Dear Narada Students & Friends,

I would like to invite you to join me on my next YOGA NARADA European  summer retreat in the beautiful Midi-Pyrénées in the South of France!
 

I am very excited about this new destination and can’t wait to show you  the lovely Château surrounded by sunflower fields and the beautiful  country side of the Midi-Pyrénées.

Hilary Cartwright

The  Château has recently been restored, renovated and transformed into a  lovely retreat center of a very high standard. While the robust stone  walls have stood for centuries and tell of various incarnations, the  interior is fresh,  modern and stylish.

The  Château is set in gorgeous gardens with views across fields and  woodlands. You can soak up some sun and socialise on the sun terrace or  around the beautiful pool. Alternatively there is plenty of opportunity  to find a quiet spot to read, rest and contemplate. If you feel like a  walk, then take one of the woodland paths surrounding the Château.

The 'yoga barn' is spacious and will provide the perfect environment for my yoga Narada classes.
 

We will have the most excellent meals prepared by Angus and Tania of  Chirriposa and accompanied by our hosts, Dirk and Angela. On one  occasion, we will go out for a group dinner in a nearby town.

This retreat also includes two nights, on arrival and departure, in a four star hotel situated in the historical center of Toulouse.

Your flights should arrive into Toulouse ANYTIME on Friday 20 July and depart ANYTIME on Sunday 29 July.

You should make your own way from the airport to our group hotel, which is situated In the historic center of Toulouse. The elegant façade of a 19th-century mansion houses the Hotel Toulouse Capitole, ideally located at the corner of the Place du Capitole and Rue du Taur, just a stroll away from the sights and bustling shops and restaurants of Toulouse.

HOTEL IN TOULOUSE

Name: Hôtel du Taur - Ibis Styles Toulouse Capitole

Address: 20 Place du Capitole, Toulouse Haute-Garonne 31000

Tel: +33 (0)5 61 21 17 54

Email: contact@hotel-du-taur.com

Web: http://www.hotel-du-taur.com/en/

We will depart from Toulouse the following afternoon, after lunch (not included), at 2:00pm and arrive at the Chateau in time for CHECK IN at 4.00PM.

CHECK OUT will be at 10.00AM the following Saturday and we will head straight back to Toulouse, where we can leave our luggage with the hotel reception and have time to explore more of the city.

Alternatively, you can also choose the 8 Day Retreat option, which will not include a layover in Toulouse on arrival and departure or group transport between Toulouse and the chateau or throughout the week. You would be required to either make your own way to and from the chateau and rent your own vehicle or pay a supplement to travel with the group (€150 for the week). Please note the above check in and check out times, that would still apply.

PASSPORTS & TRAVEL INSURANCE: At this point, we would like to remind you to check that your passports are valid for travel and have at least 3 months left on them from time of departure for Europe. We would also like to remind you to purchase a travel insurance, which will cover you in case of any cancellation, loss or theft of belongings and medical emergency. This can either be done through your credit card company, airline or travel agent. You can also purchase a travel insurance here during checkout. Please note that Chirriposa will be available to assist you, but will not be responsible for any cancellation fees, lost or stolen items or medical expenses incurred during the trip. You will also be required to sign a ‘Liability Waiver’ and accept our 'Cancellation and refund Policy' upon checkout.   

WEATHER:
Weather in July in Toulouse. The average temperature in Toulouse in July  is warm at 21 °C (69.8 °F). Afternoons can be hot with average high  temperatures reaching 27 °C (80.6 °F). Overnight temperatures are  generally mild with an average low of 15 °C (59 °F).

 
WHAT TO WEAR:
Pack light summer clothes and also don’t forget your swimsuits for the pool. Also remember to pack a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. However, you should also be prepared for cooler nights. For those of you who want to go hiking, cycling or horseback riding, we suggest you bring suitable footwear. A pair of running shoes would be highly recommended.  

WATER:
In Toulouse, we cannot vouch for the quality of the tap water and, therefore, we recommend buying bottled water for drinking. However, at the retreat center, the water in the chateau is filtered and excellent drinking quality. It makes sense to bring your own water bottle and fill it for your daily use.   

ELECTRICITY:
Electricity in France, as in the rest of Europe, comes out of the wall socket at 220 volts alternating at a 50 cycles per second. In the US, electricity comes out of the wall socket at 110 volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second. Not only the voltages and frequencies, but also the sockets themselves are different. You can get along with just a plug converter for many of today's small electrical devices designed to run on dual voltages. Devices like this include most laptops and recently produced battery chargers and many small electrical gadgets, especially those designed for world travel.  

PHONE & INTERNET:
There is free Wi-Fi in our hotel in Toulouse. There is limited cell phone signal, but we will have free Wi-Fi access in the communal areas of the chateau. However, please try to disconnect as much as possible.

YOGA MATS + PROPS:
Yoga mats, blocks, straps and blankets are available at the yoga shala. However, you may prefer to travel with your own mat.  

BUGS:
July is peak summer and potentially a bad time of year for mosquitoes. Most bites occur during sunset/sunrise or in shady places in the forest. It is best that you bring a good insect repellent with you. You might also like to wear long pants in the evenings. 

   
SHEETS AND TOWELS:
All your rooms will have fresh sheets and towels provided. Your rooms will be cleaned mid week and new towels and linens provided on request. You should bring a towel for the pool, otherwise a sarong will also work well and be much lighter to pack.

MONEY:
The currency in France is the Euro (€). €1.00 equals around $1.25  $1.00 equals €0.8 You can pay us directly for any optional tours, activities, bodywork and beverages together at the end of the week in cash ($ or €). You will be able to take money out of the ATM using your debit and credit cards. We may also receive payment via Paypal, but you will be charged a 5% service and Paypal fee. 

 
FOOD:
We will offer a range of traditional vegetarian and non vegetarian meals, incorporating organic vegetables and produce that are sourced locally from nearby villages and markets. Please inform us of any dietary requirements or restrictions ahead of time and we will try our best to accommodate you. Also if you have any allergies, please let us know in advance.  

ALCOHOL:
Local organic wine will be served with meals. Outside of mealtimes, we will operate an honesty system, where you can write down what you consume and settle up at the end of the week.  

SECURITY:
There is not much need for strict security measures at the chateau, however, there are keys for all the rooms and we can also lock away your passports etc. for you in the main safe. NB. Please be extra careful of your valuables and belongings in Toulouse, especially on the public transport, as there are pickpockets around.