We are pleased to announce that destination yoga will be hosting a 6 day / 5 night yoga retreat to sunny southern Spain over New Year, from 28 December to 2 January.  The retreat will be hosted at Shanti Som, a delightful slice of South East Asia, but only 20 minutes north of Marbella in beautiful rolling countryside.  Why fly long haul to Asia when you can simply nip down to Spain?

Once you step through the doors of this boutique 14 bedroom residence, you enter another world.  Its stylish and elegant design, high beamed ceilings, thatched roof-tops, tinkling water and liberal sprinkling of giant Buddhas all create the sense of being on another continent.  It’s delightfully welcoming and instantly calming.  The perfect haven for a 5 night yoga retreat over New Year, allowing you to return refreshed and energised and ready to face 2012 with a smile.

Tucked away in a shallow valley, surrounded by rolling hills and open countryside, Shanti Som lets you escape the hustle and bustle of modern life and immerse yourself in all things healthy and peaceful.  The food is delicious, nutritious and healthy; the spa offers an excellent array of treatments and therapies; the yoga pavillion is a triumph; the hillside pool is a tranquil oasis and the bedrooms are supremely comfortable, and all with stunning en suite shower rooms.

Liz Lark, one of our much loved and highly acclaimed yoga teachers, will be teaching guests on this New Year retreat, with morning and evening classes every day.  Between classes you can walk in the countryside, relax by the pool, treat yourself to a massage in the spa, or enjoy a session in the steam room or sauna.

Prices include 5 nights accommodation, brunch and dinner every day, all yoga classes, and free use of the sauna, steam room and pool.  We hope you will agree that this is great value for a luxurious New Year getaway in the Spanish sunshine.

For full details about this retreat and to view the picture gallery for this stunning property, please see New Year retreat

Now that it feels like the summer is coming to an end and autumn’s just around the corner, you just know that in a couple of weeks time your going to start dreaming about escaping to somewhere warm and sunny – especially if it enables you to return home fully equipped to deal with the Christmas party season….

The luxury in:spa villa in exotic Marrakech will be hosting four retreats over the winter, where the warm sunny days are followed by cool nights, and provides the perfect environment for a re-energising and rejuvenating week.  Join us in November or over New Year or, if you’d prefer your holiday to help you tackle the (possible?!) excesses of  Christmas instead, join us in February or March 2012.  It’s a great way of ensuring you start the year looking and feeling amazing.

If you can’t wait until November and would like to join an earlier in:spa retreat, our team of chefs, nutritionists, personal trainers, massage therapists, yoga teachers and hiking guides will be in sunny southern Spain at our charming boutique hotel in Andalusia from 12-19 October.  We’re also here in January and most of the summer next year.

How about some skiing? Fitscape will be hosting two ‘fitness and ski’ holidays in the mighty Italian Dolomites (this December and next March), staying at the superb 5 star Hotel Rosa Alpina.  A wonderful base for a week of healthy food, daily guided skiing in same level groups, stretching and fitness sessions, and restorative yoga in the early evening.  The perfect wind-down at the end of a great day on the slopes.

However, the spa at Rosa Alpina – recently voted by Conde Nast Traveller readers as the ‘best spa hotel in Europe’ – is absolutely worth a visit and provides the perfect alternative to your afternoon fitness session or yoga class.  It’s your holiday, so it’s totally up to you!  There’s also a swimming pool, steam rooms and saunas, and a jacuzzi.

If you’re just looking for an exceptional fitness holiday, with no skiing, we have fitscape weeks to the South of France in October and Andalusia in November and over New Year.  We promise you’ll come home much fitter after a fun, inspiring and rewarding holiday.

Yoga holidays are another option for you.  Our destination yoga brand is hosting a 5 night / 6 day yoga tour to New York, under the guidance of Katrina Repka.  Stay at the chic Hotel on Rivington in the hip Lower East Side, and join Katrina at some classes (once or twice daily) with her favourtite teachers at a selection of different yoga studios.  From 19-24 November, it’s also the perfect pre-Christmas shopping trip to the Big Apple.  Stay on a couple of days and celebrate Thanks Giving.

Alternatively, we have an 8 day yoga holiday to the spiritual home of yoga: India.  This is our third January in a row here, and our guests love it.  We stay at a superb Relais & Chateaux country retreat, about an hour from Bangalore, which is stylish, clean, and very comfortable.  The food is delicious and the spa is lovely, with great treatments.

