Winter Bliss Weekend: Yoga, Fitness & Spa Retreat at a Lakeside Cabin in Belgian Limburg

The Bodhiac retreat runs out of an exclusive lakeside cottage at Terhills Resort in Maasmechelen, in Belgian Limburg, right where the forest, hills and water meet. The cabin is yours for the weekend with a private infra-red sauna and a patio — the kind of spot where people actually sit outside with a coffee in February because the view is worth it. Lake, trees, quiet. Elaisa Energetic Wellness sits on the same lake, a short walk or drive away, which is where Saturday happens.

Alice Avery is the founder and head coach of Bodhiac, and she leads this retreat personally. She describes herself as believing in a mix of yoga, fitness and mindfulness, and the schedule reflects that rather than any one discipline. Saturday's yoga class and mantra circle are hers; Sunday's workout and hike are hers; she also handles the plant-based cooking through the weekend. Alice also runs Bodhiac retreats in Malaga, Spain, so this Belgian weekend is the winter edition of a programme she's been running for a while.

What separates this from a standard yoga weekend is Saturday. Elaisa is a serious wellness complex: seven saunas including a ceremonial sauna, chakra-balancing saunas and a range of pouring saunas; four baths including an energetic bath, a Kneipp bath and two outdoor jacuzzis; a hammam; a zen relaxation area; a crystal relaxation area; and two restaurants. The Temazcal ceremony is the centrepiece — a Mexican sweat lodge ritual run in complete darkness by professional Elaisa facilitators, starting around a fire as a group and finishing with a plunge into the lake. It's led with traditional instruments and takes most of an afternoon.

Food is plant-based throughout and included in the price: dinner Friday evening, all meals Saturday, breakfast and lunch Sunday. Sunday's hike has two options — 3.5 hours or 5 hours — so the group can split based on energy and fitness on the day. The weekend closes with a meditation and closing ceremony, usually with some journaling and reflection on the intentions set on Friday night.

The trip is deliberately compact: two nights, one location, no travel between venues. You arrive Friday evening, everything happens within walking distance of the cabin, and you're home Sunday evening. For anyone in Belgium or the Netherlands looking for a reset in the worst month of the year, the format is the point — it's short enough to do on a normal weekend and structured enough that you come out of it having actually moved, sweated and rested.

What's included

- 2 nights accommodation in an exclusive lakeside cabin at Terhills Resort (shared or private room) - Private infra-red sauna in the cottage - All plant-based meals: dinner Friday, all meals Saturday, breakfast and lunch Sunday - Yoga class with Alice Avery on Saturday - Mantra circle on Saturday - Temazcal Ceremony led by professional Elaisa facilitators - Full-day access to Elaisa Energetic Wellness (seven saunas, four baths, two outdoor jacuzzis, hammam, zen and crystal relaxation areas) - Sunday morning workout with Alice Avery - Guided Sunday hike (3.5-hour or 5-hour option) - Welcome ceremony with intention setting and journaling - Closing ceremony and guided meditation - Access to Elaisa's two restaurants during the spa day

What's not included

- Travel to and from Maasmechelen - Airport or train station transfers - Travel insurance - Additional massages, facials, body treatments, manicures or pedicures at Elaisa (can be booked in advance) - Personal expenses and any extra drinks or snacks outside the planned meals - Anything not listed in the included section