Albanian Riviera Yoga Holiday: Slow Flow & Restorative by the Ionian Sea

The retreat runs for eight days, based at a new hillside venue above Qeparo, roughly halfway along the Albanian Riviera. All studios face the sea and have en-suite bathrooms, opening onto a terrace or veranda. There's a small pool (6 x 4 metres, plus a paddling pool) for cooling off, and yoga takes place on the terrace by the breakfast area under a shady awning. If the late-afternoon session needs cooler air, there's an indoor space available.

A typical day starts with gentle yoga from 8.30 to 9.45 a.m., followed by brunch from 10 to 11. The middle of the day is yours: beach, rest, or a trip out. Restorative yoga runs 5 to 6.30 p.m., and the group meets for dinner from 7 p.m. Timings are provisional and can shift.

The yoga is two distinct practices. Gentle Slow Flow wakes you up, mobilises the joints and limbers the whole body, building gradually into a flow so there's room to come off autopilot and feel present. Restorative Yoga is mostly lying-down poses held for a while with props — cushions, blankets — to relax the nervous system and support rest and sleep. Most people find the combination means they sleep well all week.

The food is cooked by the Albanian hosts who run the venue. Brunch is generous: muesli, fruit, yoghurt, cheese, eggs, bread, jam, coffee, tea, milk and juice. Dinner is cooked at the venue on two evenings, with fish, vegetarian and vegan options, and the group organises dinners at local restaurants on four more nights. Lunch isn't included — grab a byrek or filo pie from a local shop and eat it on the beach, or try one of the seaside eateries. The Veranda Restaurant is just down the road.

The area rewards exploring. Porto Palermo cove and its well-preserved fort, linked to Ali Pasha and a visit by Lord Byron, are 4 km north. Borsh has the riviera's longest beach and the ruins of Borsh Castle above it. Himare is a relaxed port with shops and waterside bars. And Old Qeparo, up the hill, has cobbled streets and an ancient church. Local taxis can be arranged, and there's an optional day trip midweek for those who want to go further.

What's included

- 7 nights accommodation in en-suite sea-view studios - 10 yoga classes (morning Gentle Slow Flow, late-afternoon Restorative) - 7 brunches - 2 home-cooked dinners at the venue - 1 yoga mat per person - Free Wi-Fi - Help arranging local taxis, trips and restaurant dinners

What's not included

- Travel to and from the venue, including airport and ferry transfers in the region and in your home country - Taxis, trips and outings during the week - Lunches, drinks and snacks other than daily brunch and 2 dinners at the venue - Travel insurance (mandatory) - Personal expenses