Please call us if you’re after some further ideas or advice on which trip would suit you best, we would love to hear from you.  Call us on 0845 458 0723 or email emily@thehealthyholidaycompany.com

in:spa has been hosting retreats to exotic Marrakech since 2004.  It is definitely one of our cornerstone destinations that is perennially popular with both new and long standing in:spa guests.  We will be hosting retreats at Dar Liqama, an exquisite luxury villa located in the smart Palmerie district of this ancient city, conveniently located just 20 minutes from both the airport and the world famous Medina, a UNESCO world heritage site.  Dar Liqama is a relatively new building (with all the mod cons our guests like) but feels much older.  It has been inspired by the traditional riads of Morocco with open courtyards, elegant archways, grand columns and opulent textiles recurring throughout, creating a warm and welcoming space.  Set against the truly magnificent back drop of the towering Atlas Mountains.

Wander around the four acres of lush lawns and walled gardens that surround the villa and enjoy the scent of orange, lemon and apricot trees. It’s easy to find a shady spot in the grounds with a choice of courtyards, canopied alcoves and tented terraces all offering refuge on a hot day, with nothing but the sound of trickling water from a nearby fountain to disturb the tranquility.  And, with two inviting swimming pools, there’s everything you need for a perfect re-energising and re-juvenating week with in:spa.  However, all this charming luxury would be nothing if it was not for the expert friendly team of in:spa chefs, nutritionists, masseurs, yoga teachers, chefs, personal trainers and hiking guides.  Their mission is, quite simply, to create the environment to enable all our guests to return home after just one week looking and feeling amazing.

in:spa retreats will be hosted in Marrakech on the following dates in 2012:

• February 15 – 22
• March 14 – 21
• November 15 – 22
• December 28 – January 4 2013

See all in:spa dates and prices

All inclusive prices for 7 nights start at just £2,095 per person.  Prices include:  ensuite accommodation, all meals and beverages, airport transfers with recommended flights (but not the flights), all group physical activities (i.e. hikes, yoga, fitness training), one on one personal training session, one on one nutritional consultation, a cookery demonstration, two massages, and constant access to the in:spa team throughout the day and evening.

If you can’t wait until next year to discover the delights of Marrakech, you will be pleased to hear that we will be hosting retreats here this year in November and over New Year.  For full information about our retreats to Marrakech, please click in:spa retreats marrakech

We have just returned from a research trip to south west France to visit Chateau Dumas, about 45 minutes north of Toulouse. Located on top of a hill with panoramic 360 degree views of rolling countryside and medieval towns and villages in the distance, this comfortable, elegant Chateau looks like it will be joining our portfolio of properties for 2012 as a destination yoga venue. The beautiful, oak beamed yoga studio is light and airy and just a short stroll across the Chateau’s formal gardens from the main building. There are currently 12 bedrooms, ranging from large suites to smaller studio rooms, and – by next Spring – 3 or 4 new bedrooms will be added in the delightful gate house.

The 18th century Chateau was purchased by an English couple six years ago and been lovingly restored and updated. The bedrooms all now have sleek, contemporary bath or shower rooms, and the feel of the place is like that of a large privately owned country house. Which, effectively, is what it is.

The property sits in 22 acres of gardens, parkland and woods with plenty of wonderful places inside and out to relax and enjoy. There are some great walks and cycling trails too for guests to explore when not enjoying a yoga class or relaxing by the sheltered swimming pool.  For example, 6 km/4 miles away and visible from the Chateau is the delightful medieval hilltop village of Montpezat de Quercy with its 14th century church (Collegiale St Martin) and 16th century tapestry.  Definitely worth a visit!

We look forward to formally introducing this terrific new addition to our detination yoga portfolio in a few weeks time, once all the paperwork etc. has been completed. If this destination is of interest to you, please be sure to sign up to our destination yoga newsletter in order to be notified when specific dates and prices for Chateau Dumas are available.

For information about all our yoga holidays, please click destination yoga or call us on 0845 458 0723

We are really pleased by the performance of all our brands in 2011, and look forward to 2012 with considerable optimism.  We have been busy negotiating rates with our various properties and have today published a raft of dates for 2012.  Please see all holiday dates However, as you will see, whilst we have published a reasonably comprehensive selection of fitscape fitness holidays, there are only a few in:spa retreats, and only one destination yoga holiday.  This is, of course, a temporary state of affairs and we very much look forward to adding to our 2012 listings over the coming days and weeks.

To be notified of new dates, please sign up to the newsletter of the brand(s) that interest you the most on our newsletter page or check our websites again in the near future.

