Vilnius Wellness City Guide by Retreats I Love

Vilnius is the kind of city people visit and fall in love with. Being the capital of Lithuania, it is one of the most beautiful cities in Central Europe that will enchant you with variety of cultural heritage, it’s magic and cosy atmosphere, a perfect harmony of architecture and natural landscape. Another charming side of this city, it’s elegant and cozy curved streets of the old town. When it comes to eating out in Vilnius, there's always something unique to try. 

So here it is, personal guide of Vilnius with few special spots we fell in love with. Print it and take it with you on your travels to discover some of our favourite places in this beautiful city.  

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TO SLEEP

- Relais & Chateaux Stikliai Hotel - boutique experience in the heart of Vilnius vibrant Old Town. As soon as you will step into this charming hotel you will travel back in time. Glorious historic building with terrific ambience. This is the hotel with history! With it’s outstanding and luxury decorated rooms, you will feel like a member of royal family. Should you decide to treat yourself with gorgeous living, wonderful food, perfect service - this is defiantly the place to stay. 

- Kempinski Hotel Cathedral Square - with the perfect location right on the Cathedral Square newly opened hotel is easy accessible to all attractions within walking distance. Luxury rooms and suites are elegant, spacious and wonderfully appointed. If available choose room with a cathedral view - you won’t be disappointed. After a long day you can relax in a wellness centre enjoying pool, jacuzzi, sauna and steam room. If you’re true foodie do not miss a chance to dine in hotel’s Restaurant Telegrafas. An elegant dining atmosphere with incredible European gastronomy, offering a subtle balance between history and modernity with a relaxed atmosphere overlooking the picturesque Vilnius Cathedral Square.

- Shakespeare Hotel - charming boutique hotel situated in a cozy street of the old town. For those who search for inspiration it is an ideal oasis of peace, for those who search for the bustle of a city – the most beautiful places of Vilnius are just a few hundred meters away. A unique experience where everything from the decor to the old time atmosphere makes it special. The rooms are spacious and individually decorated, named after different authors. From the minute you walk in until you leave you'll feel warm and welcomed. 

TO EAT 

- Marche de Provence - a cozy French restaurant in the heart of the old town. Restaurant offers fine balance between atmosphere and dining experience, everything you order is first class and beautifully presented. Restaurant to remember, exquisite gourmet cuisine where each course like a work of art- try the creme brûlée for a real surprise in presentation.

- Kitchen - located in the city centre, in front of the City Hall square, contemporary scandinavian style interior creates a nice urban style dining ambience. The quality of food, great atmosphere with very pleasant service. Menu offers rich selection of Mediterranean cuisine, fish and vegetarian options. 

Good idea to make a table reservation in advance. If you are in Vilnius, you should definitely try it. 

- Panama Garden - located just 5 min driving from the Vilnius old town but the drive if worth it. An authentic atmosphere of an old house, garden and greenhouse (where you actually can have your dinner) makes this spot special. Your dining experience will start with a home made bread which is absolutely amazing. Specialty of this restaurant is sea food, try the seafood soup, fish of the day or mussels. Early reservation is needed if you want to enjoy the table in the garden.

- Sugamour - marvellous dessert boutique in the old town of Vilnius. It’s a sweet tooth heaven! A must visit place for coffee, breakfast and variety of delightful cakes and desserts which all look like a piece of art. Elegant interior with a modern touch makes it a place where you want to enjoy your dessert with a cup of coffee / tea slowly with all the delightful pleasure.

TO SPA 

- Luxury SPA at Kempinski Hotel - Relax and indulge yourself in a carefully selected range of beauty and massage treatments at exclusive Kempinski The Spa. Soothing treatment rooms, relaxation space, indoor pool, fitness area, Finnish and steam saunas - an oasis of relaxation and rejuvenation. Luxuriate for a few tranquil moments or the entire day, enjoying exceptional treatments and unmatched service.

- SPA Vilnius - a day SPA, established in the heart of Vilnius town, you can enjoy a wide range of different treatments that are carried out by experienced SPA specialists, acknowledged in Lithuania and the Baltic states. Offering an especially wide spectrum of massages, beauty treatments and day packages this place is a perfect choice to relax, rejuvenate and restore. 

