This Savor & Bliss Wellness Retreat, hosted by Everybody Bend Yoga in conjunction with Season Tours, offers you an opportunity to tour parts of Iceland’s south and the Golden Circle, and to savor amazing foods, see incredible landscapes, and embark on unique adventures, while incorporating much needed time to reset and recharge. We will settle into the bliss of solitude, community, gentle wake-up and restorative evening wind-down movements, and the cleansing properties of Iceland while basking in its pure and expansive environment. 

This experience is for anyone 18 years and older – solo travelers who are seasoned or brand new, couples who want to reconnect, or friends/family members who want to make memories together. You do not need any experience in movement (yoga or hiking) though we will embark on low-to-moderate hiking journeys that cover uneven terrain and the occasional steep ascent. We will have the opportunity to start most mornings with gentle “wake up” movement and will enjoy several evenings with nourishing restorative movement or nidra to settle the nervous system and unwind from the day. Additionally, opportunities to soak in thermal pools/hot tubs, see the Northern Lights, ride Icelandic horses, enjoy amazing hikes and scenery, eat fantastic food will be available. Everything is optional, so if you require time away from others, a nap, or a cozy corner with a book and a blanket – please take it! 

Our guide and chauffeur is Tyffi, a former chef and restaurant owner, who owns a petite travel company and is just an amazing human. He will share folklore, interesting Icelandic cultural information, take us to the best bakeries, and show us what Iceland’s south has to offer. Tyffi is also a master at pointing out the nearest bathrooms, which is often an overlooked tour guide skill. Together, he and Alissa have curated an unforgettable adventure for you! 

There is a fair bit of time spent in a van traveling through winding roads. If you are impacted by motion, determine if this will be the most comfortable experience for you. It is possible that not all dietary requirements can be accommodated, though we will do our best, so please plan accordingly. Because of the close quarters, it would be difficult for this to be a pleasant experience if anyone is a smoker. Lastly, there is a gentle request for quiet introspection throughout the experience. This means engaging in silent time to disengage from technology and slowly awaken to the noise of the day. While this is not mandatory, it is deeply encouraged and while you may not choose to embark on this practice, please be respectful of those who do.  

You're in good hands with Alissa, your nourishing, stretchy, movement guide and bakery connoisseur. Owner of Everybody Bend Yoga and The Nest Retreat House, Alissa is a long-time weightlifter, and former competitive powerlifter, and  physique and bodybuilding athlete. Alissa came to the mat in hopes of gaining  range of motion, calming the mind and achieving physical and mental balance. Yoga entered Alissa's life in 2008, and in 2015, Alissa became a registered yoga instructor, the same year Everybody Bend Yoga opened. Now, Alissa has added personal trainer, nutrition specialist, Peter Hess sound massage practitioner, and wellness coach to their list of services. By day, Alissa is a full-time sociology professor and world traveler and hopes to bring humor, joy, perspective, and pastries to your experience on this wellness retreat adventure.

Website: www.everybodybend.com