SUMMER YOGA
RETREAT
BRAC ISLAND
DATES
21.07. — 25.07.2024
MAXIMAL CAPACITY
12 people
SUITABLE FOR
all yoga levels
small groups, singles, couples
PRICES
Single Room • 1,690 € per person
Twin Room • 1,290 € per person
Triple Room • 1,090 € per person
Single room booked for 2 people includes a king-size bed. In this case, the price is 1,000 euros per person.
HIGHLIGHTS
Luxury beachfront villa with a pool & aromatic garden
Daily Yoga & seaside meditations
Island hopping to Golden Cape & Hvar
Olive oli tasting & degustation
In-house massages
ACTIVITIES
Summer Yoga Retreat on Brac island includes — daily Yoga practices, meditation and breathwork, Yoga Nidra, Restorative Yoga, visiting the oldest village on the island of Brac, olive oil tasting with degustation of local products, island hopping to Golden Cape, Hvar and Pakleni islands, and of course, plenty of free time to relax and enjoy
OVERVIEW
This retreat takes place in a luxury villa with an aromatic bio garden and beach in front overlooking amazing sunsets.
Irena will guide you through seaside mediations, and morning Yoga practices combined with breathwork (pranayama). Discover highlights of Brac Island – visit the oldest village on the island, try one of the best olive oils, salute with homemade grappa, and enjoy a fun boat trip to the most famous beach Golden Cape, Hvar & Pakleni Islands. Nevertheless, you will have plenty of time for lazy afternoons – reading books by the pool, swimming in the sea, or softening with massages. Nourish your bellies with fresh food picked directly from our garden.
After just a few days, you will probably be seduced by the lightness of being and start to feel a careless island vibe.
PROGRAM
Discover day by day program of Summer Yoga Retreat on Brac Island
Day 1 — ARRIVAL + OPENING CIRCLE
Dobro dosli! Welcome to Croatia!
Our first day begins with a group transfer from Supetar straight to our villa. Once you’ve settled into your room, the day is yours to enjoy. Explore the villa’s lush bio garden, take a refreshing dip in the sea, or venture to the charming village of Mirca.
In the evening, join us for an opening circle where we’ll collectively set our intentions for the week ahead, followed by a meditation.
As the day winds down, a delectable dinner awaits you.
Day 2 — YOGA + LEISURE + YOGA NIDRA
Start a day with seaside meditation, followed by breathwork (pranayama) and morning Yoga practice. Our in-house chef will serve the brunch made of fresh and seasonal delicacies.
The afternoon is reserved for leisure activities, like in-house massage, relaxing by the pool, swimming, or simply reading a book and enjoying the villa; your choice.
Before dinner, join Irena for a deeply relaxing Yoga Nidra session.
Dinner, sweet dinner under a starry sky.
Day 3 — YOGA + BOAT TRIP TO GOLDEN CAPE & HVAR
After our morning Yoga practice and brunch, we will embark on a boat trip towards the majestic Golden Cape and Hvar Island with a stop at Pakleni Islands.
Firstly we’ll visit Golden Cape, the most beautiful beach in Croatia and a protected natural area of the Adriatic coastline. Then we continue to visit Hvar, a location with charming Venetian architecture, numerous monasteries, the famous fortress ‘Spanjola’, and excellent bars and restaurants. The last pitstop is the Hvar archipelago — Pakleni islands. Here we will have time to enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and refreshing in beach bar.
The dinner will be served in the villa once we arrive back.
Day 4 — YOGA + OLIVE OIL TASTING + SUNSET GATHERING
We will persistently feed this adventure with our Yoga practice and yummy brunch.
The afternoon is reserved for visiting Skrip, the oldest village on the island of Brac with its beautiful Museum of Olive Oil. Learn the traditional way of making olive oil and enjoy in degustation of local products.
In the evening we are going to have a surprise for a sunset gathering followed by a delightful homemade dinner.
Day 5 — RETURN HOME ... or
Rejuvenated and recharged, you are ready to get back into the real world.
We will escort you to Supetar, from where you can decide; or to stay to live in Croatia or to go back to your home…
VILLA
Villa Gumonca is a luxury beachfront villa in the peaceful village Mirca, near Supetar, the central town of Brac island.
Villa’s surroundings offer a breathtaking view of the sea and the mainland as well as of the fragrant eco gardens with direct access to a small pebble beach. The path leading to the beach passes between a small vineyard and a garden featuring organic fruits, vegetables, and various Mediterranean herbs.
The outdoor seaside area features a large veranda on stone pillars that shades a dining table, a wooden pool deck area with sunbeds, a jacuzzi and heated infinity swimming pool.
The villa can accommodate up to 13 guests and consists of a 4 bedroom main house and 2 bedroom annex. On the main house’s ground floor are 3 bedrooms with suite bathrooms, each with its small terrace. On the first floor is a master bedroom which can accommodate up to 3 people. It has a big bathroom with a shower and jacuzzi bathtub for two. The guest annex and the main house are next to each other and connected with porches and terraces. The annex consists of 2 more bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and an additional gourmet kitchen.
The shared space is a spacious living room with a TV set and fireplace, a dining area, and a long kitchen/bar island.
Villa Gumonca is an award-winning house and place of true well-being!
FOOD
Our food is prepared with fresh and seasonal ingredients purchased from local farmers because we love to support the local economy.
You’ll enjoy two main meals and snacks, all thoughtfully crafted by our in-house chef. Our menu is primarily vegetarian and vegan, with gluten-free options available.
