Blue Bliss Retreat 2024
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This is a heartfelt invitation for you to join me on a transformative journey of ancient wisdom and embodied spirituality on the mystical Greek island of Donousa. Named after its pulsating energy, Donoussa holds sacred vibrations that promise to heal and rejuvenate our bodies and souls.
Our sanctuary for this transformative week will be Phisis, an exquisite eco-luxury retreat center nestled on the untouched shores of Kalotaritissa Beach. Here, surrounded by the pristine beauty of the Aegean Sea, we will embark on a journey of self-discovery and renewal.
Throughout our blissful holistic retreat, I will share with you the treasures of Ancient Greek Wisdom, Elemental Ceremonies and Rituals, Yoga, Breathwork, Dance, and Meditation. Together, we will delve into these practices to nourish our minds, bodies, and spirits, awakening to our true potential.
And let's not forget about the nourishment of our bodies. We will indulge in delicious homegrown vegan meals, carefully crafted to detoxify and revitalize us from within.
But beyond the physical, my deepest intention is to empower you—to help you unearth the beauty that lies within, to honor your soul's connection with Nature, and to unlock the gateway to a life filled with joy and purpose. Through simple everyday rituals, we will celebrate the magic of existence and embrace the profound journey of self-discovery.
If this resonates with your spirit, I invite you to join our Blue Bliss Retreat—a once-in-a-lifetime experience overflowing with abundant love and happiness.
With boundless excitement and anticipation,
Apostolia Papadamaki
The Happiness Retreat Founder & Teacher
INQUIRE / BOOK YOUR SPOT
Donoussa is a tiny gem in the Small Cyclades island group, a mystical remote island with the finest turquoise waters of the Aegean. The island with the finest white sandy beaches and crystal clear blue waters is the perfect place to recharge energetically, Donoussa island, full of hiking paths, is a small paradise with pristine natural beauty and charming white Cycladic houses and provides the perfect scenery for a deeply spiritual experience.
According to ancient Greek mythology, the island took its name from the god Dionysus, who lived on this island. Theseus and Ariadne stopped at Donoussa, Dionysus saw Ariadne and fell in love instantly. That is why the goddess Athena ordered Theseus to obey Dionysus and leave Ariadne on the island. So the fate of Ariadne was to become the inseparable wife of Dionysus.
Physis, our Happiness home is located on the south side of the island, at a site that offers unencumbered views of the sea, with the Cycladic sunlight reflecting off the unforgiving landscape.
Phisis
Phisis is an eco-luxury small retreat center been built with stone, wood, and natural mortars based in lime and cocciopesto to give the best comfort. It is situated on Kalotarritissa, one of the most beautiful beaches of Donousa.
The natural materials vibrate together with the energy of the bodies and allow the rooms to be fresh in summer warm in winter and absolutely dry for a truly relaxing and healthy stay.
INQUIRE / BOOK YOUR SPOT
Embarking on the Blue Bliss Happiness Journey
You will refresh, recharge, and restart amidst the serene beauty of the Greek island of Donoussa.
Donoussa Island is a well-kept hidden treasure and a very high-energy place! We will hike into soft cliffs and swim in remote sandy beaches as well as meditate in the most amazing sunset and sunrise. I will gently guide your body, mind, and soul, so you can discover the miracle of your authenticity, cultivate the art of belonging, re-design your life’s purpose, and connect with unconditional Love while having plenty of time to rest.
You will be gracefully guided by a very inspiring and charismatic teacher.
I am Apostolia Papadamaki, an internationally acclaimed director/ choreographer, an Ancient Greek Wisdom Keeper, and an Embodied Spirituality Mentor. I create ceremonial performances in sacred Greek Archeological sites that are called Anamnesis (Remembrance). I am a master teacher in Embodied practices such as Contemporary Dance, Contact Improvisation, Breathwork Yoga, Alexander Technique, and Craniosacral therapy. As a lover of healing arts, and spirituality, I am trained in Shamanism, Music, Voice, Diving, and Rei-Ki
I love to guide people on manifesting their dreams through embodied practices and rituals working with the elements and nature. I believe in infinite possibilities. My highest intention is to keep opening the eyes of the soul and tuning into the frequency of Love no matter how life challenges me. The Happiness Retreat is an open-hearted invitation to share knowledge, experience, and joy with beautiful souls like you!
Practices & Experiences -Rejuvenate your body and connect with your soul.
Get ready to embark on a transformational journey—a journey where every step leads you closer to the essence of who you truly are.
Apostolia is transmitting her knowledge gracefully through her heart, voice, and hands. Her Hatha Vinyasa Yoga class is a unifying blend of Pranayama, Asanas, Mantras, and Meditation, a powerful tool for self-transformation. Biomatic Anatomy will bring harmony to your body, mind, and emotional state while Creative Movement and Dance will teach you how to follow your inner «impulses», to overcome all restrictions and reach a euphoric state of being. The Water Healing Session will enable you to connect with your breath while floating, embodying the art of true belonging in the fluidity of the sea.
Apostolia's bespoke Rituals are instrumental in marking transition points in life, improving confidence for life changes, and bringing physical and emotional healing. The Sharing Circle will support you in releasing old patterns and fears, shifting perspective, and activating new decisions. Sunset and Sunrise Meditations in breathtaking landscapes and mindful walks in unspoiled hikes will generate unconditional love inside you, while the gentle sounds of the waves embrace us unconditionally.
