The location
Kissamos, also known as Kastelli, is a small town with cobbled streets, seafood restaurants, and local shops selling tractors to the nearby farming community. The narrow, characterful streets lead to you to a selection of cafes, a small archeological museum, and a useful supermarket for all of life’s essentials. On the outskirts of this seaside resort is a beautiful beachside taverna with a stunning yoga deck overlooking Mavros Molos beach with its golden sand and crystal clear sea.
Activities
Besides yoga and relaxing on the beach, there are loads more activities to explore including visiting ancient ruins, walking or hiking in the nearby mountains, or visiting the local olive mill for wine or olive oil tasting.
On our yoga-free day, optional longer trips will be organised, including to the historical city of Chania, with its maze-like old town, iconic lighthouse, and waterside restaurants. Alternatively, a boat trip to the Gramvousa islands, with their turquoise sea water and pink sand beaches is highly recommended!
The schedule
DAY 1 (Tuesday 29 June)
Check in
DAY 2 (Wednesday 30 June)
Morning Yoga
Breakfast
Afternoon Yoga
Evening Dinner
DAY 3 (Thursday 1 July)
No Yoga
Breakfast
optional trip
DAY 4, 5, 6 & 7 (Friday 2 – Monday 5 July)
Morning Yoga
Breakfast
Afternoon Yoga
Evening Dinner
DAY 8 (Tuesday 6 July)
Breakfast
Check Out
The yoga
The dedicated yoga space is a fabulous, shaded deck overlooking the sea. Here, Shamita will be leading two yoga sessions per day for 5 days (10 sessions). There is also the option of travelling to the other side of the island, and practising yoga on the beach.
There is one day kept completely free of yoga to allow for sightseeing.
The morning sessions will begin with pranayama (breathing techniques), which will then lead into a flowing, dynamic practice, finishing with a meditation or chanting.
Some of the evening sessions will follow a ‘workshop’ style format – exploring a different theme every day. Examples of themes we could explore could arm balances and inversions… feel free to suggest more themes you would like to explore!
Some of the other evening sessions will be a blissfully relaxing Yin practice, accompanied by the resonant vibrations of the gong.
This retreat will be suitable for practitioners of all abilities, from the relative newcomer to the seasoned yogi.
The venue
All the rooms are simply furnished, Cretan style, and have air-conditioning and en-suite facilities. There is also a kettle and fridge, and although none of them face the sea, it is only a matter of steps to reach the beach.
Some of the rooms have a balcony and carry a supplement. Please note that this is a taverna and not a hotel, and while immaculately clean and incredibly comfortable, the venue represents a ‘no frills’ option.
Sun loungers and beach umbrellas are provided for a small fee.
The food is healthy, delicious and home-cooked. Breakfast will include home-produced milk, eggs and cheese from the owners’ smallholding. The evening dinners are vegetarian, although local fresh fish options are also available.
Travel
Fly to Chania Airport.
Transfers are not provided, but if you wish, Free Spirit will team people up to share taxis from the airport. The transfer takes approximately 35 minutes, and the cost is calculated according to the number of people sharing.
It is also possible to arrive into Heraklion, although you are recommended to arrive by the afternoon if you wish to take the bus to Chania. A taxi from Heraklion take just under 3 hours.
The cost
Free Spirit prices for 2027 have not yet been set, but prices for 2026 are available to view, if you want to get a general idea. The 2027 price will include accommodation, daily breakfast, 5 evening meals, and 10 yoga classes.
Travel, transfers, insurance, food and drinks (other than those specified), and optional excursions are not included.
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