Yoga
Holidays |
Yoga Holidays in Crete 2009
| 7 April - 14 April * (Western Easter) | |
| 30 June - 7 July | 7 July - 14 July |
| 18 August - 25 August * | 25 August - 1 September * |
| 1 September - 8 September | 8 September - 15 September |
| 20 October - 27 October |
The setting 2009 will be our fourth year running yoga holiday courses at Hotel Leonidas and each year more people return to experience Iyengar Yoga in a really unspoilt peaceful setting. The hotel is right on the beach in Kissamos Bay and is owned by the warm and welcoming Kapsanakis family . It's about half an hour from the historic city of Chania and about forty-five minutes from its airport.
In 2007 the owners completed a purpose-built yoga space (see above and below) designed for our use and we have added wall ropes to the range of equipment we have available. All equipment is provided so there's no need to bring your own. The weekly yoga schedule runs something like this, although exact times can vary with the season and temperature.
| Tue |
Travel day | Welcome dinner | |
| Wed | 9.00-11.00 | 6.30-8.00 | |
| Thur | 9.00-11.00 | 6.30-8.00 | |
| Fri | 9.00-11.00 | 6.30-8.00 | |
| Sat | 8.30-11.00 | Free | |
| Sun | Free | 6.00-8.00 | |
| Mon | 9.00-11.00 | 6.30-8.00 | Farewell dinner |
| Tue | Breakfast | Travel day |
The schedule The morning yoga class is followed by a generous breakfast (which most people find keeps them going until the evening), and then your time is your own, to go off exploring - on foot, bike or car (hire can be arranged), to enjoy time on the beach swimming or sunbathing, or just to relax away from the usual hectic pace of life. The evening class includes some pranayama and often finishes as the sun is setting; the relaxing sound of the Aegean Sea washing the beach is a constant background to the yoga.
In 2007 we experimented with having a longer break across the middle part of the weekend and this has proved very popular, giving you scope for trips further afield. The course is suitable for all levels from beginner upwards and indeed the combination of basic level and more advanced students and teachers benefits all levels alike. Whatever your yoga background, Marios will expect you to work to the best of your ability!
Accommodation, food and locality Leonidas Hotel has double and single ensuite rooms which are simple, clean and airy but not luxurious so look elsewhere if you are used to five star luxury! Evening meals on the first and last nights are included. On other evenings you are free to do as you like, although most people, having once experienced Niki's cooking, will look no further than Leonidas' taverna! They serve a large variety of dishes, using mostly their own produce including fruit, vegetables, olive oil and yogurt. Vegetarians are extremely well catered for. There is a campsite next door which has a minimarket, bar and taverna and just a short walk away there's another campsite where you can use their exquisitely situated pool (see below).
The area around the hotel is quiet and rural, even though it's right on the coast. The village of Drapanias (with bakery, taverna and small shops) is a ten minute walk and from there you can catch buses to either Kastelli or Chania. Cars can be hired locally for as many days as you require and can be brought to the hotel for you, and bike hire is always popular.Taxis can be arranged by us for trips if you prefer not to hire a car.
This part of Crete is a wonderfully varied area, known for its olive oil since antiquity, and there are many brilliant places to visit within easy reach. Falassarna is a beautiful long sweep of yellow sand facing west which has the most stunning sunsets - it's only about 20 mins drive away. Boat trips are available to Balos Bay and the Gramvousa peninsula, which are only accessible by four-wheel drive, but offer fabulous swimming, snorkelling and sunbathing. Nearby Kastelli (also known as Kissamos) is a quiet untouristy sort of place, with plenty of shops, tavernas, banks and post office and internet cafe for all your practical needs.
When to come? April is fresh, green and generally warm and sunny. The sea is not yet warm-bath temperature but refreshing and invigorating to swim in.
July is hot settled summer weather but quiet at Mithimna as the Greek holiday season isn't yet in full swing.
August is hot settled summer weather with a holiday atmosphere at Mithimna. The temperature cools slightly and brings welcome breezes towards September. Greek holiday season ends around the last weekend in August and it becomes very quiet after that.
October is almost always warm, sunny and clear and Mithimna is very quiet at this time of year. Although the weather can't be guaranteed the sea is usually still warm after the long summer months.
Travel Information (flights and insurance are not included in the price)
The courses run from Tuesday to Tuesday to fit in with charter flights to Chania from the UK. Direct flights to Chania are available from Gatwick for the whole season, and from Manchester and Birmingham between May and October. Aegean Airlines new daily service from London Stansted to Chania via Athens is excellent and very good value if you book well in advance. Flights to Heraklion are available from Gatwick, Manchester and several other regional airports. Easyjet offer budget flights into Athens where you can take a domestic flight to Chania (several per day) and a service to Heraklion from Gatwick and Manchester. Chania is also served by two ferries a day from Piraeus (Athens). Please visit our links page for some useful travel sites. Car hire is available locally or can be pre-booked with your flight from Chania or Heraklion airports.
For travel information from outside the UK please visit our new page Bookings from outside the UK.
