Hidden Greece: A Yoga & Island Life Retreat
A Boutique Yoga Holiday on the Hidden Cycladic Island of Iraklia, Greece
Tucked away among the Small Cyclades, Iraklia is one of Greece's best-kept secrets. Home to around 150 permanent residents, this tiny island offers a glimpse of the Greek islands as they once were — far from the crowds, cruise ships, and mass tourism of Greece’s better-known islands.
Known for its crystal-clear waters, walking trails, remote beaches, traditional tavernas, and dark star-filled skies, Iraklia invites visitors to slow down and embrace a simpler rhythm of life. It's a place where days are spent swimming in turquoise waters, exploring hidden coves, hiking scenic trails, and enjoying long meals overlooking the sea.
Hidden Greece is a small-group yoga retreat hosted by Miriam, created for those who want to step away from the constant rush of everyday life and experience a more authentic side of Greece. Our journey begins with one night in Athens before travelling together to Iraklia, where we'll spend six nights immersed in island life, with daily yoga, time in nature, meaningful connection, and plenty of space to simply slow down.
Throughout the week, we'll explore the island's natural beauty through guided hikes and time on the water, alongside experiences such as Greek dance, Pilates, and a sound bath. There will also be plenty of unscheduled time for swimming, reading, wandering, booking a massage, enjoying the beach—or doing absolutely nothing at all.
With a maximum of just nine guests, this intimate retreat is intentionally unhurried. It isn't about fitting as much as possible into each day, but about having the time to actually experience where we are—with a balance of movement, exploration, rest, community, and independence in one of the most peaceful corners of the Greek islands.
8 Days / 7 Nights
11th - 18th September, 2027
What’s Included In Your Yoga & Island Life Retreat in Greece?
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One Night in Athens & Six Nights in Iraklia
Begin your journey with one night in Athens before travelling to the hidden Cycladic island of Iraklia. Enjoy six nights at a quaint, family-owned retreat venue overlooking the Aegean Sea and famous island sunsets, where authentic Greek hospitality and a slower pace of life create the perfect setting to relax, explore, and connect.
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Greek Flavours & Local Hospitality
Share a welcome dinner overlooking the Acropolis before travelling to Iraklia, where each full day begins with an included brunch at the retreat venue. We'll also share an included post-hike dinner at a traditional taverna in Panagia. Throughout the week, you'll have plenty of opportunities to discover authentic Greek cuisine while supporting the island's traditional family-run tavernas and local businesses.
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Yoga & Mindful Practices
Join Miriam for a varied programme of yoga, meditation, Yoga Nidra, and breathwork, woven naturally throughout the retreat. Morning practices may be more dynamic and energising, while evening sessions often invite slower movement, deeper stretching, and relaxation. Held in a stunning open-air shala overlooking the sea, each practice will respond to the rhythm of the week—balancing movement and restoration while giving you space to reconnect with yourself.
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Island Exploration & Adventures
Discover the natural beauty of Iraklia through a mix of guided and independent exploration. The week will include guided hikes across the island, including the impressive Cave of Agios Ioannis, as well as at least one boat excursion to secluded beaches. There will also be plenty of free time to swim, explore scenic trails and hidden coves, or simply unwind by the sea.
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Cultural & Wellness Experiences
Connect more deeply with island life through a selection of cultural and wellness experiences. Enjoy a lively Greek dance class, an energizing Pilates session, and a deeply relaxing sound bath, alongside other practices and experiences woven into the week. Together, they add another dimension to the retreat, complementing our yoga practice and time spent exploring the island.
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Ferries & Group Travel
Travel seamlessly through the Cyclades with included group transport and ferry journeys between Athens, Iraklia, and Naxos. From the moment we meet in Athens, we'll travel together, allowing you to relax and enjoy the journey without worrying about the logistics of reaching this little-visited island.
Discover the Hidden Side of Greece Most Travellers Never Get to See
What’s Not Included In Your Yoga & Island Life Retreat in Greece?
To help you plan your trip, here's what's not included in the retreat price:
Travel to Athens and onward travel from Naxos.
Meals other than the included brunches, welcome dinner, and post-hike dinner.
Optional activities and any other personal expenses
Travel insurance – we highly recommend comprehensive coverage for your peace of mind.
Gratuities (optional)
Itinerary
DAY 1 - Saturday 11th September
Arrive in Athens and settle into our hotel before meeting the group in the evening. We'll gather for a relaxed welcome dinner overlooking the Acropolis, getting to know one another and setting the tone for the week ahead before our island adventure begins. (Welcome dinner included)
DAY 2 - Sunday 12th September
An early start marks the beginning of our journey into the Small Cyclades. We'll travel together by ferry, watching the islands emerge from the Aegean Sea before arriving in Iraklia, where our family-run retreat venue awaits.
