Carcassonne – Yoga Holiday
Languedoc Roussillon –
South of France
Dates for 2009: Yoga Holiday 12 October – 17 October
2009
Cost: €735 (euros) per person, includes 6 nights
accommodation, Yoga, all meals, wine with dinner. Flight and travel
insurance are not included.
Join our Yoga tutors in October 2009 for a wonderful
Yoga holiday retreat at La Maison Fleur de Felice, Carcassonne South of
France. Lift your spirits and energies in this beautiful setting in the
mountainous countryside setting of the Languedoc, with twice daily yoga
practice, meditation, mountain trekking, gentle strolls, delicious food
and visiting Cathar Castles and Medieval cities.
Ashtanga Yoga
An opportunity for an exciting, fun and challenging week
suitable for those who are beginners and new comers to yoga, but also
for those more proficient at yoga. During this week, in addition to
taught classes we will explore some of the different aspects of yoga
looking at Bastrita, Kapalabahti, Pranayama and different approaches to
yoga in greater depth.
La Maison Fleur de Felice
La Maison Fleur de Felice is a perfect location for a
tranquil and restful yoga retreat. The 16th century auberge, once a
place where horse drawn coaches stopped for the night for the
passengers to rest, refresh and sleep, has been lovingly restored to
its natural beauty.
It is our aim to transform your physical and mental
well-being, by offering our guests the perfect combination of mountain
air, mountain hiking, energising country walks, yoga, beauty treatments
and spa therapies, massage, and a cleansing diet in beautiful, natural
tranquil, comfortable and harmonious surroundings, all of which makes a
perfect healthy break.
The yoga
There will be two yoga sessions a day and on a few days,
an extra meditation and breathing technique class after the evening
meal.
In the mornings we will have a 1.5 – 2 hour class
focusing on Ashtanga yoga to awaken the body and mind. The practice
will build in strength and depth over the week.
The afternoon 2 hourly sessions will vary from the usual
class format and in addition to taught sessions we will look at the
various limbs, aspects and strands of yoga and explore different
schools of yoga.
Practising Yoga is associated with establishing harmony,
equanimity and balance. It is an effective form of exercise for
posture, breathing and mobility and is suitable for all levels of
fitness. Yoga benefits are good posture, relaxation, flexibility and
strength.
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The Accommodation – La Maison Fleur de Felice
La Maison Fleur de Felice is set in an area of outstanding
natural beauty.
The accommodation at La Maison Fleur de Felice is
beautiful and every attention to detail has been taken. To ensure our
guests have a wonderful relaxing time.
Accommodation for up to six sharing, is spread over 3
rooms each with its own character, and a further six guests sharing can
be accommodated in our pretty little cottage –La Maison Girija Rive,
just a short distance away in the neighbouring village and easy to walk
to.
The house at Fleur de Felice, is tastefully decorated
and furnished in a simple French sophisticated style, the finish and
details gives each room a luxury feel.
All rooms have mountain and river Orbiel views. Fine,
crisp bed linen, soft towels, television and stereo players with
relaxing music are standard for every guest.
Please note that La Maison Fleur de Felice is a no
smoking property. If you wish to smoke you can do so outside the
grounds.
The Food
Our aim is for you to feel happy and healthy, so food is
very important to us at La Maison Fleur de Felice and of course, as
well as healthy...delicious!
All meals are home cooked and in keeping with our
healthy philosophy - vegetarian. If you prefer not to have wine, that
is fine, but it is available if you prefer it.
Massage and treatments
The following are available
Therapists Ingrid and Aurelie, of Escale Beauté are
available to give the following treatments at La Maison Fleur de
Felice: -
- Aromatherapy Massage, Hot Stone Massage, Reflexology
and Therapeutic Massage prices from 30€ for a Half body massage to 60€
for Aromatherapy Massage
- Beauty treatments including: facials, manicures and
pedicures
- Hot Tub Hydrotherapy is also available throughout
your stay.
Activities and Excursions
This region is famed for the Medieval Cite of Carcassonne
and the Canal du Midi – UNESCO World heritage sites, various Cathar
Castles and chateaux ruins like the 4 Cathar Castles of Lastours.
Wonderful wines of the Minervois, Corbiere, Malpere,
Cabardes, and Fitou and delicious food such as Cassoulet.
During your free time you can choose to visit Lac
Montagne for swimming in a natural lake, walk our many trails, bike or
explore the forests of the Montagne noire or the many beautiful Cathar
castles and cultural areas of interests. Take a restful stroll along
the Canal du Midi.
Visit The Cascade de Cupservies-the longest drop
waterfall in Europe, The Gouffre de Cabrespine – a gorge inside the
Montagne Noire deeper than the Eiffel Tower, along with the wonderful
caves of Limousis; or visit the sight, which brings millions of
tourists to Carcassonne every year…. The Magnificent Medieval City of
Carcassonne!
Don’t forget to visit the newer 12th century Bastide
city of Carcassonne, with its bars and restaurants, and Saturday
morning market filled with fresh local produce.
The book “The Labyrinth” by Kate Mosse was written about
Carcassonne and the Languedoc area; as was Dan Browns “The Da Vince
Code”, and Kevin Cosner's “Robin Hood Prince of Thieves” was filmed in
Carcassonne Medieval city.
Transportation and transfers
Airports
There are now an amazing 3 destination flights to choose
from, with Ryanair bargain fares to Carcassonne, Bezier, Perpignan and
routes from London Stansted, Birmingham (East Midland), Liverpool,
Cork, Shannon, Dublin and Charleroi in Brussels.
Other airlines fly into nearby Toulouse International
airport, whereby you could either take a train to Carcassonne or hire a
car.
Airport Transfers
Transfers are available from Carcassonne Airport at a
cost of 50 euros return. A taxi from any of the above airports is
likely to cost a minimum of 50 euros each way.
Car Hire
You may wish to hire a car especially if you want to
explore further afield. All the airports have car hire facilities or
try www.europecar.co.uk or www.alamo.co.uk.
Arrivals
Please arrive after 12 noon on the first day. Departure
on the last day is by 4pm (after lunch).
Package
€735 per person based on sharing with 1 other. "Limited
Single occupancy is available, with a supplement charge, for €875".
If you would like to stay for a further few days or a
week a discount will be available.
The Package Includes:
- Full board (except on one evening when the group will
eat out at a local venue. On this night only you will pay for your
meal).
- Accommodation based on 2 people sharing. Comprising
of Continental breakfast
- Buffet brunch/lunch
- Dinner
- Fruit and drinks available throughout the day
- Twice daily yoga (mats provided)
- Guided walking trails on mountain walk
- Use of Yoga mats for the week
The Package excludes:
- Insurance
- Travel and flights
- Airport transfers
- Towels for swimming
- Evening meal on one night when the group will eat out
PLEASE DO NOT BOOK YOUR TRAVEL UNTIL ADVISED AS
THIS HOLIDAY RETREAT REQUIRES A MINIMUM OF 8 PARTICIPANTS.
What to bring:
- Light loose clothing for yoga
- Some warm clothes and a waterproof jacket
- If your preference is to use your special mat, please
bring it with you.
Included in our Yoga Holiday
