The Arrigo Programme - Spain

Gaucin, Spain

Powerful women’s wisdom retreats for deep rest and restoration

Based in the heart of gorgeous Gaucin in Andalucia, The Arrigo Programme’s transformational Women’s Wisdom retreats are led by biodynamic psychotherapist Fiona Arrigo and an experienced, nurturing team. They include The Path of the Heart and Deepening into Life, and are for women who want to reclaim, restore and recalibrate.

Queen of Retreats says:

‘Fiona has run retreats in Gaucin for more than a decade. She chose the area originally for the nurturing energy of the Andalucian mountains and she has been proved right year after year. Combine the location with Fiona’s ability to go straight to the heart of a problem, and you have a winning combination’

Experiences

These retreats are for all women who need to take time out, whether they’re suffering trauma, addiction issues, anxiety, depression, grief, burnout or overwhelm or simply need to rebalance their lives.

The Path of the Heart retreat is a deep dive into your psyche as you explore who you are as a woman, what you are holding, what you can align to and what can drop away. You’ll develop new neurological pathways, as you uncover different ways of thinking.

Deepening into Life is a retreat where women come together to explore what true rest is and to look at rest as a spiritual practice. You’ll examine the meaning of value and worth, what you are holding and what can drop away.

Fiona, who has more than 40 years’ experience as a therapist, is passionate about bringing about change and she runs her retreats with wisdom, warmth and humour. Her team includes Amanda Rothwell who blends traditional acupuncture with traditional Chinese medicine, psychotherapist and skilled sound healer Lucyne Jade, and complementary health therapist Kalindi Jordan.

Your day will likely consist of yoga, group workshops, breathwork, one-to-one sessions, sound healing, group gatherings and morning walks. Evenings might be spent watching a spiritual film, followed by discussion. Treatments including acupuncture, craniosacral therapy and sound healing, can be booked as extras.

Spaces

Your retreat base is the divine Finca Avedin, hidden down a long dirt track set within its own secluded forest and olive and almond groves. Practise yoga outdoors overlooking the pool and mountains by day, and inside by night. Workshops take place on an outside terrace.

Immerse yourself in nature - walk through the woodlands to hidden lakes or go birdwatching and stargazing. Relax in the villa gardens - they’re the perfect backdrop for curling up with a book, chatting through your lightbulb moments or meditating in nature. Or chill out in the infinity pool with views of the Andalucian mountains.

At Finca Avedin you’ll find master, double and twin rooms – all Moroccan-inspired with en-suite bedrooms, whitewashed walls, high ceilings and artisan furnishings, and wrapped around a large central courtyard. Décor is bright and airy in soothing neutral colours.

Extra accommodation is at a second house, Casa Dana, a 10-minute drive away from Finca Avedin. Casa Dana has a master and double room (twice daily shuttles will operate and there are changing and shower facilities at Finca Avedin for those not staying there).

Expect to eat al fresco, on a long table set with crisp, white linen and stylish glassware on the outdoor terrace.

Sustenance

Local cooks will prepare fresh, nutritious, delicious, mostly plant-based meals, made with local ingredients. Allergies can be catered for if the retreat is told in advance.

Breakfasts consist of overnight oats, fresh fruit and orange juice, a selection of bread, hummus, vegetables and scrambled eggs.

Lunch might be tomato gazpacho and roasted vegetable quinoa salad.

For dinner you might have vegetable summer rolls with a dipping sauce, followed by a veggie Thai Green curry with rice. You have the option to add chicken.

Snack on nuts, seeds and smoothies. Coffee is available in the morning and herbal teas and water are provided throughout the day. No alcohol is offered.

Gaucin, Spain

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