INQUIRE / BOOK
Time for you
You will plug into your essential source of life energy in a spectacular setup. You may sleep, relax, practice, enjoy a private healing session with Apostolia, or just swim in most turquoise waters, take long walks, read, disconnect from technology, but above all, follow your heart and do whatever makes you happy and free. You will have plenty of time to unwind and pamper yourself.
Nutrition
Our diet will be a culinary journey to the island’s unique gastronomy which is based on local products and seasonal ingredients. We will enjoy tasteful meals prepared exclusively for us in-house but will also have the chance to taste selected local dishes in the island’s most famous restaurants in unique settings. Dishes will be vegan/vegetarian with an emphasis on local gastronomy. Donousa is famous for the local specialty pasta – klosta, fragrant vegetable pies, and sweet xerotigano pancake.
Accommodation & Prices
All the beautiful rooms have been built by using exclusively natural materials: stone, wood, and natural mortars, based in lime and cocciopesto to give the best comfort. The natural materials vibrate together with the energy of the bodies and allow the rooms to be fresh in the summer and absolutely dry for a truly relaxing and healthy stay.
All the rooms overlook a Mediterranean garden with an astonishing sea view. A very nice and wild beach with crystalline water is located just 100 meters from the place. There is no other building in the area and this permits you to get fully connected with the nature and enjoy at best your retreat.
A fresh and pure water dispenser is available in a common space. You can bring your bottle and take as much water as you need for free. In this way, you can reduce the waste of plastic during your stay.
Just beside the building, there is the common space where you'll enjoy your meals, rest on our Hammocks, and wind down on mats and pillows in our relaxing corner under the shadow of a wooden pergola.
A stone path will lead you to the Yoga shala, placed just in front of the seawater where you can enjoy the pure energy of the bay and immerse yourself in your session.
The prices start from €1.800 depending on the type of accommodation in a single, double or triple room.
See and select your accommodation here
The 2024 Blue Bliss Itinerary
Saturday, July 6 / Arrival / Opening Ceremony at 18.00 & Welcome Dinner at 20.00
Sunday, July 7 / Morning Yoga, Fascia Session, Creative Dance
Monday, July 8 / Morning Yoga, Voice & Sound Meditation, Water Healing Session.
Tuesday, July 9 / Morning Yoga, Day Boat Excursion, Sharing Circle.
Wednesday, July 10 / Sunrise Meditation, Morning Yoga, Breathwork & Sunset Creative-Dance
Thursday, July 11 / Morning Yoga, Ancient Greek Ritual, Silent hike to a secluded beach.
Friday, July 12 / Sunrise Meditation, Sun Gazing & Yoga, Fire Ritual & Creative Dance.
Saturday, July 13 / Closing Ceremony & Farewell Breakfast. Departure after 12.00.
Timetable (Sample day)
07.30 / Yoga, Breath-Work, Meditation
09.00 / Breakfast
11.00 / Free time for the beach /private sessions /excursions /experiences
14.00 / Lunch
18.00 / Water Healing & Rebirthing
20.00 / Dinner
21.00 / Sharing or Singing Circle
22.00 / Rest
What is included
8 days / 7 nights of stay
3 delicious fresh vegan/ vegetarian meals per day
6 sessions of Yoga, Breathwork, Meditation
2 sessions of Creative Dance
2 sessions of Water Healing
2 sharing and singing circles
2 Sunrise and Sungaze Meditations
Private boat excursion around the island
Fire Ritual on the Beach ( Weather permitted)
Welcome Dinner - Farewell breakfast
Transportation from and to Donousa Port to the Retreat Centre
Hikes & Experiences in Nature with Apostolia
Mindfulness living all day long
Participation in sessions and activities is optional throughout the retreat.
All levels are welcome!
All meals are vegan/vegetarian, special dietary restrictions can be accommodated (e.g. gluten-free).
What you need to add
Your flights to Athens
Your ferry ticket
Your travel insurance
How to get there
Donoussa is only accessible by ferry. The ferry operates 3 times per week from Piraeus, the main port of Athens.
There is also a daily (except on Sundays) ferry connection from Naxos Island to Donoussa, with a small local line, the Express Skopelitis.
The closest airport is on Naxos Island and only receives domestic flights from Athens.
We will guide you on how to book your trip. We will be providing your transfer from Donoussa Port to our exclusive resort.
Testimonials
“The days at the retreat were perfect. Bliss after bliss. Morning yoga, nice balance of challenge and gentleness, at the lovely yoga shala."
- Hanna, Finland
Simply amazing! I took the practice with me home. I get up twice a week to do the sunrise meditation. This retreat renewed my perspective on nature and its power. It renewed my sense of play and that we are never too old to take time for ourselves and play, Apostolia is so Artistic, Soulful, Passionate, and Amazing!
Karim and Ghizlaine, USA
The Sunrise Meditation on the Rocks was an awesome experience that I will always cherish! The Fire Ceremony was another retreat highlight! I had a very profound experience with the fire ritual and loved dancing on the beach by moonlight.
Monique, UK