Sun-Soaked Pilates & Yoga Retreat with Hiking in Gran Canaria

The week follows a steady pattern without feeling regimented. Mornings start with tea or coffee and a chat at 08:15, then a Pilates class at 09:00 that changes focus each day — breath and core activation on Sunday, power Pilates on Monday, magic circle work on Tuesday, body ball work on Wednesday, elastic bands on Thursday, and a general class on Friday. Brunch is served at 10:00. Afternoons are open until the 17:30 yoga class, followed by dinner at 19:30.

The Pilates is classical, taught by Alex Estornel, who trained under Carrie Macy at Equinox Pilates in Los Angeles and worked with Brent Anderson at Polestar Pilates in Miami. He came to Pilates through a career as a professional dancer — he danced for Cher, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez and Gloria Estefan — after injuries made it the only thing that worked. He has been running retreats in Greece, Spain, England and Austria for over ten years. Classes come with plenty of modifications, so beginners and more experienced practitioners are in the same room without either group being left behind.

The two hikes are a real part of the week, not an add-on. One day goes to Tejeda and Roque Nublo in the mountainous centre of the island, with an evening free in town. Another day is a coastal or inland hike, depending on conditions. There is also a beach excursion early in the week. Between the hikes, the classes and the meals, there is genuine downtime — Monday and Wednesday afternoons have massage slots from 12:00 to 17:00, and the pool and terrace are there whenever you want them.

The villa is in Agüimes, a town in the south-east of Gran Canaria with a well-preserved old quarter, about 15 minutes from the airport and a short drive from the coast. The island's interior — the mountains around Roque Nublo and the village of Tejeda — is within day-trip range, which is why the itinerary can include two proper hikes in a single week.

What separates this from a general yoga holiday is the double daily practice. Doing both Pilates and yoga each day means you spend the week on two different kinds of movement — one focused on core strength and control, the other on lengthening and flow — rather than repeating the same class in a different room. The group is deliberately small, capped at twelve, and the villa is run by a family-oriented team, so meals are eaten together at one table rather than in a dining room full of strangers.

What's included

- Airport pickup and drop-off at Gran Canaria Airport (LPA) - 7 nights accommodation - Water, tea and coffee served throughout the day - Daily brunch, dinner and snacks - Transportation during the retreat - Professional event photos - 2 guided nature hikes - Excursions to sites of interest - Pre and post retreat support - Free parking - Wifi connection

What's not included

- Flights - Travel insurance - Visa fees - Lunches - Additional activities not included in the itinerary - Additional treatments (e.g. extra massages, private classes)