BURREN YOGA MEDITATION RETREAT, IRELAND
Where is it? Five miles from the Atlantic sea on the West coast of Ireland in Galway. Burren retreat is housed in a modern eco-friendly building constructed of timber and glass in a dramatic setting of limestone rock and national park.
Who is it for? People who are prepared to share dorm-style accommodation and who are interested in finding out about a range of yoga styles and meditation. The retreat is also particularly suited to those who love wildlife, birds and rare flowers such as orchids.
What's on offer? A range of weekend and week workshops from yoga (taught by New York based yoga guru Kevin Gardner) and pilates to detox yoga weekends and music for well being. All the workshops take place in a yoga room specially designed with ceiling to floor windows and underfloor heating. Swedish, deep tissue and aromatherapy massage are also available for £25 for one hour. A Japanese style hot tub in a glass structure is planned to open next year.
Where do I stay? In dormitory-style bedrooms, although a separate building containing single and double bedrooms is planned to open next year. Vegetarian food is cooked by a chef of restaurant standard.
Cost: A weekend retreat costs £150 for two nights full board and tuition. The retreat is 15 miles from Shannon airport with flight deals available for £50 return from London Stansted.
Contact: Call 00353 91 637 680 or visit www.burrenyoga.com to find out about the next retreat.
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THE ORANGE TREE, NORTH YORKSHIRE
Where is it? In the heart of the beautiful North York Moors National Park and a stone's throw from Rosedale Abbey dating back to the 11th century.
Who is it for? Those looking for a B&B with a difference. The seven-bedroomed guest house is the perfect place to unwind with delicious home cooked food, fine wines and a variety of treatments and classes.
What's on offer? A range of relaxation classes from yoga and visualisation to snoezelen lighting - where pulsating light and swirling myriads of colour and shapes are projected onto surfaces. Guests are also encouraged to explore the surrounding countryside and relax in the sauna afterwards.
Where do I stay? In one of seven bedrooms all with views across Rosedale valley. There is a cosy sitting room where guests can relax in front of the fire.
Cost: A weekend retreat costs £147. The package includes two nights' full board, four relaxation classes, one stretch class and a short hand massage. Additional treatments cost from £16.50 for half an hour.
Contact: To book a break at the Orange Tree, call 01751 417219 or visit www.theorangetree.com.
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MARTIN'S RETREAT, DORSET
Where is it? The beamed cottage lies on the outskirts of a tiny village on the Dorset/Devon borders, close to the heritage coast near Lyme Regis.
Who is it for? Popular with carers and people leading stressful lives who want to relax away from other people. Owner Geraldine Sherborne has one guest bedroom in her cottage so it's a very nurturing environment where you have the option of private tuition on kundalini yoga - a type of yoga focusing on your internal organs through breathwork. You can also indulge in massage, nutritional advice and healing.
What's on offer? Geraldine offers a bespoke package to suit your needs from her home. Yoga classes, including Thai stretch yoga, are offered on a one-to-two basis. Guests are also treated to a range of treatments including Swedish massage, lymphatic drainage, reflexology and the Bowen technique - a type of massage that focuses on posture and structure of the body. As a healer, Geraldine also offers treatments where she balances energy through breathwork.
Where do I stay? The house has one double bedroom for guests which is suitable for two friends or a couple to share. The room has its own bathroom complete with jacuzzi. Although there is a vegetarian slant, Geraldine also caters for meat eaters with fresh produce bought directly from farmers' markets.
Cost: A night at Martin's retreat costs £25 per head for bed and breakfast. Additional treatments cost from £22 for around an hour's treatment.
Contact: To book a break with Geraldine, call 013088 67355.
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