Beachfront Pilates & QiGong Wellness Escape in Pelion, Greece

A typical day starts early. If you want, you can walk down to the beach for a guided meditation before breakfast. Then it's up to one of the four yoga platforms for the main morning session: a mixture of Pilates and Tai Chi and meridian stretching, using small apparatus like balls, hoops and resistance bands. The aim is to gently wake up the whole body — nothing punishing. The class is adapted to whoever is in the group, and the instructors make a point of checking in with anyone nursing an injury or condition. After that, breakfast is served: fruit, juices, and cooked vegetarian dishes.

The middle of the day is free. You can swim in the infinity pool, take a kayak or paddleboard out, or walk down the footpath to the beach below the house. Some guests walk into Lefokastro for coffee or a midday snack; others stay put and read on the terrace. Lunch is served at the house. In the late afternoon, there's the evening QiGong session — a series of slow stretches and rhythmic movements with coordinated breathing, done outside when the weather allows. Then dinner, with wine if you'd like. After dinner comes the singing bowl meditation with Yoga Nidra, a guided relaxation that most people find puts them straight to sleep.

Optional extras run alongside the group schedule. Ioannis offers one-to-one sessions in holistic massage, reflexology and sound therapy, and guests can also request a personal training programme or a full wellness plan. The retreat is run by Pippa Dale-Harris, who is the host, and the teaching is led by Ioannis and other instructors. The property is called Dolphin's Leap, a luxury yoga retreat centre by the sea that has been running retreats for years and is often listed among the top retreat venues in Europe.

The location is the Pelion peninsula, a wooded, mountainous stretch of mainland Greece that juts into the Aegean. The house sits on its own, surrounded by trees, with the sea directly below. The village of Lefokastro is a short walk along the road and has three tavernas and a couple of cafe-bars, so you're not completely isolated. The nearest airport is Thessaloniki, and a free minibus transfer is included, leaving the airport at 12:00 on arrival day and returning by 10:00 on departure day.

The food is vegetarian, made fresh each day, and guests consistently mention it in reviews. Meals are served at the house, often outside. Snacks, water, tea and coffee are available throughout the day. If you have specific dietary needs, the kitchen can usually accommodate them with advance notice.

The week is capped at 12 guests, which means the group is small enough that the instructors know everyone's name and can give hands-on adjustments where needed. It also means the vibe is more house-party than hotel — guests eat together, swim together, and often end up walking into the village together in the evenings. Reviews mention the group dynamic as one of the best parts.

What's included

- 7 days, 6 nights luxury accommodation with sea views - 3 vegetarian meals per day, with wine at dinner (optional) - Freshly prepared fruit and vegetable juices - Snacks, water, tea and coffee throughout the day - Morning Pilates and meridian stretching sessions - Evening QiGong sessions - Singing bowl meditation and Yoga Nidra - Optional early morning beach meditation - Airport pickup and drop-off from Thessaloniki - Personal yoga mats, blocks and straps - Swimming towels - Free use of SUP boards and kayaks - Walking maps for coastal walks - Wi-Fi

What's not included

- Flights to and from Thessaloniki - Travel insurance (required) - Individual therapies and massages (€55 per session) - Additional excursions or activities not listed - Personal expenses (souvenirs, extra drinks, etc.)