
EFFORT & EASE
ROVINJ
DATES
07.10. — 13.10.2023
MAXIMAL CAPACITY
20 people
SUITABLE FOR
all yoga levels
singles, couples, families
PRICES
Sea View Room:
Single Room • 2,450 €
Twin Room • 1,850 € per person
If you are not a Yoga enthusiast, but still would like to spend a week on the sea and enjoy all hotel’s amenities, you are welcome to join us. The price is 500 € less.
HIGHLIGHTS
Blissful coastal location in award-winning 5* hotel
2 daily Yoga sessions with Matt & Manu
Spectacular rooftop spa
Gourmet tour in central Istria, wine, truffles & oyster tasting
Discovery tour of Rovinj
ACTIVITIES
Effort and Ease retreat in Rovinj includes — daily dynamic Yoga classes with Matt and restorative Yoga classes with Manu, unlimited use of Albaro Wellness & Spa with six different saunas and rooftop pool, gourmet breakfasts, welcome dinner, SUP tour, epic hikes, gastro tour in central Istria, wine tasting, oysters tasting, dinner in Motovun, discovery tour of Rovinj, farewell dinner and plenty of free time to enjoy in spa treatments or walking by the sea.
OVERVIEW
Rovinj sits on the west coast of the Istrian peninsula, overlooking a gorgeous archipelago, nestled into the Adriatic Sea.
The Grand Park Hotel lives right on the shoreline, with remarkable seaside views, and a luxury spa and dining experience that covers it all: a spectacular rooftop spa with six different saunas, a heated swimming pool, unique treatments with local herbs, and stunningly beautiful garden with 30,000 artfully selected Mediterranean plants. There are seven restaurants to choose from, including Algi Amici – a Michelin Star phenomenon.
We’ll be offering two classes daily, one in the morning and one in the early evening. Matt will be teaching mobility as well as some Vinyasa style Yoga, and Manu will be offering restorative classes in the Katonah tradition. You won’t want to leave, but when you do you will feel strong, stable and restored.
We have some REALLY fun day trips planned (which are totally optional), including epic hikes, SUP boarding on the bay, wine tasting, and collecting oysters. So whether you feel like relaxing by the pool and book a spa treatment, or you wanna go on an adventure, we got you.
We’re so excited for this one, and expect it will fill fast, so if you’re truly keen, reserve your spot and let’s retreat in Croatia together!!
PROGRAM
Explore the detailed schedule of Effort and Ease retreat in Rovinj with Matt and Manu
DAY 1 — ARRIVAL + OPENING CIRCLE
We are glad to help you organize a transfer from the airport straight to the hotel. Ample time to settle in and relax before we meet for an opening circle followed by a gentle Yoga class and meditation.
Afterward, we have a welcome dinner in a traditional Rovinj’s Old Town restaurant.
You can unplug and revitalize in the evening in the beautiful Albaro Wellness & Spa.
DAY 2 — YOGA + ROVINJ TOUR + YOGA
The morning session starts with Matt’s dynamic Yoga practice followed by introduction to breath mechanics and core stability.
After a nourishing breakfast, join Sasha for a discovery tour through the historical and beautiful city of Rovinj, strolling around and exploring its charming little streets, cathedral and local art galleries.
Upon the return to the hotel, Manuela will guide a Restorative Katonah Yoga practice. You will explore deeper tissues of your body that you might not have experienced ever before!
Free evening.
DAY 3 — YOGA + SUP TOUR + YOGA
The day starts with a playful morning Yoga class with an introduction to mobility led by Matt.
After this session, take time to enjoy a long delicious breakfast in the amazing dining hall overlooking the sea and Rovinj Old Town.
Today afternoon is reserved for sea adventure!
Put your swimming suit on and get ready for a stand-up paddling tour around a small island. Enjoy untouched nature, the turquoise Adriatic Sea, and perhaps see some dolphins.
Upon the return to the hotel, we’ll have a deeply soothing Restorative Katonah Yoga practice.
Remember the spectacular spa we mentioned? Spend the evening gazing into the stars and sipping some excellent Croatian wine.
DAY 4 — YOGA + BOAT TOUR + YOGA
In the morning join Matt for a dynamic practice of core stability and shoulder mobility.
After a long delicious breakfast, we’ll take a boat ride to Red Island. Pine trees, crystal clear water, splendid sea view and an amazing restaurant lodged in an old church.
Upon return, we’ll go for a walking meditation in the centuries-old woodlands by the sea followed by a restorative Yoga class.
You can close the day relaxing in the spa with spectacular rooftop pools or have one of the signature massage treatments. Your choice 🙂
DAY 5 — YOGA + GASTRO TOUR IN CENTRAL ISTRIA
The morning begins with Matt’s energizing Yoga session. Today’s theme is core stability and hip mobility, followed by breakfast.
