LOCATION
Our Home for the week in Italy is just perfect. Authentic, warm, elegant, and at the same time rural chic.
Masseria Specula is a unique country hideaway with the authenticity of a home away from home atmosphere.
Sea and sun and an ideal setting for the union of body, mind and spirit.
The estate is divided into the main house and several guest houses, with a total of 8 beautifully designed rooms and suites. All rooms are really nice and typical for the region.
We will be at walking distance from the Sea….
FLIGHTS & TRANSFERS
Flying into Brindisi International Airport (BDS).
Alternatively, you could fly into Bari (BRI) – this is further though so take into account a longer transfer and a higher price.
Airport Transfers are not included in your retreat price.
Our venue is an easy, 50 minute taxi drive away from the airport. We can arrange transfers for you and also, you can share transfers with other participants.
You can book any flight that is convenient for you and you can check in as off 15:00. Ideally, you arrive before dinner, so before 7PM to enjoy your first day and have time to settle in. We start our lessons on the 3rd of November.
TIP: Brindisi (BDS) and Bari (BRI) are not easily reached from some European countries.
What you can do is fly into Rome, spend a day or two in this fantastic city and take a train from there. Having organised over 25 retreat weeks near Rome, I’m happy to share my tips on Rome, easy to do on your own.
Rome to Brindisi is just a 5 hour train ride and it takes you through the most amazing landscapes.
On the 8th of November, we’ll have to leave our rooms at 11AM but you are welcome to stay and enjoy till it’s time to go to the airport.
Visit Puglia
Puglia is definitely worth while and we would not do it justice by a quick visit during the week.
And, why not fly a day or two earlier and take the time to visit this really area? Sleep in a trulo (if you must, lol), explore the region. Lovely little streets, beaches and plenty of restaurants and many things to see and visit.
We are happy to assist you in sharing nice tips for hotels.
DAILY PROGRAMMA: MORE THAN YOGA
This is your time, your holiday, so if you want to skip a class that is absolutely fine. Although we believe you will find the program stimulating and fun, primarily we want you to relax and enjoy yourself.
Here is an example of a typical schedule. We like to be open to the unexpected and our schedule can change according to weather conditions, overall group preferences, etc.
07.30 Hatha yoga class
09.00 Wonderful Breakfast
11.00 Your Included Massage
13.00 Revitalising Lunch
14.00 Time for the Beach, Relaxing, a Stroll in the garden, reading that book that’s been waiting for you for a while
17.30 Yin yoga class
19.30 Heartwarming Dinner
20:30 Free time
Everything That Makes Holiday Special. The Massage, The Excursion, all Meals, The Extra Classes: It is ALL Included!
Healthy Nutritious Cuisine
Nutritious and healthy food is a very important part of the Revealing Vajra retreat experience.
We are delighted that for this unique retreat in Puglia, we are in for a festive food party. All nutritionally balanced and above all, super tasty. For sure, at the end of the retreat, you will want ALL of the recipes!
Our chef is Stefania De Leo, we worked together on the In Sabina Retreats near Rome several years ago.
Stefania has over a decade of experience in plant based cuisine. She worked in London at Wild Food Café and from there, she’s worked at many retreat centers around the world.
In the last five years, she developed a special interest in fermentation. To enrich every meal with the umami flavour to help increase the healing power food can have on our microbiome, supporting gut health and our immune system.
For three years, Stefania ran the Fermentation Lab, even providing the Michelin Star rated restaurant Saporium.
This week, all our meals will be vegetarian. It is the occasional cheese – for those who want, that makes us say that it is not a 100% plant based.
Dairy and gluten will limited to an absolute minimum. Taste and nutrition values will be maximised to the top.
This combination will promote feeling light, clean and will promote clarity of mind and openness of spirit.
Everything will be fresh, organic and locally-sourced (as much as possible).
If you don’t eat this or that, no to worry, Stefania can accommodate any and all food preferences and allergies.
This retreat is now over for this year..
Please contact Rachel at rb@revealingvajra.com to find out about dates next year or other Revaling Vajra retreats.
Your Host and Teacher, Rachel Bonkink
As a meditation expert, a mindset coach and your tour guide, I am here for you during this week!
In a past life, I fully enjoyed the corporate life as an operational director of medical market research firm.
One of my favourite things to do is to make meditation easy and guide people into creating more peace of mind. My work, teachings and way of looking at life are also heavily influenced in the past three years by my work for Resilience, a French company where I teach meditation to large groups of cancer patients.
After four amazing years in Morocco, I moved to Portugal in 2020. I published my book, Flex Your Mind, and pivoted my retreat business during Covid times into offering more corporate meditation programs and giving lots of keynotes.
I followed love to Dubai for 9 month but decided to come back to Portugal in 2023.
Very grateful to have studied with the absolute best when it comes to yoga and meditation with teachers like lama Alan Wallace, Jack Kornfield, Rick Hanson, Tony Robbins and Paul Grilley. Recently there is more influence from the MBCT and MBSR streams again from both Oxford and Brown University. Again, as many years ago, this is where my meditation journey started.
THESE YOGA HOLIDAYS ARE DIFFERENT FROM ANY OTHER HOLIDAY OUT THERE!
What I bring across is so much more than bending forwards and backwards. As I have a worked both as a COO and consultant before founding Revealing Vajra, I know what stress is. I know what deadlines are, real deadlines, handling huge budgets-with a lot of zeros. Pleasing your C-level customers, keeping your corporate tribe happy- our tribe had 100+ people on the payroll.
Combine this with many years as a personal life coach, my shiatsu practises and ongoing yoga teacher trainings and personal retreats.
And, you get someone in front of you who is able to organise retreats that are very different.
