Wellness holidays in Greece

There’s a healing history here that goes far deeper than a sparkling Mediterranean climate. So while the appeal of yoga classes overlooking the Aegean Sea under the glorious Grecian sun need little introduction, wellness holidays in Greece connect you to the birthplace of modern medicine, to herbs, healing plants and waterways that are steeped in ancient mythology.

These holidays are a celebration of the healing powers of nature, taking you away from the tourist-laden island hotspots and into the heart of some of Greece’s most authentic corners. Where you can swim in waterfalls, practice pilates on a platform over the sea and enjoy aromatherapy massages with oils distilled from home-grown herbs. These are places where organic food isn’t a lifestyle choice, but simply how it’s been grown for generations, and where local hosts are on hand to help uncover the wildlife, walks and legends that surround you.

As Tamara Warner, from our wellness and aromatherapy specialists in the Peloponnese, Tamsorellas, explains, Greece offers more than superficial Mediterranean beauty and fresh food. “That’s the wonder of it here – we use all the senses. It’s a combination of the beauty of the natural environment and the power of the elements – the sea, the weather, the heat of the sun. It really feels like all your senses have been heightened. It’s like magical realism in books – everything feels bigger, more exaggerated than in life.”

Groups are kept small and intimate – a maximum of 12 on most retreats – with yoga, pilates, meditation and Qigong tuition as a result all very personalised and tailored to you as an individual. So if you’ve never done a downward dog before in your life you’ll be well looked-after and very welcomed – even if the rest of your class has more experience.

Classes will usually take place in the early morning and evening, with the rest of the day at your leisure to swim, explore, hike or potter into the local village for a drink. Your hosts may offer some guided excursions – or simply advice and ideas on what to do. For Tamara Warner, the chance to challenge yourself is an integral part of any wellness retreat:

“About 4km from the house in the mountains there’s this wonderful archaeological site. It’s a beautiful, profound place, built on lay lines and with a 360° view. From there you can walk down to the river gorge and wade in up to your chest to explore the stalagmites and crystal-clear water in a cave. We recently had one lady with some mobility issues and she was very nervous about it. But we got into the water together and afterwards she said it was life changing. Another time I took a jog with a 72 year old guest – we jogged across the Olympia race track, it was just 200m, but according to some of the mythological tales describing the heroic feats of young men, you could almost imagine Achilles, Hector and Ajax flexing their muscles to compete there. It was a hugely poignant moment.”

Most retreats will provide three healthy, home-cooked and vegetarian meals per day and indeed, the benefits of an escape into rural Greece is the abundance of freshly-grown local produce. Much of traditional Greek cooking is vegetarian – and if you’re shopping at local markets it’s almost guaranteed to be organic. How much of a detox you want is up to you – you’re still on holiday remember, and many retreats will include a glass of local wine with dinner, or be happy to point you in the direction of a local taverna for a late afternoon Ouzo or a midday coffee.

Yoga retreats in Greece make the most of its Mediterranean sunshine, with morning and evening practise on the beach, on a terrace overlooking the sea or even from the deck of a sailing yacht. Beginners are very welcome, as are more experienced yogis and small retreats (max 12 people) mean your expert teacher can tailor everything to suit you. So even if this is your first downward dog you’ll be well supported.

The use of herbs for therapy is an ancient Greek tradition that stretches back beyond the beginnings of modern medicine to the times of the Gods. Aromatherapy retreats offer a unique connection to Greek herbal lore – not only will you enjoy expert massages but you’ll have the chance to learn how to distil your own essential oils from home-grown lemon verbena, lavender, rosemary, thyme and more. You’ll create your own healing balms alongside your hosts, and learn more about the lore and legends attached to each ingredient.

Most wellness holidays in Greece avoid the searing heat of the summer sun and opt to enjoy the more relaxing, refreshing warmth found in the April to May spring or September to October autumn. That’s not to say July and August need to be completely avoided – you won’t encounter the school summer holiday crowds that threaten to submerge Santorini or Mykonos, for example – and your retreat will simply arrange activities and classes for early in the morning and later in the evening to make the most of the coolest times of day. Although rarer, some retreats do offer winter stays too with cosy log-burning stoves to keep you warm even during the chilliest nights.

Pippa Dale-Harris from our wellness and yoga specialists Dolphin’s Leap shares her advice on when to go on a wellness break in Greece: “You might have apricots and cherries in June, and apples, pears and quinces in September/October. For us seasonal produce is so important. September is also a great time of year for swimming – the water is at its warmest. But there’s something special about each month. The end of July to August is hot, but retreats will offer a different programme, starting earlier in the morning with lots of time off in the middle of the day. Our July retreat will be hottest – but there’s lots of shade around the property which is surrounded by forest and you can stop and swim whenever you want.”