8 Day Relax and Rejuvenate Wellness Holiday with Yoga, Meditation and Walking in Alicante, Spain
Rejuvenating Yoga Retreat Spain
La Crisalida welcomes you to this specially designed retreat to help you relax and rejuvenate. In fact, this is one of the core values at the retreat. La Crisalida endeavors to give you the right balance between activity and rest so that your body and mind are able to release tension and stress, which, for some of the guests, is the reason for joining them.
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Highlights
- Daily guided walks
- Meditation sessions
- 12 yoga sessions per week
- Other program activities, including a daily guided walk and meditation
- Free transfer between the Alicante airport and the retreat
- Short walk to the local Blue Flag beach
- 7 nights peaceful accommodation
- 3 plant-based meals every day with optional juice cleanse
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
Accommodation
Facilities
- Sauna
- Swimming pool (outdoor)
- Table tennis
- Air-conditioned public areas
- Air-conditioned rooms
- Dining area
- Garden
- Kitchen
- Lounge
- Luggage room / storage
- Multilingual staff
- Smoke-free property
- Terrace
- Yoga deck
- Yoga studio
- Beauty salon
- Free parking
- Free Wi-Fi
- Ironing / ironing board
- Laundry
- Library
- Parking lot
- Wireless internet
- Outdoor shower
At La Crisalida, they offer spacious ensuite apartments, decorated in a light traditional Spanish style, with white-washed walls, throws, and bright scatter cushions. There are different types of accommodation that you can choose from to fit your budget and personal choice.
Every apartment includes a seating area, with large sofas and armchairs, plus a television and a DVD player, so you can choose to relax with one of La Crisalida Retreats' wide selection of DVDs. It is a small area with a dining table and chairs, plus an ensuite bathroom. There are also blackout curtains at the windows to help you get a good night's sleep.
For convenience, all apartments also have a basic kitchen containing a kettle and tea-making facilities and a fridge. They also supply a hairdryer, a safe, an iron with an ironing board, and a clothes dryer in every apartment.
The accommodation is situated in two buildings. Private (single person), twin-share, and multishare apartments are located on the ground floor and situated around the inner courtyard and magnesium pool area, with sunbathing facilities. They all have a small outside terrace area for your apartment.
In the second two-storey building, next to the second outdoor pool and close to the yoga terrace, the five apartments are all two-bedroom - there, you can have your own private bedrooms in a two-bed shared apartment.
All apartments have free access to Wi-Fi Internet. Rooms are cleaned regularly. All apartments and communal areas include central heating for the winter months and air-conditioning for the hot summer months. Fans are also provided.
You can choose from four types of accommodation:
Private apartment
If you like to have your own space, you can choose to have your own private, charming, and Spanish-style apartment. These apartments have their own ensuite bathroom, with an outdoor terrace area. They are situated around the quiet inner courtyard pool area.
Private room in a shared two-bed apartment
For those people who prefer to have their own private bedroom but are happy to share an apartment with one other person, you might like to choose this option. Each bedroom contains a double bed. The seating, dining, and kitchen areas are shared, and so is the ensuite bathroom.
These apartments are for two people (and you can book this option if you are travelling alone, La Crisalida will match you with another guest of the same gender). There are also two apartments that can sleep up to four people coming together as a group. Please ask La Crisalida for prices and availability.
Twin room in a twin-share apartment
You can choose to share one of La Crisalida's charming twin-share apartments with one other person. These apartments have been arranged to make the space suitable for social distancing. There are two single beds, separated by a wardrobe and shelf unit, so the large apartments are divided into two sleeping areas.
There is also a small seating area, kitchen, and ensuite bathroom (shared by both guests).
If you will be travelling on your own, you can book this accommodation type and La Crisalida will match you with someone of the same gender and, where possible, a similar age.
Multishare apartment
The multishare apartment is a great option if you will be travelling on a budget. La Crisalida has a limited number of apartments available that can sleep three or four people. This is a large apartment, containing three or four single beds.
The apartment has been arranged so that social distancing can be maintained. There is an ensuite bathroom, a seating area, a kitchen, and an outside terrace.
These apartments can be reserved by people coming as a group. Individuals travelling on their own can also book this accommodation option if they will be happy to share with up to three others (same gender).