It is this unique combination – a deep understanding of corporate life and the corporate ladder, alongside a vast experience of mind-body trainings and many personal retreats. Plus the expertise of organising over 100 of my own yoga and meditation retreats – that gives my yoga holidays and retreats a very POWERFUL edge.
I will help you to focus on enjoying your practice and gaining new insights into your body, mind and the yoga philosophy.
In conclusion, these holidays are so much more than just a getaway. These retreats can be truly life changing and empower you to become a more healthy and happy person.
DIFFERENT YOGA STYLES AND MEDITATION TECHNIQUES
I teach different styles and techniques of yoga and meditation.
Starting slowly with Hatha, Yin, and Yin/Yang. Building it up towards a more Vinyasa inspired class. At least one class will focus on alignment and one class is Kundalini yoga.
All levels are welcome, I know how to adjust all poses.
I don’t take life all too seriously, nor do I see yoga as the most serious thing in the world, even though it has literally changed every single aspect in my life.
Pranayama (breathing), meditation and yoga philosophy are part of all my lessons.
Asana wise, I started my own journey about 10 years ago with Ashtanga. Over the years, I’ve taken many 100 and 200 hour teacher trainings in India, the Netherlands, the USA, the UK and Thailand.
I am happy to discuss your expectations and see if this retreat is right for you. I welcome any and all questions or concerns you may have and invite you to email me at: rb@revealingvajra.com or just give me a call on +32 476 204 121.
You can read more about my story and starting Revealing Vajra here …
WHAT TO DO NEXT? BOOKING THIS “PURE IN PUGLIA RETREAT”
Prices include full board accommodation, all yoga lessons, a workshop, a private session and one full-length treatment.
EURO per person for single accommodation for one week.
This week-long retreat is an investment. Monetarily and in your transformation.
This week will have profound effects on your life!
Cancellation Policy
You can secure your booking with a 500 Euro non-refundable deposit.
Both the venue and myself are small business owners so we do not make any exceptions on the non-refundable deposit policy, no exceptions, sorry.
You can not transfer the deposit to another retreat either. No exceptions.
The remaining amount is due 6 weeks before the start date of the retreat.
In the event Revealing Vajra needs to cancel this retreat because of government regulations, or simply not being able to have the retreat in Portugal for whatever reason, in this case, there are 2 options:
1. You agree with simply moving your booking to a new date.
2. You prefer a refund, Revealing Vajra refunds you what you paid, minus the deposit of 500 Euros.
In the event that you need to cancel the retreat, less than 6 weeks before the start date of the retreat:
There is no Refund and the funds can not be transferred to another retreat in the future. No exceptions.
We strongly encourage you to take a travel insurance to cover the costs of possible cancellation or illness.
Flights are not covered and not included in your retreat price.
If you are looking for the perfect retreat with the perfect teacher, stop looking, this is the real deal. I have been on quite a few retreats, had a lot of different yoga teachers and I even teach yoga myself but trust me, Rachel is different from any other teacher. She is passionate, generous, unpretentious, super knowledgeable about yoga and a joy to have around. This retreat was incredibly balanced with great yoga classes, meditations. It has hikes, ancient yoga philosophy and incredible good food.
Charlotte A., Sweden
A thoroughly rewarding experience. Rachel is a rare and wonderful teacher, intuitive, imaginative and caring. With skill she creates a relaxed and secure environment that inspires growth and experimentation.
Matthew Allan, USA
If you consider a retreat, then I just have to recommend Rachel. Whatever your level of experience. We had yoga teachers in the group, people with injuries and people who had never done yoga before and it all worked beautifully.
SHARON ACKROYD, UK
I came to the Revealing Vajra Yoga retreat with an overwhelming amount of stress and anxiety. As the days unfolded and Rachel guided us through the yoga and meditations, it all shifted. This retreat gave me such inspiration to make some changes in my life. It was also really fun and completely relaxed. I can't recommend Rachel's retreats enough. Thank you for an incredible journey, I will be back!
Rachel H., Canada
This was my first yoga retreat, but definitely not my last! Such a varied program! What a joy to discover different yoga styles, the philosophy behind it and the peacefulness of silence. All this in a friendly environment, and with the gentle guidance from Rachel. Furthermore, I really appreciated Rachel's approach to yoga and the idea that nothing is 'set in stone'. For her, everything is ok as long as it feels good. Also, to move and to stretch my body in the sun was so great.
Carina Bjurklint, Sweden
This retreat was the perfect way to unwind and destress from the busy-ness of life. I was a little nervous as I hadn't done yoga for a long time. But, the yoga sessions really are suitable for all. Rachel is a great teacher. She is completely in tune with the needs of the group, and has a gentle and relaxed approach. She makes everyone feel at ease. I really felt I was able to develop my skills and will be going home with much more confidence to continue my yoga practise. I could not recommend the retreat more!!!!
Lisa Forbes, UK
So WHY Should You Join the yoga retreat Puglia?
Simple, this is the PERFECT environment to Unwind, to Relax,to take some Time off and Recharge.
We are convinced that you will love every single meal.
We know that this venue is so special, you will never want to leave.
But, when you do leave, you will leave feeling loose, stretched, stronger and more peaceful.
Furthermore, you will feel rejuvenated and most of all Happy.
Rachel is a really good yoga teacher, and I have had lots over the years, so feel qualified to say that! She adapted the practices according to how we were all feeling and what we needed. I always finished feeling at peace.
But what did I like most? I did not have to think for a week! Rachel told me where I needed to be at what time and wearing which clothes. So if you are looking for a week where all decisions are made for you, you have varied activities, many of which may be out of your comfort zone then this is the week for you. Jo McLear (UK), joined us in June 2024
Rachel’s retreat is exceptional.
