Euphoria Retreat Mystras

A wellbeing destination spa in the mythical Greek Peloponnese, Euphoria Retreat offers a unique healing environment, with treatments and therapies that blend ancient Hellenic and Chinese philosophies and practices. We look forward to guiding you to meaningful life change in a setting where nature and history combine in a remarkable way.

All the energy and mysticism of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mystras, embraced by a rich scenery of Mediterranean mountains, lush valleys and beautifully landscaped grounds that inspire total serenity and relaxation.

The ancient world’s fundamental elements (water, wood, fire, earth, metal) and their related energies find expression and balance in our programme of personalised therapies and retreats. Every last detail created with love and precision by a team of consultants and therapists, according to scientifically-proven testing methods and bespoke healing plans.

At the heart of your experience is the innovatively designed Euphoria Retreat Spa. Each of its four levels guides your transformative journey – Sphere Pool, tepidarium, Byzantine Hammam, salt cave, Watsu pool, yoga and fitness rooms and so much more, with treatments customised to address all your emotional and physical needs.

Byzantine art and Zen minimalism create a dreamy ambience in all guest rooms, and delicious and healthy personalised nutritional plans ensure that your time at Euphoria Retreat is filled with absolute comfort and sensual pleasure.

Our passionate team is ready to welcome you with an open heart and gently guide you each step of the way: to open your soul, body and mind and, ultimately, to learn how to become your own healer … and experience the state of health and joy known to the ancient Greeks as Euphoria.

Euphoria Retreat is the perfect place to relax, redefine the relationship between your mind and body and reinvent yourself. Our holistic approach works as a process of transformation on all levels, restoring physical, emotional, mental and spiritual balance. The ultimate goal of this transformational process is what we can offer you – a state of euphoria, embracing the Ancient Greek concept of a blissful life.

Through this experience you will enjoy physical, mental and emotional catharsis. In terms of Substance, your body is cleansed from environmental toxins and pollutants. And in terms of Energy and Spirit, your mental and emotional state are harmonised, empowering you to embrace your life’s full potential.

Through our personalised treatments, transformation consultation, programme of physical exercise, diet guidelines and mental coaching you will be able to experience a unique cleansing process.

Our Signature Retreats will help you alleviate any physical and emotional congestion, with skilled mentors, therapists and professionals offering their encouragement and positive energy to create the perfect environment to guide you on your personal journey of healing. The supportive environment is complemented by the relaxing effect of our beautifully designed facilities and the luxurious serenity of the surrounding countryside.

Euphoria Retreat is a place of healing and transformation, deeply authentic in its nature and philosophy. Our core concept draws inspiration from a number of sources, East and West: Taoist and Hellenic philosophy as well as Chinese and Hippocratic medicine.

Staying true to the healing traditions of Ancient Greece, which gave birth to philosophy and the practice of Hippocratic medicine (and adopted Ef zin – ‘living well’ – as its guiding principle), we have embraced the notion of a balanced life and a healthy spiritual connection. The principles of what we today call a healing spa were, after all, first practised at the healing temples of Asclepieion.

The Ancient Hellenic and Chinese civilisations may have been far apart geographically, but both share a common understanding of cosmos and of human nature, and nurtured their love for inner peace and holistic balance. In what is more than a cosmic coincidence the two civilisations developed philosophies of wellbeing that were similar in many ways.

They share a common understanding of cosmos and of human nature. And the emphasis of the holon – or ‘whole’- of Hippocratic medicine goes hand in hand with Taoist spirituality, which also embraces wholeness and unity. Both focus on bringing mental, physical and emotional harmony.

Likewise, Ancient Greece’s five elements – fire, earth, water, air and aether – can be compared to their Taoist counterparts – fire, earth, water, metal and wood. The five elements form the cornerstone of our healing philosophy. They are incorporated into the architecture and design of the indoor and outdoor spaces and facilities of Euphoria Retreat, with areas dedicated to particular elements and their related energies.

Most importantly, the five elements are at the heart of our Signature Treatments and Retreats, personalised to address the needs of each guests in order to bring balance and harmony across all three levels of existence: emotional, physical and spiritual.

But Ancient Greek and Chinese philosophies also differ in ways that are important to the Euphoria Retreat experience. For Ancient Greek philosophers, life was to be celebrated, with happiness and joy being central to achieving harmony and life change. Hence our name, Euphoria.

Eastern philosophy, by contrast, often place an emphasis on suffering as being necessary for catharsis. Likewise, Ancient Greek philosophers emphasised the need for individual responsibility, not just to the state but also to yourself. It is this personal choice that you will need to embrace if you are to achieve your goals.

Even as you arrive at Euphoria Retreat, your journey of transformation begins. The densely forested mountainside of Mt Taygetus provides a majestic backdrop, rising to such a height that its peaks are still snow-capped in spring, just as the warming sunshine brings the lush valley of citrus groves and olive trees to full bloom and teases the intoxicating scents from the mountain herbs.

