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Pura Vida Luxury Wellness Retreat

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Costa Rica

Have you been longing to escape daily stress and treat yourself to a special trip that will enrich your mind, body, and soul? We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new wellness retreat program, designed with our partners at The Shorter Approach.

The inaugural retreat will take place in Costa Rica Oct 8-15, 2016 – a week-long adventure hosted by wellness expert Michele Shorter. Michele is a wellness advocate and has 18 years of experience training clients from all fitness levels and backgrounds.A brown throated three toed sloth spotted by Valerie on the _ManuelAntonio national park tour. _arenasdelma

We worked with Michele to craft a special itinerary focused on health and wellness, for men and women of all fitness levels. Throughout the retreat, you’ll have the chance to stay in two enchanting eco-lodges, eat local, healthy cuisine and participate in a fun, action-packed agenda that will help you get flexible, strong and energized.

And what better destination to host the retreat than Costa Rica? Renowned for being one of the world’s five Blue Zones, Costa Rica is not only a longevity hotspot because of the clean air and lush setting which encourages outdoor activity, but for the laid-back ‘pura vida’ lifestyle that rubs off on all who visit.

We invite you to have a look at the itinerary below and contact us if you are interested in signing up or have any questions. Pre and post-extensions are also available for those who would like to explore more of the country.

Day 1 – Arrival at Finca Rosa Blanca Resort

Arrive from home or from your pre-extension and transfer to Finca Rosa Blanca. This coffee farm plantation and luxurious inn lies in the central valley highlands of Costa Rica, a short distance from the San Jose International Airport.

We’ll kick off our wellness retreat with introductions and goal-setting conversation. Throughout the evening we’ll enjoy tapas and beverages and get to know each other and build a foundation of support for a rejuvenating week in gorgeous Costa Rica!

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Day 2 – Yoga, Fitness & Exploration

Wake up to a morning of yoga, as well as the opportunity to explore Finca Rosa Blanca’s beautiful grounds. We’ll also spend time thinking about the food and beverage that we nourish our bodies with. Today we’ll work up a sweat by exploring the beautiful resort and we’ll work on strength and spend time enjoying the amazing environment.

Wellness retreat Costa RicaWe’ll also dive into our fitness & wellness goal-setting session and take part in a coffee tasting tour at Finca Rosa Blanca. There will also be a cooking demo, where we’ll talk nutrition while harvesting fresh vegetables and herbs from the resort’s organic greenhouse. Prepare a fresh salad with the chef in a personalized cooking class. Plus, this evening’s dinner will feature an innovative coffee-themed experience, utilizing coffee from the hotel’s plantation in creative ways throughout each course, including wine pairings. Overnight at Finca Rosa Blanca [BLD]

Day 3 – Hiking, Salsa Dancing & Planning for Nourishment

Today we’ll focus on a various components of our holistic approach to wellness – staying active, nourishing ourselves with healthy food in our lives, while we enjoy nature. We’ll get our bodies moving with a hike to one of Costa Rica’s magnificent volcanoes where we’ll get a chance to observe some fantastic wildlife, including the red spider monkey and the Fabulous Quetzal. Later, we’ll take time to dive deeper into our goal-setting efforts and begin thinking about (and trying a few of) the activities that help us to maximize our best selves. In the evening we’ll continue moving with early evening salsa lessons. Overnight at Finca Rosa Blanca [BLD]

Day 4 – Bootcamp & Yoga at Manuel Antonio National Park

We’ll wake up this morning and say farewell to our hosts at Finca Rosa Blanca, before heading to Manuel Antonio National Park, with its expansive white sand beaches backed by evergreen forest. Here we’ll stay at the five-star luxury resort, Arenas del Mar, where we’ll workout in a picturesque setting and dig into creating your personalized wellness action plan. Enjoy a nourishing dinner and sunset yoga session. Overnight at Arenas del Mar Resort [BLD]

Arenas del Mar - Photo Cayuga Collection

Photo Cayuga Collection

Day 5 – Ocean Fun & Nutrition

It’s time to play at the ocean! You may choose a kayak tour through protected inland waterways, which allow you to combine adventure with education, as you learn about the Mangrove Forest and its inhabitants, including the white-face capuchin monkey and a vast array of birds. Alternatively, you might decide to try stand-up paddle boarding (SUP). There is free time to savor the beach or have an optional spa appointment to nourish your body. We’ll also continue our discussions around planning nourishment for wellness. Overnight at Arenas del Mar Resort [BLD]

