Blue Bliss 2022
I invite you to join me in a transformative warm-hearted journey
on a mystical Greek island!
Our exclusive happiness home will be Ypseli,
a magnificent sea view resort
overlooking the Aegean sea and the legendary Kalamos Rock.
During our blissful holistic retreat week,
as the Full Moon’s silver light rises from the Aegean Sea,
I will playfully share with you the secrets of my own pathway,
practicing mindfully, Yoga, Breathwork, Dance and Meditation,
detoxing with delicious vegan food.
I will empower you to harvest the gifts of your inner beauty
with simple everyday rituals, to celebrate your soul connection with Nature,
and to open the gate to a happier and more meaningful life.
Anafi island is a well-kept hidden treasure and a very high-energy place!
We will hike into imposing cliffs and swim in remote sandy beaches
as well as meditate in the famous monastery of the Devine Mother.
I will gently guide your body, mind, and soul,
so you can discover the miracle of your authenticity,
cultivate the art of belonging, re-design your life’s purpose,
and connect with unconditional Love while having plenty of time to rest.
If this call excites your spirit, join our Blue Bliss Retreat,
a lifetime experience of abundant love and happiness.
Apostolia Papadamaki
The Happiness Retreat Founder & Teacher
Our Venue: Ypseli Anafi's Hive
A refined elegance welcomes you in a world of sublime aesthetic experience with its unique Sea View Suites. Enjoy the sun, the magic of water, and the feeling of summer by Ypseli’s poolside. A beautiful pool facing south with an amazing view that lets you take part in the eons-old game played between the Cycladic sun and the element of water. Katsuni, one of the most beautiful beaches of the Aegean sea with unspoiled soft sand and shallow waters is reachable through a stunning view pathway.
Embarking on the Blue Bliss Happiness Journey
You will refresh, recharge and restart in the blissful Greek island of Anafi.
Anafi is a mystical remote island with the finest turquoise beaches of the Aegean and an imposing limestone rock of 460 meters, Kalamos rock a magnificent monument of Nature is visible from wherever you stand. The perfect place to recharge energetically, Anafi island is full of hiking paths with stunning views of the Aegean sea and the nearby islands that lead to the finest golden sandy beaches of the Aegean.
A small paradise with pristine natural beauty and charming white Cycladic houses will provide the perfect scenery for a deeply spiritual experience.
Ypseli, our Happiness home is located on the south side of the island, at a site that offers unencumbered views of the sea, with the Cycladic sunlight reflecting off the unforgiving landscape. The beaches next to Ypseli are Katsouni, dressed in fine-grain sand, and Flamourou with its imposing rocks, golden sand, and dazzling blue waters.
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You can read our 2020 COVID-19 measures in our Terms & Conditions section.
You will be gracefully guided by a very inspiring and charismatic teacher.
I am Apostolia Papadamaki, an internationally acclaimed choreographer, performer, and transformational retreat leader and teacher. I studied Contemporary Dance, Contact Improvisation, Yoga, and Alexander Technique in New York. As a lover of healing arts, and spirituality, I am trained in Shamanism, Music, Voice, Diving, Craniosacral Therapy, and Rei-Ki collaborating with inspiring artists, healers, and teachers in many lands. I love to dream and I believe in infinite possibilities. My highest intention is to keep opening the eyes of the soul and tuning into the frequency of Love no matter how life challenges me. The Happiness Retreat is an open-hearted invitation to share knowledge, experience, and joy with beautiful souls like you!
Practices & Experiences
You will rejuvenate your body and connect with your soul.
Apostolia is transmitting her knowledge gracefully through her heart, voice, and hands. Her Hatha Vinyasa Yoga class is a unifying blend of Pranayama, Asanas, Mantras, and Meditation, a powerful tool for self-transformation. Biomatic Anatomy will bring harmony to your body, mind, and emotional state while Creative Movement and Dance will teach you how to follow your inner «impulses», to overcome all restrictions and reach a euphoric state of being. The Water Healing Session will enable you to connect with your breath while floating, embodying the art of true belonging in the fluidity of the sea.
Apostolia's bespoke Rituals are instrumental in marking transition points in life, improving confidence for life changes, and bringing physical and emotional healing. The Sharing Circle will support you to release old patterns and fears, shift perspective and activate new decisions. Sunset and Sunrise Meditations in breathtaking landscapes, Mindful walks in unspoiled hikes, will generate unconditional love inside you, while the gentle sounds of the waves embrace us unconditionally.
Time for you
You will plug into your essential source of life energy in a spectacular setup. You may sleep, relax, practice, enjoy a private healing session with Apostolia or just swim in most turquoise waters, take long walks, read, disconnect from technology, but above all, follow your heart and do whatever makes you happy and free. You will have plenty of time to unwind and pamper yourself.
