7 Day Yoga Activity Holiday at Montenegro’s Lake Skadar
“A week of yoga with the lovely Marnie, delicious food prepared by Elaine…I loved every single moment of this holiday! What a privilege to experience so much of a country in such a short time – all down to the enthusiasm and local knowledge that Emma and Ben bring…a perfect, life-affirming experience.”
Caroline Henry, June 2022
Montenegro yoga and activity holiday with an expert instructor in Hatha/Vinyasa.
2023 departure dates: 21st May
Enjoy a week’s yoga, relaxation and activities in the untamed natural beauty and pristine environment of Montenegro’s Lake Skadar National Park. Based at beautiful Villa Miela, a renovated stone villa close to the lake, you can recharge and relax as you participate in daily hatha or vinyasa yoga flow sessions.
Workshops take place on the villa’s hillside terrace and at other spots around the lake, such as hidden freshwater beaches and panoramic viewpoints. In addition to yoga, guests can choose to go out on other guided excursions such as hiking, wild swimming and kayaking; or simply relax at the villa. Catering is included: each day after practice, our retreat chef provides a hearty brunch; early evening meals are served using the best vegetarian, local ingredients.
The purity of Lake Skadar makes it the ideal base for a holistic retreat, offering clean air, fresh water and rich wildlife, set in some of the most spectacular scenery Montenegro has to offer. This is a small group holiday for up to 10 guests. Get in touch now to register your interest in our yoga activity holidays on 21st May 2023.
Book to Give Back – every booking sparks a donation to our chosen local environmental and community causes!
Marnie Sullivan started her Yoga journey in 2000, taught with a traditional approach to Hatha Yoga, which inspired Marnie to continue developing her practice within Hatha, adding some Vinyasa flow and sprinkles of Ashtanga to into her classes. Marnie was inspired within her own practice and teachings by amazing teachers such as Paul Fox, Emma Conally-Barklem and Esther Ekhart. She completed her yoga training with the BWY, studying for Level 3 during 300+ hours of teaching qualification over a period of 18 months.
Marnie is a qualified children’s Yoga teacher and has taught Yoga to children ages 4-14 years for 2 years. In addition to teaching Yoga to adults and children, Marnie is a qualified level 4 Pilates instructor, Personal Trainer and Body Balance teacher.
Marnie’s Yoga teachings are fun-filled with enthusiasm, and her style is creative, flowing and dynamic. Marnie’s calming and caring personality shines through making her classes inclusive to all students (of all levels). The spiritual vibe which Marnie creates helps her students to feel the Yoga practice as well as enjoy the physical postures.
Hatha Vinyasa Flow is a form of yoga combining physical, mental and spiritual yoga which encourages students to find a subtle balance between effort and relaxation. Hatha in particular uses movement and breath together, to produce a ‘flow’ of postures that lead from one to the next. The goal is to develop strength, flexibility and relaxation in both body and mind.
Classes will include a warm-up looking at correct alignment and breathing, a dynamic flowing sequence followed by standing and seated postures combining stretches, twists and forward and back bending, finishing with deep relaxation and meditation. Workshops are mostly in the morning at Villa Miela, lasting up to 90 minutes, but will also take place at some amazing locations in the National Park. Whether experienced or an absolute beginner, you’ll feel energised and ready for all our awesome activities!
Benefits:
– Build strength, stability and stamina
– Increase flexibility and muscle tone
– Focus and concentrate the mind
– Encourage physical and mental balance
– Develop body awareness and proper alignment
– Reduce stress
– Increase a sense of calm and peace
– Develop increased lung capacity for better breathing
– Understand elements of yoga philosophy
– Learn meditation and relaxation
– Become your own teacher
Want to see more? Watch our video!
Day 1 – Arrival at Lake Skadar
Welcome and check in to your accommodation for the week, Villa Miela, next to the picturesque lakeside village of Virpazar. Welcome dinner and drinks on the terrace (included).
Day 2 – Morning yoga on the deck and a hike to the waterfalls of Walnut Valley.
Walking for 90 minutes along a green trail filled with natural life, today we’ll take you to a spectacular wild water treasure for swimming and relaxation. We take the chance to plunge into bright blue natural pools hidden deep in the forest, emerging energised and ready for a short hike uphill to visit the Dajkovic family honey farm for a divine “zero mile” early dinner of organic, home-produced food and beverages (included).
