PRIVATE RETREATS:
CROATIA
Brač Island, Croatia
with Melanie Caines
Experience the beauty of Croatia and the magic of self-care during this incredible retreat week. Refill your cup with daily meditation & yoga on the terrace, soak up the sweetness of sunsets & swims in the Adriatic Sea, and nourish yourself with local cuisine. With breathtaking beaches, exquisite views, and magical cultural experiences, this Croatian adventure is a gorgeous balance of “doing” and “being” and will leave you feeling refreshed and full of life.
Yoga offerings can include Vinyasa Flow, Yin, Restorative, Yoga Nidra, Myofascial Release, Neurogenic Yoga, and Meditation.
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HOW IT WORKS:
- You choose the dates
- You gather a group of 10 people to book
- We work together to customize the schedule, excursions, & meals
THE EXPERIENCE
Our glorious home for the week will be Villa Gumonca, a luxury beachfront villa in the peaceful village of Mirca on the island of Brač (an hour ferry ride from Split).
You and your group will have exclusive use of the villa for your retreat week.
Our retreat base is located outside of the tourist rush – the perfect place to slow down, tune in, & enjoy. Villa Gumonča’s surroundings offer a breathtaking view of the sea and of mainland Croatia. The direct path from the villa to the small pebble beach passes through a small vineyard and a fragrant garden of organic fruits, vegetables, and various Mediterranean herbs.
Brač is a Mediterranean island famous for its cultural heritage, deeply indented coves, smooth stone pebble beaches, crystal clear sea, and rustic Mediterranean villages. This unique Adriatic island is bestowed with Croatian symbols such as Vidova Gora — one of the most beautiful viewpoints and the highest peak on the Adriatic coast. Another treasure is the Golden Cape — a natural white pebbled beach formation that sticks out of the sea like a tongue; Lonely Planet listed it as one of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia.
Our retreat includes:
(1) Day Trip to Vidova Gora, Golden Cape, & Bol
(2) Olive Oil Tasting & the Village of Skrip
Other optional activities include:
Island Hopping Boat Tour (weather permitting)
Massage Treatments
The outdoor area of the villa features a heated infinity pool, sun deck with lounge chairs, a jacuzzi, and a large terrace with a dining area where we will enjoy our meals.
Yoga classes will take place outside on the shaded terrace and yoga mats are provided.
Our retreat food is prepared with fresh and seasonal ingredients purchased from local farmers because we love to support the local economy.
Enjoy daily brunch and dinner, made by the local in-house chef. Brunches and dinners are mainly vegetarian and vegan with seafood options.
Coffee, tea, fruits, and snacks will be available through the day.
accommodations & Fees
5 bedrooms with 2 beds + private bathrooms in each room
Complete the booking inquiry form above or send me an email at novayogaretreats@gmail.com to start planning your dream trip!
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RETREAT WEEK FEES:
10ppl: €2525 per person
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what you’ll love
Exclusive use of the venue for you and your group
Heated outdoor infinity pool
Outdoor yoga classes
Daily brunch & dinner
Steps away from the sea
Included excursion to Vidova Gora, Golden Cape, & Bol
Olive oil tasting and a visit to the village of Skrip
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- 7 nights accommodation
- Up to 2 yoga classes per day (12 classes total)
- Daily brunch & dinner (except dinner in Bol)
- Daily snacks before afternoon yoga
- Return ground transportation from Supetar Port to Villa Gumonca on arrival & departure day
- Excursion to Vidova Gora, Golden Cape, & Bol
- Olive Oil Museum excursion with tasting
- Use of yoga mats
- All taxes/HST included
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
- Flights
- Return ferry from Split to Brac
- Dinner in Bol
- Optional Island Hopping Boat Trip
- Alcohol
OUR ITINERARY
Day 1
Welcome to Croatia! We will meet at the Supetar Port on Brac Island at 2:30pm for our group shuttle to Villa Gumonca. Arrive, unpack, & settle in! We’ll enjoy a short and sweet post-travel flow and a welcome circle, followed by a delicious dinner.
DAY 2
Start your day with tea, coffee, and fresh juices and awaken with morning yoga. Following class our in-house chef will serve a delicious brunch. The afternoon is reserved for leisure activities, like massage, relaxing by the pool, swimming, or simply reading a book and enjoying the villa; your choice! We’ll enjoy a second yoga class in the late afternoon followed by dinner and watching the sunset.
Day 3
Start the morning with yoga class and nourish your soul with an amazing brunch made from veggies picked directly from our garden. Now it’s time to explore! We’ll enjoy a visit to Mt Vidova Gora, the highest peak of all Croatian islands. From here you will enjoy an incredible view of the Golden Cape and the islands of Hvar and Vis. Then we’ll arrive at the Golden Cape, the most beautiful beach in Croatia and a protected natural area of the Adriatic coastline. Take a swim, relax, & enjoy. We will conclude the day’s adventure with a dinner in the nearby town of Bol.
