Run village-to-village along the Mediterranean Sea, explore Medieval castles and enjoy traditional gourmet Spanish tapas every day!
Join us for an amazing week of wellness, wisdom (and wine!) as we run along the Mediterranean Sea in the Costa Brava region of Catalonia. If you've never considered trail running in Spain, then picture this: running from historic village to village in the warm sun, while a refreshing sea breeze keeps you cool.
If you're curious about what mindfulness can do for your health, anxiety and sense of wellbeing, but can't stand sitting on a meditation cushion, then this retreat is for you!
You already value running for keeping you healthy and connecting you to a community of like-minded women, but perhaps you still wonder if there's more to running than just another finisher's medal. During our week in Spain, you'll uncover additional benefits from running mindfully for your mental health, spiritual growth and other layers of meaning. Immerse yourself in the powerful healing energy of this vibrant, historic coastal landscape as you run scenic trails at a pace that is playful, relaxed and social.
Staring from the ancient walled city of Girona, we'll explore one of Spain's most beautiful regions on foot in a way that leaves you plenty of time to tune in to what drives you in running and in life. This is your opportunity to indulge in what feeds your soul: travel, adventure, fun, mindfulness and great food. You'll explore Medieval villages, castles and learn about this region's rich, multicultural history and cap the week soaking in serene, mineral-rich pools inside an 2,000-year old Roman bathhouse.
Through our practical running form clinics, mindful movement and free time for quiet contemplation, you’ll stop the energy drains and divert your energy back into your running. Immerse yourself in the powerful healing energy of this vibrant, historic coastal landscape as you run scenic trails at a pace that is playful, relaxed and social.
Costa Brava, in Catalonia, Spain is located in the northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, covering the coastal towns and villages of the beautiful province of Catalonia. It is home to some of the most delightful towns, villages and beaches along this 300 km stretch of the Mediterranean Sea. Backing into the Pyrenees along the French border, Costa Brava is a diverse region of extraordinary natural beauty and has a very deep artistic and historical heritage. Its natural beauty giving inspiration to famous artists such as Salvador Dali, Joan Miro and Pablo Picasso.
This retreat is rated Level II. This means it's suitable for you if:
Make the most of your time in Spain and with an optional 3-day extension at the Mercer Barcelona, a luxury boutique hotel situated in the heart of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. Use this time before your retreat begins to recover from jetlag. You’ll relax at an ancient spa, explore the culinary highlights of the city on a walking tapas tour, and we’ve made the entire experience seamless by including train tickets to Girona, to the start of your mindful running retreat.
Our daily mileage may be short (runs are typically 4 - 8 miles), but these trails present some challenges! Previous trail-running experience isn't necessary, as your retreat leader will provide you with important tips and tools for navigating technical terrain and pacing yourself on these hilly trails. We'll run on all kinds of surfaces, from rocky trails to smooth dirt forest paths, along cobblestone streets and short sections of dirt road. We'll stop frequently along the way to take photos, have a snack and sip our water.
Girona is a city in Spain’s northeastern Catalonia region, beside the River Onyar. It’s known for its medieval architecture, walled Old Quarter (Barri Vell) and the Roman remains of the Força Vella fortress. Landscaped gardens line the Passeig Arqueològic, a walkway following the Old Quarter’s medieval walls, which include watchtowers with sweeping views. Your retreat will begin and end here in Girona, and includes a city tour with you local guide and historian, Pablo.
A few miles from the Mediterranean Sea lies the medieval streets of Pals. The county of Baix Empordà in the province of Girona has in this Gothic town a lovely old quarter, declared a Historic Artistic Site. Here you can wander the winding, cobblestone streets, browse the charming boutiques and enjoy an authentic paella lunch. You'll have some free time after lunch to soak up the history of this place, and imagine what life must have been like for its residents hundreds of years ago.
Pals' historic center stands on a hill surrounded by plains, which were originally marshland. You have to go back to the 9th century - the period to which its castle belongs - to find the first written documents mentioning this town. Continuous warlike confrontations have meant that over the centuries only the Keep of this defensive construction has been preserved. It is a circular Romanesque tower built between the 11th and 13th centuries. The 15-metre tower stands on a natural rock platform in which many Visigothic tombs can be found.
