet feeling not a little light after Crimbo. Don’t let that stop you. At Neal’s Yard Holidays we’ve got wellbeing holidays to suit everyone, even those of us looking to escape on a shoestring in the new year. Plan ahead to save more with early bird discounts, and don’t miss out due to limited spaces available.

And you don’t have to skimp on choices. From walking on Cotswolds to glorious relaxation in the Canary islands, there’s plenty here to pick from, and even more on our website. Plus see exclusive offers to Neal’s Yard Holidays’ guests.

Getting there doesn’t have to cost the earth either – use our tips for cheap train and plane travel to keep those cheap retreats cheap.

Winter cleanse in the Cotswolds
Rediscover your wellbeing on this idyllic countryside retreat. Learn to prepare raw and cooked, nutrient-rich living organic food and fruit juices. Yoga and nutritional advice is provided by Rina Golan. Mention us to receive two treatments for the price of one, for only £65.
13–15 January 2017, from £295pp twin share room; or £395 single room

West Sussex weekend
With over 20 holistic treatments, yoga, Pilates, detox cuisine and a heated pool, Chillout Retreats’ getaway in Arundel offers luxury that’s value for money. Mention Neal’s Yard Holidays to receive a free 30-minute holistic treatment worth £30.
24-26 February, from £325pp sharing twin room, or from £450 single

Creative holidays with yoga in SW France
La Roane is set in a peaceful 20-acre estate with forest and fields, in rural France, near Toulouse. Enjoy yoga, music, dance or cookery, plus pool and sauna. Delicious vegetarian cuisine by award-winning chef.
23 May – 23 September, from 590pp pwk twin share; add £50 for single room

Wellbeing retreats in sunny Spain
Cortijo Romero is a peaceful haven where you can truly relax and be yourself. Choose walking, meditation, singing or ‘transforming your life’ week, with yoga or tai chi. £60 off for booking 6 months ahead, £30 off for 3 months ahead.
Year round, from £590pp pwk sharing room; single rooms available

Warmth and sunshine in the Canary Island
Stay at restored Canarian finca, nestled amongst dormant volcanoes and with stunning ocean views. Azulfit’s Surya retreats offer a rejuvenating mix of world class yoga, meditation, Pilates and nourishing therapies.
Year round, from €665pp pwk sharing room

For more cheap retreats and other wellbeing holidays, check out our website. Happy 2017!

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When summer gets going, the warmer sun and longer days help wellbeing retreats across the UK and Europe really come into their own. June summer retreats are some of the best.

Home-grown destinations have so much to offer. Whether it’s Ayurveda massages in Wales or yoga in Somerset, there are plenty of June summer retreats where you can immerse yourself in peaceful seclusion.

June is also perfect for European getaways. With the more expensive school-holiday season yet to start, you could make your hard-earned cash go a long way on June summer retreats in France or Spain.

And the blue waters of the Mediterranean and Adriatic beckon too. The coastlines of hidden Greek islands and secluded bays of southwest Turkey are ideal for relaxation and sunbathing, and it’s still not too hot in June to explore the local heritage and landscape. Making them ideal destinations for a June summer retreat.

Here is our selection:

June summer retreats near home…

• Ayurveda in Wales: head to South Wales to unwind and relax with a combination of yoga and Ayurveda. From £570pp for 3 nights.
• Raw Horizons in Yorkshire: Relax with Kundalini yoga, unwind with meditation, refresh and rejuvenate with healthy raw food cuisine, plus enjoy the hot tub and sauna. From £345pp for 2 nights full board.

…and the rest of Europe

• Yoga in south-west Turkey: Huzur Vadisi, one of the country’s best-known yoga retreats is waiting for you, nestled in a peaceful valley amongst olive groves near Turkey’s Turquoise Coast. An ideal place for a June summer retreat. From £535pp per week.
• Creative holidays near Toulouse: Get inspired with one-week holidays focusing on yoga, music, dance, cookery or art. From £590pp for one week.
• Luxury Yoga Retreat in Pelion, Greece: at the foot of the magical Pelion forest where crystal clear water laps rhythmically at the water’s edge. Enjoy vinyasa flow yoga and massages. From £790pp per week. – See above photo.

Fancy a trip further afield, or just need more ideas where else you can go this June? Then you find more in our calendar.

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We know, we know… It’s not quite Pancake Day yet, and here we are, posting ideas for an Easter retreat.

But then that’s how we’re wired over here at Neal’s Yard Holidays. Always looking ahead for the next bank holiday and the next chance to get away. And we figured we’re not that different from anyone else, so if we’re thinking about going on an Easter retreat then you might be too.

And what’s more the Easter weekend is early this year, 25-28 March, so planning your Easter retreat now is a good idea. Get your booking in and make the most of those bank holidays. Here are our tips for:

Easter retreats near…

If you are simply after yoga and relaxation then you can refresh and rejuvenate at Raw Horizons‘ spacious manor house in beautiful Yorkshire countryside. Soak in the hot tub and relax in the sauna. Wholesome food is served – so just sit back!
18–20 March, from £345pp for 2 nights inclusive

…and far

Well not so far, Italy beckons with the beautiful countryside, In Sabina, just an hour north of Rome. Sunflower Retreats offer daily yoga and a range of optional activities like cooking classes, Italian lessons, holistic treatments and even hot springs.
24–30 March, £565pp for 6 nights

Or escape to deeper warmth, and wake up to tropical bird song in Sri Lanka. Rejuvenate with a personal Ayurveda retreat, organic food, yoga and meditation.
March/April, from USD110pp pn (approx £74) for single room, fb, including treatments

Need more ideas for getaways around Easter time? Find out where else you can go this March and April. And you can sign up to our free e-newsletter for updates on wellbeing holidays we’ve got coming up.

