BULGARIA ECO-RETREAT
AUGUST 2019
Saturday 24th - Friday 30th August 2019
Wild Thyme Organic Farm, Palamartsa, Bulgaria
What a treat it is to be returning to Wild Thyme Farm and the quaint village of Palamartsa, Bulgaria. We held a retreat here last summer and it was such a wonderful week that we’re coming back in August! The venue, usually used as a meditation centre is a converted farm house with the previous barn serving as our shaded outdoor yoga studio. This retreat is a real taste of rural life and a chance to peacefully connect with nature. We will eat delicious homemade meals made from organic produce, grown locally if not from the farm itself, practice yoga, and explore our surroundings. The group is limited to just 6 places so all yoga sessions, workshops and activities will be uniquely tailored to the group and you will benefit from plenty of individualised guidance.
“Laura’s yoga retreat was wonderful. The yoga schedule was a perfect balance between dynamic and challenging classes and time for reflection and calm. I will be back next year!”
ACCOMMODATION
Wild Thyme Organic Farm and Eco Retreat is situated on the edge of a peaceful village in northeastern Bulgaria. Surrounded by rolling hills and sunflower fields, a stay here is a step back in time. Our home will be a traditional Bulgarian farmhouse built using age old methods in stone and mudbrick with a timber roof. The exposed beams and mud plaster give this space an organic rustic feel, making it a comfortable place to unwind and share meals. All but one of the rooms are twins, but with plenty of living space, as well as outside space, this is the perfect environment to take time out just for you.
FOOD
Wild Thyme is a small farm growing a range of organic vegetables, the animals provide the owners and guests with milk, eggs and meat. Nutritious breakfasts, lunches and dinners will be lovingly prepared from this fresh produce and we will eat outdoors under a sheltered area. We will also eat away from the farm on a few occasions, sampling traditional cuisine and food from Tui’s Thai Cafe, recently opened in the village! Dietary requirements will be catered for, just make sure to let us know in advance. All meals are included except for 1 lunch and 1 dinner away from the farm.
SCHEDULE
We will have dynamic morning yoga sessions before breakfast, and relaxing evening yoga sessions before dinner each day (apart from travelling days or where we have other activities planned). During the day we have planned a trip to the outdoor pool, a horse and cart ride to see the village, a cheesemaking workshop, and a massage each. Besides these activities, your time is yours to enjoy how you wish; exploring the local walking trails, reading on the deckchairs in the garden, or visiting the farm animals. In the evenings we can look forward to a performance from local musicians, a campfire and BBQ at the farm, a movie night in the barn, and a night out in town with no early start the next day!
“Laura provided a range of options in her yoga sessions which meant I always had new challenges to explore but could also go at my own pace. I left knowing what I needed to do to make progress in my practice.”
YOGA
My teaching style is candid, alignment based, and lighthearted, inviting you to explore the limits both mental and physical that you place upon yourself. On most full days we will be practicing yoga twice daily. The morning classes are designed to get us up and moving, ready for the day ahead. Giving you space to play and express yourselves - expect to sweat and try new things. The evening classes by contrast will be much softer, allowing you to unwind and relax. We will be practicing in the gorgeous converted barn, shaded by the old walnut tree. Yoga mats and props are provided but feel free to bring your own in you prefer.
PRICE AND WHATS INCLUDED
Farmhouse shared twin room with two single beds: £695 per person
(£100 supplement for a single room)
7 days and 6 nights staying at the peaceful Wild Thyme Farm
2 x 90mins small group yoga classes per full day (apart from a lie-in day)
Yoga workshop
Massage from local masseuse
Freshly prepared breakfast, lunch, & dinner, with ingredients sourced right from the farm!
1 lunch and 1 dinner at local Thai restaurant
Horse and cart ride around the village
Evening by the campfire and BBQ
Trip to the outdoor pool
Trip to explore the market in nearby town
Fresh cheese making workshop
Night of entertainment by local musicians
Movie night in the barn
All transfers to and from activities
Tea and coffee
Wifi
WHATS NOT INCLUDED
Flights to Varna or Sofia (currently around £200- £300 return)
Transfer to and from airport (roughly £10 by train or £70 by taxi to Varna - I can put you in contact with other guests so that you can share a taxi)
1 lunch at the pool restaurant
1 dinner at local restaurant
I hope that you can join me! Please email me with any questions, or to book*, at hello@lauraharveyyoga.com
*£350 non-refundable deposit required to reserve your space.
Full payment to be made by 28th June, no cancellations or refunds after this date.
I understand paying a lump sum can be difficult so please email to arrange a payment plan if you need to space out your payments.
TRAVEL INFO
Varna is the closest airport to the retreat, but fights to Varna from London all arrive at 02:40am which isn't ideal, however, the hotels are very affordable and the town is very nice with a beach and cliffs. So you could plan to get there a day or two early and enjoy Varna. The journey to the retreat from there is 3h by train or a taxi which can be shared.
Alternatively, you could fly into the capital Sofia which is also a very affordable and pleasant place to visit and then get the train 5h to the retreat. You could then fly home from Varna (the flights go at a reasonable time on the way home!) rather than go back to Sofia.
The train station nearest to the retreat is Popovo, this is the Bulgarian train website http://www.bdz.bg/en/
“ I’d love to go again”