Retreats and Spiritual and Holistic Holidays

If you're feeling life's pressures or perhaps you want to learn more about a particular therapy, why not try a Retreat or Spiritual Holiday.

Retreats offer a chance to enjoy some peace and quiet and time to reflect in beautiful surroundings with like-minded people. Many offer a chance to experience different therapies such as yoga, tai chi and meditation.

We've put together a selection of individual Retreats and companies offering Retreats and Spiritual Holidays.

  Shambala, Findhorn Bay, Morayshire, Scotland

Osho Leela, Dorset

Osho Leela is one of the UK's leading personal growth centres. Well known for its festivals, parties and celebrations, it's run by a vibrant community in a beautiful house in the heart of the Dorset countryside. For over 11 years we have been welcoming people for courses, trainings and meditations and offering them the chance to stay with us and experience the art of living. Osho Leela is a warm, friendly, creative, meditative space. Whether you're looking for personal growth or further professional training, your experience here will help you get to know yourself and transform your life on all levels. www.osholeela.co.uk

Spiritualholidays.com

Spiritualholidays.com has been operating for over 10 years and provide personally accompanied small group journeys - holidays with a difference. We offer a wide range of options on each tour, from trekking, golfing, holistic treatments and health resorts, to meditation, T'ai Chi and more. Our aim is always to provide the best opportunity to experience and absorb the cultural, ecological and historical aspects of each country we visit, whilst respectfully observing ancient customs and traditions. Some of our journeys include optional 'wild country' excursions or safaris for the more adventurous, though there is usually the option to simply rest up in the hotel and surroundings if you prefer. www.spiritualholidays.com

The Retreat Company 

The Retreat Company delivers holistic holidays, weekend breaks, time out retreats, workshops, gifts and products, tips and info for the maintenance and balance of Well-Being. Topics include yoga and breathing, meditation, healing, detoxification, family, eco, ayurveda, personal development, healing and therapies. www.theretreatcompany.com

Findhorn Foundation, Morayshire, Scotland

The Findhorn Foundation in Morayshire, Scotland is a spiritual community, eco-village and an international centre for holistic education. Every year we welcome thousands of visitors from around the world to participate in our community life in a variety of ways. You can participate in the daily life of the community for between one and six days by joining us as a Short-Term Guest. If you can stay for a week or more, then an Experience Week is the best way to connect with the spirit of Findhorn. Before doing many of our other workshops, an Experience Week is required first. If you want to stay on after your workshop or arrive early, Findhorn Bay Holiday Park has well-equipped caravans and eco-chalets for your self-catering stay. www.findhorn.org

  Sharpham Estate, Devon 

The Barn is a Buddhist meditation retreat centre on the beautiful Sharpham Estate, in Devon, South West England. The Barn offers weekly meditation retreats for up to seven people with accommodation in single rooms. We welcome bookings for periods between one week and six months. During your stay you'll experience the joy of being part of the Barn community. Set in a stunning hillside location overlooking the River Dart, The Barn has, for over twenty years, been a friendly meditation retreat centre where people re-connect with oneself and nature in a tranquil, supportive environment. Within a structured framework, small groups can enjoy a mixture of mediation and mindfulness practice, organic gardening and teacher-led Buddhist inquiry. www.sharphamtrust.org

The Retreat Association

The Retreat Association is a national Christian organisation that helps people to find wholeness through reflective prayer. The Association publishes the annual journal Retreats and some twenty leaflets on various types of retreats, prayer, spiritual accompaniment and quiet days. Retreats 2009 includes listings for over 200 retreat centres across the UK and beyond; Retreats with a theme - painting, music, writing, photography; Individually guided retreats and quiet days; Myers-Briggs and Enneagram weekends; Retreats for the beginner; A broad range of articles covering many aspects of spirituality and details of local and national courses, networks and associations promoting spirituality and spiritual direction. www.retreats.org.uk

GoingOnRetreat.com

GoingOnRetreat.com is a collective venture set up by the UK Buddhist Retreat Centres. All of the UK Buddhist Retreat Centres are run by Friends of the Western Buddhist Order which is dedicated to communicating the ancient teachings of the Buddha in the modern world. Each retreat centre runs a wide variety of retreats throughout the year exploring buddhism, buddhist meditation and yoga. Some centres also run specialised events which promote well being such as tai chi, shiatsu, massage and the arts. www.goingonretreat.com

Hill House, Llansteffan, Carmarthen,Wales 

Heartspring retreats are for anyone in need of rest, personal space, inner nourishment and the opportunity to get clarity. We are here for those looking for support or just peace and quiet and are open to all ages. Situated in the village Llansteffan in Carmarthen,Wales, we provide a comfortable, airy, light, clean, toxin-free environment with the emphasis on creating caring and supportive retreats rather than a high luxury impersonal place. Hill House has three self-contained retreat apartments and single, double and twin bedrooms. Therapies available include meditation tuition, healing counselling, massage, reflexology, alexander technique, yoga, indian head massage and journey therapy. www.heartspring.co.uk

Re-vitalise.co.uk

We specialise in full board Tai Chi, Yoga and Reiki weekend breaks and retreats throughout the UK. All our retreats offer single, double or twin rooms, include food and accommodation and are held in unique and tranquil locations. www.re-vitalise.co.uk

Inspa-retreats.com

We offer a health holiday experience that is totally unique, at a selection of exclusive hand picked venues in some of the world's most inspiring locations. An Inspa holiday will transform your physical and mental well-being - the perfect combination of hiking, personal training, yoga, massage, a cleansing diet and nutritional advice in beautiful, comfortable, harmonious surroundings. www.inspa-retreats.com

The Good Retreat Guide

Here you will find dozens of places to find peace and spiritual renewal all over Europe and beyond. Interesting, wonderful, different, and exciting places to relax, explore your inner awareness, and practice your spiritual beliefs. You can also read about going on a retreat, about different kinds of spiritual practices, how to meditate, and much more. www.thegoodretreatguide.com