Facilities:
The retreat is set in lovely Spanish grounds with mature plants, including bougainvillea, palm trees, and jasmine. There is a wide range of facilities at the retreat, including:
Yoga roof terrace
La Crisalida Retreats' roof terrace is used for yoga classes (depending upon weather conditions) so that you can enjoy practicing your yoga with the views of the mountains and sea. It is fully equipped with mats, blocks, blankets, and straps.
During the day, the terrace will give you magnificent sea and mountain views and it will be available for you to enjoy when not in use for retreat activities.
Indoor activity studio
The activity studio is used for workshops, rebounding, and other activities. Yoga classes are also held there on occasions when the roof terrace is not available (due to weather, e.g. too cold / hot / windy). It is fully equipped for yoga classes with mats, bolsters, straps, blocks, and blankets.
Please note that there is no weight lifting or similar gymnasium equipment at the retreat. This activity studio is fully heated during the winter months and is air-conditioned during the summer months.
Outdoor swimming pools
There are two outdoor swimming pools at La Crisalida. One is a magnesium pool that is heated in the cooler months, designed to support your relaxation. The second outdoor pool is located towards the south of the retreat grounds.
Sun beds and parasols
A large number of sun beds are available around the retreat, so you can choose where to relax. There is also an outdoor quiet seating area in which you can read, write, or relax.
Outside dining area
During the summer months, evening meals are eaten outside at large family tables in the outdoor dining area. There are also lots of tables and chairs around the retreat where you can choose to eat in.
Inside dining area and communal area
Breakfast and lunch are served there. You can choose to stay inside to eat around the large wooden tables or move outside to another dining area. This area also contains a sofa and television / DVD area, hot and cold water, herbal teas, and some games for you to play.
Terrace areas
All of the apartments around the lower magnesium pool have a personal terrace area containing a table and chairs with sunbeds.
Other amenities
- Internet access: Free Wi-Fi in all apartments and communal areas
- Table tennis: Enjoy a game of table tennis outside
- Ambient music: Quiet ambient music is played in the reception and dining areas of the retreat
- Satellite television: Every apartment contains a TV with satellite stations, mainly in English and Spanish, but a few French and German-speaking channels too
- DVD player in each apartment to enjoy one of La Crisalida Retreats' light-hearted DVDs from the DVD library
- Book swap library: Bring your book, and if you finish it, you can swap it for another one from the book swap library
- Educational books and DVDs to borrow during your stay at the retreat
- Car parking: If you wish to hire a car during your stay, there is private parking available on the retreat grounds
- Telephone: There is a telephone in your room
- Heating: All apartments and communal areas have central heating
- Air conditioning and fans: All apartments have air conditioning; fans are also available
Other apartment facilities include a fridge, hairdryer, tea-making facilities, an iron with an ironing board, and a clothes dryer. La Crisalida offers unlimited filtered water and herbal teas. Fresh fruit will also be available at all times.
Program
La Crisalida Retreats is a health and wellbeing center located in the quiet seaside town of Albir, north of Alicante on the Costa Blanca, Spain. They offer guests from all over the world a relaxing, all-inclusive retreat experience in their quiet and welcoming retreat center.
La Crisalida uses a combination of sunshine, walks, yoga, meditation and good food to help you achieve your goals. Experience deep relaxation in your weeklong retreat and by the end of your stay, you will feel deeply refreshed and rejuvenated.
They also offer a holistic approach to health and wellbeing through their program of activities that include yoga, life makeover workshops, meditation, rebounding, and more, combined with tasty and nutritious plant-based food and juices.
Imagine starting your refreshing yoga retreat with a morning meditation and then your first yoga class of the day outside on the terrace, with views of the sea and mountains. Enjoy a healthy breakfast before joining a workshop, taking a walk, or maybe relaxing on your sunbed with a good book.
You can try rebounding, aqua aerobics (summer only), or legs, tums, and bums before enjoying a delicious plant-based lunch. After a siesta, you can choose to participate in the afternoon activities or rest around the pool.
There is a weekly program of activities on offer. All activities are optional, so you can do as much or as little as you want to. Find the inner peace and leave feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and more like yourself.
Yoga
Yoga is a core part of the La Crisalida program, and they cater for beginners and people with an intermediate level of practice. Studies have proven yoga to be one of the best ways to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and relieve symptoms such as insomnia, depression, and anxiety. Yoga also helps to improve overall fitness, strength, and flexibility.
