WOMEN'S YOGA
RETREAT
PAKLENI ISLANDS
DATES
24.06. — 29.06.2024
MAXIMUM CAPACITY
10 people
SUITABLE FOR
all yoga levels
women’s
PRICES
*Single Room • 1,690 € per person
Twin Room • 1,390 € per person
Triple Room • 1,190 € per person
Tent • 890 € per person
*A Single Room booked for 2 people includes a king-size bed. The price is 1,100 € per person.
HIGHLIGHTS
Eco-friendly villa in a secluded location
Daily Yoga based on Nature Elements
Cacao Ceremony & Sacred Fire
Island hopping & healing mud
Silent sunset walks & meditations
In-house massages & energetic treatments
ACTIVITIES
Women’s Yoga Retreat on Pakleni islands includes — Daily Yoga classes based on Nature Elements, guided meditations, breathing practices, Cacao ceremony, Yin Yoga, Sacred fire, meditation walks, boat trip, healing mud experience, Rite of womb ceremony, in-house massages & energetic treatments, Despacho ceremony, dinner in a local restaurant, and free time to relax and swim in the sea
OVERVIEW
We are so excited to share our love for yoga and the Pakleni Islands with you! Experience the calmness and wildness of one of Croatia’s most beautiful islands.
Disconnect to reconnect—no cars, no neighbors, no noises. Just the endless sea and untouched nature around us.
Imagine waking up to the sound of waves, diving into the sea straight from your bed, savoring fresh veggies from the garden, and ending your day with breathtaking sunsets.
We’ll explore yoga, shamanic practices, and the healing elements of nature—crystal-clear water, warm sun, fragrant air, and rich earth. This retreat is a space to reconnect with yourself, surrounded by like-minded women and supported by an experienced teacher who will hold a safe and nurturing space for you.
PROGRAM
Discover day by day program of Women’s Yoga Retreat on Pakleni islands
Day 1 — ARRIVAL + OPENING CIRCLE
We meet at 4 pm at Hvar’s main square and head with the speedboat towards our villa at Pakleni Islands.
After settling down in your rooms, join us for Despacho Ceremony, a heartfelt gesture of giving back to Mother Earth, followed by serene meditation practice designed to help you settle down and connect with the natural surroundings.
And the last touch of the day, homemade dinner served under the stars.
Day 2 — EARTH ELEMENT PRACTICES + CACAO CEREMONY
We’ll wake up early to catch the first sun rays and start the day with a guided meditation and a gentle grounding Yoga practice. Long and lazy brunch will give you time to relax and enjoy your new home for the next few days.
The afternoon is reserved for a meditation walk through the island. We’ll walk to Soline Beach for a healing mud experience and guide you through exercises for connecting with Nature, with the land, and with yourself.
At sunset time, join us for Cacao Ceremony, and end the day with a delicious local dinner.
Day 3 — FIRE ELEMENT PRACTICES + FIRE CEREMONY
We start the day with the sunrise meditation and spicy Vinyasa Yoga practice, followed by a rich brunch.
The afternoon is reserved for leisure — enjoying massages or energetic treatments, relaxing with a book in your hammock, walking through the island, or simply having a long swim in the crystal clear sea.
At sunset, we have a restorative Yin Yoga practice, followed by a yummy dinner. After dinner, we gather in a circle around the fire to share and connect, feeding the fire with our intentions and Despacho.
Day 4 — AIR ELEMENT PRACTICES + ISLAND HOPPING
Our day starts with meditation, light and spacious Yoga practice, and breath work (pranayama), followed by a healthy veggie brunch.
A speed boat will then take us to explore the Pakleni Islands: we’ll enjoy snorkeling in hidden bays, skinny dipping, and refreshments at beautiful beach bars.
For today’s dinner, we’ll stroll to a nearby bay and dine at a local restaurant called Fisherman’s House. Known for its use of domestic products, fresh sea-caught fish, and garden-fresh veggies, it’s a culinary delight.
Day 5 — WATER ELEMENT PRACTICES + THE RITE OF THE WOMB
After awakening our bodies with slow flow Yoga class and healing pranayama practices, and nurturing our senses with delicious brunch, we will connect to the Water element and receive its teachings.
In your free time, you can relax with the massage or energy treatments, explore the hidden bays, or visit a magical treehouse nearby. Optional: Blue cave visiting.
At sunset we will celebrate the completion of this week through elements with a very special Womb healing ritual from shamans of the Andes, followed by a yummy dinner.
Day 6 — CLOSING THE CIRCLE or...
The last morning practice is dedicated to Pachamama who hosted us so nicely this week, and through our life, followed by the closing circle of sharing, yummy fresh brunch, and the last sea dip.
Rejuvenated and recharged, you are ready to go back into the real world.
We will take you back to the island of Hvar, from where you can decide to head back home or to stay in Croatia forever…
VILLA
We’re surrounded by breathtaking, wild nature while staying in a beautiful eco-friendly, newly built villa located on the Pakleni islands – an archipelago of Hvar, one of the most beautifu islands of Adriatic Sea.