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What better way to show yourself or a loved one that you care than the gift of wellbeing this Valentine? Have you considered a Valentine’s wellbeing retreat for rejuvenation?

Given how much we love (pun intended) wellbeing and all things health, it will come as no surprise to you that we have a stash of excellent wellbeing retreats to fire up your Valentine’s Day celebration with a Valentine’s wellbeing retreat. Or use these to simply make the most of the spring 2016 half-term!

Here are our top suggestions:

Complete detox and relaxation
Combine yoga, meditation and wholesome food with powerful life-coaching to help you relax, transform and revitalise. Where? At Raw Horizons’ impossibly idyllic Yorkshire retreat.
12–14 February, from £345pp sharing; single rooms available

Holistic retreats in rural Dorset
Fancy something a little bit different? Besides yoga and meditation, Mellulah Holistic Retreats offer Kundalini sound healing workshops, energy healing circles, countryside walks, and free use of heated indoor pool and sauna. A truly healing and rejuvenating Valentine’s wellbeing retreat. 20 February, from 10am-5pm, £60pp for the day

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
Just after half-term (why not escape at a less hectic time?), this gem of a skiing  holiday offers gentle warm-ups with yoga before hitting the slopes in south-eastern France. A chalet with an open fire as well as healthy vegetarian food are all yours.
20–27 February, from £845pp (twin room) and £995 (single room)

As always, there’s plenty more where that came from – whether it’s a Valentine’s wellbeing retreat or a winter-sun escape. Just check out the rest of our February getaways.

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If a hangover and a lazy lie-in are not your idea of a well-spent New Year’s Day, then you’ve come to the right place.

Escape from the usual boozy countdown to midnight, and start the new year as you mean to go on. From Sussex and Norfolk to Fuerteventura, our New Year getaways will let you begin with a fresh mind and a spring in your step.

Think we’re giving you too much notice? Don’t be fooled – it may only be September, but New Year getaways are getting booked up fast, so don’t miss out.

You don’t have to go far there are New Year retreats in the UK. And if you’re looking for a Christmas escape too, take a look at our brilliant Christmas retreats.

‘Yoga for happiness’ – a Sussex New Year retreat
Come for daily yoga, meditation practice, walking, and optional holistic treatments to fully relax, plus of course, a fitting New Year’s celebration. Courtesy of The Yoga Root and The Joanne Sumner Studio.
From £445 for 3 nights, full board, sharing (single £550)

Head to Oxfordshire for a peaceful yoga retreat
This winter wellbeing retreat with at a beautiful manor house in Oxfordshire will revive you with its peaceful setting and twice-daily yoga. Quote Neal’s Yard Holidays for a free massage.
From £265 for 2 nights for a couple/friends sharing

Feisty fun on Fuerteventura
One of our top New Year getaways, this retreat makes for a truly exciting start to the new year, with its white sandy beaches, optional surfing, and dramatic volcanic landscape. A chance to rejuvenate and reconnect in a fun and friendly atmosphere.
From €465 for 7 nights sharing (singles available)

Finally, if you need something for after the party, why not relax with yoga and a hot-tub soak at Raw Horizons’ North Yorkshire detox retreat? From £450 pp (single) or £345 pp (sharing) for 2 nights.

Whichever one of our New Year getaways you go for, and whatever you get up to, we wish you a fantastic New Year celebration and a great start to the new year!

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EHIC card, what’s that you may ask? A health emergency might be the last thing on your mind when you’re heading off on a wellbeing retreat abroad.

But we all know it’s good to be prepared. And, if you’re a British or other EU national travelling in Europe, there’s an easy way to stave off costly medical bills.

Four letters for you: EHIC. Since 2004, the European Health Insurance Card and its predecessor, the E111, have helped tourists from the EU and several other nations receive state healthcare free of charge or at a reduced cost in each of these countries. It’s quick and easy to apply, and it doesn’t cost you anything.

It’s a great tool for accessing local medical services, as I found out on a trip to The Netherlands. A cycling accident left me with a broken shoulder and an eye-watering bill for over €800, to cover ambulance time, x-rays and a doctor consultation. My EHIC card proved I was entitled to the care I’d received. I didn’t pay a single cent.

A quick run through…

…what the EHIC card is:

• proof you’re entitled to treatment that allows you to continue your holiday until it’s time to go home. Care for pre-existing conditions is also covered.
• available to EU nationals aged 16 or over, and citizens of a few other European countries. Get EHICs for your young ones by including them as dependents in your application.
• free and easy to apply Any charge for an EHIC card is a scam.
• potentially helpful in getting the excess on your travel insurance (medical) claim waived, so keep any bills and receipts.

…and what the EHIC card isn’t:

• a substitute for a travel insurance. Make sure you have good medical cover alongside EHIC.
• a guarantee you won’t have to pay – if locals do, so do you.
• no repatriation costs covered and additional charges for hospital stay, etc, may apply.
• private healthcare costs not refundable, so pick a state-run healthcare provider to benefit.
• not accepted in Monaco, San Marino, The Channel Islands, The Vatican and The Isle of Man.

Though this might seem obvious, remember to take your EHIC card with you when you set off to a European retreat, or you may be billed privately in a medical emergency. When it expires, renew it. Look after your EHIC card, and it will look after you.

Sources: MoneySuperMarket, NHS Choices

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