Villa Maria

THE RETREAT

An ancient elegant and charming villa in the bay of Punta Licosa, on the wonderful sea of Cilento coast, in the heart of the historical centre of Santa Maria di Castellabate: this is Villa Maria. The hotel’s incredibile location, infront of the Amalfi coast, gives you a spectacular view of the beautiful sunset that sets behind the Island of Capri. You can enjoy a typical and excellent local cuisine by candlelight on our reef terrace restaurant.

Villa Maria offers to its guests two options to enjoy the crystal clear waters of the sea (blu flag and national sea park), where the golden sandy beaches alternate with the wild reef. You can enjoy the exclusive reef deck with descent to the sea, just in front of the hotel bar or the adjacent hotel private sandy beach, protected by the bay.

THE YOGA SPACE

Yoga can be practiced on the wooden deck, outside, facing the sea (second picture from the top.) There is a nearby walk, so the class can be observed by passers by. Large ombrellas are provided for shade.

TOURS & ACTIVITIES

Inlcuded in the cost of the retreat will be an excursion to Paestum, Vanulo Mozzarella producer with guidet tour and tasting, Greek/Roman temples in Paestum with entrence to the old temples and the museum; one excursion to the river and canale Calore which is an spectacular trekking day and at the end of the day a visit to the Grotta di Pertosa which has millions of years with histor, and a daytrip to Marina di Camerota where you can visit all caves along the coast and go to the Pirat Bay where you will have lunch as well. Everybody simply loves this trip

ABOUT THE AREA

Santa Maria is the main area of the municipality of Castellabate. Its territory extends it self almost entirely along the coast, offering a spectacular panorama, with the crystal clear sea waters (ideal for every sport activity) and a beautiful coast with ancient buildings falling directly into the sea. The coast alternates gentle and low lines to lovely harbours and wild inlets.

Santa Maria is part of the few coast villages that constitute the elite of the blue flag areas, thanks to its limpid waters and the beautiness of the immaculate and wild landscape.

Internally, this village is characterized by the many small streets that run across it, reaching the sea from a side, and the green hills of the national park from the other. The gracious main street, paved with local stones, runs almost along the entire village and it is ideal for walks and shopping, with all the characteristical little stores selling cloths, souvenirs and local typical products.

The board walk that runs along the sea is very graceful, offering a “post card” scenery. It is the main entertainment place with all the little bars and restaurants that face on it, overlooking the sea and the gold sanded beaches, that alternate with rocks and reef. At the same time, the board walk articulates it self along other different areas, with quiet but spectacular promenades ideal for relaxing walks.

Cilento e Vallo di Diano National Park is the second largest park in Italy. It stretches from the Tyrrhenian coast to the foot of the Apennines in Campania and Basilicata, and it includes the peaks of Alburni Mountains, Cervati and Gelbison and the coastal buttresses of Mt. Bulgheria and Mt. Stella. The extraordinary naturalistic richness of the heterogeneous territory goes hand in hand with the mythical and mysterious character of a land rich in history and culture: from the call of the nymph Leucosia to the beaches where Palinuro left Aeneas, from the ruins of the Greek colonies of Elea and Paestum to the wonderful Certosa of Padula. And everything else you can find in such an unexplored territory.

MEALS

Villa Maria’s restaurant “da Andrea” faces the limpid sea of the coast. Thanks to its warm welcome and the excellent traditional mediterraean cuisine, “da Andrea” leaves to its guests magic memories. Our dishes are creative, without giving up the classic receipe of the Cilento, reflecting the typical local tradition of a delicate and tasty cuisine where the most important ingredient is the freshness of our genuine raw materials. During the summer season it is possible to have romantic candle light dinners outside, on the reef deck (unique in town) with the crystal clear waters flowing below your feet, offering special moments to the guests. Together with a wide wine list with prestigious lables “ da Andrea” Restaurant is a gastronamic landmark.

There is also a bar located next to the restaurant, facing the limpid sea of the bay, from where it is possible to have fresh cocktails and beverages, also served on our sun reef deck. Inside, among the beatiful local tufo stone arches is located the wine cellar, with its prestigious Italian and French wines, perfect for a wine tasting. By the bar, you can find the internet point and wireless connection.

WEATHER

Great weather for retreats begins in May through October. June and September temperatures are in the 70s. In August and July temperatures are in the 80s and 90s.

ACCOMMODATION & SERVICES

Hotel Villa Maria has 19 rooms, 2 of which are suites. The most of them face the sea, are wide and equipped with every comfort: tv with satellite, air conditioning, minibar, safe (for laptop), shower or jacuzzi bath tub, telephone and wireless internet connection. Each room is furnished with elgance according to a new classic style and all the spaces are filled with pieces of antiquary, reflecting the beautiness of Villa Maria, a real pearl in the Cilento coast. The adbundant space and a privileged location, straight on sea, make these rooms special and unique.

Max number of people: 20 (this is the most number of people that the yoga platform can accommodate including the teacher)

For more info on retreats in this location or if you want to organize your retreat or workshop here please call 1 619 822 2913 or email info@italyyogaretreats.com or yoga@culturalitaly.com

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