Going with the slow... Cycladic retreat bliss

Paradise found, and revisited, in beautiful Koufonisia

As Corinne and I embraced the spirit of slow travel and took the Small Cyclades boat from Naxos to Koufonisi via the tiny islands of Iraklia , Schinoussa, Keros and Kato Koufonisi, we sailed alongside a pod of dolphins.

The islands reminded us - the more you slow down, the more you get to see.

Arriving at the turquoise waters of Koufonisi port, stepping off the boat felt like coming home. After the warmest of welcomes from the Villa St Astra hosts, we were lucky enough to be part of the Fisherman's Festival - a celebration of the island's soul, the sea and its fishermen. Eating, drinking and dancing ensued, and it was magical to experience authentic Cycladic culture.

As retreat guests arrived the next day, you could almost witness shoulders drop and brows soften as travel tensions melted away and we breathed in the views, the sea air, and the relaxed spirit that blows on the Meltemi breeze.

Our daily practices encompassed morning movement, hatha yoga, pranayama, mantra, mindfulness meditation and intention setting, and evening reconnection with yin and restorative yoga and guided yoga nidra.

All experienced at island pace, infused with raw, elemental Cycladic beauty, under the warm Aegean sun.

Sunrises and sunsets, and time in between to slow down, appreciate, notice, bask, in retreat bliss.

This time away from the layers of day-to-day life, catered for by the kindest hosts, offers us time to reconnect to self, to nature, to the elements, to each other, and find a harmonious peace that resides within.

Achilleas and Fofi kept us deliciously well-nourished with local and even home-grown brunches, and dinners in local tavernas were enjoyed under the light of the waxing Strawberry moon.

Legendary Captain Kostos navigated us around neighbouring Kato Koufonisi and Glaronisi on our private boat trip, finding hidden coves and unusual rock formations and swimming in the clearest of waters.

A personal highlight of this year's retreat was an incredible sound bath, organised in collaboration with Enkardia Wellness.

Accompanied by the evening soundscape of birdsong, insects and ocean waves, Nikolas took us on a journey through soundwaves and vibrations in an immersive, meditative, unforgettable experience.

Sharing the beautiful yoga space with Nikolas the following day for a morning yoga practice accompanied with crystal bowls and Tibetan gongs was an experience that will remain with me beyond the island.

It was a joy and a pleasure to have the wonderfully talented photographer Anne-Sofie Hjort join us in Koufonisia. Her images have captured the essence of the retreat and the island authentically, beautifully, magically, and she is a ray of Scandinavian sunshine. Thank you Sof.

Thank you to those who joined and collaborated. It's an honour to share this place and these experiences with you, and I hope Koufonisia brings you as much bliss as it does me.

For now, I'm enjoying a personal retreat on neighbouring beautiful Schinoussa. Recharging, replenishing, swimming, walking, meditating, reflecting. And planning a special experience for 2026. If you'd like to be the first to know more, pop your email here :

Cycladic Retreat 2026

If you're looking for a closer to home retreat experience, our Autumnal Retreat is back in the New Forest this October. You can find all the info here.