Forest Yoga Week with Fleur: Vinyasa, Yoga Nidra & Lake Swims in Lithuania

Fleur van Hille runs this week herself. She's a Dutch yoga teacher who leads retreats and workshops internationally plus an online studio, and her classes are known for the amount of individual attention she gives — she often adjusts people in class and remembers names and old injuries. She teaches in English.

The structure of each day is the same, which is part of the appeal. At 07.30 there's tea, coffee and fruit. At 08.30 you're on the mat for a guided breathing exercise or short meditation, then a vinyasa flow that is described as gentle and energising — this is the main physical session of the day, so expect sun salutations, standing sequences, and some balance and core work, all with options given for beginners. Breakfast is at 10.30 and is vegan. From about 11.30 until mid-afternoon the time is yours: the venue has lake access for swimming, paddle boats and SUPs, and there's a sauna you can book, plus massage treatments at extra cost. Lunch or a snack is served at 14.30. At 17.30 the second class focuses on slower work — restorative or yin poses held for several minutes, sometimes yoga nidra (guided lying-down relaxation), mantras, or a short talk on yoga philosophy. Dinner is at 19.30.

Because the schedule repeats, the retreat tends to suit people who want to actually get somewhere with their practice over a week rather than sample a different activity every day. By day four most guests have stopped checking the time.

Arrival day is straightforward: check-in at 14.30 with an afternoon snack, dinner at 19.30, then a welcome circle at 21.00. Departure day has no morning class — breakfast at 9.00 and check-out by 11.00.

The setting is the other half of the story. The resort sits on a secluded peninsula in Labanoras forest, with towering pines, several lakes, and almost no light pollution at night. Labanoras is Lithuania's largest forested area, and the educational walk with a local guide is where you'll learn which mushrooms are edible and which aren't — August is prime season. If you want a break from the property, the forest trails start at the door.

What separates this from a generic forest yoga week is the combination of the venue's position and the fact that everything, including all three daily meals, is vegan and included. Prices run from €1,640 for the week depending on room, and airport transfers from Vilnius are extra at around €70 per person return if you join the group coach.

What's included

- 7 nights at the forest retreat - 3 vegan meals per day - Morning vinyasa yoga and meditation sessions - Afternoon yoga nidra, restorative and yin yoga - Mantra practice - Sauna ritual - 3 additional sauna sessions - Educational walk in Labanoras Forest - Paddle boats and SUPs for lake discovery - Towels for swimming - Yoga equipment at the venue

What's not included

- Flights to and from Vilnius - Airport transport on arrival and departure day (approx. €70 per person both ways) - Massages - Travel insurance (recommended)