Chania Harbor

Chania Harbor

Island of Crete Yoga Retreat with Marci Lew

September 18-25, 2013 

Marci Lew  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

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.Fresh Traditional Food

 

 

 

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 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.
milia room milia cottage milia breakfast milia balony

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.  

Crete Yoga Retreat




*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
Cost per passenger (including taxes & fees) $1,535.10
Total cost for 1 passenger $1,535.10

 

 

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)
Cost per passenger (including taxes & fees) $1,345.70
Total cost for 1 passenger $1,345.70

 

 

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