Iberian Wellness Retreats
andalucia, spain
Intimate, nature-rich getaways in a private forest
Brimming with rustic charm, The Olive Mill – dating back to the late 1800s – near the pretty Andalucian town of Higuera de la Sierra is the base for life-affirming retreats that will take you on a journey of self-discovery. Nestled within a 40-hectare estate of oak, chestnut and cork trees in the Sierra de Aracena Natural Park, you can immerse yourself in yoga and meditation, mindfulness, sound therapy, dance, creativity and qigong. Walk trails from your door, swim in the pool, relax in the hot tub, bond with the menagerie of pets and sleep in lovingly restored bedrooms.
our Reviewer suzanne duckett says:
‘We hiked together through fields blooming with wildflowers, to white-washed villages and a local restaurant where we were treated like family. We picnicked in olive groves, to the sounds of a flamenco guitarist, after taking Simone’s rescued donkeys for a walk’
Queen of Retreats says:
‘Simone and Linne form the heart of these retreats. Add in Danielle and her magic harp, and together they have created a soulful, nurturing environment. Simone’s artistic vision and love of hospitality shines through in every detail, while Linne’s intuitive yoga, bodywork and mindfulness guidance offers deep reconnection to your body. Danielle’s sound therapy and qigong tune you in on another level altogether. Pack warm, thick, non-slip socks for cool, stone floors and post-yoga, sound healing cosiness and step forward when offered a donkey to lead – it's a wonderful, heart-warming experience’
Experiences
On the five-night Yoga and Nature Retreats you can practise hatha or meridian yoga in the morning, and gentle flow or yoga nidra in the evenings. There’s a morning meditation session. Extra treatments include Quantum Shiatsu, intuitive energetic massage, Tibetan singing bowl massage, harp therapy, sound healing and visualisation.
Afternoons are a time for nature walks, and creativity workshops might include intuitive painting, mandala art and dance. Take donkeys Daisy and Dolly for a walk, chat to nosey llamas Pinky and Perky or take a horse-drawn carriage ride into Higuera de la Sierra. There’s also a chance to visit the cave of Wonders at nearby Aracena.
Evenings bring a cacao ceremony, sound healing with soul-stirring harp music and a Rio Abierto System - an Open River Dance. Originating in Argentina, this practice blends music, guided and free movement, voice, breath, touch and meditation to release tension and reconnect with inner joy and vitality.
Spaces
Your base is in the heart of peaceful woodland with direct access to a network of walking trails — whether you're exploring the forest or hiking into the town of Higuera de la Sierra via a wonderful, cobbled path through hills and fields, which takes around an hour. This picturesque town boasts whitewashed houses, bars and restaurants, a mini-market and a central square. And Aracena, known for its Moorish castle, and for being the birthplace of Iberian ham, is about 20 minutes by car away from The Olive Mill.
The original Olive Mill building has been carefully restored. Outside, in the shade of trees, sun loungers flank the 9m by 4m private pool – it’s the perfect place for a quiet read or think. There’s also an alfresco woodfired hot tub. Indoor activities take place in the warm and cosy Yoga Hall, where the olives were once pressed. Flooded with light, with vaulted ceilings, 18th century stone and a huge fireplace, the hall has squashy sofas, pot plants and fine art.
The seven bedrooms are comfy – two are on the ground floor, there are five rooms upstairs. All can be doubles or twin rooms, and have gorgeous fine thread Egyptian cotton linen, and fresh flowers from the gardens on bedside tables. You’ll have an antique wardrobe, a chest of drawers and a desk. Windows are shuttered and each room has a view of either the pool or the surrounding gardens. En-suite bathrooms have organic toiletries.
Sustenance
Food is homegrown, seasonal, farm-to-fork produce, and mostly Andalucian-inspired vegetarian meals will be prepared by your own chef. Enjoy meals at the pine farmhouse table in the traditional Andalucian kitchen or at tables under the olive trees.
Brunch might be polenta bruschetta with broad beans, poached egg and sun-dried cherry tomatoes, or gravlax with a fresh herb yoghurt dip. There’s also a picnic on a donkey walk. An afternoon snack might be a homemade treat such as Andalucian Moorish sponge cake.
Dinner options include gazpacho or beetroot soup, aubergine Parmigana and a crisp cucumber salad, or stuffed grilled mackerel and a lentil salad, followed by pannacotta with a fresh fruit coulis or fresh figs baked with honey, cinnamon and walnuts. Water, coffee, teas, smoothies, fruits and snacks are all available during the day. Local wines are available at extra cost.
