Azulfit
Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain
Joyful Pilates and yoga retreats, with optional cycling and surfing, on a sunshine isle
Azulfit offers a range of Pilates and yoga retreats at a gorgeous white-washed villa in the volcanic hills of Villaverde on Fuerteventura, which enjoys roughly 300 days of sunshine throughout the year. Come for a mix of Pilates, yoga, meditation, nutritional advice, treatments and delicious food. There’s plenty of time for walks, swims and optional extras such as surfing and cycling too.
our Reviewer Imogen O’Rorke says:
‘Yasmina was determined to scoop the last gobbet of tension out of my back and shoulders ingrained by four years of carrying babies and toddlers – I felt sheer, undiluted gratitude afterwards’
Queen of Retreats says:
‘It’s lovely to have decent Pilates and yoga teaching here, but also go for surfs, bike rides and walks as you so choose. The breathtaking island landscape is never more beautiful than just before sunset, when the volcanic hills transform into canvases for the changing light, with a mesmerising rose red glow’
Experiences
Several types of Pilates are on offer - Stott Pilates, with its more anatomically based approach; Peak Pilates, which stays true to Joseph Pilates' classical method; and Reformer Pilates, which uses a specialised machine to provide resistance in a full body workout.
Yoga is suitable for all levels and includes a range of styles, from vinyasa flow and jivamukti to yin and restorative practice. Most sessions include breathwork and yoga nidra, and all uphold the authentic yogic ethos of both physical and spiritual wellbeing.
Join a workshop with the resident nutritionist to help you understand your body type and how to eat your way back into balance. Relaxing treatments are available.
The striking geological landscape and volcanic peaks make for exciting cycling terrain. You can hire a bike, or the team can organise a guided ride with a local cycling company.
Fuerteventura’s wind and wide beaches (12km away) offer great conditions for surfing, kite and windsurfing, and stand-up paddle boarding (SUP). You can book lessons with a local water sports school on request.
Spaces
The hacienda-style villa has white-washed walls and wooden beams that frame a beautiful internal courtyard flushed with flowers and palm trees. Inside the kitchen and sitting room have lovely ocean and country views.
The ample garden has abundant cacti, succulent plants and bougainvillea and hammocks in welcome shade. There are plentiful sun loungers around an 8m long pool, and a jacuzzi hot tub with views across the volcanic hills.
The pool is overlooked by the outdoor yoga platform on one side and a giant Buddha on the other. A large wooden-floored yoga studio is well-equipped with Pilates props and reformer apparatus.
The hacienda-style main building has eight bedrooms around a central courtyard. Typically Canarian, with flagstone floors and ethnic décor, five have en-suite bathrooms, one a private bathroom, and two others share a bathroom.
There are also three twin bed casitas in the gardens, an en-suite yurt, and a guesthouse for four people, with two bedrooms, a shared bathroom, kitchen, lounge and terrace.
Sustenance
Deliciously flavoursome, vibrant and nutritious plant-based meals use fresh ingredients mindfully sourced from the garden or locally. Vegan, gluten -ree and lactose-free options are always on offer, and other dietary requirements can be catered for with advance notice.
Menus change regularly according to demand and season, but breakfast is likely to include delicious porridge made with ginger, cardamom, dry fruit and seeds, eggs, handpicked fresh fruit and trays of sweet and savoury spreads, spices and local honey.
After breakfast you select your lunch dishes from a selection of salads, dips, grains, home-made veggie pizzas and other treats. These can be packed in lunch boxes so you are free to enjoy them by the pool or out on an excursion.
Plant-based dinners include luscious beetroots, zingy salads, and plentiful pulses and beans.
There are plenty of drink choices including coffee and a fresh herbal tea of the day.