Presiding over the scenery, as it did during the region’s Byzantine heyday, is the medieval Castle of Mystras, with the entire mountainside on which it is perched designated an archaeological site.

And somewhere within the valley flows the Eurotas River, as it did for the ancient Spartans who trained in its waters and were famed for their healthy and balanced lifestyle as long ago as the 5th century BC.

You are only 2.5hrs from Athens and less than an hour from the airport of Kalamata, on the west coast of the Peloponnese, and yet there is an other-worldly calm about Euphoria Retreat.

So unique is the natural and cultural landscape that the area of Mystras has been preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was once a famous political, cultural, religious and artistic centre with impressive churches, palaces, fortresses, and convents.

It was here that Byzantium’s last despot, Constantine XI Palaiologos (1405-1453) was crowned emperor, and where the great neo-Platonic scholar Gemistus Pletho founded his school of philosophy before going on to revive Greek learning in Western Europe where he planted the seeds of the Renaissance.

And while seven centuries have passed since the height of Byzantium, the same aura that undoubtedly inspired the intellectual, artistic and architectural blossoming of the time continues undimmed to this day.

It is this same energy that has inspired Euphoria Retreat’s architecture, with ecclesiastical arches and domes and a seamless blend of Byzantine art and Zen design giving each room a distinct character.

A private orange grove stretches out to the front, containing a garden dedicated to the five elements and their different energies. And to the rear is an extensive private forest of conifers, holly bushes and other vegetation, rising seamlessly up the slopes of Mt Taygetus which, at its full height, reaches 2,400m above sea level.

Around Euphoria Retreat, the mountain is easily accessible for biking, trekking and outdoor classes. Spring and autumn are filled with Mediterranean sunshine, the winters are mild and summer evenings are made all the more magical by a cooling, herb-infused breeze.

The relationship with nature and culture is truly symbiotic. Further afield, the beautiful coastal town of Gytheion is just 40 minutes away by car and a day at the beach awaits you on the unspoiled island of Elafonissos during the summer, from where a 72ft yacht is available for hire.

Other excursions include tours of historical landmarks of Ancient Messene, Arcadia, Olympia, Epidaurus, Mycenae and Monemvasia, always within a couple of hours’ drive. A truly immersive experience.

VISION & MISSION
In creating Euphoria Retreat, we have been driven by a vision to take guests on a personalised journey of rebirth that will inspire meaningful life change and feelings of joy. We have sought to develop a nurturing environment across all levels of the Euphoria Retreat experience, so that you may open up your body, mind and soul and reconnect with your inner self.

Our mission is to revive ancient Hellenic healing practices, combined with traditional Chinese medicine, and apply them through customised programmes and retreats that heal the inseparable whole.

Using ancient Greek philosophy and scientifically-proven methods, our team of dedicated experts will guide you on a holistic journey of emotional, somatic and spiritual transformation in surroundings that are not only deeply authentic but also utterly relaxing.

Our aim is to understand your needs as well as your dreams, and for you to embrace your life’s full potential and become your own healer – ultimately reaching the state of “Euphoria”, as described by ancient Greeks.

NUTRITION
By creating delicious healing food, based on an antioxidant-rich Mediterranean diet, we look forward to treating you to a nutritional experience that will be one of the highlights of your stay. And not just delicious but perfect balanced, too, encouraging an isoglycemic diet that regulates your metabolism and fills you with energy right through the day.

GAIA RESTAURANT
Taking its name from the ancient Greek word for Earth (Γαῖα), the GAIA restaurant embodies all the authenticity and purity of Euphoria Retreat and the energy of the nurturing soil of the Peloponnese. It provides a special setting that allows delicious food to be enjoyed in a spirit of pure enjoyment.

Tables are arranged to encourage guests to share their day’s experience and feel part of a community, although privacy is also possible. With panoramic views of the valley and the citrus groves and the opportunity of enjoying your meal under the mulberry trees on the terrace or under the grapevine of the inner court, your appetite will never be healthier.

Whether you are enjoying a personalised dietary meal plan of a wellness programme, or the GAIA restaurant’s à la carte gourmet or set menu options, dishes are prepared daily with wholesome seasonal ingredients.

Fresh herbs, antioxidant-packed spices and essential nutrients help digestion and boost your metabolism. There is also a bar that offers fresh and healthy drinks, smoothies and light alcohol.

Within the GAIA Restaurant is a special kitchen for cookery lessons, where our chefs and nutritionists look forward to sharing their knowledge and answering questions on our nutritional philosophy and healthy Mediterranean diet.

Just why is salt, like extra-virgin olive oil, added at the end of the cooking process? What ingredients are the richest in antioxidants and what role does this play on regulating your metabolism?

Rooms: 45

Price: from 373 EUR per night

Source: www.euphoriaretreat.com