Euphoria Retreat is a holistic wellbeing destination spa opening in Mystras, on the Peloponnese peninsula in southern Greece next May. The new spa will offer an unusual blend of treatments and experiences to enable health and personal transformation, inspired φρομ τηε Ancient Greek and Chinese philosophies, practices and medicines.
It is a tourist investment worth a total of 20 million euros, with high standards facilities designed to introduce its visitors to the world of holistic wellness, offering high quality hospitality services and wellness and spa programs.
Nature and history combined ensure a remarkable setting for Euphoria Retreat. Located 2.5 hours drive from Athens or less than an hour from Kalamata, Euphoria Retreat is in the heart of the Peloponnese. Situated in a valley on the edge of the Byzantine town of Mystras, a 13th century Unesco World Heritage site, a backdrop of mountains, citrus and orange groves offer spectacular scenery.
Euphoria Retreat has been sympathetically created in harmony with this surrounding environment. A modern interpretation of classical Byzantine architecture and iconography results in a striking design, with calming gold and earthy colours, arches and soft curves. The décor is a constant interplay of light and shade, warm and cold, yin and yang to create a Zen environment.
A garden stretches out to the front, with areas dedicated to the five elements and their different energies. A private forest provides over 78,000 sqm of space for biking, trekking and outdoor classes, and the beautiful beach of Gytheion is 40 minutes by car.
45 spacious rooms and suites enjoy breathtaking views of the ancient Mystras castle, the valley or forest, and some have their own Jacuzzi or Hammam Bath. Also on the site is a restored mansion dating back to 1830. This listed building will feature a private dining space and rooms and suites to sleep 14, which is available for exclusive use.
“Your Life, Your Journey” – A New Wellness Philosophy
Euphoria Retreat’s philosophy is centred around achieving balance. Programmes will be centred around the five constitutional elements of Earth, Fire, Water, Wood and Metal, and their related energies and emotions. All treatments will address the three levels of existence: emotional, physical and spiritual.
Every guest may choose to have a personal mentor to steer them on their customised programme. A wide variety of Retreats is offered alongside the signature seven-day programme which is aimed towards a deeper ‘Physical and Emotional Transformation’. In addition, unique Focused Retreats are tailored around emotional self-awareness, improving body image and relationships.
Providing soulful spa cuisine, the team at Euphoria Retreat is collaborating with a team of nutritionists to create balanced dishes and personalised food diaries. Inspired by the healthy Greek and Mediterranean diet and featuring produce grown on site, meals will be served on the restaurant terrace with view of the valley. Guests may choose to dine with others or alone.
The Spa & Activities
Landscaped into the earth, the spa rises over four levels, taking spa-goers on a purifying journey. At its heart is a 25 metre Waterwell, where a spiral staircase leads to contrasting hot and cold footbaths, ideal for boosting circulation and injury recovery.
The innovative Sphere Pool with its stone arches, provides an unusual and utterly relaxing bathing experience. Spherical walls are lined with hydrotherapy jets and in-water benches for light massage and relaxation. A warm water Watsu Pool is designed for gentle body therapy while floating or being cradled, rocked and stretched.
A cathartic Byzantine Ottoman Hammam provides a relaxing way to cleanse the whole body and relieve stress and tension. An Infrared Sauna helps detox the body and purify the skin while promoting weight loss, pain relief and healthy circulation. Meanwhile, a Large Circuit Classical Sauna uses dry heat to raise the body’s core temperature, increase blood flow and trigger a reinvigorating deep sweat.
Other facilities include a Tepidarium to help restore the immune system, cold plunge pool, ice fountain, Steam Room for detoxification and Relaxation Area with beautiful view across the landscaped gardens.
There will also be a well-equipped fitness room and a Pilates and private exercise studio for group classes or TRXsessions. A Yoga & Meditation Hall has been designed to generate and maintain a sense of calm and serenity, as instructors will offer guidance around focused relaxation, inner balance and mind-body harmony.
The region’s pleasant year-round climate allows for a wide range of outdoor pursuits, from the ‘Spartan adventure’ exploring beautiful forest hiking trails, to biking, climbing and rafting. Euphoria Retreat’s unique location also provides access to a wide range of ancient archeological sites and civilisations to visit.
Euphoria Retreat is the vision of founder Marina Efraimoglou, who after following a personal path of inner development, sought to create a special healing retreat. Marina has worked in transformational healing for over a decade and explains, ”Our aim with Euphoria Retreat is to inspire people to live a more balanced and healthy life, to change and transform. All experiences will be fully sensory and the goal is to ensure our guests leave feeling re-connected and ultimately much happier than when they arrived.”
The introductory website can be found at www.euphoriaretreat.com
Euphoria Retreat: Your Mediterranean journey to self-discovery and euphoria with a unique blend of Ancient Greek and Chinese Philosophies