Thursday, January 2, 2014

YOGA RETREATS 2014



2014 YOGA & HIKING RETREATS
 ASTURIAS, SPAIN


Namaste from the mountains of Asturias - Northern Spain
Welcome to Asturias, Spain’s best kept secret and to Hotel Fuentes de Lucía, your home away from home. This dynamic retreat will include twice daily yoga classes with Jessie Chapman of Radiance Retreats or Claudia Steinhauser of YogaLuz (see retreat schedule below). Our spacious yoga studio, an oasis of tranquility and warmth, overlooks the stunning pastoral valley of Quirós, located in a rural region of Asturias.
Begin the day with an early morning yoga practice followed by a hearty breakfast in the main dining room, formerly a mill, before the day's hiking adventure unfolds. We walk beautiful mountain trails, averaging approximately 15 kilometers per day. Savor local Asturian cuisine, sample aromatic cheeses and sip the traditional beverage, Sidra Asturianu, made from locally grown apples. Trek through scenic gorges and alongside bubbling brooks; dine in local taverns; explore 10th-century churches and relax under Spain’s oldest yew tree, El Tiexo, planted more than 1000 years ago in a sacred meadow.
In the late afternoon we journey deep into yoga's restorative practice to rejuvenate our trekking legs before savoring lovely home-cooked dinners prepared by the owners of Fuentes de Lucia.
We’ll be accompanied by friendly and knowledgeable guides who fill our days with a soulful blend of scenic hiking, historical insights, traditional experiences and wonderful food.
Read More about the yoga workshops.
Try writing us directly at spanishsteps2006@yahoo.com
May 8-15  -  *Slava - YOGA for Runners 
June 14-21 -   Claire Denise Johnson
July 12-19    *Radiance - Jacinta 
July 26 - Aug 2 -   Claudia Steinhauser
Aug 16 - 23   Robyn "Priti" Ross  
Aug 23-30 -  Karen Boeser
Sept 13-20  *Radiance  - Jessie Chapman
Sept 20-27   *Radiance  - Jessie Chapman 
Sept 27 - Oct 4 - Joanne DeVito
Oct 4 - 11  -  Hildegarde Tubelle Finn Cochran

http://www.spanishstepsretreats.com







Thursday, November 11, 2010

Fuentes de Lucia - Asturias - SPAIN



2012 Fuentes de Lucia 
www.spanishsteps.com

2012 Fuentes de Lucia 
 Spanish Steps owners and guides, Juan Carlos Fuentes and Judy Colaneri own and operate a lovely B&B, Hotel Fuentes de Lucia, situated in a spectacular and untouched corner of northwest Spain. This recently converted farmhouse rests on the hillside of a green valley in the hamlet of Faedo and is part of the Parque Natural Urbinas-La Mesa in the heart of Asturias.

Nestled in Quiros Valley, the “casa rural” is surrounded by mountain peaks, river valleys and ancient forests, a paradise for those who love the great outdoors.  An intricate system of marked footpaths leads you from one small village to the next; up and over mountain passes; and through river valleys. A leisurely stroll along the Senda del Oso, a 30 kilometer trail from Barzana de Quiros to Trubia, is a wonderful way for individuals, couples or families to spend the day whether by bike or on foot.

Fuentes de Lucia is located 5 kilometers from the small lake of Valdemurio where you can paddle around its shores on a kayak, spend the afternoon with a fishing pole or take a quick dip on a sunny summer day.

In the next valley over, walk through the mystical canyon of Las Xanas to Pedrobeyo for a hearty lunch of Fabada, a typical Asturias white bean stew.  Chose an interest of your liking and join us for an active, yet peaceful, holiday in our green valley – or bring your own group and your own interests to our homestead.

Yoga & Walking in Asturias
Namaste from the mountains of Asturias! On this eight-day B&B-based holiday, we’ll practice yoga twice daily in our spacious on-site yoga studio, before breakfast and each evening, and fill our time between exploring the foothills, river valleys, canyons and seaside bliss of northern Spain.
2012 Dates: 
Instructor Claudia Steinhauser:  May 26-June 2     
Instructor Jessie Chapman: July 7-14 // Aug 11-18//  Aug 18-25//  Sept 1-8// Sept 8-15    
Art & Walking in Northern Spain
From the lush, picturesque Quiros Valley, one of the most pristine and least-touristed areas of Spain, we’ll launch a week of hiking and artwork from Casa Rural de Fuentes de Lucia. Unpack, unwind and savor the comforts of home each morning and night, while sketching or painting the Asturian countryside on this eight-day B&B-based holiday.

With mountains, rivers, and fertile farms as our backdrop, we’ll travel daily by foot, stopping to paint or sketch under the guidance and creativity of Australian artist and art teacher Margaret Salt.  Our subjects will be as diverse as the landscape we will cover: sleepy village plazas, a farmer moving his cattle from pasture, an impressive pre-Romanesque church, alpine lakes, ancient country mills… even an open-air mercado on a busy morning. 
Create your own masterpieces or memories as we explore the towns and terrain of northern Spain.      
Date:  June 9-16, 2012, Pastel Painting with Mary Padgett

Asturian Adventures  

Walking in the Quirós Valley and Beyond


For fit and intrepid travelers, our most popular B&B-based trip involves daily hiking and exploring in Northern Spain. Unpack, unwind and savor the comforts of home each morning and night, while trekking about the mountains of Asturias each day.

Each day will begin with a hearty breakfast prepared by hosts Juan Carlos and Judy, who is a culinary-trained chef. Pack your small daypack and away we go! We will follow gentle hiking trails along footpaths and ancient trade routes, through narrow canyons, over mountain passes of Picos de Europa, and into wildlife reserves. Hiking approximately 10-12 miles each day, we will find solitude in Spain’s natural treasures, inspiration its untainted villages, and astonishment in its pre-Romanesque churches.
After a day of trekking, we'll unwind with a glass of locally made wine and show you how to make paella or a tortilla  de patata. If you like garlic soup, let us share our secret recipe.
Dates:  June 16-23, 2012  //    Sept 22-29, 2012         
*** Or check with us to set up your own date. 


Walk & Talk 

An Active Language Holiday in Northern Spain

Chat your way around northern Spain in Español! 
From the lush, picturesque mountains of northwest Spain, enjoy a laid-back, eight-day language learning holiday with hiking, cooking, and sight-seeing as part of the fun mix of activities. A fantastic way for you to put your Spanish lessons to real-world use.  
With the guidance of a Spanish language teacher you will  put your anxieties at ease and learn to use your newly learned language skills.  Date:  March 23-30, 2012
Hotel Fuentes de Lucia and the Quirós Valley
www.fuentesdelucia.es 





www.spanishsteps.com