Wellness Yoga Escape in Crete: Gentle Flows, Beach Time & Mediterranean Living

The retreat takes place at Villa Aposperitis, a listed stone house in the heart of Panormo, a small fishing village on Crete's north coast. The building dates back to 1900 — it was once the Officers Club during WWII — and has been carefully renovated while keeping the original stone walls, wooden beams, and traditional details. It's split into three self-contained apartments with a shared courtyard and a big terrace where yoga happens at sunset. The location is about as convenient as it gets: a two-minute walk to the beach, and surrounded by family-run tavernas, small shops, and quiet streets that feel a million miles from the tourist strip.

Your teacher for the week is Simone Hart, originally from Cape Town and now based in Brussels. She's been teaching for over twelve years, with stints at Pure Yoga in Hong Kong and Yoga Room in Brussels behind her. Her classes mix music with rhythmic movement, so the practice feels more like a moving meditation than a strict alignment drill. She's known for creating a welcoming space for every body and every level, and her presence sets the tone for the whole retreat — supportive, energizing, and genuinely joyful.

The daily schedule is simple and unhurried. Mornings start with a guided practice on the terrace, followed by breakfast together at the villa. The middle of the day is completely open — swim, read, nap, or take an optional excursion to a botanical garden or a nearby beach. In the early evening, there's a second practice, then dinner in the village at a different local restaurant each night. It's a rhythm that lets you settle into the island pace without any pressure to do more.

What makes this retreat special is the combination of place and people. The group is small — between five and eight participants — which means you're not lost in a crowd. Simone and Pavlina both live by the principle that rest is productive, and the whole week is designed to let you actually unwind. You'll leave with a deeper connection to your own practice, new friends if you want them, and a real rest that lasts.

What's included

- 7 nights accommodation at Villa Aposperitis - Daily breakfast (served at the villa) - Daily dinner (at local tavernas in the village) - 2 daily yoga/movement practices (morning and evening) - Airport pickup and drop-off from Heraklion Airport (HER) - Yoga on the sunset terrace - Group excursions/activities during the week - Transportation during the retreat - WiFi connection - A few surprise activities during the week - Free cancellation up to 1 day before arrival

What's not included

- Flights to and from Heraklion (HER) - Travel insurance - Visa fee (if applicable) - Lunch (self-catered or at local spots) - Additional activities not in the itinerary - Personal expenses and gratuities