Yoga classes at La Crisalida
There are twelve yoga sessions every seven days. There is one all-level yoga class each day (suitable for beginners and intermediate-level practitioners), and at least five intermediate classes during the week. Classes are open to everyone; however, the intermediate classes are stronger and more challenging.
There is always one 90-minute class in the morning and five days per week, there is a second yoga class (either 60 or 90 minutes, depending upon the day).
Most of the yoga classes are Hatha-based, although La Crisalida Retreats offers a range of different yoga styles, including Yin, Restorative, Kundalini, and Hatha flow. There will be four or five yoga teachers each week, so you can experience different styles and teachers.
If you are new to yoga, this is your opportunity to try something new! The common theme underlying yoga at La Crisalida is to help you to get back in touch with the inner you, to find balance, strength, flexibility, and inner peace.
Where possible, the yoga classes will be held outdoors on the roof terrace (which has a retractable shade) with views of the surrounding area, sea, and mountains. They also have a lovely indoor studio in which to practice. You will leave your short yoga break feeling relaxed and rejuvenated from your time at the retreat.
Other activities
Each day, there are other classes that you can take part in, like yoga-lates (a combination of yoga and Pilates), legs, tums, and bums, in addition to rebounding and aqua aerobics (summer only).
Yoga Nidra and guided visualization
Each week, there will be a wonderful yoga Nidra session to enable you to deeply relax and reconnect body, mind, and spirit. You will also find deep relaxation in La Crisalida Retreats' guided visualizations.
Daily guided walks
La Crisalida's location by the sea and close to a natural park and woodland makes the surrounding area a great one to explore and enjoy the scenery, sea, and fresh air in. La Crisalida encourages all guests to join the daily guided walks, which will give you some of the very best views on the Costa Blanca.
Various routes can be followed depending on your desired level of activity.
Life makeover workshops
The La Crisalida program of life makeover workshops are designed to explore and enhance your sense of mental well-being. These workshops complement the meditation at the retreat, and although they are light-hearted and fun, they seek to capture the base cause of your experiences in life.
A key fundamental is that to have outer harmony in life, there must be inner harmony, and for there to be inner harmony, there must exist mastery of the mind. In these workshops, you can explore very practical ways of developing inner harmony.
You can also look at the role that motivation plays in your life and the role of your inner self, thoughts, and feelings in creating your own very personal reality. You can start to explore the often overlooked aspects of experience that you desire - those relating to inner riches.
La Crisalida retreat program
The retreat offers a full program of activities that run every day of the week, starting at 08:00 and finishing between 20:30 or 21:00 (depending on the activity). You will be welcome to choose to attend all the activities that you want to, or you might choose to simply relax with a good book!
Sample daily schedule
- 08:00: 90 minutes' morning walk
- 09:30: Morning juice or breakfast
- 10:30: 90 minutes' yoga class
- 12:15: 30 minutes' exercise class (it can be one of: rebounding, core work, or aqua aerobics in the summer)
- 13:00: Meditation
- 13:30: Lunch, followed by siesta / relaxation time
- Welcome chat for new guests
- 15:00: 60 minutes' class (cooking demo or juice demo), on some days
- 16:00: Afternoon juice
- 16:30: 90 minutes' class (it can be one of the workshops, exercise classes, e.g. yogalates, yoga)
- 18:30: Dinner: evening juice or healthy meal
- 19:30: Evening activity (it can be one of: yoga Nidra, guided visualization, mindfulness workshop, life makeover workshop, or evening walk in the summer)
Note that there will be twelve classes of yoga each week. The start time will vary by day, week, and season. This schedule is shown for indicative purposes, as classes can vary. You will be given a weekly program of activities when you arrive at the retreat, and a new program is available every Sunday for the following week.
Instructors
John Brant
John is an author, speaker, and transformational coach. He oversees the retreats, as well as often leads life makeover workshops, meditation, walking, and if you are lucky, rebounding! John worked in a high-pressure career as an Actuary before making significant changes in lifestyle, culminating in his move to Spain. At the retreats, he shares generously the best of what he has learned and put into practice. John inspires and challenges guests to take personal responsibility for their health and well-being.