After checking into our rooms, you'll have some free time to settle in, explore the surroundings, or enjoy a late lunch at one of the island's traditional tavernas. As the sun begins to set, we'll gather for our first yoga practice in the open-air shala overlooking the sea. Afterwards, you're welcome to join the group for a relaxed dinner and your first evening soaking up Iraklia's wonderfully slow pace of life.
DAYS 3 - 7
Our days in Iraklia will unfold around a blend of daily yoga and mindful practices, guided hikes, swimming, boat exploration, cultural experiences, and plenty of unstructured island time.
Across the week, we'll hike to the Cave of Agios Ioannis and explore more of the island on foot, take at least one boat excursion to secluded beaches, enjoy Greek dance, Pilates and a sound bath, and share an included post-hike dinner in Panagia.
Some mornings will begin with a more energising practice, while evenings may bring slower yoga, meditation, breathwork or Yoga Nidra. And importantly, there will be time simply to go to the beach, wander, read, swim, book a massage, or do very little at all.
For those who would like to do more, additional optional activities may also be available through our local hosts, from stargazing and astronomy to gardening, eco-dyeing workshops and other island experiences. These are not part of the included retreat programme and can be arranged locally depending on availability.
The exact order of our island activities will be arranged closer to the retreat, allowing us to work with weather, sea conditions and local availability rather than forcing the island into a fixed schedule. (Daily brunch + one post-hike dinner included)
DAY 8 - Saturday 18th September
After one final brunch together, we'll say our goodbyes to our hosts before boarding the ferry to Naxos, where our retreat officially comes to an end.
Whether you're continuing your journey through the Greek islands, returning to Athens by sea or by air, or making your way back home, may you leave feeling refreshed, inspired, and carrying a little piece of Iraklia with you. (Brunch included)
Your Retreat Investment
This retreat is currently being offered exclusively to our mailing list subscribers, giving you early access before it is released publicly.
The Early Bird prices below are available until 30 September 2026 and are the lowest prices that will be offered for this retreat, representing a saving of €200 per person compared with the regular rates.
Choose a shared room with another guest, a private room for yourself, or a private room shared with your travel companion.
Shared Room – €1,995 EUR per person
Private Room (1 person) – €2,495 EUR
Private Room (2 people) – €3,990 EUR total (1,995 EUR per person)
* THE SMALL PRINT THAT IS NOT SO SMALL *
Please take a moment to read the important information below before booking. It explains the payment schedule, cancellation conditions and practical requirements for joining the retreat.
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A €500 EUR non-refundable deposit per person is required at the time of booking to reserve your place. The remaining balance is due by 30th June 2027.
For a shared room:
€500 EUR non-refundable deposit at the time of booking
€1,495 EUR due by 30th June 2027
For a private room with single occupancy:
€500 EUR non-refundable deposit at the time of booking
€1,995 EUR due by 30th June 2027
For a private room shared by two guests:
€1,000 EUR total non-refundable deposit at the time of booking
€2,990 EUR total due by 30th June 2027
The remaining balance becomes non-refundable and payable in full on its due date. If you book on or after 30th June 2027, the full retreat price must be paid at the time of booking. Your place is only confirmed once the required payment has been received.
Payments can be made via PayPal (EUR) or by bank transfer to a EUR account. Any PayPal or bank transfer fees are the responsibility of the participant.
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The initial deposit is non-refundable. The remaining balance becomes non-refundable and payable in full on 30th June 2027, as we make advance financial commitments to the accommodation and local suppliers on your behalf.
If you cancel on or after 30th June 2027, the remaining balance remains due even if it has not yet been received. To avoid responsibility for this payment, written notice of cancellation must be received before that date.
You may transfer your reservation to another suitable guest, subject to our approval and any supplier restrictions or additional charges. The replacement guest must complete their booking and make the required payment before the transfer is confirmed.
Once their payment has been received, we will refund the payments you have made, including the deposit, less transaction fees and any non-recoverable costs already incurred. Until a replacement booking is confirmed, the original payment and cancellation conditions continue to apply. A replacement guest or refund cannot be guaranteed.
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This retreat requires a minimum level of bookings to go ahead. Please wait for written confirmation that the retreat is proceeding before booking non-refundable flights or making any other non-refundable travel arrangements.
If the retreat cannot proceed because the required booking level has not been reached, all retreat payments made to us will be refunded in full.
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If circumstances beyond our control ("force majeure") make it impossible or unsafe for the retreat to proceed as planned, we may need to modify, postpone or cancel it.
Any refund or credit offered will depend on the funds we can recover from the accommodation, local operators and other suppliers, less any costs already incurred.