Day 6 – Wellness Action Planning 

Today we’ll explore the national park with a morning hike on a coastal and tropical forest trail. You’ll solidify your action plan to guide you towards achieving your fitness and wellness goals once our Costa Rica retreat wraps up. We’ll take part in an informative “Easy Being Green” tour where we’ll learn about Costa Rica history, nature and sustainable practices. You will learn strategies for reducing waste, saving energy, and having a positive impact on the environment, which you can apply in your own home as a component of a healthy lifestyle. We will reserve some free time to spend at the beach or an optional spa treatment. Overnight at Arenas del Mar Resort [BLD]

Day 7 – Departure or Begin Post-extension

Today, return to San Jose on a local flight or continue your adventure in Costa Rica with a post-extension.  [B]IMG_0850

Details:

Price of the trip: $3,295 USD per person based on double occupancy, not including airfare. Package price will be higher for guests requesting a single room and slightly lower for groups of three sharing a room.

Pre and post extensions are available — please contact GreenSpot for help designing your perfect trip. Extension ideas include:

  • Silencio Lodge Cloud Forest
  • Copa de Arbol / Osa Peninsula
  • Harmony / Nosara area
  • Dominical area / Kura

Note: for guests traveling on pre or post extensions, transfers may require additional cost.

Contact us today to secure your space!

kayak costa Rica

Mountain Muesli and Other Icelandic Specialties

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I don’t think I’ll go on another camping trip or overnight trek without three essentials: muesli, cocoa powder and hot water. Mixed together, these three ingredients make an easy, on-the-go breakfast of chocolaty, hot cereal, which our trekking guide referred to as “mountain muesli”. Okay, it may not be an Icelandic specialty, but after 2 days of trekking amidst mossy mountainsides and volcanic craters, this simple recipe became the breakfast of champions. We also had the best pan-fried trout I have ever eaten; but everything tastes better after a day of trekking, doesn’t it?

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With the appreciation for healthier, less processed and more sustainable foods on the rise, it is no wonder that Nordic cuisine has received so much praise recently. For example, Copenhagen’s Noma has secured the title of ‘World’s Best Restaurant’ for a few years running. While some may find Noma a little too daring (smoked moss and beef tartare with ants, anyone?) Nordic countries deserve praise for their fresh and innovative fare. Iceland’s cooler climate means there is less need for pesticides, so most farms in Iceland don’t use them. With clean mountain air and unpolluted soil and water, Iceland produces some of the purest food on the planet. Staples in Icelandic cuisine include lamb, seafood and dairy. To truly experience this, don’t forget to ask us about farm-to-table dining opportunities.

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On a food tour in Reykjavik, I had the pleasure of sampling lots of traditional foods. This is a great introduction to the cuisine and the history of the city at the same time. My favorite Icelandic food discovery? Skyr: similar to Greek yogurt in that it is thick and creamy, yet with four times the protein, calcium and vitamins of milk. It is low in sugar and has no fat. It is delicious topped with muesli, seeds, nuts, berries and a little maple syrup. Need I say more?

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If I had to choose one, my least favorite Icelandic food experience would have to be the fermented shark. Actually, it wasn’t as bad as I had been warned. The smell was worse than the taste. A swig of Brennivín (Icelandic schnapps) will wash it right down. The dried shark, on the other hand, I rather liked. It’s a bit like fish-jerky, if you can imagine – dry and salty – and the custom of smearing it with butter, is right up my alley.

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Also, my mouth waters thinking about the lobster at Fjöruborðið. Between visiting a beautiful, secluded black beach at sunset and waiting for darkness to fall, we had a fabulous meal here. Icelandic lobster may be small in size, but it is big on flavor. Ask us about our ‘Lobster and Northern Lights’ tours.

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The freshly made fish soup at Hotel Búðir (arguably one of the best places to eat on the Snæfellsnes peninsula) was also exceptional.

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Although seafood was definitely a theme as I tasted my way through Iceland, the quality and freshness of everything I ate was what impressed me the most. From hotel breakfasts (like the one at Hotel Egilsen) and lunch buffets (like at the Settlement Center in Borganes), to fancy evening meals (lobster and wine), Icelanders are proud of everything they bring to the table.

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