DREAMERS RETREAT
IN ANDALUCIA
ABOUT THE TRIP
In this wild time to be alive, let’s connect to our imaginations, our feeling, sensing, dreaming selves. A week of dreaming in beautiful Andalucía in the south of Spain!
Dream and breathe for 6 days, 5 nights at the enchanting Lucia Yoga Retreat Center nestled in Andalusia’s gorgeous mountainous National Park, Sierra de Grazalema. A short shuttle ride from Seville or Malaga will transport you into the mountains to our lovely secluded retreat. You’ll sleep in one of the charming Spanish villas, where you might find your favorite spot to watch the sunrise over the mountains, lounge with a friend on a terrace, or dip into one of the refreshing pools.
Here, join Erin Pfahler, writer and yoga instructor, as your guide along with the wonderful retreat host and Spanish local, Antonio Escobar who will take us on daily excursions through the nature preserve, to quintessential Spanish towns, and opportunities to enjoy the local scenery, food, and community.
Let’s shift back into our bodies, our heart’s longing, and our dreams for the future through movement, yoga, writing, nature, and travel in community!
Traveling can be a door to inspiring thoughts, visions, and ideas to come through. Immersed in a new place, culture, language, and routine something magic happens. Some would say the same about movement. When moving, whether flowing through yoga postures, hiking to the top of a hill, dancing in the kitchen, or swimming through water, movement can get imagination rolling.
The Dreamers Retreat will center on honing in on the inspirations that naturally arise with travel, movement, writing, and companionship. An opportunity to tune back in to what matters most to you and enjoy opening to dreams as a light to get us through dark times.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
~ 5 nights stay at the enchanting Lucia Yoga Retreat Center nestled in Andalusia’s gorgeous mountainous National Park, Sierra de Grazalema. You'll stay in one of the charming Spanish villas in your own room or with one other guest (your partner, a dear friend or another adventurous traveler in our group, perhaps?). Each villa has a unique set up with a lounge area, terrace and pool to enjoy! Imagine waking up to a morning yoga practice just steps away from your bed followed by a refreshing dip in a pool on a beautiful summer day. All with the breathtaking view of the surrounding Mediterranean forest. It really is that spectacular!
~ All in-country transportation, including pick up and drop at the Seville airport on arrival and departure days at designated time (Erin will share recommended flight arrival and departure times)
~ 3 delicious Mediterranean inspired meals daily prepared by chefs at the retreat center (breakfast, lunch and dinner). Breakfast is served buffet style with fruit, bread, cereal, oatmeal, nuts, spreads, juice, smoothies, coffee and tea. Lunch and dinner are served family style with starter and main course. Dessert is served at dinner. On arrival day, only dinner will be served and on departure day, only breakfast. Wine will be available to purchase, but not included. Tap water is clean and safe to drink
~ A 24 hr. snack table available with fruit, coffee and tea to refuel during free time
~ Day/ evening trip to traditional white painted hill town, Ronda, where you will have time in the afternoon on your own to explore, walk the charming streets, shop, admire the historic architecture, art, and Puento Nuevo. We'll reconvene together as a group for a tapas and wine together at a local cafe prior to a traditional flamenco show, a passionate art form of dancing, singing, and music birthed in Andalucía
~ Guided Hiking excursion with our retreat host, Antonio, through the Nature Reserve, Sierra de Grazalema, with a tour into local history and wildlife in the area
~ Walking trip from retreat center to the quaint mountain town, El Gastor
~ Day trip to Setenil de las Bodegas where we'll spend free time exploring and then gather together to drink wine in a cave and taste the best jamón and cheese of the region. Option for sparkling water or juice, too!
~ Daily morning yoga practice
~ 3 guided workshops full of movement, writing, and creative inspiration
~ Access to the retreat center’s swimming pools, gardens, terraces and hiking trails
~ Time for personal reflection, dreaming & writing, lounging by the pool, self-guided hiking and opportunities to explore and relax on your own
~ Connection, laughter & fun with retreat hosts and other retreat participants!
~ Space for personal growth and exploration
~ Thorough support prior to our trip, including extensive recommendations for packing, insider’s tips, and more!
~ And many more unexpected surprises of wonder that travel brings!
About Andalucía
Rick Steve's says it well: "When my travel dreams drift off to Spain, they often include visions of Andalucía," When you think of Spain, there's a high chance the images that come to mind are those of Andalucía's olive trees, bright red flamenco dresses and dancing, and tapas. Andalucía is vibrant, diverse, passionate, and known as the soul of Spain. The southernmost region (autonomous community) on the Iberian Peninsula and dotted with a route of white hill towns that are painted white to stay cool in summers — each with stories of their own. Where the merging of many cultures meet, history can be seen, tasted, heard, and felt in the architecture, food, traditions, music and people that make this special place so full of life.
Tourism is complex. It’s a wild and weird time to be alive. This retreat will be an opportunity to explore together how to be in a mutually beneficial, respectful relationship with the places, plants, animals and people we visit in the south of Spain. We are honored and excited to return to this special place.
INVESTMENT
The actual cost of this retreat per person is $2,015 for a shared room ($2,190 for single), which is a great deal compared to many retreats on the market this year.
Payment plans and sliding scale are available. If you’d benefit from this, when you pay your deposit just check the payment plan option and select the total that you can commit to paying. You’ll receive an invoice and get reminders, but are in control of the amounts and can pay on your schedule by the final due date. Sweet!
