Holidays are a chance to focus on your wellbeing and practising yoga is increasingly becoming the exercise of choice to do just that. With more free time on vacation than during the busy work week, vacation-goers can even practise daily, especially if you are staying at one of these exquisite villas with amazing terraces for yoga (and Pilates). Let yourself drift to another dimension thanks to these stunning settings.
Isfahan Villa – Marrakech, Morocco
Located only 20 minutes from Marrakech, Kensington Luxury Properties’ Villa Isfahan is a true haven of peace and serenity, the perfect holiday destination for healthy, organic living and yoga practice.
Nestled in the heart of an olive tree filled garden, the warm colored house has a cozy and welcoming atmosphere which makes you feel at home instantly. Composed of five bedrooms, all with modern bathrooms and large bay windows with views over the garden. On the first floor, there are two of the five suites, with separate access if needed (ideal if traveling with grown children) and an attached living room with a fireplace and a stunning bay window overlooking the garden and the 25m swimming pool amongst the olive grove.
A talented chef will be at your disposal, cooking excellent Moroccan or European dishes with fresh local organic produce as well as charming and professional house staff. The villa features elegant interior decoration with luxury amenities such as a hammam, indoor heated pool, fitness room, double living room with fireplace and a large dining area. Outside, there are also numerous eating areas and a ping pong room.
On request a set of services such as spa and massage treatments, private yoga teacher, excursions into town, the Atlas Mountains or to Essaouira can be easily arranged. Start designing your zen Moroccan vacation with Kensington Luxury Properties.
Shotover Point Villa – Queenstown, New Zealand
Surrounded by vineyards and overlooking the famous Shotover River and spectacular Remarkables mountain range, the gorgeous grassy terrace in front of MajorDomo’s Shotover Point villa is perfect for getting into your favorite yoga position in total privacy.
The villa takes its inspiration from a simpler time. It harks back to the ruggedness, practicality and ethos of hard work of those who pioneered this Central Otago region of New Zealand’s South Island. Shotover Point has been architecturally designed with the character of an historic stone farm building that has been converted into a house, stylish, sophisticated yet still very relaxed.
The three-bedroom villa has underfloor heating, a large open fireplace and stunning views from every window. Plus, there are no neighbours, and only the sound of the river and the odd jet boat interrupting the silence. The spa pool is located just beside the outdoor fire – which will keep you toasting on frosty spring or fall nights or add some additional magical on the long summer evenings.
When not practising yoga on its gorgeous terrace, the villa is within a short distance to the many natural wonders of the Queenstown area.
Inside and out, this villa is a perfect retreat for those wanting to take some time out to the gorgeous backdrop of Queenstown. Discover more about this exquisite villa through MajorDomo at this link.
Samujana – Koh Samui, Thailand
On its high hilltop position, the luxury private villa resort of Samujana, on Thailand’s Koh Samui island, offers one of the most exceptional locations for getting into your favorite yoga positions as you gaze out at the awe-inspiring waters of the Gulf of Thailand.
Samujana’s sleek and spacious villas have landscaped rooftops, yoga decks, private lawns or spaces for relaxing or taking in a yoga session with inspiring views of the sea and hillside.
Villa twelve, in particular, boasts landscaped gardens, yoga pavilion, massage sala and meditation nests. The yoga classes on offer include private yoga, group yoga, prenatal yoga and kids’ yoga. All classes are with Yogarden; a wellness collective featuring a collaboration of international yoga, pilates, wellness and lifestyle experts. The classes range from 1,500 THB to 2,500 THB and it is highly recommended to book at least 4 weeks before arrival.
Learn more about Samujana and its range of activities in this recent article and book your yoga holiday with them.
The Barge Johanna – Champagne, France
What better way to stay active on holiday than with private Pilates classes led by a former Olympic gymnast? You can on the Barge Johanna piloted through France’s Champagne region by Kris and Patsie Rostaert, a unique holiday option available through Barge Lady Cruises.
The beautiful 106-feet-long luxury barge has three comfortable cabins and a salon and dining room which are tastefully decorated in neutral tones and have an abundance of natural light. Guests can lounge under the canopy of the flower adorned deck while admiring the lovely French scenery pass by. Or perhaps do some Pilates on deck?
A maritime engineer by trade, Captain Kris is at the helm of the Johanna while Patsie prepares seasonal meals highlighting seafood and fresh produce. In addition, if guests are so inclined, she can lead Pilates classes. With a Master’s degree in Physical Education and a number of years’ experience as a professor in gymnastics, dance, and healthy body development in a poly-technical high school, Patsie turned to Pilates as her own fitness routine and became an instructor herself.
More dynamic than yoga, Pilates is highly recommended by doctors, osteopaths and physiotherapists as a safe exercise method for both young and old, as it applies no stress on the heart and minimum strain on joints. It improves posture, strengthens and lengthens muscles, and works especially on all weak body parts.
Patsie can designs tailor-made sessions for guests. The program could include several sessions a week lasting about 40 minutes. During her sessions, Patsie puts great emphasis on correct positioning and breathing as well as the development of body awareness.
Guests can also stay active off the boat by exploring the towpath and quaint villages along the antique canal on foot or by bicycle. Day trips can be organized for discovering sites further afield and wine tasting at the vineyards of this famous and charming area of France.
Improve your posture and breathing while taking in the breathtaking Champagne region with Barge Lady Cruises here.
Amandara Villa – Saint Martin
Feel the Caribbean Sea breeze and take in the sweeping views of French St-Martin and neighbouring island Anguilla from high above spectacular Baie Rouge Beach while staying at Amandara Villa available through Carimo.