Venues:  In 2011, we introduced a wonderful new venue in the quiet rolling hills of southern Spain and – since it has had such rave reviews – will be available for many more weeks next year for both fitscape fitness holidays and in:spa retreats.  Likewise, our magical chateau in the South of France will also offer both in:spa and fitscape holidays 2012.   Marrakech remains extremely popular in our winter months from November to March, when it is delightfully warm and sunny in north Africa, so our luxury 15 bedroom villa in exotic Marrakech will play host to several in:spa retreats next year too (dates to be announced shortly).   The 5 star Hotel Rosa Alpina in the Italian Dolomites is an exceptional destination for fitscape fitness holidays, for both summer adventures and winter ski and fitness weeks, and we very much look forward to lots of trips to Italy in 2012.

As mentioned above, thus far we have only published one destination yoga holiday in 2012: to Shreyas in India We will shortly be announcing 2012 dates and prices for trips to Italy, Greece and a wonderful new venue on the coast in Turkey.

This is a rather different style of holiday from our usual destination yoga trips, but we very much hope you find it interesting!

Katrina Repka, who has lived and taught in New York, will be hosting our 5 night / 6 day yoga holiday to the city.  Stay at the sleek and chic Hotel on Rivington on Manhattan’s hip and historic Lower East Side (see hotel reviews), and join Katrina at her personally selected yoga studios and teachers for one to two inspirational yoga classes every day.  She will be choosing from a number of New York’s most celebrated studios and will likely include the following:  ISHTA yoga, Jivamukti, Virayoga, OM Yoga, Yogaworks, Laughing Lotus, Kula Yoga, The Shala, I am You.  We will publish the complete itinerary once studios and all yoga teachers are confirmed.  But this promises to be a truly awesome trip to the Big Apple, combining wonderful yoga classes with all the joys of the city.  And that probably includes some shopping!   Particularly handy with Christmas just round the corner.

Our recommended flight for the trip is with British Airways, departing London Heathrow at 11.00 on 19 November and arriving in New York at 13.40  The return flight departs 24 November at 18.25 and arrives Heathrow at 06.20 on 25 November.  Of course, guests are welcome to travel before or after the dates we are suggesting, particularly as some may wish to stay on a little longer to join friends and family for Thanks Giving.

Prices include: 5 nights accommodation with breakfast at the Hotel on Rivington, and all yoga classes.

Click here for further information about Hotel on Rivington

Click here for further information about all our yoga holiday destinations

The guests on our recent 8 night destination yoga holiday to India, staying at Shreyas, have all returned safely. We are delighted to report that everyone loved their trip and the holiday was such a great success that we have already confirmed another week over roughly the same dates for next year. Namely: 28 January to 5 February 2012. British Airways flys direct from London Heathrow to Bangalore, and local transfers – which take about an hour – are provided within the holiday cost which starts at £995 per person all inclusive (ex flights).

Everything is so well managed at Shreyas and all the staff are exemplary. Nothing is too much trouble. This allows Katrina Repka, our much loved and very highly regarded yoga teacher, to concentrate on her guests and their yoga classes, and therefore maximise the benefits and the experience of all the guests.

Shreyas is a haven of luxury in the countryside an hour from the hustle and bustle of Bangalore. The indoor and outdoor yoga spaces are magnificent; the bedrooms are all meticulously prepared, stylish and very comfortable; the tranquil spa has a wonderful range of sublime treatments on offer; the swimming pool is heaven for a cooling dip; the food is delicious; and there’s even a private cinema! No wonder everyone had such a wonderful time and are already planning to book for next year.

For full details about our next trip to India, please see destination yoga shreyas

We have just adjusted all the dates for our destination yoga holidays to Puglia.  Originally, these were all 6 night trips but we’ve now extended them all to 7 nights by adding an extra night to the end of the holiday.  But prices remain unchanged, from £950 per person all inclusive.

It’s our second year here at this delightful yoga destination, called Santa Maria del Sole.  After so many glowing reports from guests in 2010 we have added more weeks here in 2011: two in July, two in August and one in September (see below).  And we are extremely pleased to be able to offer guests not just more weeks to choose from, but also a fantastic selection of much loved and highly regarded teachers: Liz Lark, Graham Burns, Zephyr Wildman, Heather Elton and Phillipa Gendall.

Santa Maria Del Sole is a perfect location for a week of yoga, sun, natural beauty and relaxation. There is a lovely outdoor yoga platform and indoor yoga studio. There will be two yoga classes a day and each guest will have the opportunity to practice at his/her own level making the week suitable for students of different abilities. Three meals are served daily (with one evening meal out at a local restaurant) and there will be plenty of free time to relax, enjoy the views, swim, read, sleep, have treatments or explore the local villages and countryside.

