Escape the cold, dark winter in January to warm and delight your senses in Tepoztlán, which enjoys a divine micro-climate of year-round mild and pleasant temperatures, and at least 10 hours of daylight every day of the year. One of the first Pueblos Magicos (Magical Towns), Tepoztlan is loved for its small-town vibe, beautiful mountain ranges, temperate weather, and wonderful food. Join me to practice yoga, learn to cook time-honored recipes with the acclaimed local chef Ana Garcia, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life in a picturesque mountain village in Mexico. 

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Our home for 5 nights and 6 days will be La Villa Bonita, a cooking school and culinary vacation destination in a breathtaking setting beneath the Tepoztlán Mountain range. In addition to daily yoga and therapy ball self massage sessions with me, we will immerse in cultural and culinary explorations as we learn to cook and eat like a local with Chef Ana Garcia, who has appeared on Netflix, The Food Network, PBS and ABC in addition to having been the focus of articles in Vogue, Travel and Leisure, Bon Appetit, and Cooking Light. Our cooking will focus on healthy traditional Mexican cuisine. This retreat will be a pure delight to all of our senses. I hope you can join me in this very special experience.

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Upon arrival to La Villa Bonita, we will be greeted with Chef Ana's famous Margarita and snacks.  Later that evening, we will enjoy Chef Ana's 4 course chef's table gourmet dinner in an open dining area with a panoramic view of the Tepoztlán Mountain range. 

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Each day will start with a yoga practice appropriate for all levels guided by me, followed by Chef Ana's famous hearty breakfast with fresh fruit, biscuits, homemade jams and jellies, along with a new traditional Mexican main dish each morning. On Monday and Tuesday, we will cook up a storm in the specially designed open-air kitchen with a view of the valley, followed by sharing of the dishes prepared with cocktail of the day. After late lunch, we will have an opportunity to take a walk into town, swim in the heated pool, or take a great nap. In the evening, we will work out the knots from cooking with therapy ball self massage and enjoy Yoga Nidra as a tonic to support deep rest of the body and mind. On Wednesday, which is a farmer's market day in Tepoztlán, we will join Chef Ana on a walking/eating tour of the Tepoztlán market, visit the ex-convent and museum, witness a demonstration of making traditional lead-free artisan pottery, as well as try a wide variety of local delicacies in the market. On Thursday, after morning yoga and hearty breakfast, you will have a free day to enjoy on your own - take one of many hikes, including ascending El Tepozteco Pyramid if you like a challenge, walk into town, or just relax. On Thursday evening, explore one of the many great restaurants in town (not included in retreat pricing).

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Tentative Schedule, subject to change, is as follows:

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Jan 15 (Sunday):

2:00 pm:               Airport Pickup (exact time to be announced)

4:00 pm:               Welcome Margarita & Snacks

6:00 pm:               4 Course Chef's Dinner

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Jan 16 (Monday):

7:45 - 8:45 am:     Morning Yoga

9:00 - 9:45 am:     Hearty Breakfast

9:45 - 11:00 am:   Market Ingredient Shopping

11:00 - 2:30 pm:   Cooking

2:30 pm:               Late Lunch

5:30 - 6:45 pm:     Self Massage & Yoga Nidra

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Jan 17 (Tuesday):

7:45 - 8:45 am:     Morning Yoga

9:00 - 9:45 am:     Hearty Breakfast

10:00 - 11:00 am: Marma Study

11:00 - 2:30 pm:   Cooking

2:30 pm:               Late Lunch

5:30 - 6:45 pm:     Self Massage & Yoga Nidra
 

Jan 18 (Wednesday):

7:45 - 8:45 am:     Morning Yoga

9:00 - 9:45 am:     Hearty Breakfast

10:00 - 4:00 pm:   Market Tour/Food Tasting/Pottery Making Demo/Museum Visit

5:30 - 6:45 pm:     Self Massage & Yoga Nidra

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Jan 19 (Thursday)

7:45 - 8:45 am:     Morning Yoga

9:00 - 9:45 am:     Hearty Breakfast

10:00 am:             Free Day for hiking, excursions, optional Marma Study

5:30 - 6:45 pm      Self Massage & Yoga Nidra

7:00 pm:               Explore Town Restaurant for dinner (not included in pricing)

 

Jan 20 (Friday)

7:45 - 8:45 am:     Morning Yoga

9:00 - 9:45 am:     Hearty Breakfast         

11:00 am:             Departure for Airport (exact time to be announced)    

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Retreat pricing includes 16% hotel tax, all yoga sessions, 2 hands-on cooking classes, room, hearty breakfast on all days, 4-course Chef's Dinner on Sunday, late lunch on all days except Thursday, and one group transit to and from the airport MEX (Benito Juarez Mexico City International). You will be happily satiated with late lunch, and you will not go hungry as there will be snacks and leftovers from cooking to munch on in the evening. If registering singly for double occupancy, double occupancy rate is guaranteed once paired up with another participant with the same requirement; otherwise, single occupancy premium applies. First come first served on room assignment with a non-refundable, non-transferable deposit.

 

This is an intimate venue and space is very limited. Register now to get your choice of room occupancy:

• 3 rooms with one king size bed (for couples or friends who are willing to share a king size bed)

• 2 rooms with two twin beds

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Double Occupancy Pricing:  $2,099 pp by10/22/2022; $2,399 thereafter

Add $600 for Single Occupancy Premium

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$750 Non-Refundable and Non-Transferable Deposit at the time of registration.

Balance due by 12/1/2022 (Non-Refundable & Non-Transferable)

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Travel insurance is highly recommended.

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Go here to learn about Chef Ana Garcia.