Chania Harbor
Island of Crete Yoga Retreat with Marci Lew
September 18-25, 2013
This unique retreat will be led by Marci Lew, Yoga and Pilates certified instructor. Marci has taught yoga for over 15 years in studios and corporate settings, has traveled to over 30 countries, and has worked with primates in Africa as well as in North Carolina. She loves to travel, build community, and delve within to find deeper meaning and connections. She seeks to share her creative yoga style to facilitate deeper mind-body connections and joy in others.
Pandora Suites in Chania
Your stay begins in the charming town of Chania, known as the “Venice of Crete.” After your flight arrives at the Chania Airport, a quick taxi ride will bring you to the Pandora Suites Hotel, which boasts best view in town, overlooking the picturesque Venetian harbor of the Old Town. The atmosphere has a touch of Italy, combined with the rich culture and multilayered unique history of Chania, which was an important city-state back in the time of Classical Greece. Your stay by the harbor will give you plenty of time to soak in the local flavor, stroll the cobblestone streets, and be welcomed by an area of Crete known for its friendliness and delicious cuisine. Your visit to Chania will include a guided walking tour of the city and a half day boat tour with swimming and snorkeling spots near the islands of Kri-Kri and Lanzetta.
After three nights in Chania, you will be transported to the Milia Mountain Retreat, ranked in the top 25 eco-lodges in the world by National Geographic 2013. On the way, you will stop at the Manousakis Winery, which received the Certificate of Excellence 2013 by TripAdvisor, for a tour of the beautiful grounds, and a light lunch of Greek delicacies.
Milia Mountain Resort
Milia is a tiny 17th century settlement hidden amongst century-old chestnut trees in the mountains of western Crete, where you can get can get back to nature and away from the crowds. This restored mountain settlement is an international eco-tourism award-winner. Once derelict, these traditional stone farmhouses near the village of Vlatos in western Crete, have been transformed into comfortable, rustic eco-cottages decorated with local furniture and powered by solar energy. All the cottages offer hot running water, lighting for basic needs and for reading, warm bedding, orthopedic-ecological mattresses, a lovely garden or balcony, hammocks in the summer as well as sun beds. Each cottage is unique and unlike any other. Wifi is available in the main lodge.
The Cretan cuisine is famous for being among the healthiest around the world. In Chania you will enjoy fresh seafood caught in the nearby ocean. At Milia, meals are made only with locally grown high quality local organic ingredients and seasonal produce.
*This retreat does not include airfare. Please contact Shelley at 919-623-3521 as you make your payment to go over flight details and insurance coverage. Both solo travelers and couples are welcomed, but there are a limited number of single rooms available at these small but wonderful accommodations, so call with questions and requests. Additional nights on either end of the trip can be added if you would like to extend your vacation!
There are only 11 available spots for this amazing retreat! If you are ready to reserve, please use the button below to pay your deposit.
*Deposits are non-refundable unless group minimum is not met. The remaining balance of $975 will be due by Sept. 1st.
Proposed Daily Itinerary:
General schedule in Chania: Morning meditation, Breakfast, free time after breakfast. Lunch in town followed by planned activity in afternoon. Yoga usually in early evening before dinner.
General schedule in Milia: Morning yoga, Breakfast, free time after breakfast. Lunch in Milia followed by either free time or optional planned activity. Meditation and periodic 2nd yoga class offered in evening.
Chania:
Weds Sept 18th:
AM: arrive Chania, take taxi to Pandora Hotel and check in.
Afternoon: Lunch or snacks on Sarpidonos St. (Lively street with many cafes and restaurants).
Free time
Evening: Roof Garden Yoga from 5:45-7pm. Dinner: To Xani Restaurant , traditional Cretan food
Thursday Sept 19th:
AM: Meditation Roof Garden from 7:40am-8:15am followed by breakfast from 8:30-10am.
Lunch: Well of the Turk. Good vegetarian and meat options.
* Walking Tour of Chania 2-5
PM: Yoga on Roof Garden from 5:30 – 7:00
Dinner a local restaurant
Friday Sept 20th.
AM: Yoga Roof Garden from 7:20-8:20am followed by breakfast from 8:30-10am.
Free time 10am-12pm.
Afternoon: Glossitses Akti Enoseos. Fair trade, organic, local and on the harbor.
Half day boat trip with swimming and snorkeling from 2-5:30pm
Meditation on Roof Garden from 6:30-7pm.
Dinner at Tamam
Saturday September 21st
AM: Meditation 7:45-8:15am, followed by breakfast from 8:30-10am.
Travel to Milia. Provided tour, lunch, and wine at Manousakis Winery
Afternoon: Free time
PM: Yoga 5:30-7 (in or outdoor depending on light and weather). Dinner.
Sunday September 22nd:
AM: Yoga 8-9:15am Followed by breakfast.
10:30-12:00 Tour by Milia owner
Afternoon: Lunch.
Free time, hiking, or (possibly Breadmaking) Yoga 5:30-7pm. Meditation 7-7:30pm.