Day 3 – Morning yoga and a kayak trip to Beska island monastery (picnic lunch included).
Today we head to the village of Murici on the southern shores of the lake for a gentle excursion by kayak to visit the nuns of the 14th-century Beska Island monastery. You’ll have the lake all to yourself as you swim and kayak in crystal clear waters and take in the awesome views, varied bird life and glorious solitude.
Day 4 – Rest day
The day is free to spend however you wish and with the chance to relax in the tranquil surroundings of Villa Miela (a group visit to the UNESCO heritage site of Kotor can be arranged on request).
Day 5 – Hike to Godinje hill village and yoga practice in an ancient stone corn circle (picnic lunch included).
Setting off on foot from Villa Miela, today’s adventure offers glorious lake views and the scent of wild herbs as we walk an old donkey trail forgotten by the modern world. Arriving at 15th-century Godinje village, we relax with a drink of homemade elderflower or pomegranate cordial before beginning an hour’s yoga practice in the village “guvno” (corn circle) – once used for folk dance and song. We stay on for a group dinner at the Lekovic family wine cellar and restaurant.
Day 6 – Morning yoga and a visit to the northern shores (lunch included).
After breakfast, we head off to see the spectacular wetlands and winding rivers of the northern part of the National Park. Part car safari, part hiking, we’ll take you to stunning natural pools with waterfalls, an impressively large cave, and for more wild swimming at the source of a magnificent river.
Day 7
On our last day, we take an extended yoga and meditation session in the morning, with the rest of the day free to relax or do our own thing. We enjoy a final group dinner at Villa Miela.
Day 8
Depart. Check-out is at 10 am.
Prices: £1,055 per person based on 1px in a shared double or twin room / £1,350 per person for solo occupancy of a double or twin room / £850 per person based on 4px in the bunk room.
Price includes daily coached yoga sessions, 7 nights’ catered accommodation at Villa Miela, two hearty meals a day following a vegetarian menu, non-alcoholic drinks and 4 great nature-based excursions with the group including hiking and kayaking. Flights, optional massage, gong bath and snacks/drinks at restaurants are excluded.
VILLA MIELA and BADANJ VILLAGE HOUSE
A beautifully renovated farmhouse with modern facilities, large terrace and 70 square foot outdoor deck, Villa Miela is the ideal base for guests on our Lake Skadar painting holidays. With panoramic views, a gorgeous plunge pool and a prime location offering easy access to the lake’s southern and northern shores as well as Virpazar, it’s the perfect place to stay. Make new friends as you share the beautifully renovated stone living spaces, gorgeous outdoor terrace, outdoor painting/chill deck, swimming pool and orchard gardens.
At a glance
Sleeps 8 with 2 double rooms, 1 twin and one bunk room, each with private bathroom
Swimming pool
Covered outdoor deck / art studio
Modern kitchen with all amenities
Free WIFI
Open-plan living room with TV, DVD player and library of books and films
Large terrace with gas barbecue, loungers, hammocks, boules court, swimming pool; incredible views over lake, valley and mountains
Extensive grounds with natural orchard and wild tortoises
Two minute drive or 20 minute walk from the lake shore, 30 minutes from the Adriatic coast
Free use of mountain bikes
Exposed stone details and wooden ceilings and floors add to the charm, with locally produced, handmade bedspreads and bathroom soaps also handmade from olive oil. Stunning views are offered up by each bedroom and the open-plan living area.
The modern kitchen comes equipped with washing-machine and dishwasher.
Staying at Villa Miela is recommended by top travel media such as the Lonely Planet and Bradt Guides to Montenegro, the Guardian and Daily Telegraph newspapers and National Geographic Traveller magazine.
Some guests in the group will be hosted at our neighbouring guesthouse, Badanj Village House, just 500m up the road from Villa Miela, and owned by legendary local raconteur and friend, Nenad Petranović. This beautifully restored farmhouse has all the usual comforts as well as an unexpected dash of style! Those guests staying here are of course also welcome to use Villa Miela’s facilities.
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