Slow down, disconnect
& be YOU
experience the greek island spirit
Island Escape Retreat
yoga, mediterranean detox food, massage
Andros, Cyclades Islands, Greece | May 14th - 20th*
by Pliades retreats
A 7-Day Wellness Retreat
*other available dates:
October 22-28, November 19-25
The experience
We love island-life & greek sun: we have spent lots of summers being barefoot, with only a pareo outfit, being on the beach with a watermelon in hand. Feeling airy, careless, relaxed, has always been one of the most precious times in our lives.
In Andros, one of our favorites spots of the Cyclades islands, we have created an idyllic & safe environment for you to experience what we love about the greek island spirit.
We have designed to the last detail a unique life-changing retreat where you can be in contact with the nature, taste a vibrant, fresh, whole plant-based, mediterranean food, experience slow-living & calmness.
Immersed in the sunny, beautiful & wild nature of Andros, these 7 days are an opportunity for us all to enjoy the sun’s warmth on our faces, the crystal clear sea, magical gazes to the night sky away from light pollution. the brightness of the stars at night.
Feel free to relax, explore & rejuvenate.
Amalia Gardens
Amalia Gardens is a collection of two calm & private villas in Kalokairini, a small neighborhood of the village of Vitali. Kalokairini (meaning summertime) is a magnificent canyon with a small river. The houses are blessed with the privacy and serenity of the hill surrounded by old platanus, fig trees and olive trees. You will enjoy hiking and discovering this virgin landscape where human activity seems to have ceased for hundreds of years.
The houses are named after Amalia, the first owner of the house. She was cheerful, generous and well known at Kalokairini because of her hospitality and the convivial gatherings taking place in her garden. She loved taking care of her plants and her garden was one of the most beautiful gardens of the entire island.
The main villa is a construction with natural building materials, such as earth and stones, limestones, wood and local marbles. The pool has an electrolyze cleaning system chlore-free. Both villas have natural water from a mountain source.
The beach of Vitali is 3 km away and there is a beautiful old byzantine church to visit on the opposite hill at 40’ walk away. The beach of Vitali is spectacular, with crystal clear water, and a beautiful beach bar.
THE POWER OF WHOLE FOOD
We propose a simple, light and fragrant cuisine.
All meals are mediterranean inspired, plant-based, gluten-free, lactose-free and refined sugar-free. We use pure and fresh vegetables, fruits and nuts, preserving their nutritional values.
Everything is made from scratch.
Our aim is to offer not only a revitalizing, regenerating & energizing nutrition to our guests, but also a mild detox experience together with overweight loss.
Typical day*
The retreat includes: 6 nights accommodation at Amalia Gardens, brunch & dinner, 1 hiking, 5 yoga classes, 4 plant-based workshops & 1 beauty clay mask workshop.
-
08:00 - 09:00 | Herbal tea
09:00 - 10:00 | Yoga
10:00 - 11:00 | Brunch
11:00 - 17:00 | Beach | Free time - Optional: private naturopathy & massages sessions.
17:00 - 18:30 | Fresh cold pressed juice | Cooking workshop | lecture | Dinner preps | Hiking* .
19:00 | Dinner*Optional.
*This daily schedule is for information only. A detailed schedule of the retreat will be provided upon arrival.
Retreat officially starts on Sunday at 5:00pm.
Retreating With Us
ACCOMMODATION & RATES
WHAT'S INCLUDED
7 island days / 6 nights at Amalia Gardens resort.
5 open air yoga class.
All yoga equipment and accessories.
6 Plant-based brunches.
5 plant-based dinners.
4 plant-based cooking workshops and recipe booklets.
1 beauty clay mask workshop.
1 dinner in our favourite local tavern.
Detox Water and herbal tea available throughout the day.
1 beauty welcome gift.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Transportation to and from the Amalia Gardens Resort.
Travel insurance
Laundry and items of a personal nature.
Wellness massages (extra cost)
Naturopathy consultations (extra cost)
Jeep rental*
*IMPORTANT NOTE
Amalia Gardens is at 11 km from Gavrio, Andros’ main port. The last 5 km is dirt road not asphalt road. It is recommended that you rent a small jeep for your stay if you want to easily access beaches and discover the island. The nearest beach, Vitali is at 4 km: 40’ walk descent and 1 hour back to the house. Jeep ride time goes down at 15 minutes. The rental cost is at approximately 30€ per day. We can arrange the jeep rental details for you.
For the 4-wheel fans, Andros is the place that offers the opportunity to enjoy touring. Unique and adventure routes off the beaten track call for exploration and discovery of the natural beauties of mountainous and coastal Andros! Marvel at the stunning views, unwind and swim in the sky-blue sea.
Spoken languages
All workshops & classes are done in english. Alexandra speaks fluently german, english and greek. Lena speaks fluently french, english, italian and greek.
May 14th - May 20th*
☀︎ 7 days | 6 nights ☾
✦Accommodations & Meals included
*other available dates: October 22-28, November 19-25
500€ deposit - non refundable | Shared accommodation
Early Bird
Reservations from 20/01/23 until 31/03/23
★ Double room, queen size or twin beds | Total cost 1280€*
EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT CODE: EARLYBIRD
Late Bird
Reservations from 21/02/23
★ Double room, queen size or twin beds | Total cost 1380€*
★ The above prices include EU Tax VAT 24%
Travel info
Andros is situated relatively close to Athens. Therefore, it is easily (and only) accessible from Athens by ferry from the port of Rafina. Andros is connected by ferry with other islands of the Cyclades, too, including Tinos and Mykonos.
If you want to travel to Andros from Athens, you should have in mind that ferries to Andros depart from Rafina port, not from Piraeus port. Rafina port is located relatively close to Athens International Airport "Eleftherios Venizelos". The bus route between Rafina port and the airport of Athens lasts about 30 minutes.
You can reach Rafina port from Athens International Airport :
By bus.
By taxi.
Ferry tickets can be booked online at ferryscanner.com.
You can reach Amalia Gardens from Andros port by car or taxi.
We can arrange for you a pick-up taxi on demand.
COVID-19 UPDATE
Since the 14th of May 2021, Greece is no longer under lockdown and has opened its borders in a safe and attainable manner to welcome tourists. Travellers can enter Greece without a PCR test, without the need to self-isolate or quarantine. The requirement for completion of the Passenger Locator Form (PLF) by visitors from all countries is no more mandatory from March 15th 2022.
Official link to view entry guidelines at travel.gov.gr.