Yoga

Our yoga will take place in the purpose built outdoor yoga space close, or in the indoor yoga space. Yoga mats and equipment is provided.

There will be one class prior to breakfast and another in the late afternoon. 10 yoga clases are included. We usually have one day without yoga so that people can explore further afield if they wish to.

The indoor yoga space - designated only for the groups use - has a kettle and herbal teas. Use it to relax in and to make hot drinks before your yoga class.

Massages are available from 40 euros per hour.

Accommodation
We will be staying in the newly built annexe  which is just below the main terrace of the hotel..

There are two rows of rooms, the upper row has a terrace, the lower row has little individual patios. 

Both face on to a wooded area. Here we can be together as a group.

All rooms are en-suite (with hairdryer) and air conditioning.

Please note that this venue is not suited to those with mobility issues as there are many steps

Getting There: you can fly to Naples or Lamezia or take a train

IMPORTANT: For some groups we will be arranging a transfer bus from Naples airport - please check with the Free Spirit office if this applies to your group as we will be specifying the time of the group transfer. .

Please note that transfers are arranged by the hotel and are nothing to do with Free Spirit Travel.

Group Transfers from Naples Airport - for groups of three or more, cost to be divided amongst the passengers

NB:  this is a discounted rate and only available on the arrival and departure dates (Saturday - Saturday)  and there will be a maximum of one transfer in each direction . 

For arrivals the transfer will be around lunchtime (there are many cafes in Naples airport should you have to wait around)

For return flights please book a flight late afternoon/early evening  becasue of the long transfer distance. .

NOTE: the same taxi drops off the returning group and picks up the arriving group. 

Naples Airport to Gran Michele - approx 2.5 to 3 hours
3 seater car - 180 euros each way
8 seater minibus - 234 euros each way

If this does not apply to your group, or you live close to Stansted airport,  then we have several choices

Fly to Lamezia airport, (Ryan Air from Stansted, usually at 06.30 or 08.30 )  From here we can arrange taxis to the venue.  115 euros for a three person taxi and 140 euros for an eight person taxi. The transfer is one and half hours along the coast .

Or if flying to Naples, take a taxi to the train station and an intercity train to Paola Station (2.5 hours). From here we can arrange taxi transfers - about 20 minutes from the venue. A taxi from here is 60 euros for three persons and 90 euros for eight persons. You can also take an onward train to Cetraro Station which is closer to the venue a taxi from here is 5 euros per person or if more than 8 people it is 3 euros per person.
NB We thought we should mention that this is the train line from Rome, just in case you are combining this holiday with an exploration of Italy.

Includes - Accommodation,  half board (wonderful vegetarian or non vegetarian Calabrian menu, please let us know of any specific dietary requirement) with breakfast on the terrace, and dinner under the stars.

Full access to the hotel facilities (swimming pool, the estate, piano bar in the evening, private beach). 10 yoga classes.

Not Included - Insurance, travel, transfers, access to golf (20 euros p/d), all drinks, lunch, treatments and massages.

Hi. Just wanted to give you a review with regard to my yoga holiday at the Grand Hotel San Michele. The hotel, staff, food, rooms were all excellent. Nothing was too much trouble. Great food and accommodation, lovely to have a private beach.

The yoga with Lorna was excellent, based at a level where everyone felt they had achieved something over the week. Lorna is very knowledgeable, friendly and took the group of strangers to become friends and support to each other.

A great experience, l had never done a yoga holiday before, but will do again. All the travel arrangements Free Spirit had organised went to plan, thank you.
Kind regards Deborah June 2025 Lorna Chapman

Hi Jilly & Debbie.  Just like to thank you both and Veronica.  For an amazing yoga holiday. Location was fab. Shala was amazing. The views breath taking.

The hotel was fab too. Food was good most days. And what can I say about the yoga. Veronica is my teacher. And is amazing. But don't take my word for it.  Experience it for yourselves.

Namaste Jan T   September 2023 - Veronica Winters

Dear Debbie and Jilly, I had a fabulous holiday with Lorna in Calabria. Her yoga was great, she had a very varied group in terms of ability and tailored the classes to suit us all. It was challenging in the right ways for those of us who wanted a challenge, while you could take it easy if you needed to and the yoga on the beach at the end was perfect.

The yoga spaces were really good. The outside covered area at the hotel had wonderful views! We were inside for a couple of classes and that was a good space too.
The food at the hotel was delicious and plentiful. The rooms were comfortable and spotless, the cleaners were in every day while we did our morning yoga which was such a treat.

IWe travelled down there independently on the train which was very easy.we took the transfer back to the airport but that was not easy for the hotel as people were wanting transfers at different times. I think it is miles easier to do your own transfer and would recommend people do that, much much cheaper too.

Thank you for a fabulous holiday.. Best wishes Catherine  - June 2023 Lorna Chapman

Hi Jilly, the venue in Calabria was amazing! Completely surpassed all my expectations! It was wonderful - and the weather was great, too

Shamita Ray  Yoga Teacher May 2023

Hi Jilly, just to say I don’t know if you found San Michele but if you did, THANK YOU and well done. Loved the hotel and staff and the beating heart of the whole place, that is Ornella, the owner’s wife. What a find.

Many thanks. Sue (and Andy) - May 2021 with Margaret Rawlinson
 

Hello, I'm just back from Calabria, in south Italy, teaching a week of Mindful Yoga and Meditation. The venue was simply jaw-dropping, from the hotel terraces and their outlook on incredible coastline and private beaches, to the amazing gardens with diverse flowers in bloom, orchards and fields of green and vegetable goodness and an idyllic outdoor yoga deck perched high among trees with views of the ocean and abundant nature.

The hotel's staff, from owner to tea-boy, were warm, genuine and became like family. My guests on this yoga and meditation retreat were a diverse bunch and we were a small group. The dynamic all round proved beautiful. Feedback I've already received includes: "I've not just had a shift, I've been deeply impacted more than I could have imagined and in positive sustaining ways by the teachings of this week and the retreat." Another wrote to say, "this week will stay with me forever."

What the guests got from the week, the amazing views, the glorious peacefulness of having beaches to ourselves and evening walks through mind-blowing sunset-filled skies, the heart-touching hospitality... this is all welcome, of course

Extract from newsletter sent out by Divya who taught at this venue July 2019