A Pilates Retreat with a Difference!
At Create Retreats, it’s not only about the Pilates, it is so much more.
People come to us for a variety of reasons. We offer an alternative holiday, an opportunity to invest in yourself and enjoy relaxation, culture, culinary experiences, therapies and well being.
Whatever your reasons, we welcome you into our second home in the tranquil setting of Elounda Bay, Crete, where we will do our best to ensure you have the trip of a lifetime.
“Sometimes the only way to move forward is to retreat”
The Pilates
Pilates has so many health benefits for your body and your mind.
On our retreat experience, Gill offers mat-based Pilates classes and mindfulness relaxation in an absolutely beautiful setting.
Gill incorporates a range of techniques with clinical modifications to allow safe and challenging progression for everyone. Whether you’re completely new to Pilates or you’re an expert, Gill offers a multi-level session accommodating everyone’s individual needs.
You will have the opportunity to explore your internal environment, gain a deeper understanding of your anatomy, learn to work with your body and not against it, connect back with your breath and discover techniques to develop your strength and flexibility.
Your daily sessions in this wonderful environment will enhance your practice in new ways and leave you with a true sense of wellbeing.
Gill is an educator and gives you so many tips along the way and your lessons are modified to suit you as an individual. You are asked to complete a health screening questionnaire prior to your trip so any health issues or limitations can be addressed. This will help you get the most out of your sessions. At the end of your week you will receive a video and some handouts that will encourage you to keep up a regular practice.
What’s Included
Gill and Andreas will guide you through the North East of Crete giving you a local perspective and helping you to discover this beautiful Island at its most authentic. You spend social time with their charming friends and family, helping you to integrate even further to their Mediterranean way of life.
A combination of Pilates, therapies, Cretan cuisine, cultural experiences by sea and by land, swimming in the crystal clear turquoise seas, bright sunshine and much more; this retreat will leave you feeling revitalised and having made lifelong friends and memories.
The following are all included within your package:
- Transfers to and from the airport in luxury cars (*see terms below).
- Beautiful accommodation all with balconies and idyllic breath-taking sea views looking onto the famous Elounda Bay with Spinalonga Island in the distance.
- Kitchen facilities, a private bathroom, air conditioning and a safe are provided in all rooms.
- A welcome basket with seasonal fruit.
- Swimming pool with sun loungers and a stunning view.
- A complimentary treatment of your choice from one of our experienced on-site Therapists.
- Welcome meeting where you will receive all of the information you need to feel at home.
- A short talk by Andreas on the history of Crete.
- A welcome dinner in Terrassa Restaurant which was awarded as one of the top 10 restaurants by Trip Advisor in 2022.
- Your day starts with 1.5 hours morning Pilates practice in our own private studio, combining stretching, strengthening, releasing your body and quieting your mind through intelligent movement patterns, followed by breathwork with Andreas which will send you into deep relaxation.
- A rich and nutritious Cretan breakfast/brunch daily.
- Breathwork and meditation by Andreas.
- A guided tour of BioAroma to discover the health and beauty benefits of the 100% natural herbal products followed by a trip to the traditional village of Kritsa and lunch in a taverna**
- Farewell lunch with Gill and Andreas to reflect on your week and to make sure your lasting taste is a very sweet one!
*Airport transfers are only included if you arrive at a specific day and time which will be discussed prior to you booking your flights. If you arrive at an alternative time of your choice, you will be responsible for organising your own transport to and from the resort at your own cost.
**When we eat out as a group, Andreas as an ex-restauranteur and food guru, has taken out the headache of you ordering and has planned several mouth watering menus for us.
*Please note that flights are not included.
The Cretan Experience
As mentioned above, there are a number of excursions which are included within the package so that you can enjoy the full Cretan experience in all its glory.
Agios Nikolaos
BioAroma
Crete, with its diverse landscape and its optimal climate conditions, has been recognized as a botanical paradise. It boasts over 2000 herbs and flowers – many of which are only found in Crete. BioAroma owners Manousos and Calia had a big dream; to bring the 100% natural cosmetic products of the Minoans 4000 years ago back to life and they did it! With extensive studies in chemistry, a huge passion, love for their culture and a lot of hard work, they have managed to create a global award-winning company.
Creams, ointments, oils and remedies with no additives are produced from herbs and flowers that they cultivate organically on their land. This is waiting for you on day 2 of our tour to see how it’s done from the field to the shelves.
Kritsa
Following your trip to Bioaroma, you will be driven inland to the old traditional village of Kritsa. With the narrow winding streets, it’s like a labyrinth.
The dozens of churches, the old people sitting outside of their homes and traditional goods being sold in the shops has made Kritsa the perfect background for many films.
Wandering around Kritsa will take you back in time and sitting for lunch underneath the huge platanos tree in the heart of the village will take you into a good place of tranquility and peace.
Spinalonga
Spinalonga (long thorn) is a small island with an impressive fort built by the Venetians in 1579 to protect the harbour of Elounda. In 1715, the Turks made it their home until 1903 when Crete became free again and the Cretan republic made Spinalonga into a colony for lepers until 1953 when they discovered the medicine to cure leprosy. Many stories have been told and written about this tragic island (read “The Island” by Victoria Hislop).
We highly recommend that you go to Spinalonga and we will advise you of the best way to do this.
Culture & Cuisine in Crete
Crete is a calm, cosmopolitan place that allows its rich history to live peacefully next to the modern life. The culture and cuisine in Crete is like no other. One of the amazing things to see in Crete is the oldest Olive tree in the world. It is 3,250 years old!
