In 2021, I picked up yoga not out of curiosity, but out of necessity.
A frozen shoulder in my right arm, followed by tendonitis in my left arm, left me in constant pain and severely limited my movement. Physiotherapy helped, but progress was very slow. Some days, even raising my arm felt like a battle, getting dressed and tying my hair up was another. And yet, something inside me told me not to give up.
Hi, I’m Elena! Thanks for reading my blog. With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality and travel industry, I hold a Swiss Diploma in Hotel Management and a Master’s Degree in Hospitality & Tourism Leadership. As a Greece expert, I’ve spent years exploring the country in depth, uncovering its hidden gems and authentic experiences. I also worked for five years as a Destination Development Consultant for an American boutique travel agency, where I played a key role in developing Greece, Spain, and Portugal as travel destinations. My deep industry knowledge, hands-on experience, and passion for immersive travel ensure that every recommendation I share is trusted, insightful, and curated with expertise. I hope that you find my content useful, in case you have any questions please feel free to reach out. I’ll be happy to help you.
So I joined a boutique yoga studio and began practicing yoga. It was hard, especially in the beginning. But slowly, through breath, patience, and persistence, my body began to soften. Movement returned. And somewhere along that healing journey, I came to truly love it.
This past spring, I joined my first retreat: a week-long yoga and hiking experience with Nefeli Nine in the quiet seaside village of Dikastika, just 40 minutes from Athens Airport and overlooking the island of Evia. Nefeli Nine Retreats offers a series of yoga and hiking experiences around Greece, which you can check out on their website.
What I experienced there was so much more than a retreat. It was a reset. A reminder of how healing it is to slow down and live well.
A Philosophy Rooted in Blue Zones Living
Nefeli Nine is not about pushing yourself to extremes. There’s no bootcamp energy here. Instead, the retreat draws inspiration from the Blue Zones—those rare corners of the world where people live longer, healthier, and happier lives. Places like Ikaria in Greece, Okinawa in Japan, and Sardinia in Italy. The secret isn’t complicated: move naturally, eat simply, live purposefully, and stay connected.
At Nefeli Nine, that philosophy runs through every element of the retreat. You wake up slowly, move your body mindfully, nourish yourself with wholesome food, walk through nature, and take time to reflect. It’s not about transformation through pressure—it’s about remembering how good it feels to be in balance.
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The Daily Rhythm: Structure with Space to Breathe
Each day at the retreat followed a gentle rhythm—structured enough to feel supported, but open enough to feel free.
Morning yoga started the day with breath-led movement, helping us stretch out, wake up, and realign. Eirini, with her calm nature and soothing voice, guided us throughout the week and talked us through the philosophy of the importance of breath. It wasn’t a classroom talk but rather a gentle nudge to pay more attention to our breath.
A wholesome breakfast followed—think Greek yogurt with fruit, homemade granola, healthy toppings like nut mix and honey with pistachio, warm oat and banana cake, herbal teas, and fresh bread.
Late mornings were for hiking. We would leave the villa every day at around 10 am after breakfast. We explored coastal trails, pine-covered slopes, and even ancient ruins. One day, we walked through the site of Rhamnous, home to the Temple of Nemesis. On another, we found ourselves on the rugged trails of Mount Penteli, with panoramic views of Athens and the Acropolis in the distance.
Lunches were vibrant, seasonal, and served al fresco—zucchini pies, fresh salads, spreads made with avocado and green peas, and one unforgettable seaside meal with freshly grilled fish, olive oil, lemon, and joy.
Afternoons were for rest—taking a nap, a quiet stroll, or simply being still.
As the sun softened, we met again for sunset yoga, which usually takes place outdoors but because it was very windy the whole week, we ended up moving indoors apart from the last evening when the winds had died down.
Dinners were shared, slowly, always with conversation and connection. Steph and Anafe surprised us with new creations every day. We tried a delicious rice, mushroom, and spinach dish, baked cauliflower with lentils topped with hazelnuts, and brown rice with okra beans. Every meal was colorful and healthy.