- SPA Esperanza - an oasis of relaxation, located in green forest of Aukštadvaris National Park, in Trakai, around 35 km from Vilnius. SPA Esperanza offers exceptional peace and luxury to anyone seeking to avoid distraction and dedicate some time to oneself. Here you can expect not only profound relaxation but also unique treatments with exceptional devices in entire Eastern European region available only here. Such as: Cloud 9 - a holistic treatment bed that enables full relaxation of the body and soul, a much-needed experience in the face of daily tensions, stress, and intense emotions. Amphibia massage bed - to revive and strengthen the body. Innovative, using special technologies and adapted to the natural traits of the human body, they will make your rest unforgettable, leaving you with only the best impressions.

TO YOGA / PILATES 

- Flow and Glow - yoga studio located in the city centre. Nice and cozy studio with professional and lovely teachers. Offers variety of yoga classes different time of the day. 

- Diva Namai - new concept of fitness centre, which is small and cozy to make you feel at home. The idea of the founder was to create new space for various fitness, yoga or pilates activities which would help clients to relax after the busy day and enjoy their practise. Here you can choose from different yoga, pilates, body interval or even ballet classes. 

- The Mai Ram Yoga Ashram - located in the heart of the old town this place is called Ashram as it combines few aspects of wellness: yoga practice, small healthy cafe and tea room. People gather at the ashram to gain the knowledge of yoga teaching, which helps to preserve health, develop awareness and nurture spiritual values. 

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You can combine exploring Vilnius with our September Swan Lake Seduction retreat in beautiful Lithuania. It’s a perfect weekend getaway, just 140km from Vilnius in a private Lake House, surrounded by the virgin pine forest. Relax and reset your mind, enjoying yoga/pilates and seducing yourself with the original wilderness of an idyllic landscape. 

Date: 14th - 18th September, 2016 

Price: from 625 GBP, 5 days

To find out more & to book Swan Lake Seduction Retreat follow this link

Bali Wellness City Guide by Retreats I Love

Our first Wellness City Guide is dedicated to Bali - island of the Gods, with its varied landscape of hills and mountains, rugged coastlines and sandy beaches, lush rice terraces, warm & friendly people and a vibrant culture. 

We are excited to share our favourite places to help you to experience Bali with a wellness touch.

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/ TO EAT
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/ TO YOGA/PILATES

TO SLEEP

- Five Elements - As soon as you will arrive you will feel like entering another world. In peace and harmony with nature, remotedly nestled on the banks of the Ayung River, this exceptional place is an award-winning eco-conscious retreat deeply rooted in the ancient traditions of Bali, making it a wellness sanctuary to embrace authentic Balinese Healing, Living Foods and Sacred Arts.

- COMO Shambhala Estate, Bali - a true ‘Retreat for Change’ with resident experts including a yoga teacher, Ayurvedic doctor and residence dietician. The holistic, 360-degree approach offers signature massage therapies and beauty treatments. Nutritionally balanced cuisine and outdoor activities make the most of the Estate’s unique location.

- Bambu Inda - a radically distinctive boutique hotel, carefully curated by John and Cynthia Hardy. Eleven antique Javanese bridal homes were brought to Bali, restored, and decorated with the finest details. Now, Bambu Indah is available to travelers from around the world seeking unique experiences while being comforted by the luxury of a natural environment and service of an intimate hotel.



TO EAT 

In Ubud:

- Moksa - a fully SENSUAL dining experience from exploding your taste buds with extraordinary food options, to opening your eyes in an ambience of raw elegance. Restaurant offers raw and cooked, vegetarian cuisine, organic wine, local coffees, teas and healthy elixirs. Concept from farm to table: the actual operational permaculture organic farm in direct proximity to the restaurant. 

- Alchemy - 100% raw vegan cafe & juice bar, organic health food store, and holistic clinic. The salad bar is where you will be spoiled for choice by an array of raw greens, fruits, cashew cheeses and salad dressings. Their raw chocolates, pies and cakes are so rich and smooth, it is hard to believe they are made without refined sugar, dairy or gluten. 

- Clear Cafe - The food is simply delicious. A litany of smoothies, juices, and a variety of raw options for all three meals of day plus dessert make this a foodie’s paradise. Plenty of raw and cooked options. They also have a little shop out front called Clear Express that carries raw granola, superfoods such as goji berries and cacao powder, home made energy bars, a host of chocolate superfood concoctions and many other tasty treats.

- Bali Buda - The restaurant is cozy with a friendly atmosphere, and the diverse menu even hints that the lack of wifi will improve your dining experience. Many tasty juices and smoothies to pick from, a decent number of raw options, Bali Buddha is a great choice when you’re hankering for a healthy meal. You can also get raw cashew, sunflower seed and walnut mylk made and bottled on the spot.

