8 Day Pilates and Hiking Wellness Escape in Gran Canaria, Spain

The format is steady rather than intense: each day opens with a Pilates class at 08:30 (or 09:00 depending on the day), followed by a buffet brunch at 10:00. There's an evening class at 17:30 on most days, with dinner at 19:30. The Pilates sessions are classical, taught by Alex Estornel, and use a variety of equipment across the week — foam rollers, the magic circle, body balls and elastic bands. Each class has a different focus, from core activation to alignment, and the week builds gradually, which several past guests have called out as a highlight.

Two hikes are built into the schedule. One takes you to Tejeda and Roque Nublo, the island's most iconic rock formation, and the other heads into the mountains on the second excursion. These are paced sensibly for a group that's been doing Pilates all week, and there's also a beach excursion early on. Several afternoons are left open for massage treatments (optional, extra cost) or simply time by the heated pool.

The villa itself is the base, with a heated outdoor pool, a yoga shala/deck, and views over the surrounding countryside. It's a short transfer from the airport, so you're into the pool within about 20 minutes of landing. The setting is quiet and rural, with excursions taking you out to the coast and the mountains.

The food is vegetarian and vegan, cooked by in-house chefs using local produce. Brunch is buffet-style with several choices, and dinner is served at the table course by course. Dietary requirements — gluten-free, nut allergies, sugar-conscious and so on — are handled on request.

Alex's teaching resume is substantial. He's certified through Equinox Pilates teacher training under Carrie Macy in Los Angeles, worked with Brent Anderson at Polestar Pilates in Miami, and has led retreats in Greece, Spain, England and Austria for over a decade. His classes mix classical Pilates with progressive methods, and guests consistently rate the teaching as a strong point.

What's included

- 7 nights accommodation - Daily brunch, dinner and snacks - 6 Pilates classes and 6 yoga classes (daily classes) - 2 guided nature hikes - Beach excursion and excursion to Tejeda and Roque Nublo - Airport pickup and drop-off - Water, tea and coffee throughout the day - Transportation during the retreat - Professional event photos - Pre and post retreat support from the team - Free parking and wifi

What's not included

- Flights to Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Lunches (not included in the price) - Additional activities not in the itinerary - Optional massage treatments and additional treatments