3-Day Wellness Escape in the Andalusian Countryside, Spain

The Dragonfly Retreat sits on the bank of the Rio Grande river, about a fifteen-minute drive from the town of Coín and forty minutes from Málaga. The property began as a ruined building that Mark, a builder by trade, and Lorraine, a singer-songwriter, spent over sixteen years restoring. The result is a group of stone cottages with terracotta roofs, set in gardens that run down to a private wooded stretch of river. There's a rose pool where dragonflies hover in the heat of the afternoon, and a kitchen garden that supplies most of what ends up on your plate.

A typical day has no fixed schedule. Mornings might start with herbal tea on the terrace, followed by a walk along the river with Kali or Charis, who point out the wild plants as you go. There's a natural swimming hole in the river, and the pool itself is clean and quiet — guests often have it to themselves for hours. Afternoons are free, though you can arrange a homeopathy session with Louise, a meditation or breathwork class with Jenifer, or a cooking demonstration in the cottage kitchen. Mark fires up the clay oven for paella nights, and Philip — who does most of the cooking — is happy to adapt anything for allergies or preferences.

What sets this retreat apart from a standard hotel stay is the sense of being inside someone's home. Lorraine and Mark are present throughout the day, quick with recommendations and stories about the land. The property is decorated with Lorraine's artistic touches — mosaics, murals, painted tiles. The rooms are named after dragonfly species (Emerald, Clubtail, Sapphire) and after states of mind (Peace, Joyful, Forgiveness, Wisdom), which gives you a sense of the ethos here. It's explicitly a place for rest, reflection, and, for guests who want it, conversation about faith — the hosts are open about their Christian background, and worship gatherings are offered, but never pushed.

The surrounding area rewards exploration. Coín is a working Andalusian town with a Friday market, and Málaga city and its beaches are an easy drive. The retreat can arrange guided hikes in the Sierra de las Nieves, visits to white villages like Monda or Ojén, or a day at the coast. With so few guests at any one time (around eight maximum), you gain flexibility that bigger retreats can't offer — if you want to push a walk back an hour or spend the afternoon reading by the river, no one blinks.

What's included

- 2 nights accommodation in a double room - 3 daily meals — breakfast, lunch, and dinner - Snacks and treats throughout the day - Welcome drink on arrival - Water, tea, and coffee available all day - Guided meditation and breathwork sessions - Nature hikes with a trusted guide - Free excursions to local sites of interest - Wifi connection - On-site parking

What's not included

- Flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Airport transfers (€87 per person, bookable through the retreat) - Massages and spa treatments - Additional activities not listed in the itinerary - Alcoholic drinks beyond the welcome drink