This region's cuisine in renowned throughout Europe, as Catalonia boasts the greatest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants in all of Europe. And you'll see why, even at the casual, family run restaurants at which we dine.
Local dishes feature locally grown and harvested ingredients such as fish and seafood with fresh vegetables, olives, olive oil and rice. The most famous dish is Paella (pictured here), a deeply seasoned baked rice dish featuring seafood or vegetables. Most special dietary needs can be easily accommodated.
Meal Times: We will adopt the Spanish meal times, meaning that breakfasts start at 8 am and dinners at 8:30 p.m. For this reason, our daily runs usually begin around 10 or 11 a.m., and end around 2 p.m. in time for a casual lunch.
Most meals are included in your retreat package, and we handpick high-quality restaurants for unforgettable culinary experiences.
We make every effort to accommodate your dietary preferences and restrictions. However, there are occasions when we may face limitations. You'll have a chance to indicate your specific dietary requirements in the retreat participant intake form.
Please note that alcoholic drinks are excluded, and snacks and beverages outside of meals and trail runs are not included.
Learn how to run more mindfully to become a better runner with mindful running. This includes natural running form clinics during which you'll learn about the Power Posture: use proper alignment to make gravity do more of the work. This reduces the muscular force involved with running so it feels easier and less strenuous on muscles and joints. You'll also practice using natural running techniques to drastically improve efficiency. You'll practice changing stride length, cadence and tempo on various types of terrain. Then put the pieces together to achieve the ultimate trail running experience. Learn to cultivate the circumstances for flow to occur by being relaxed and mindful.
Situated right on the Cap de Creus peninsula, Cadaqués is one of the most symbolic places on the Gironese Costa Brava. Its rocky coast, fringed by beautiful beaches and quiet coves, forms one of its main attractions, together with the incredible landscape offered by the Cap de Creus Natural Park.
At the head of Cadaqués bay is its historic quarter, with a Mediterranean air and deep seaside flavour. The source of inspiration for internationally famous painters and artists for decades, today this centre enjoys an intense cultural life, as witnessed by its many museums and art galleries, among which the Salvador Dalí House-Museum is outstanding. Cadaqués is the ideal starting point for getting to know the rest of the county of Alt Empordà, full of historic places, surprising natural areas and abundant archaeological remains.
Now included in the Mediterranean Mindful Running Retreat is a luxurious spa experience!
What better way to cap your week of trail running village to village than to soothe your muscles in the healing waters of a modern spa situated inside a 2000-year-old stone enclave built by the Romans? Here you'll enjoy as part of your retreat package:
Our highly trained retreat leaders provide the space and support for you to have a potentially transformational experience. As experts in mindful leadership, she provides valuable guidance on how to be mindful on and off the trail. Here's more about what you can expect from your retreat leader:
On a cliff-top overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, this relaxed hotel is a three-minute walk from the beach, situated on a hill overlooking the quaint beach town of Calella de Palafrugell and bay, on the Costa Brava. Enjoy is laid-back atmosphere, sunny terrace and excellent chef-prepared meals.
Hotel Sol Ixent is a new design hotel concept in Cadaqués . The establishment has managed to maintain the traditional forms of Mediterranean constructions, where white and stone stand out, and has combined them with elements of modernity, comfort and personality, details that make Hotel Sol Ixent one of the best hotels with charm of the Empordà .
Its location makes it a unique hotel in Cadaqués and away from the busy streets of the center. The tranquility of the green area of Caials, where the hotel is located, is only disturbed by the sound of the waves of the sea when it hits the rocks and by the song of the birds that rest on the olive trees in the area.
Your retreat gift bag contains a curated selection of items designed to support your mindful travel experience with us.
One of the best ways to deepen your experience with mindfulness during and after your retreat is to add the Transformational Travel Journal to your package. This co-branded journal by Run Wild Retreats in partnership with the Transformational Travel Journal provides an intentional space to write, draw, sketch and otherwise creatively express what meaning this travel experience has for you. Filled with thoughtful writing prompts, inspirational quotes and mindfulness-inspired ideas, we highly recommend using this journal to help you enhance your mindful running experience. Price includes shipping.
Catalonia, Spain
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