RETREAT TO ICELAND 3.0: THE LAND OF FIRE AND ICE

Iceland is a country of sharp contrasts. A place where fire and ice co-exist. Where dark winters are offset by the summer's midnight sun. A country where insular existence has spurred a rich and vibrant culture.
Yoga can be defined as any method that allows us to wake up to who or what we really are and to what life is all about. Anything that allows us to be more aware of ourselves and to feel connected to ourselves and life is a form of yoga.
This retreat will be a great opportunity to connect to the beauty of contrasts within the Icelandic landscape and culture, and within yourself.
 

The Cliff Notes of our Iceland Retreat:
Monday, August 18:
Our retreat officially begins on Monday. Iceland is easy to get to and relatively inexpensive with 6 hour direct flights on Delta or Iceland Air. The flights are overnight flights, so you get to have a glass of wine, watch a movie, drift off to dreamland, and then wake up in the dreamland that is Iceland. Flights arrive around 7am. After you land at the KEF International airport, you can either take taxi or the FlyBus into Reykjavik, just 30 minutes away. Check-in at Centerhotel Midgardur is at 1pm, but you can store your luggage there and begin to enjoy the city until your room is ready. Explore downtown Reykjaviik at your leisure. Our first group event will be meeting for dinner at Jörgensen Kitchen and Bar in the hotel.
 

August 19-21:
It's time to meet Ulli and head out into the countryside, where waterfalls, hot springs, and trolls are always just a stones throw away (but don't actually throw stones, Trolls don't like it when you move their rocks). We will homebase in Hveragerði, a small, lovely town in the South. In Ulli's words: "We will be exploring secret or less known locations on the 3 days, we will cook food in hotsprings, bath in secret hotsprings on the second biggest volcanic area of Iceland, explore secret lava caves, learn about the locals and traditions + history as well as trying some of the Icelands tradititional food.
The trip is focusing on a relaxed pace, taking everything in, mixed with yoga in nature and learning about the geological and human history of the area."
Ted, what will be doing when aren't going on adventures to off the beaten path secret spots?
I'm glad you asked! While in Hveragerði we will also be drinking out of horn, throwing axes, and channeling our inner Viking when we eat dinner at the famous Ingólfsskáli Viking Restaurant, going on a horseback tour on the unique Icelandic horses, and having a pizza party at Ölverk Brewery, one of the few breweries in the world powered by geothermal energy.
 

Friday, August 22:
We are back at Midgardur Hotel! After a morning of yoga, breakfast, and maybe a morning stroll, if you'd like, we are off to The Blue Lagoon! You can't go to Iceland without hitting the Blue Lagoon. We'll soak and relax for a few hours (mud mask included!), and then we'll top off the experience with a 3-course meal at the Blue Lagoon's Lave Restaurant.
 

Saturday, August 23:
It might be Culture Night, but it is in actuality an entire day of celebration of Reykjavik and Icelandic culture. Saturday, August 23 is a FREE DAY to 1) find one of many easy to access a la carte tours, such as a volcano hike, or whale watching trip, 2) explore Reykjavik and all that Culture Night has to offer, 3) run The Reykjavik Marathon/Half Marathon/10K/3K , or all of the above!!!

How about yoga, Ted? Will there be yoga?
Of course there will be yoga, but if you've ever been on one of our yoga retreats, you know our philosophy: Just like yoga is not about the poses, retreats are not about the yoga. The yoga is a way to enhance the experience of the journey that YOU'RE taking through a greater sense of mindfulness. There will be daily yoga. Most of the time it will be inside, but some of the time it'll be out in the lush landscape of this beautiful country. It is always optional. Whether you do all of the yoga or none of the yoga, your adventure will be unforgettable.

COST:
Doubles: $2955 (security deposit: $591)
Singles: $4310 (security deposit: $862)
a 20% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot
If the trip is canceled, all money will be refunded.
all money can be refunded, except the deposit, up to 30 days before the trip. The preferred payment vehicle is Venmo.

There are TEN ROOMS available.

ENOUGH! I WANT IN! I WANT IN! WHAT DO I DO NOW?!?!

3 Easy Steps to sign up:
1)Email me at troseen@gmail.com telling me you want in.
2) Send me your 20% security deposit via Zelle, PayPal, or Venmo (@ted-roseen)
3) Pour yourself your favorite beverage, go to Spotify, find the band Sigur Ros, click on their 2007 Hvarf/Heim album, and enjoy.

MORE ABOUT Ulli and ICELAND ACTIVITIES TOUR COMPANY:
We will be working privately with family-run Iceland Activities. They’ve led tours around this specific region for 30+ years, with a focus on getting people into the beautiful landscape that Iceland has to offer off the beaten path. Sharon and I are huge believers in not over-booking schedules on our retreats. We’ve always believed that this is a good opportunity to make positive dynamic shifts in our lives by having a little more unscheduled “me time,” but it will be nice to have a local who can really help us get the most of where we are.
The bottom line is that our time in Hveragerdi will be a blend of...
-scenic hikes
-outdoor yoga
-great food
-Icelandic culture
-thermal baths (maybe even under the Northern Lights)

CULTURE NIGHT: The Reykjavik Culture Night is one of the most popular events in Iceland and is the city's greatest celebration. People, from all around the country and from abroad, travel to the capital to enjoy various cultural events. This is truly an art festival with all kinds of happenings all over town, be it theatre, music, fine arts, food or just fun.
The long program of cultural events stretches right through the day. A myriad of art exhibitions, string quartets and theatre events rub shoulders with rock bands, graffiti artists and an air display in the run-up to the fireworks at 11pm.