1 independent reviews for Yoga and relaxation retreat in Corfu, Greece
Reviews for Yoga and relaxation retreat in Corfu, Greece
Louise Holloway review 13 Oct 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Our evening yoga sessions on the beach bar rooftop were so special, gently moving with the sound backdrop of waves lapping the shore. Then watching the beautiful sunsets before returning for a fantastic evening meal and conversations at the hotel that has fantastic views across the bay. Those memories will stay with me. Another very special experience was kayaking in crystal clear sea water, viewing the seabed as we paddled along the beautiful coastline fringed with olive trees and native vegetation.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
This is a gentle activity vacation with a focus on yoga at each end of the day. It is relaxing, even if you take advantage of all the wonderful activities on offer. This vacation helped me along my healing journey through Long COVID. It was the combination of the yoga, friendliness of everyone, the beautifully warm sea, sunshine and excellent healthy food. It was easy to immerse in the vacation and switch off from all the stresses of home. However, Long COVID sufferers will want to be mindful of the numerous steep steps between the yoga locations and the hotel.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We had a great choice of high quality buffet style food, all prepared by the amazing Greek chef. Plenty of fresh salads, veg and fruit, apparently locally sourced. Olive oil prepared by the owner from her own trees. Regarding sustainability, water is a key issue at the hotel and one thing that struck me straight away as I first entered the hotel, was the huge amount of imported bottled water. I was relieved to learn that a more cost effective and ecofriendly scheme has been proposed to set up a chiller with filtered water from which people could fill their own bottles, or alternatively buy a bottle with the Pink Palace logo. However, perhaps the biggest sustainability challenge the island faces is water supply, worsened by climate change. Aquifers are no longer sufficiently replenished by winter rain and the demand for water from tourism is great. How to resolve? Many people who take this vacation are naturally interested not only in their own wellbeing but that of the wider world. Maybe our awareness is a good first step, along with an invitation to conversations about potential solutions. Another interesting issue that is linked to climate change are the mounds of seagrass washed up along the shoreline by the beach bar. Fellow guests were puzzled by this. We learned that 30% has been lost. The irony is that apparently 1 square metre of seagrass can produce as much oxygen as 1 hectare of Amazonian rainforest! Here is another opportunity for the Pink Palace to raise awareness that could trigger interest and positive conversations about actions to save the lungs of the Mediterranean. I and those I was with felt that our love for the place increased with this insight. If there is conservation action in Corfu focused on seagrass (an important part of the marine ecosystem too), it would be great to offer us the opportunity to donate to a fund to support it.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
4 stars due to potential to improve sustainability. Otherwise, I really recommend this special vacation. The accommodation is good with balconies and fantastic views across the bay. Although there were as many as 40 of us on the yoga vacation at one point during my week long stay, it did not feel too busy, in large part due to the Pink Palace team’s flexibility and smooth organisation of activities. Solo travelers can be as integrated or independent as they wish.Holiday Reviews
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