And, to keep you refreshed throughout the day, we offer coffee, tea, fruits, and snacks.
LOCATION
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 in the first place of the most beautiful beaches in Croatia.
These remarkable natural properties and the islands’ relaxed vibe make Brač a top-rated destination for windsurfers, sports lovers, and adventure seekers.
Our retreat base is located outside of the tourist rush in peaceful village Mirca — slow-paced and a perfect place for enjoying sublime scenery and scents of Mediterranean herbs and pine trees.
MEET OUR TEAM
…your teacher, your guide and in-house chef
Irena Bartolec is an authorized KPJAYI Yoga Teacher, currently living in Costa Rica. She holds and organizes annual Retreats, Workshops, and Teacher Trainings internationally in Bali, Europe, Costa Rica and beyond.
Irena has 20 years of extensive Teaching and Management experience in the fields of Yoga, Health, Wellness and Mindfulness. She is the Creator and Director at Ashtanga Yoga Mama, established in 2014.
Irena has 20 years of extensive Teaching and Management experience in the fields of Yoga, Health, Wellness and Mindfulness. She is the Creator and Director at Ashtanga Yoga Mama, established in 2014.
Irena has studied Yoga and Meditation extensively with Sri. K. Patthabi Jois, Sharat R. Jois, Rolf Naujokat, Richard Freeman, Lino Miele, Nancy Gilgoff, Eddie Stern, Dr. Jayashree and Prof. Narasimhan, Sharon Salzberg, Bodhi College. Their great wealth of knowledge, generosity, and tutelage have formed the pillars for Irena’s own yogic teaching style, and accompanying philosophies.
In 2014 Irena received her Authorisation to teach Ashtanga Yoga from The KPJAYI Institute in Mysore, India. She spent many years in Mysore, returning annually, establishing a deep relationship to the Ashtanga practice and the traditional lineage, at the time.
Irena Bartolec had the rare opportunity to study Yoga and Mindfulness beside a carefully curated group of noted and revered spiritual Teachers and Masters. Her search for knowledge has taken her all over the world, from India to the USA, Europe to Asia, Central America to Hawaii. She remains committed to spending time with teachers whom she admires, and they dutifully inspire her teaching path.
Irena Bartolec received her Master of Science in Kinesiology Degree from the University of Zagreb, Croatia in 2004 where she graduated with a Master’s Degree in Physiology. Her final thesis was titled “ The Influence of Yoga on the Cardiovascular and Respiratory System.”
Irena continued her education in various Yoga schools such as The Yoga Workshop in Colorado, Samahita in Thailand, and The Birthright School in the U.K.
This extensive education gives Irena a strong platform to teach different levels of classes and meet her student’s individual needs. She is fully versed in anatomical studies, various physical therapy programs, and has worked extensively with clients who suffer from various physical and mental dis-eases. Irena’s refined teaching philosophy balances well honed strength with proper alignment, ensuring that students develop an extensive yet firm Yoga practice, equally pledging importance on Creativity, Individuality, Discipline and Tradition.
In 2004 Irena opened The Body Element Studio in her hometown of Zagreb, Croatia. She designed, conceptualised, created, managed, owned and taught at Body Element for 10 years. Her passion for Yoga and Wellness supplied Irena with the vision and fortitude to establish the first traditional Ashtanga Vinyasa program in Croatia. Her early teaching choices and business inceptions laid the foundation for a rapidly growing and currently successful Yoga community in Croatia.
In 2014 Irena Bartolec moved to Bali where she taught at Seminyak Yoga Shala until May 2019. She developed and lead their Ashtanga Yoga program, overseeing and teaching a very successful and influential Mysore program that drew students from all over the world.
She is a creator and lead teacher for Cosmos Yoga Academy Teacher training program.
In 2020. due to unpredictable global events, she ended up in Costa Rica where she is currently living and hosting private tailored retreats on a Pacific Coast of Guanacaste.
She is Forever grateful to this beautiful country and opportunity to create and share this peaceful oasis with the community.
Irena is a published writer on The Medium, contributor at Sensa lifestyle Magazine since 2008 and meditation teacher at InsightTimer.
She is a passionate yoga practitioner, experienced yoga teacher and tour guide. She was working several years for one of the world's biggest travel companies, leading tours in Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia and her love for travel, tourism, yoga, and adventures made her found Fige Yoga Adventures®.
Sasha became a certified yoga teacher in 2018 by www.gaia-yoga.com school in Croatia.
Her teaching style is Ashtanga Vinyasa, and she is skilled at demystifying complex concepts and making yoga feel accessible to beginners and teachers alike.
Dog lover, she enjoys spending time hiking, swimming and horseback riding.
Sasha became a certified yoga teacher in 2018 by www.gaia-yoga.com school in Croatia.
Her teaching style is Ashtanga Vinyasa, and she is skilled at demystifying complex concepts and making yoga feel accessible to beginners and teachers alike.
Dog lover, she enjoys spending time hiking, swimming and horseback riding.
Karolina is a long time Buddhist practitioner, Shiatsu masseur and Macrobiotic chef. When she is preparing a food, you can feel all her energy and love in that meals. She uses seasonal ingredients and makes the best of it.
Karolina was the owner of Zagreb famous restaurant, Veganspek, first vegan and meat restaurant in Croatia.
Karolina was the owner of Zagreb famous restaurant, Veganspek, first vegan and meat restaurant in Croatia.