Mykonos Inn-To-Inn Yoga, Sea Kayaking and Hiking

Unwind your body and mind with The Northwest Passage on our new Mykonos Yoga Retreat.  From our base on the golden sands of Panormos Beach, this trip will embody the concept of balance on every level; from our secluded location on a notorious party island, through the complimentary movements of yoga and paddling, to the fusion of cosmopolitan luxuries and ancient ruins.  Align your body, calm your mind and explore the playground of Mykonos, both on and off the water.

Day 1:  Your Northwest Passage guides greet you at the airport and shuttle you across the island to our secluded base for the week, Panormos Beach.  Once we have settled into our accommodations we will hold a light session of yoga; realigning ourselves after a long day of travel.  After a rejuvenating session, we will head out into Panormos Bay to conduct our introductory sea kayaking clinic. Tonight we get to know one another and discuss the planned itinerary over sunset drinks and a delicious dinner on the coast. (D)

Day 2:  Each day we greet the morning with an optional meditation session, after which we hold our relaxing session of morning yoga.  As we step off our mats, we will be met with a delicious and traditional Greek breakfast.  Afterwards, we head to the south coast of the island and begin our week of paddling at Paranga Beach.  We spend the afternoon paddling past fishing towns, beautiful beaches and magnificent rock formations along the shoreline. We will enjoy a taverna lunch in Elia, as we continue on towards Cape Tarsanas. After returning to our hotel for the evening, we will hold another yoga session.  We’ll end the day with a beautiful sunset dinner on the coast.  (B, D)

Day 3:  Once again we will greet the morning with successive sessions of meditation and yoga.  After breakfast we will return to Cape Tarsanas and continue east along the south shore of Mykonos.  After paddling for a short while, we round the southeastern corner of the island and head north.  A favorite place to stop and enjoy a pack lunch is Kato Trigani, a beautiful beach that overlooks nearby island of Trigonisi.  After lunch, we continue to hug the shoreline as we turn our bows west, paddling in and out of marvelously sculpted coves and around sloping, rocky headlands.  Our destination for the evening is Panormos Beach, our tranquil base for this retreat.  Another yoga session in the afternoon, and a well earned dinner will round out the day.  (B, D)

Day 4:  Today will be a recovery day, after yesterday’s paddle.  Upon waking we continue our practice of meditation and yoga, and, as always, we are rewarded with a hearty Greek breakfast.  We launch our kayaks into the bay and paddle north, past a wildlife refuge, stopping for cappuccino at one of the many beautiful beaches. Once we exit the bay we continue our journey west along the north side of the island, stopping along the way to fuel up on a tasty pack lunch. After hopping back into our boats, we press on for Houlakia Bay. In the evening we explore the nearby ruins and hold an afternoon yoga session before tucking into another delicious dinner.  (B, D)

Day 5:  As usual we will wake to morning meditation and yoga sessions, followed by breakfast.  The morning and early afternoon will be spent kayaking to Kapari.  Once we have reached town we will enjoy a free evening.  Feel free to explore town on your own, and enjoy a private dinner.  Be sure to sample the famously happening Mykonos nightlife or take a stroll along the starlit shoreline. (B)

Day 6:  After our regular morning sessions, we set out into the open water as we make the crossing to the neighboring island of Delos, the birthplace of Artemis and Apollo.  We enjoy a pack lunch, and explore this storied island.  To the ancient Greeks, this island was extremely sacred, and as a result, there’s a wide variety of archaeological sites for us to visit.  We paddle around the southern point of Delos and then head back north as we complete our circumnavigation of this mysterious island.  Then we shoot back across the strait to Mykonos, where we will return to the comfort of our hotel and yoga mats, enjoying another well earned dinner along the way.  (B, D)

Day 7:  We greet our last full day on Mykonos with a yoga session overlooking the sea.  Today we complete our second circumnavigation of the week, rounding the southwestern corner of Mykonos  and returning Paranga Beach!  We will have plenty of time in the afternoon to relax in town and freshen up at the hotel.  We will enjoy our last afternoon yoga session back at our familiar Panarmos Beach.  Tonight we enjoy our celebratory dinner and reminisce on all our favorite memories from our adventure in the Cyclades.  (B, D)

Day 8:  If time allows we will hold our regular morning meditation and yoga sessions.  After breakfast we gather our belongings and say goodbye to this incredible island. We transfer you to the airport by 11:30 AM so that you can make any connecting flights.  (B)

* Note: This is our intended itinerary. As with any adventure travel, the forces of nature can be unpredictable, causing us to make adjustments and changes to the itinerary. Rest assured that our many years of exploring have provided us with numerous options if changes need to be made. If it is too windy to paddle, various hiking, cultural and historical options will make you glad for the winds.

This is all you will need - anything else is unnecessary baggage and will only be extra weight to carry.

• 3-7 t-shirts, some synthetic for paddling
• 1 shirt, long sleeved
• 2-3 pair shorts (some quick drying)
• Sun/rain hat
• Sneakers/cross trainers hiking; some prefer hiking in Tevas or other sandals with socks
• Rain gear just in case! (Paddling jacket works well as an alternative or windbreaker jacket)
• 1 pair sport sandals; Tevas, water socks, etc. (Paddling booties work great!)
• Bathing suit(s)
• Underwear, socks
• Casual clothes for evenings (shorts/summer dresses are fine!)
• Clean change of clothing for the trip home 

Miscellaneous

• Passport (be sure to check expiration date)
• Toiletry kit- toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, sunscreen, face cream, nail clippers, moleskin, baby powder, soap, washcloth (most hotels don’t provide them) etc.
• Personal medication kit- ibuprofen, aspirin, vitamins, band-aids, Dramamine®, cold/sinus meds if prone to colds
• Daypack/fanny pack for hiking options
• Collapsible walking stick for optional hikes
• Sunglasses Chums/Croakies® to keep glasses on your head are imperative
• Water bottle (optional- bottled water is plentiful and cheap)
• Small dry bag with carabiner clip (clear ones are very useful)
• Headlamp for sea caves
• Camera, film, waterproof container
• Paddling gloves (for the tender of palm- not neoprene but any open fingered glove can help; e.g. biking gloves etc)
• Small towel (e.g. PackTowel® works well)
• Small travel alarm clock
• Yoga Mat

Optional Equipment

• Guidebooks
• Yoga blocks and straps
• Mask and snorkel (can be purchased inexpensively)
• Field glasses – binoculars
• Your own Paddle/PFD- we will supply paddles and PFD’s for group but, if you prefer your own paddle and PFD, feel free to bring them along
• Ziploc® storage bags (to keep stuff extra dry in dry bag)