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We strongly recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance as soon as you book your retreat.
Your policy should include cover for the full value of the retreat, trip cancellation and interruption, illness or injury, emergency medical care and evacuation, flight disruption, and lost or delayed baggage.
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If you reserve a shared room without a travel companion, we will match you with another guest of the same sex. Room allocations will be arranged according to availability and the accommodation configuration at the retreat venue.
Ready to Experience Hidden Greece?
Is this Yoga & Island Life Retreat for me?
It is for you if:
You're looking for a retreat that combines yoga, movement, nature, authentic Greek island life, and time to genuinely slow down.
You enjoy being active and spending time outdoors, whether that's hiking, swimming, exploring on foot, or joining one of our island adventures.
You appreciate a balance of planned experiences and unstructured time to go to the beach, wander, read, book a massage, or simply do very little at all.
You're comfortable embracing a little island flexibility. Weather, wind and sea conditions can affect outdoor activities, particularly our boat excursion, and plans may occasionally need to move around.
You love swimming in crystal-clear sea water and don't mind it feeling refreshingly cool. Iraklia's turquoise Aegean waters may look Caribbean, but the water temperature certainly isn't!
You appreciate simple comforts, beautiful unspoiled surroundings, local hospitality and authentic experiences more than luxury hotels and polished tourist resorts.
You're looking forward to sharing the experience with a small group, enjoying meals, adventures and plenty of laughter together while still having space for yourself.
It is not for you if:
You have significant difficulty with hills, stairs, uneven terrain or walking. Iraklia is a naturally hilly island, and walking uphill and downhill is part of everyday life here.
You're uncomfortable with physically demanding hikes or confined spaces and would be disappointed to miss one. The Cave of Agios Ioannis hike is strenuous, and entering the cave requires everyone to get down onto their knees and move through a confined entrance. An alternative guided hike can be offered if this experience isn't suitable for you.
You cannot comfortably travel by ferry or are unwilling to manage motion sickness. Reaching Iraklia requires a ferry journey, and depending on sea conditions, seasickness is possible. If you're prone to it, please come prepared.
You're looking for nightlife, shopping, busy tourist attractions or constant entertainment. Iraklia is tiny, traditional and wonderfully removed from Greece's busier tourist islands.
You want every hour of your holiday organised for you. There is intentionally space in this retreat to rest, explore independently and simply enjoy being on the island.
You need fixed plans that won't change. This is island life: weather, sea conditions and local availability sometimes mean adapting the order or timing of activities.
Meet Your Host
Miriam Rodríguez Márquez
After an international career in aviation, Miriam chose a very different path when a documentary about veganism inspired her to rethink the way she wanted to live. She became a certified Health Coach specializing in plant-based nutrition, trained as a 500-hour Hatha Yoga Teacher in India, and eventually settled in Nicaragua, where she co-founded Villa Laguna, a vegan retreat center on the shores of Laguna de Apoyo.
Now based in Nicaragua for over a decade, Miriam combines her background in yoga, health coaching, and retreat hosting to create experiences that help people slow down, reconnect with nature, and return home feeling lighter, calmer, and inspired. Her classes are gentle, accessible, and suitable for practitioners of all levels.
Miriam lives surrounded by rescued animals and is passionate about supporting local communities, ethical travel, and animal welfare through her work. Her retreats are known for their warm, relaxed atmosphere, where people are encouraged to slow down, be themselves, and connect through meaningful conversations in a welcoming, judgment-free environment.
The loss of her daughter Aixa, who was born still in 2020, profoundly shaped the way Miriam approaches both life and retreat hosting. That experience deepened her commitment to creating spaces where people feel safe, supported, and truly seen, regardless of where they are on their own journey.
Hidden Greece brings together many of the things Miriam loves most: quiet island life, breathtaking landscapes, getting off the beaten track, authentic local culture, and the joy of discovering beautiful, underrated places at an unhurried pace. After a beautiful retreat in Iraklia in Sep 2026, she can't wait to return to Greece and share this special corner of the country with you.
What Previous Guests Have Said
“Traveling with Miriam makes everything easy- she's so detailed, delivers hospitality like no other, and is full of positive vibes that your adventure is sure to be a memorable one. I don't know how she does it, but everyday was perfect - from the food, to the sights and even her power to make the weather cooperate! I'd go anywhere in the world with her and can't wait for the next trip!”
— Kelly Y. (USA)
“A beautiful and fascinating region of Spain and I would love to return to continue exploring. The retreat was inspirational, it was just what I needed and more! Such a wonderful group of people and very well organised trip, accommodation and location was breathtaking. Highly recommend.”
— Lorraine L. (UK)
