Welcome in 2015 with a yoga retreat abroad

Gear up for the new year with a yoga and pilates retreat in the sun!

Pack your bags and head off to the sun-blessed island of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands for a week of sand, sea and spirituality. 

Whether you want to detox for the new year or fire-up your inner yogi, Azul Fit retreat in the Spanish coastal resort will help you achieve maximum Zen. Situated 10 minutes drive from the beach in the beautiful Canarian village of Villaverde, the traditional Spanish villa is nestled amongst dramatic volcanic landscapes with incredible vistas of the ocean. Providing respite from the busy day-to-day commute, this island is part of the Spanish archipelago and benefits from a warm African climate all year round, making it a guaranteed sun haven.

Those wanting to explore the exotic location will be pleased to know it’s conveniently set close to walking paths and bus stops, with trips going to the beach hourly. Plus, transfers are provided to the Corralejo resort (the largest town beach on the island) twice a week, for those wishing to get out and about. With its calm waters and long sandy shores, this beach is best for seasoned sunbathers and the ideal spot for morning meditation. If you’re more of an active holiday-goer, the breezier Flag Beach is great for wind or kite-surfing, or you can adventure out on one of the tours to nearby islands.

Back at base, Villa Azul has an array of themed rooms from around the world, laden with plenty of cosy communal areas for chill out time. Guests are invited to relax with a book in the garden, have a dip in the pool or sit and enjoy the stunning volcanic sunsets from the balcony terrace. 

If this wasn’t enough, the eco-friendly villa is powered by solar panels and a waste-water management system to feed the gardens, so you can enjoy the eco-ethos and natural surroundings among like-minded spirits.

At the heart of the retreat programme is expert yoga and pilates instruction by a team of international trainers. The stay also includes two full-body massages for full holistic holiday bliss. The diverse schedule means you can choose to slow down or speed up, do it all or do nothing – it’s your holiday! On top of days spent stretching, guests are catered for with daily brunches and freshly prepared vegetarian evening meals. But, if you fancy sampling the local tapas, there are plenty of restaurants in the nearby town offering traditional Spanish cuisine and culture, too.

So, if nature is calling you to escape to breathtaking white-sandy beaches and turquoise oceans, then enter below and let a mixture of sun, spirit and Spanish charm revive your soul – all just a short flight from Europe. For more info visit azulfit.com

This retreat was featured in a previous Soul & Spirit competition in our December issue. The competition is now closed.