The Cricket house is located only 20 minutes boat ride from Hvar island. There are no cars on the Pakleni islands, and our villa has no neighbors. The house consists of a large living room, kitchen, spacious dining room, 4 bedrooms, and 5 bathrooms. Two bedrooms are situated on the ground floor with double beds and en-suite bathrooms. On the upper floor are a triple room and a twin room with en-suite bathrooms.
Surrounding the house is a spacious Mediterranean garden with authentic herbs, figs, and olive trees. The wild flora garden is equipped with hammocks and deck chairs, making it the ideal place to enjoy the nature and the silence. Private beach just 5 minutes walk away.
We also offer the option of staying in the tent and using the bathroom from the house. If you are interested, let us know, so we can provide a tent for you.
FOOD
Our food is prepared with fresh and seasonal ingredients purchased from local farmers because we love to support the local economy.
During your stay, you’ll be delighted with two rich daily meals and snacks made by our in-house chef. Brunches and dinners are mainly vegetarian and vegan. The gluten-free options are available – let us know ahead about your special needs.
And, to keep you refreshed throughout the day, we offer coffee, tea, fruits, and snacks.
LOCATION
Pakleni Island is a gorgeous chain of wooded isles that stretches out immediately in front of the town of Hvar.
Although the name literally means ‘Hell’s Islands’, it’s thought to derive from ‘paklina’, a pine resin that was once harvested here to waterproof boats. Imagine an island that is almost entirely covered by a lush Mediterranean forest, where waters dazzle, and it’s still not overrun by tourists. Everything about this place is unique. You can expect to swim in some of the clearest water and enjoy the deep blue caves and pristine white sandy beaches just for yourself.
And if you’re looking for a real break, this is just the place to relax and live a true island experience.
MEET OUR TEAM
…your teacher, your guide and in-house chef
Sandra D. Bianco is a dedicated yoga practitioner who has been studying and practicing yoga for more than 20 years, teaching it since 2005. She started her spiritual research at a young age of 15, first through books, then by meeting yoga, buddhist meditation and shamanism, until she met her spiritual Teacher in 1995. That encounter changed her perception of Life and of her Purpose, and became the foundation of her way of living and of her teachings today.
With her Teacher she completed 7 years of study at Academy for Personal Growth (Torino, Italy 1997-2004), followed by advanced 3-yrs course of study of Shamanism based on Toltec and Essene tradition.
In 2005 she earned her yoga teacher diploma, becoming one of the pioneers of dynamic yoga in Croatia. Her thirst for knowledge made her travel around the world to study with a great number of prominent teachers and masters of yoga, meditation, and pranayama.
Sandra is is the founder of GaiaYoga school and shala. established in 2006 as the first Croatian Yoga Teacher Training program.
She is also an Energy Therapist and teacher of Energy Method called Prana Hands since 1999.
She is also trained in Shamanic Medicine with Andean Q’ero shamans, a mesa carrier of the Qanchis Ylla tradition (7 Rays of Rainbow lineage), and is initiated in Munay Ki Rites. Besides training the new yoga teachers, she teaches regular yoga classes, workshops, retreats and energy trainings, supports women in sacred circles, shares cacao ceremonies, and holds space for her students to support their growth and healing.
She is a passionate yoga practitioner, experienced yoga teacher and tour guide. She was working several years for one of the world's biggest travel companies, leading tours in Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia and her love for travel, tourism, yoga, and adventures made her found Fige Yoga Adventures®.
Sasha became a certified yoga teacher in 2018 by www.gaia-yoga.com school in Croatia.
Her teaching style is Ashtanga Vinyasa, and she is skilled at demystifying complex concepts and making yoga feel accessible to beginners and teachers alike.
Dog lover, she enjoys spending time hiking, swimming and horseback riding.
Sasha became a certified yoga teacher in 2018 by www.gaia-yoga.com school in Croatia.
Her teaching style is Ashtanga Vinyasa, and she is skilled at demystifying complex concepts and making yoga feel accessible to beginners and teachers alike.
Dog lover, she enjoys spending time hiking, swimming and horseback riding.
Ivana's culinary hands&heart have been offering food for a many years now, whether during the sailing seasons or preparing it for the numerous workshop meals, retreats, caterings or as a cook in the veg. restaurants. She infuses Mediterranean style with mostly vegan and gluten free food trying her best to follow the principles of local&seasonal&fresh&organic. She might surprise you with the traditional transformed into "healthy nutritional". The root of her love for offering a table full of “nature” comes from a deep connection she had with the grandmother and her village, that was a treasury of wild herbs, berries, clear water, orchards...of colorful Life. If she's not in the kitchen, she dances and teaches movement meditation practice called 5Rhythms. And just before preparing your meals, she gives thanks to Sun and Earth, to God and caring hands of farmers.