Afterward, we are heading to explore the picturesque Istrian countryside and enjoy some local delicacies. The first stop is Lim Bay famous for oyster farms. We’ll have oysters tasting while enjoying a spectacular view of Lim canyon.
The next stop is the family owned winery, where we have tour through cellars, learn about producing, and taste several Istrian wines.
We continue to Motovun, an artistic old town, set high on a hill in the Mirna River Valley and surrounded by vineyards and olive groves.
Motovun is known as home to Istria’s famous truffles. We’ll find a spot in one of the restaurants on the city walls which serves up exquisite homemade pasta with truffles. And don’t forget to pair it with a glass of Malvasia wine and enjoy a slice of chocolate cake for dessert. Cheers!
DAY 6 — YOGA + LEISURE + YOGA
Join Matt’s fun morning yoga class with a focus on knees, toes, ankles, and wrists.
Breakfast awaits you all the way until noon and then you can take time to sweat your worries away, whether in one of the six saunas, indoor and outdoor pools, steam baths, signature massages, beauty treatments, or in the fully-equipped gym.
At sunset time, Manuela will guide you through a Restorative Yoga class.
And the last touch of the day – farewell dinner which will take place in Rovinj.
DAY 7 — YOGA + RETURN HOME or...
Our last morning starts with a mobility practice and Vinyasa Mash-up session and breakfast. Check-out is at the latest by noon.
At this point, you can choose to stay in Croatia forever or to go back home….
In any case, we’ll gladly help you organize a transfer to the airport.
HOTEL
“The Grand Park Hotel sees elegant contemporary architecture set against centuries-old woodland and a blissful coastal location. It offers fantastic views of Rovinj’s old town across the bay, a spa with spectacular rooftop pools, and seven bars and restaurants.” The Telegraph, UK
Designed by Zagreb-based Studio 3LHD whose projects are redefining the image of Croatia in the best possible way. Interior by renomated Italian designer Piero Lissoni will place you in elegant yet unpretentious 60-ies mood.
Landscape is enveloped in 30,000 artfully selected Mediterranean plants that caress hilly coastline and surrounding 5-century-old pine trees.
On the impressive rooftop, the Albaro Wellness & Spa has a 50-metre indoor-outdoor pool looking onto lush woodland, and an outdoor infinity pool facing Rovinj. The spa’s Thermal Zone offers various sauna, a cool plunge pool, and does treatments using VOYA and Omorovicza products.
FOOD
Gourmet breakfast is available till noon, after which you can embark on your own journey through seven different restaurants including Michelin starred Agli Amici and Cap Aureo Signature Restaurants specialized for vegan food. This way you can enjoy your own peace rather than sticking to a schedule. And, if you want a change of scenery, stroll to Rovinj old town for a local food experience.
Welcome dinner and farewell dinner are included, as well as a gastro tour in central Istria where you will have a chance to try many local delicacies.
LOCATION
When not indulging in the hotel’s pampering amenities, you can reconnect with nature walking by the sea and to the city of Rovinj, known as “the Pearl of Istria.” Famous for its colorful pebble streets, art galleries and bohemian vibes, Rovinj is also know as the most romantic city on the Adriatic coast.
MEET OUR TEAM
…your teachers, and your host
With a variety of formal training in many disciplines, Matt’s teaching pulls from numerous styles in the Yoga system, as well as Postural Restoration, Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization and Functional Range Systems.
Blending the old with the new, and combining tradition with science, Matt offers an intelligent and relevant style for students wanting to improve the way they move and breathe, and for teachers seeking insight and refinement in the way they teach.
Blending the old with the new, and combining tradition with science, Matt offers an intelligent and relevant style for students wanting to improve the way they move and breathe, and for teachers seeking insight and refinement in the way they teach.
Matt teaches classes, workshops, and trainings online and all around the world.

Manuela has been practicing yoga for more than 20 years and she is teaching for more than a decade. Coming from a martial arts background Manuela has always been into a dynamic Yoga style with focus on Ashtanga and Vinyasa Yoga. Being one of the first certified KATONAH YOGA Teachers in Germany and Europe her Vinyasa Yoga style is deeply influenced by the philosophy of Taoism und TCM (Traditional Chinese medicine) and the alignment of the KATONAH YOGA tradition.
Not only being a Yoga and Pilates teacher, Manuela has the gift to explain technique within the Yoga practice by also underlying it with philosophy in order to explore deeper layers of body and mind. The physical Yoga practice with elements of empowering and strengthening aspects are in Manuela teachings as important as Pranayama and Meditation and Restorative Techniques as a tool to find the balance between polarities in order to find our center.
Not only being a Yoga and Pilates teacher, Manuela has the gift to explain technique within the Yoga practice by also underlying it with philosophy in order to explore deeper layers of body and mind. The physical Yoga practice with elements of empowering and strengthening aspects are in Manuela teachings as important as Pranayama and Meditation and Restorative Techniques as a tool to find the balance between polarities in order to find our center.

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.