PM: Dinner.
Monday September 23rd
AM: Morning Meditation 7:30-8am,Yoga 8-9:15am Followed by breakfast.
Free time 10-12 OR Optional Art class with local artists in morning 10am-1pm and afternoon. (Drawing, painting and printing after gathering inspiration from the breathtaking surroundings of Milia using provided aquarelle pencils and brushes. Make your own Milia souvenir!)
Afternoon: Lunch.
Continue Art class 3-5pm or optional hiking in local area (maps provided).
PM: Dinner. Evening Meditation
Tuesday September 24th
AM: Meditation 8-8:30am, Yogalates (Yoga-Pilates fusion)8:30-9:30am. Followed by breakfast.
11:00 – 2:30 Traditional Greek Cooking class with provided lunch
PM: Evening yoga 5:30-7pm. Dinner. Final evening
Wednesday September 25th
AM: Yoga 7:30-8:30am, meditation 8:30-9am. Breakfast. Travel to Chania airport to fly home.
Flight Options: These can be modified depending on your preferences
Option 1 (with two stops in each direction)
| Raleigh/Durham (RDU) to Chania (CHQ) – Tue, Sep 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Raleigh/Durham (RDU) to New York (JFK) – Tue, Sep 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Delta 4281 | Dep: 12:15PM | Arr: 1:57PM | 1h 42m | Canadair Reg. Jet | Economy (V) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| OPERATED BY PINNACLE DBA DELTA CONNECTION | Layover in JFK | 2h 42m | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New York (JFK) to Athens (ATH) – Tue, Sep 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KLM 6132 | Dep: 4:39PM | Arr: 9:40AM | 10h 1m | Airbus A330 | Economy (V) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| OPERATED BY DELTA | Layover in ATH | Wed, Sep 18 | 2h 35m | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Athens (ATH) to Chania (CHQ) – Wed, Sep 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Olympic Air 534 | Dep: 12:15PM | Arr: 1:10PM | 0h 55m | De Havilland Dash-8 | First (A) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Chania (CHQ) to Raleigh/Durham (RDU) – Wed, Sep 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chania (CHQ) to Athens (ATH) – Wed, Sep 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aegean Airlines 333 | Dep: 9:25AM | Arr: 10:15AM | 0h 50m | Airbus A320 | Economy (V) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Layover in ATH | 2h 5m | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Athens (ATH) to New York (JFK) – Wed, Sep 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| KLM 6133 | Dep: 12:20PM | Arr: 4:33PM | 11h 13m | Airbus A330 | Economy (L) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| OPERATED BY DELTA | Layover in JFK | 2h 57m | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New York (JFK) to Raleigh/Durham (RDU) – Wed, Sep 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Delta 4261 | Dep: 7:30PM | Arr: 9:25PM | 1h 55m | Canadair RJ 900 | Economy (K) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| OPERATED BY PINNACLE DBA DELTA CONNECTION | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Option 2 (with two stops outbound, 3 stops on the return)
| Raleigh/Durham (RDU) to Chania (CHQ) – Tue, Sep 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Raleigh/Durham (RDU) to Philadelphia (PHL) – Tue, Sep 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| US Airways 3256 | Dep: 1:30PM | Arr: 3:03PM | 1h 33m | Embraer RJ-175 | Economy (N) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| OPERATED BY US AIRWAYS EXPRESS-REPUBLIC AIRLINES | Layover in PHL | 1h 17m | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Philadelphia (PHL) to Athens (ATH) – Tue, Sep 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| US Airways 758 | Dep: 4:20PM | Arr: 9:15AM | 9h 55m | Boeing 767 | Economy (N) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Layover in ATH | Wed, Sep 18 | 3h 0m | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Athens (ATH) to Chania (CHQ) – Wed, Sep 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Olympic Air 534 | Dep: 12:15PM | Arr: 1:10PM | 0h 55m | De Havilland Dash-8 | First (A) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Chania (CHQ) to Raleigh/Durham (RDU) – Wed, Sep 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chania (CHQ) to Athens (ATH) – Wed, Sep 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aegean Airlines 331 | Dep: 6:45AM | Arr: 7:35AM | 0h 50m | Airbus A320 | Economy (W) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Layover in ATH | 1h 10m | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Athens (ATH) to Rome (FCO) – Wed, Sep 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aegean Airlines 650 | Dep: 8:45AM | Arr: 10:00AM | 2h 15m | Airbus A320 | Economy (K) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Layover in FCO | 1h 5m | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rome (FCO) to Charlotte (CLT) – Wed, Sep 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| US Airways 721 | Dep: 11:05AM | Arr: 3:45PM | 10h 40m | Airbus A330 | Economy (N) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Layover in CLT | 2h 9m | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Charlotte (CLT) to Raleigh/Durham (RDU) – Wed, Sep 25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| US Airways 1915 | Dep: 5:54PM | Arr: 6:45PM | 0h 51m | Airbus A319 | Economy (N) | |||||||||||||||||||||
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