Perched hillside, this luxurious five-bedroom property has panoramic views from its expansive terrace and bright, open-plan interiors. The spacious terrace, with covered and open spaces, extends the length of the villa and it is filled with private spots and gathering areas for lounging, sunning and dining. Indonesian river pebbles are creatively used to define spaces while beautiful teak pergolas balance out the terrace.
For a quiet escape, the villa’s Bali-style gazebo, in the lower garden, is where you want to head. This gazebo is multi-functional – enjoy a nap in the hammock one afternoon then the next day enjoy couple’s massages protected from the sun yet taking in the full benefit of the ocean’s breeze due to its waterfront location. However, there’s no doubt that this covered Bali-style gazebo is best served for performing your morning Yoga routine while enjoying the sunrise over Pic Paradis above the French Capital town of Marigot. If you are not an avid Yogi, allow the Carimo concierge team to hire an expert to guide you through the movements.
Escape the ordinary by spending your next Caribbean holiday at Amandara Villa in St-Martin with Carimo here.
Le Ripe – Tuscany, Italy
Fortunately for guests of today, the view from the stunning Le Ripe Villa, by Homebase Abroad, has hardly changed since a fortunate farming family made their home here. Within the frame of this stunning vista you can lose all sense of urgency and let your mind drift with the clouds, while practicing yoga in glorious silence on any of the numerous terraces.
The incredible view is a major draw, a constantly shifting and captivating panorama of timeless landscape celebrating the enormity of nature. The hulking frame of Monte Amiata colors from gold to hot pink with the changing of the sun during the day, creating the perfect aura for a peaceful moment of inner retreat.
With seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms, it could be a wonderful getaway for a group of friends. The elegantly refurbished 17th-century farmhouse blends classic and contemporary aesthetics. The spacious bedrooms and painted in warm colors and are thoughtfully furnished. The living room is large and welcoming, the dining room elegant, the kitchen well equipped for preparing healthy meals using the amazing fresh ingredients from the abundant Val d’Orcia.
Le Ripe is the ideal base for a tranquil Tuscan holiday focused on wellbeing. Reach out to Homebase Abroad at this link for further information and availability.
Six Shillings – Harbour Island, Bahamas
The gorgeous and laidback Harbour Island is a wonderful destination in the Caribbean to escape from the world and focus on your wellbeing without the distractions found on many of the other islands of the region. Our local expert Pamela H. Murdock has the perfect villa on the island for Yogis, the Six Shillings, which she tells us about here:
“Sitting right on Harbour Island’s famous beach, the six-bedroom Six Shillings is comprised of a main house and guest cottage. Surrounding the main house is a large deck with the perfect view of the water and expansive views up and down the beach, an ideal place to practice yoga.
“Located on two very private acres, the minute one walks into the house, one is absorbed into the calming effect of the ocean. The pale pink sand beach and the ocean’s multiple shades of turquoise add to the serenity and peace of this thoughtful beach house. What could be a nicer way to begin the day than yoga as the sun rises in the east? Afterwards, drift down the private path to the water for a little ocean therapy.
“Harbour Island is very service oriented and there are several fitness specialists available to come to one’s house. Two of them are yoga teachers as well as Pilates instructors. One of them also teaches Zumba for those who seek peace mixed with peppy. There are also a few good masseuses including one, who’s so good, that two separate owners refused to tell me her full name so I couldn’t book her in case they wanted her at the same time as one of my clients. Since Harbour Island is only three miles long and I have many local contacts, this masseuse wasn’t too hard to find! Clients have raved about her. For a small group, Six Shillings is an ideal and intimate spot for reflexion and well-being.”
Arrange your ultimate Caribbean yoga getaway with Pamela H. Murdock at this link.
Villa Paradiso – Ubud, Bali
There are very few destinations which evoke total relaxation more than the graceful countryside of Bali, especially surrounding Ubud. A spiritual and cultural hub, it attracts thousands of visitors every year, in search of some personal, tranquil time and Carpe Diem Luxury Travel have exactly the right villa for doing just that, the exquisite Villa Paradiso.
“Situated on the coveted Sayan Ridge on the outskirts town, the villa is set in a secluded location, bordered by broad-canopied acacia trees, umbrella ferns, rippling banana leaves and giant bamboo mingle with tall coconut palms,” describes Marina Gratsos of Carpe Diem. “Paddlings of ducks forage for tasty morsels on the valley floor, dragonflies glide on the thermals, and cicadas chirrup to the accompaniment of an orchestra of birdsong.”
Within this tranquil oasis you can be at one with yourself as you go through your favorite yoga positions on the terrace overlooking the valley. The graceful architecture of this thatched hideaway is essentially Balinese, constructed of traditional local materials, with contemporary style incorporated into the high-quality fixtures and fittings. Designed to harmonise with the environment, the pavilions and viewing balconies offer a blend of open-air living and air-conditioned comfort.
The villa is composed of two wings, in a V-shaped plan, encompassing an inner courtyard garden and a fan-shaped swimming pool that appears to float above the treetops. The accommodation comprises two master bedrooms, each with an en-suite bathroom, an open living room, a dining room with adjacent kitchen, a mezzanine with additional sleeping accommodation and bathroom, and an entertainment room with a sleeping loft and bathroom. The infinity-edge swimming pool appears to overflow into the forest; its stone deck enhanced with sun-loungers, oriental parasols, palms, pots and flowering shrubs.
Experience this peaceful paradise by contacting Carpe Diem Luxury Travel here.