Lisa Brant
Lisa is one of the founders of La Crisalida Retreats and one of the yoga teachers, taking a mindful therapeutic approach to yoga teaching. She is also a nutritionist and designs the food and juice menus at the retreat. Lisa originally trained as an epidemiologist, studying health and disease. After studying neurolinguistic programming (NLP), she changed direction in 2011 to take a more holistic approach to health and wellbeing. With more than twenty years of experience, Lisa shares her knowledge and expertise with guests so they can be more self-aware of their health.
LaCrisalida Team
The activities at La Crisalida are run by a talented team of skilled professionals. They have varied backgrounds and training, which encompasses yoga (500 hours or 200 hours minimum), personal training, Pilates, exercise to music, meditation, mindfulness, and much more. This wonderful team leads the activities and workshops. They will also welcome you to the retreat with a group welcome chat and will be around if you have any questions. In addition to all the staff at La Crisalida, the program team will be there to support you on your health and wellbeing journey.
Location
The retreat is located in Albir, a small seaside town on the Costa Blanca coast, in the Alicante province of Valencia, Spain. The town itself is relatively quiet, with tree-lined streets and an unhurried air - perfect for relaxation. It is located off the main road, up a quiet side street, within 15 minutes' stroll to the beach.
Shops and cafes are also close by in case you forget to bring something!
The coastline is stunning, with azure blue sea and a backdrop of mountains. The beach, the Playa del Racó l´Albir, has been awarded the prestigious EU Blue Flag classification, denoting its excellent facilities and cleanliness. It is a lovely place to relax and swim in all-year-round.
There is a lovely promenade that you can walk on, which stretches all the way up to Altea (a beautiful old hill town that is well worth a visit). From the beach, you can see Calpe Rock, the Penon de Ifach. Surrounding Albir is the Sierra Helada, a protected nature reserve.
The walk through trees to the lighthouse is beautiful, and you will be rewarded at the end with the opportunity to spot bottle-nose dolphins.
Although Albir is just north from Benidorm, the town cannot be more different, with very little nightlife apart from restaurants and cafes. The history of Albir goes back to the Roman times, when there was a settlement close to the seafront, and you can visit one of the settlements during your stay.
Food
They believe that the starting point for rejuvenation of the body and mind is through the foods that you consume. Therefore, they offer an abundance of fresh fruit, vegetables, and whole foods at La Crisalida Retreats. They serve a plant-based diet, packed full with nutrition to give your whole system support and a well-deserved rest.
They use seasonal products and where possible, products that are grown or sourced locally, so the menu is typically Mediterranean, with a twist! All dishes are prepared and cooked on the premises, with care and loving attention from their talented chefs.
They also use lots of herbs and spices to bring flavor and variety, plus serve a selection of dishes with a variety of textures, colors, and flavors.
All the meals (or juices) are included in the cost of your retreat. La Crisalida Retreats serves three meals every day. You can enjoy a range of dishes for lunch and dinner, sampling each dish served. Their chefs will serve you (safety measures introduced due to COVID-19), and you will be welcome to top up your plate as many times as you want to.
They also offer you the opportunity to try juicing - this is included in the cost of your retreat. You can choose to juice for one meal, one day, or one week, instead of eating. Each day, you can simply let them know if you want to eat or juice; you will have the flexibility to tailor your retreat for yourself.
The foods that they do not serve include: sugar, bread, dairy products (including milk, yogurts, and cheese), eggs, salt, coffee and tea (except herbal and green teas), alcohol, and sweets. These foods all place extra stress on your body systems, so by cutting them out for a few days or longer, the body has the opportunity to rebalance itself.
La Crisalida Retreats does serve vegan alternatives, including rice milk or soya yoghurts. Most of their food is naturally gluten-free, although occasionally, they do serve couscous or a couple of other dishes containing gluten. Each meal is nutritionally balanced, so it will include vegan sources of protein and a carbohydrate option.
Typical foods served:
Breakfast
There will be juice or a healthy breakfast (homemade granola, homemade muesli, and fruit salad as standard). During the cooler winter months, La Crisalida Retreats offers porridge variations in addition to the standard healthy breakfast.
Lunchtime
You can have bean burgers, courgette toppers, Buddha bowl, hummus, guacamole, falafel, and lots of different salads and vegetable dishes, like beetroot and mint salad, as well as olive tapenade on courgette “bread” or sweet potato “fries.” In the winter, they serve freshly made vegetable soups and in the summer, they offer an additional raw dish.