DAY 4
After morning yoga and brunch you’ll have free time to explore the local village, relax in the villa, or enjoy the beach. Or, if you prefer something more active there’s an option to try kayaking or SUP. We’ll wind down with another yoga class and dinner on the terrace.
DAY 5
After morning yoga and brunch, if the weather is in our favor, we will embark on a boat trip towards majestic Hvar and the Pakleni islands. We’ll start with Hvar, a location with charming Venetian architecture, numerous monasteries, the famous fortress ‘Spanjola’, and excellent bars and restaurants. The second stop will be the Pakleni islands: here we will swim, snorkel, and enjoy a snack at the beach bar. Dinner will be served in the villa once we return.
DAY 6
After morning flow and brunch you will have time to relax or explore, whatever you are in the mood for! We’ll enjoy a workshop in the afternoon, followed by our yoga class, dinner, and sunset.
DAY 7
Morning yoga and brunch will be followed by a visit to Skrip, the oldest village on the island of Brac, and the Museum of Olive Oil for a delicious tasting. We’ll return to the villa for our closing class and final dinner.
DEPARTURE DAY
We’ll enjoy one last breakfast together before the group transfer to Supetar port where you can catch the ferry back to Split, feeling rejuvenated, recharged, and ready for whatever is next!
TRAVEL
FLIGHTS
The closest airport is Split (SPU).
GROUND TRANSPORTATION
There is a shuttle that runs from Split Airport to the town of Split (30min drive and €6 shuttle). From there, you will take the Jadrolinja ferry from Split to Supetar, Brac (1hr ferry ride and €5 ticket). We will meet you at the Supetar port at 2:30pm for your included shuttle to Villa Gumonca.
TRAVEL QUESTIONS?
Contact Melanie at novayogaretreats@gmail.com.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ THE TERMS & CONDITIONS
PAYMENT SCHEDULE:
€500 deposit pp (10 deposits) due to book
€600 USD pp due 9 months before
€600 USD pp due 6 months before
Final balance due 4 months before
CANCELLATION POLICY:
All deposits and payments are nonrefundable, no exceptions.
If you cancel the retreat week 6 months or more before the retreat start date all deposits will be forfeited. All other payments will be converted into travel credit that can be applied to a future Nova Retreats Inc. private or public retreat; this credit is transferable and expires two years from the original retreat date.
If you cancel the retreat week 6 months or less before the retreat start date all deposits and payments will be forfeited.
In the event that Nova Retreats postpones the retreat for any reason, including any force majeure event, all monies paid will be converted into travel credit that can be applied to a future Nova Retreat Inc. trip; this credit is transferable and expires two years from the original retreat date.
Nova Retreats Inc. is a small business that proudly works with intimate, family-run hotels and venues and we are unable to offer refunds of any kind.
If you require more security, please talk to an insurance broker about a comprehensive travel plan that will offer you the coverage you need.
Proof of Emergency Travel Medical Insurance AND Trip Interruption/Cancellation Insurance are both required by all participants in the retreat group.
Thank you for understanding.
YOUR HOST
MELANIE CAINES
VIEW BIO
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I need a passport?
Yes you are required to have a passport.
I have dietary restrictions – is this retreat able to accommodate me?
Yes certainly; once you have reserved your spot please pass on any allergies, restrictions, or requests.
How can I reach you if I have further questions?
You can email us at novayogaretreats@gmail.com or call 709-743-8303.
TESTIMONIALS
In a word, Nova Yoga Retreats are delicious! Melanie and her co-leaders hold space beautifully, guiding the group through yoga and meditation practices and “off campus” excursions with gentle mastery. You can show up and know that everything has been taken care of. Her groups are always welcoming; I attended two retreats solo and left both with amazing friends. Melanie chooses retreat locations with natural and artistic beauty and most importantly–soul. Her love of travel and exploring new cultures adds so much to the experience. Last, but not least, the food and accomodations are always a delight!
It felt like a true escape from my normal life. I feel like I was able to connect to the area and the people who journeyed with me. Your ability to curate a safe space to be and a place to play for people is truly a gift, Melanie. Thank you.
I can’t recommend Nova Yoga’s retreats highly enough. Melanie put together an amazing week that stretched our bodies and our minds, and left both stronger and more restored. This experience was much more than “just” yoga — it was truly a reset physically and mentally, and a wonderful opportunity to restore and refresh alongside amazing and kind women.
From the moment I arrived, I knew it would be a transformative journey. Each class left me relaxed and rejuvenated. This, along with amazing food and people, made for an unforgettable experience. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for the perfect yoga getaway.
Melanie finds the best places and brings together the most amazing people.
I love the opportunity to get away from the tourist areas and get to know the local scene. The food was fabulous, staff and accommodations were excellent. The yoga was wonderfully therapeutic. And I really enjoyed getting to know the group. This was a wonderful experience for me and my first time travelling as a single. It gave me the confidence to try it again.
Melanie is the most incredible yoga instructor. Her retreats are absolutely amazing. A magical experience of a lifetime. If you haven’t done one of her retreats, you are really missing out!