The Hikes: Connecting With Nature
Daily hikes were among the most meaningful aspects of the Nefeli Nine retreat. Each one offered something different—new scenery, new sensations, and a deeper connection to nature and Greece’s layered history. On every hike, we were accompanied by Archelaos, a certified and very knowledgeable guide. He also introduced us to the various herbs and plants we encountered along the way.
We didn’t just walk—we also wandered through myth, while admiring the raw beauty.
The Archaeological Site of Rhamnous – A Walk Through Time
Our first significant hike led us to the ancient site of Rhamnous, nestled along the northeastern coast of Attica. We followed a 5-kilometer trail through fragrant brush and sweeping views of the Euboean Gulf, eventually arriving at the Temple of Nemesis—the goddess of justice and retribution. The views from here were simply breathtaking.
Schinias National Park – A Windy Coastal Escape
On the second day, we set off straight from the villa and followed a rugged coastal trail toward Schinias National Park. It was particularly windy that day—about six on the Beaufort scale—so we walked carefully, fully alert to nature’s power.
We passed seagulls circling above the surf along the way and even crossed paths with a curious tortoise on the beach. The hike ended with lunch at a beachside café, where we enjoyed mozzarella sandwiches, refreshing salads, and homemade lemonade.
Mount Ymittos – Forest Trails & Byzantine Whispers
When strong winds disrupted our planned ferry crossing to Evia, we opted for Mount Ymittos, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable days.
We trekked about 7.5 kilometers through pine forests and stone paths with sweeping views of Athens and the Acropolis in the distance.
Along the way, we paused at the semi-ruined Church of Agios Markos, also known as the Fragomonastery. After the hike, we shared a cozy lunch in a nearby tavern—chickpeas with feta, mushroom pie, pork with leeks, and a celebratory sip of raki.
Mount Penteli – Wind, Marble & May Day Magic
Mount Penteli took our breath away—not just because of its elevation at 1,109 meters but also because of its legacy. The same marble used to build the Parthenon was quarried here.
The wind was fierce, so we moved with caution. As we descended, we unexpectedly came upon a May Day celebration in the woods—live music, dancing, and laughter echoing through the trees. We joined in, welcomed like locals. It was pure joy in its most unfiltered form.
Coastal Hike in Sesi – A Soft Farewell
On our final day, with the weather finally calm, we took one last coastal hike. The trail was peaceful and open, and the air was salty-sweet and still.
We paused at a small beach to breathe in the moment, and then continued to a tiny whitewashed church dedicated to Saint Antonios, perched on the rock above the sea.
It was the kind of place that humbles you with its simplicity. We ended the day with fresh fish at a taverna by the water and our final sunset yoga session back at the villa.
Why Nefeli Nine Is Special
The setting itself is intimate and intentionally small. The retreat hosts a maximum of 8 people and is based across two beautiful villas—Villa Nefeli and Villa Augustine.
I stayed at Villa Augustine, the one closest to the sea, where every window opened to a calming view and every corner felt curated for peace. Guests are accommodated in single- or double-use accommodation. Some guestrooms have en-suite bathrooms, and others share a bathroom. My friend Yana and I had separate rooms but shared one bathroom.
It’s worth saying—this isn’t a luxury retreat in the traditional sense—but it’s what I like to say—the luxury is in the simplicity. It offers a more meaningful kind of luxury: space, silence, presence, and the rare gift of simplicity—the kind of simplicity that fills you up.
Our host, Steph, is the heart of it all. Her warmth, generosity, and quiet strength shaped the entire experience. Steph brings a wealth of experience to her business, which she has built with genuine love and care. Her international background and, of course, Greek roots really make her shine. She is a people person and a fantastic host.
Whether we were sipping tea, hiking along the coast, or gathering around a table for dinner, Steph created a space where we could be ourselves without pressure or expectations.
Final Thoughts
This was my first retreat—but certainly not my last. I left with a lighter body, a clearer mind, and a deep sense of gratitude. Sometimes we travel to see more of the world. Other times, we travel to return to ourselves.
Thinking of joining a retreat in Greece?
You can learn more about Nefeli Nine or follow them on Instagram.
If you have any questions about my experience, feel free to contact me or leave a comment below—I’d love to hear from you!
Watch the whole experience on YouTube.
*Travel Greece, Travel Europe was a guest of Nefeli Nine Retreats. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.