Evening meal
Examples include vegan paella, lentil sausages, vegan lasagna, Thai curry with coconut rice, tofu quiche, plus assorted salads and lots of vegetable side dishes. Twice a week, they serve amazing vegan desserts, and on Friday night, you can enjoy an alcohol-free cocktail.
Sometimes, occasional treats are provided - of the healthy variety, of course! In the afternoon, they will provide you with a fresh juice to freshen up before the 17:00 class.
La Crisalida Retreats can cater for most dietary requests for allergies or intolerances, including gluten- or wheat-free, coeliacs, and people with nut allergies. Please let them know at the time of booking if you have a special dietary request.
You are encouraged to drink at least three to five lliters of water per day whilst at the retreat, as this helps with the elimination of toxins and helps to keep the body well hydrated. Filtered water will be available for you around the retreat.
There will also be a wide range of herbal teas, including green tea and hot water, so you can make yourself a hot drink whenever you choose to. Fresh fruit will always be available as well.
Juicing
La Crisalida Retreats also offers you the option to juice, instead of eat, for one meal or every meal during your stay. You will have the flexibility to decide for yourself for each meal, so you can make your retreat personal for yourself.
Drinking fresh fruit and vegetable juices is a popular part of the La Crisalida program. Juicing is a fantastic way of delivering maximum nutrition to the body. The juices are designed to give the digestive system a well-earned break - much of the energy-intensive digestion work normally carried out by the body has already been done.
This allows the body to divert energy towards any worn-out or unhealthy cells, which will allow them to repair and rejuvenate with ease. With natural fresh juices, the very best nutrients are squeezed out of your favorite fruit and vegetables and put in liquid form into a glass. It often amazes guests how their juices can leave them feeling full for hours.
The juices are freshly prepared each mealtime using fruit and vegetables sourced locally. There is a well-designed menu of juices for breakfast and lunch. There is a small afternoon juice also provided in between the activities for all guests. You can choose your own juice for dinner from their extensive menu, or, if you feel adventurous, choose your own ingredients!
Juicing is a great way to cleanse the body of toxins, and this elimination process will work in harmony with your yoga practice at the retreat.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Detox juices
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Raw food
- Lactose Free
- Whole food
- Other dietary requirements on request
What's included
- Arrival any day of the week
- 12 yoga classes per week
- All your retreat program activities, starting at 08:00 and finishing at 21:00
- Free transfers between Alicante airport and the retreat
- Pool towel to relax on the sun loungers around the retreat or take to the beach
- Free Wi-Fi in your apartment and communal areas
- Satellite television in your apartment and DVD player
- Book swap, DVD library, and informative books
- Use of two outdoor swimming pools, one is a magnesium pool heated in the cooler months
- 7 nights accommodation, a stay in a large ensuite apartment (shared or private) with substantial facilities
- 3 meals per day (or nutritious juices, your choice)
- Unlimited fresh fruit
- Unlimited filtered water and herbal teas
What's not included
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Holistic treatments - massage, transformational or life coaching, facials, etc. - payable locally
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Alicante–Elche Airport
52 km
Transfer included
Arrival by plane
La Crisalida Retreats offers a free collection and drop-off transfer service from and to Alicante airport by shuttle bus. Please note that a minimum of a three-night stay applies. Flights must arrive and depart between set times during the day for the free transfer, and you must arrive by 21:00.
Simply inform La Crisalida Retreats about your flight details. They require a 72-hour notice to arrange your transfers. If you would prefer a private transfer, please let La Crisalida know, and they can arrange this at an extra cost.
Albir can also be reached from Valencia airport. The retreat does not offer transfers from Valencia, so you will need to make your own way. There is a good bus service from Valencia to Benidorm, then it will be a short 15-minute taxi ride to the retreat.
Arrival by bus
You can also take a bus to Benidorm and take a short taxi ride to the retreat.
Arrival by train
If you will be taking a train into Alicante, La Crisalida Retreats can organize a free shuttle transfer from the train station to the retreat, for trains arriving between 09:00 and 19:00. It uses a shuttle service. This service is shared with other people (not retreat guests) and has several stops before arriving at the retreat. The drive can be between 60 to 180 minutes.
Let La Crisalida know your arrival (and departure) train times; they require a 72-hour notice to arrange your transfers.
Arrival by car
If you want to explore the area before or after your retreat, you can hire a car. Let La Crisalida know if you would like driving directions to be sent to you. The distance is approximately 60 kilometers.