- The Seeds of Life - Very popular for it’s raw vegan desserts, this place is off the  charts for food innovation and attention to detail. Combines the elements of fun, flavor, vibrancy and integrity through Raw Living Foods. Mexican raw lasagna is the best in town. And you can’t leave the place without trying divine raw desserts. 

- Cafe Organic - Cafe Organic is a Health food, vegetarian cafe serving Organic, Raw & Vegan locally farmed produce. This little place is absolutely delightful! They offer excellent organic breakfast, amazing juices, smoothies and coconut bowls.. All of the food is organic and amazingly presented… Café Organic support ethically run farms by sourcing locally produced organic goods and farming in the Café Organic Gardens. It is open till 4pm so do not miss your breakfast / brunch for a great start of the day! 

TO SPA

- Wellness Retreat at Como Shambhala Estate Bali - as an award-winning Bali wellness resort, COMO Shambhala Estate takes a uniquely holistic approach. The pampering treatments of a conventional destination spa are woven into a personal Wellness Programme, allowing to us to provide a more complete, 360-degree experience closely tailored to your needs—with experts in different modalities, from yoga to Ayurveda.

- Fivelements, Puri Ahimsa - awarded wellness destination deeply rooted in the island’s ancient traditions. Holistic therapies are inspired by the Balinese way of life, which encourages one to nurture a greater harmony with spirit. Healing rituals include a combination of meditation, deep bodywork and prana energy, performed by talented healers. The spa offers traditional beauty rituals, sacred arts healing and Balinese blessing ceremonies. 

- Karsa SPA in Ubud - Surrounded by the rice fields, tranquil setting away from the Ubud centre. This SPA is beautifully decorated with relaxing and peaceful atmosphere. Intuitive massage (1,5 h) is a combination of different techniques such as: Balinese, Swedish, Deep Tissue, Lomi-Lomi, Shiatsu, and Reiki is our favourite massage and must try while staying in Ubud. Other SPA and beauty treatments and rituals available either.

TO YOGA / PILATES 

In Ubud: 

- Radiantly Alive was founded by world-renowned yoga teacher, writer and Human Potential Coach, Daniel Aaron. He is part of many trainings at Radiantly Alive and teaching himself 2 classes per week. Yoga studio offers different yoga / pilates classes, some of them with playful touch as fly high yoga on the belts and yoga dance. If you want to add something new to your daily routine, try salsa dance class or acro yoga. If that’s not enough you can choose from various workshops and trainings organised at the studio.  

- The Yoga Barn - Located in the heart of Ubud, The Yoga Barn is SE Asia's full service yoga studio, holistic healing retreat center. Coupled with a spiritual vibe, The Yoga Barn is at once earthy and rustic, relaxing, friendly and unpretentious. Various classes and workshops available daily. The Yoga Barn also contains an established Holistic Healing center that includes, Ayurvedic Rejuvenation, Cleansing & Detox retreats, Sound Medicine, Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture, Chiropractic, Naturopathy and much, much more.

- Ubud Pilates - hidden away in Penestanan, small boutique studio provides an intimate, private and unique space. A secluded sanctuary for your mind, your body and your spirit. 

In Sanur: 

- The Power of Now Oasis - located straight on the Sanur beach Eco friendly – Bamboo Yoga Studio offering yoga and meditation classes, yoga teacher training, yoga and meditation health retreats and holistic treatments. Traditionally constructed entirely from bamboo and inspired by the green turtle, our multi-purpose centre features an open plan design. Set in a tranquil garden among beautiful shady trees, in front of the beach yoga center provides a welcoming space for practice, relaxation and rejuvenation. 

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We hope that this Bali Wellness City Guide by Retreats I Love will help you to explore new destination, nourish your body and mind and soak up the beauty of a new experience. Print it off and take it with you on your travels to discover some of our favourite places.

Or you can join Exotic Bali Escape organised by us which starts on the 19th of February, 2017. This getaway is special from the beginning to  the end as it’s full of magic, beauty, harmony and authentic touch. It’s more than just a new destination, more than a holiday, it’s unforgettable lifetime experience…

Dates: 19th Feb - 01st March, 2017
Price: from 1989 GBP, 10 nights.

To find out more & to book Exotic Bali Retreat follow this link