Santa Maria Del Sole is a 15-hectare property situated on a small hillock in the heart of the Itria Valley in the heel of Italy’s boot. (Nearest international airport is Brindisi). The landscape is rural and dotted with beautiful olive trees and vineyards, divided by pretty dry-stone walls. The main building is a 16th century masseria (farmhouse) that has been elegantly restored in typical, old apulian style with many of the authentic features still in place.

The grounds contain lovely gardens, a swimming pool, a wild forest and fields, and a tiny church. There is plenty of space to walk and be free.

Food: Vegetarian meals are cooked to an excellent standard using local produce. You will sample some of the traditional recipes of Puglia. If you have any special dietary requirements please notify us at the time of booking and we will do our best to accommodate these.

Treatments: There is a massage room where a range of massage treatments are offered at very reasonable rates. Advance notice of interest is preferable and sessions should be booked at the beginning of the week.

Accommodation: All rooms are en suite with shower, toilet and basin. Each room is a different shape and unique is its own way. Furnishings and fabrics complement the building and create a calm and very comfortable environment. The masseria comfortably accommodates 10 students and close by there are another 5 rooms in the trulli houses. These small, white conical buildings are one of the most magical aspects of the Puglian landscape.

Dates & Teachers

July16 – 23    Zephyr Wildman

July 23 – 30   Liz Lark 

July 30 – 6 Aug  Graham Burns 

August 6 – 13  Heather Elton

September17 – 24  Phillipa Gendall 

Please enquire now by email or call us direct on 0845 458 0723

Designed to get you fitter and healthier, have a fantastic time, and experience a magical ski holiday in the spectacular Italian Dolomites.

Our destination is the Hotel Rosa Alpina, a beautiful Relais & Chateaux family run hotel in the charming village of San Cassiano (at 1,535m). You will be surrounded by one of the world’s greatest ski areas: the Dolomiti Superski. It consists of 12 valleys, 460 lifts and 760 miles of ski runs and all are accessible under one ski pass. The skiing is, quite simply, amazing.

For our two fitscape ski weeks, this luxurious hotel, recently voted the best hotel spa in Europe by Conde Nast Traveller, is exclusively for the enjoyment of our guests and it’s the perfect haven to return to after a day on the slopes. With roaring fires, excellent service and exceptionally spacious, comfortable bedrooms, Rosa Alpina is a magical place to stay and experience a fitscape ski holiday.  See fitscape ski

What’s included?

• 7 nights ensuite accommodation
• Local transfers to / from Innsbruck on our recommended flights from London Gatwick
• Morning stretch class
• Healthy breakfast
• Shuttle to ski lift
• Fun skiing with one of our ’ski leaders’ or with your friends / family
• Post-ski stretching, followed by afternoon tea
• Afternoon fitness training sessions
• Evening yoga classes
• Sauna, steam room, hot tub and swimming pool
• Delicious, nutritious dinner

Since we are only offering two fitscape ski weeks, we expect them to be very popular. So, if you would like to join us for one or both of our weeks, please let us know as soon as possible. Enquire now

Dates:  27 March – 3 April and 3 – 10 April

Prices:  from £1,695 per person

Prices Exclude: Flights, ski hire, ski pass, lunch, alcohol, personal insurance, massage / spa treatments, laundry, excursions. Guests may elect to spend one or more days snow-shoeing or ski touring / skinning which we can arrange with our expert guides, but will be charged for.

LAUNCH OFFER:  Book before 13 December 2010 and we will pay for your flights! (Up to £200 per person)

We have just published all our 2011 dates for in:spa retreats, fitscape fitness holidays and destination yoga holidays.  There will be a total of 35 different weeks to choose from between our brands, with one or more weeks to choose from every month.

in:spa – will be hosting weeks in Andalusia, the South of France and Marrakech

fitscape – will be hosting weeks in the Italian Dolomites, Andalusia and the South of France

destination yoga – will be hosting weeks on the south coast of Crete, Puglia, and near Bangalore (India)

2010 was the first full year of fitscape and destination yoga holidays and, since they have proved so popular, we’re doubling the number of trips available for 2011.  The concept behind The Healthy Holiday Company’s unique range of holidays is that there should be something to suit everyone, regardless of age, sex, or experience.  We hope that is the case for you too!

To view all our dates and destinations, in one easy snap shot, please see all holiday dates

If you would rather view dates for one particular brand, please click on one of theses links:

in:spa

fitscape

destination yoga

If you would like to discuss anything with one of the team in the office, please call us on 0845 458 0723.  Alternatively, international callers should dial +44 20 8968 0501