Retreat: Wild Wise Women Wellness
Imagine spending a week indulging in SPA procedures, morning Yoga classes and served home-made food and organic smoothies by the pool in a private mountain villa. All this while learning about local herbs and attending the world- famous Rose Festival; a taste of Bulgaria’s stunning nature, historical sites and ancient healing traditions.
The journey is an immersion into the transformational force of the feminine; detoxing, releasing stress and learning to trust and strengthen our intuition, creativity, gentleness and self-love. We will be savouring the healing powers of Nature in all the elements; the exercises, food and beverages are planned in accordance to our daily schedule to support the “theme- of- the- day” and our well- being.
Our retreat includes 2 moderate hiking trips followed by SPA. In our first hike we will visit the Womb Cave, an ancient Thracian sanctuary. The following day, we relax by the pool, have art therapy session and enjoy the private sauna in the venue. The second hiking trip takes place in the middle Balkan mountain range known by its waterfalls and preserved wild life. That hike is followed by a trip to Hissar – the Roman capital of healing. Hissar is a small town with more than 22 hot mineral springs, that attracted different civilisation through the ages, namely the Thracians and the Romans which established SPA (Sanum Per Aquam) centres honouring the health Goddess Hygeia and Bendida.
This is your chance to explore the ancient healing traditions of the Thracians with Stella and Isha. Stella is a certified Hatha Yoga teacher, a herbalist and a shamanic practitioner. And Isha is a certified Ayurveda coach, an environmental guide, and a shamanic practitioner.
By the end of the retreat, you will be more tuned with yourself, refreshed, and equipped with new knowledge and wisdom to support you in the daily life.
Program
Day 1: Sunday 25th of May 2025 – Settling in and sharing circle
A comfortable private bus will transport us from Sofia (leaving from Crowne Plaza) at noon and we will be heading to Bania, a small town in the Rodopi Mountains south of Bulgaria, the drive is around 3 hours. In Bania (which literally means “bath”) we will spend our first 3 nights. The town will enchant you by transporting you through its unspoiled beauty, rural scenery, and historical monuments into a glorious past. We will be hosted in a cozy traditional villa with panoramic views. The
place is equipped with all modern facilities including a private swimming pool, sauna and Jacuzzi.
After settling in, we will have our first sharing circle to introduce ourselves.
Day 2: Monday 26th of May – Hiking trip to The Womb Cave sanctuary
We start our second day with morning Yoga focusing on grounding and activating the first chakra, our connection to the Earth and her wisdom.
After breakfast we move to Ilinitza (1 hour drive) where our hike of approximately 2 hours starts. At the Thracian sanctuary, known as the
Womb Cave, a guided meditation session will take place.
We return at the venue at sun set.
Day 3: Tuesday 27th of May – Dance, Sharing & Art therapy
Our day starts with a Yoga session that activates our second chakra, the Water element that rules our emotions and sexuality. After breakfast, we will have a Releasing Dancing Session, trusting the wisdom of the body to clean and let go of emotions that no longer serve us. This will be followed by a Sharing Circle where all the women can be listened and witnessed in their inner expression. In the afternoon, you will have the choice to either attend an art therapy session or to relax by the pool and enjoy the sauna at the venue.
Day 4: Wednesday 28th of May – The Rose Museum
The morning Yoga session is dedicated on activating the third chakra, the Fire element responsible for our spiritual growth and connection to the divine. After lunch we embark on our journey to the Rose Valley passing by the
Rose Museum in Skobelevo.
The day ends with a sharing circle around the fire at our second and final venue in the village of Taja. The villa is also equipped with all modern facilities, a private swimming pool and a Finish sauna.
Day 5: Thursday 29th of May – Rose picking, distillation workshop
This day is dedicated to the process of invoking the Rose energy and her mysteries. Early morning our Yoga session will focus on activating our fourth chakra, the Air element; our creativity, dreams, and movement. After breakfast we head to the fields, picking up roses and preparing the distillatory to extract rose water.
Day 6: Friday 30th of May – Hiking trip and SPA
After the morning Yoga session, we hike the
white river eco- trail, passing through the historical town of
Kalofer.
In the afternoon, we treat ourselves with SPA in Hissar, a town known for its natural thermals and hot springs. The day ends with a celebrative Cacao ceremony.
Day 7: Saturday the 31st of May – Rose Festival in Kazanlak
After the morning Yoga class, we end our retreat attending the famous
Rose Festival in Kazanlak. Folklore dance, music groups, culinary food, local art, handcrafts, and much more. All gathered to celebrate the Rose season and exhibit their creative abilities.
Day 8: Sunday 1st of June – Departure
Exchanging gifts, and departure to the airport.
Please bear in mind that the programme can be subject to slight changes according to the inspiration.
For whom
This retreat is for women of all ages who are ready to embark on the path of self-discovery and empowerment with ease and gentleness. By the end of the retreat, you’ll leave with a newfound sense of clarity and inner peace by realigning yourself into your own inner truth and shedding light on patterns and behaviours that held you back from savouring the magic of being a woman.
Location
Nature has gifted Bulgaria with beauty and gentleness - roses and natural thermals. Our retreat is inspired by the healing forces of this land and is rooted in ancient traditions of well-being.
Bulgaria is among the most abundant European countries in thermal water, it comes second in place just after Iceland. The Rodopi mountains are well known for their rich bio-diversity and Thracian sanctuaries. And it is in these mountains that we will spend the first part of our retreat indulging in pure luxury at a wonderful traditional villa with panoramic views.
For the second part of our retreat, we will be settled in the Valley of Roses, staying in a traditional Bulgarian villa booked entirely for our retreat near Kazanlak, where the famous Rose Festival takes place every year, attracting visitors from all around the world.
What is included
The package includes what is mentioned in the programme above. More specifically it covers: guided hikes, daily morning Yoga class activating our chakras, Cacao ceremony, sharing circles, Stella & Isha’s guidances and support, accommodation for 7 nights in two beautiful mountain houses, use of the community spaces, two or three delicious vegetarian meals per day, entrance to the Rose Museum, entrance to the SPA center in Hissar (mineral pool, salt room, steam, sauna), transportation (a bus with a driver will be at our service during the entire journey, pick up from Sofia airport can be also arranged).
Does not include:
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Air travel to and from Bulgaria
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Lunch in town during the day of the festival and museum visit
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Insurance, personal expenses
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SPA procedures of your choice (massages, clay bath, aromatherapy, etc…)
Contribution: 1840 €
400 € to be paid by bank transfer to reserve a place.
Payment in instalments available.
This retreat will be offered in English and has limited places and it is therefore necessary to book in advance.
The closest airport is Sofia. If you need any help for your logistic arrangements get in touch with Stella or Isha.
Contact us for any information, and to book your place:
Stella at
ararovich@gmail.com or whatsapp +359.88 5361998
Isha at
isha@artejanis.org or whatsapp +39.3283481534 @artejanis.community.