Pay deposit (or full amount) to reserve your spot.
Double (shared) Occupancy: sliding scale $1815 - $2015
Single Occupancy: sliding scale $1990 - $2190
Please note that retreat reservations are non-refundable.
Travel insurance is highly recommended to protect your purchase.
MEET ERIN PFAHLER
Erin Pfaher is a teacher, writer, and artist. As a lover of movement, her work as a writer incorporates writing from and researching the body and what it means to be in one. Yoga has been her main movement practice for almost twenty years because of its connective qualities between mind, body, spirit, and with other living beings. Her official trainings range from the initial Vinyasa Yoga training she attended in 2015, to Mind Body Solutions Adaptive Yoga Training, Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga Training and Accessible Yoga Training along with additional workshops in the body-based practices of Body-mind Centering, Authentic Movement, Viewpoints, Suzuki, various dance modalities, and most recently Generative Somatics. She's always working on some form of interdisciplinary works of nonfiction writing, dance, video or collage surrounding the themes of connection, relationship, and the body and loves to share that creative spark with others through classes and workshops.
Erin currently offers virtual yoga classes, writes, and lives in Pompano Beach, FL where she's working towards her MFA in creative writing at Florida Atlantic University and spending plenty of time in the ocean.
FAQ
That’s a lot of great stuff to look forward to!
What’s not included?
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X airfare to and from Spain
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X extra drinks, snacks, and alcohol
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X travel insurance (highly recommended for unforeseen needs while traveling internationally, and to protect your investment)
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X Spa treatments such as massage
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X Gratuities for the staff
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X Healing all your trauma in one week
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X Individualized transportation to retreat center (you’ll need to be sure to coordinate your flight with pickup and drop off times or pay extra fee for private taxi)
How do I get there?
I’ll provide detailed recommendations on timing your travel. In short: 1.) you book your flight to the Seville airport 2.) retreat center hosts pick you up at the airport or city center at designated time
When is the best time to purchase my flight?
The best time to purchase flights for an international trip is 70-90 days before the trip (11-12 weeks out). I plan to purchase my flight near the end of March/ beginning of April.
I really want to bring my partner, but they don’t practice yoga. Can they still come?
Absolutely. All group activities, including yoga, are optional. And, all the yoga practices will be accessible to a range of levels. Some yoga classes will be great for everyone, including folks who have never practiced yoga. Other classes may be geared toward people with some experience practicing yoga. You’ll be provided with a detailed itinerary, so you (and your partner!) can decide what you’d like to participate in, and what you’d like to skip.
I’m looking for a relaxing vacation, is this the right trip for me?
Honestly, probably not. While there will certainly be moments to relax and rejuvenate (think daily yoga practice, writing time and plenty of free time to swim, nap and lounge), this trip is designed to encourage moments of safely stepping out of your comfort zone, broadening your perspective and growth.
Do I need to be a writer to attend?
Nope! All writing will be prompted, sharing optional, and accessible to beginner to more experienced writers.
What airport do we fly into?
For this trip you’ll want to fly into Seville Airport on or before June 7th. BE SURE TO FLY IN NO LATER THAN 1pm! (local time) Get a flight that leaves after 3pm for the return flight June 12th. If you wish to arrive early to the Seville area, great! You’ll need to arrange your own accommodations, and meet our group at the pick-up location. If you want to stay later in the area after the retreat, the shuttle can drop you in the city center of Seville, but you’ll be responsible for your travel from then on.
Be sure to make sure that your passport and all necessary identification is updated!
I have accessibility needs. Can I come?
I encourage you to reach out if you have specific accessibility needs or questions. Classes and workshops will be adaptive, and trauma informed; everything offered is optional. But will include physical movements such as getting up and down from the floor. Classes will be taught in English. Visiting the Lucia Yoga Nature Reserve center requires riding a shuttle bus, walking up stairs, and walking on uneven ground. It will likely be hot and humid.
Are all the meals included?
Yes. Options for vegetarian, vegan and gluten free. Dietary restrictions will be accommodated as much as possible. If you have strict dietary restrictions, please share that in your registration.
Do I have to do everything the group does?
Nope! We are into consent, agency and listening to what you need. Everything offered is optional. For the best experience, we encourage you to attend all or most sessions, but of course if you need to sleep, take a walk, or have alone time instead, no problem. Just let me know so I know you’re OK. In class, there’s always alternative set ups, ways of working, and options available.
What’s your refund policy?
There are no refunds, transfers or discounts for cancellations, illness, arriving late, leaving early, or travel snafus. If you cancel your participation in the retreat for any reason, this cancellation policy applies. As soon as a deposit is made, these funds are used to secure your trip, and paid to the retreat center, which is what the majority of each ticket goes towards; these fees are due to retreat organizers many months in advance. Payments to retreat centers by organizers are nonrefundable, as the livelihood of the local staff relies on secure income. We are grateful to travel to special places and respect their policies.
TRAVEL INSURANCE IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. In our current COVID era it should be considered a given for any international travel.
In the unlikely event that we must cancel due to natural disaster, illness, etc, we cannot guarantee a refund – however, I will reschedule the retreat!
Do I need a passport?
Yes.
Am I enough of a writer, yogi, traveler, etc. to attend?
Yes!
Join us!
Register today to reserve your spot. Space is limited to maintain an intimate retreat experience.
Reach out with any additional questions you might have. Hope you can make it!