Nutrition
Our diet will be a culinary journey to the island’s unique gastronomy which is based on local products and seasonal ingredients. We will enjoy tasteful meals prepared exclusively for us in-house but will also have the chance to taste selected local dishes in the island’s most famous restaurants in unique settings. Dishes will be vegan/vegetarian with an emphasis on local gastronomy. Anafi is famous for its great quality honey, cheese products, local saffron bread, delicious pasta products, and most fresh greens. vegetables, and caper, all of which we will taste, enjoying also the benefits of Greek nutrition, the healthiest diet in the world.
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Testimonials
“The days at the retreat were perfect. Bliss after bliss. Morning yoga, nice balance of challenge and gentleness, at the lovely yoga shala."
- Hanna, Finland
Simply amazing! I took the practice with me home. I get up twice a week to do the sunrise meditation.This retreat renewed my perspective about nature and its power. It renewed my sense of play and that we are never too old to take time for ourselves and play, Apostolia is so Artistic, Soulful, Passionate and Amazing! This retreat renewed my perspective about nature and its power. It renewed my sense of play and that we are never too old to take time for ourselves and play, Apostolia is so Artistic, Soulful, Passionate and Amazing!
Karim and Ghizlaine, USA
The Sunrise Meditation on the Rocks was an awesome experience that I will always cherish! The Fire Ceremony was another retreat highlight! I had a very profound experience with the fire ritual and loved dancing on the beach by moonlight.
Monique, UK
The Blue Bliss Itinerary
Friday, July 8 / Arrival / Opening Ceremony at 18.30 & Welcome Dinner at 20.30
Saturday, July 9 / Morning Yoga & Sunset Impulse Dance
Sunday, July 10 / Morning Yoga & afternoon Water Healing Session. Sunset Hiking to the Monastery
Monday, July 11 / Day Boat Excursion, Water Healing Session in a secluded beach, Sunset meditation on mystical rocks.
Tuesday, July 12 / Morning Yoga & sunset Spirit Contact-Dance
Wednesday, July 13 / Morning Yoga & Full Moon Ceremony
Thursday, July 14 / Sunrise Meditation, Sun Gazing & Yoga on the beach, Closing Circle & Dance Party
Friday, July 15 / Closing Ceremony & Farewell Breakfast. Departure after 14.00.
Timetable (Sample day)
07.30 / Morning Bell, Tea
08.00 / Yoga, Breath-Work, Biomatic Anatomy
10.30 / Breakfast
11.00 / Free time for the beach /private sessions /excursions /experiences
/ You can take lunch with you or eat at Ypseli.
18.00 / Sunset Dance
20.30 / Dinner
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What is included
8 days / 7 nights of stay
3 delicious fresh vegan/ vegetarian meals per day
5 classes Yoga & Biomatic Anatomy
3 classes of Creative Dance
2 classes of Water Healing
Private boat excursion around the island
Full Moon Ceremony on the beach
Sunrise Meditation / Sungazing practice
Welcome early Dinner - Farewell breakfast
Transportation from and to Anafi Port to Ypseli Hive
Hikes & Experiences in secluded beaches with Apostolia
Mindfulness living all day long
Playful games (surprise for those that wish!)
Participation in classes and activities is optional throughout the retreat.
All levels welcome!
All meals are vegan/vegetarian, special dietary restrictions can be accommodated (e.g. gluten-free).
What you need to add
Your flights to Santorini island
Your travel insurance
Accommodation & Prices
All the beautiful suites of Ypseli have an amazing sea view and a private balcony inspired by the organic shapes present in ceramic hives, wise creations of local potters following the footsteps of the famous
“katikies” of Anafi, the houses of Anafians, who are also famous builders in the Aegean. A beautiful pool facing south with an amazing view that lets you take part in the eons-old game played between the Cycladic sun and the element of water.
The prices start from €2.820 depending on the type of accommodation.
See and select your accommodation here
How to get there
The best way to reach the island is via Santorini island as it has the closest port to Anafi. Santorini also has an international airport (JTR) known as Thira Airport. It serves domestic flights between Athens and Santorini and it is also connected to many international airports around Europe. The ferry from Santorini to Anafi takes about 2 hours. The port of Anafi is also connected to other islands such as Rhodes and Crete, both of which have international airports.
Anafi can be also reached from Athens, as there is a ferry connection between Anafi and Piraeus, the port of Athens, 3-4 times per week. However, the trip lasts 9-10 hours.
We will guide you how to book your trip. We will be providing your transfer from Anafi Port to our exclusive resort.