Many of our guests at Carmel Retreats have found that coming to Carmel is the perfect way to re-energize their mind, body, and spirit. Some come due to burn out at work. Others to gain clarity after a major life transition. Still others because they’re recovering from serious trauma or illness. Whatever your reason, we want to support your journey by helping you create the best possible personal retreat experience you can imagine.
Personal retreat weeks can take many forms. I’ve had some guests arrive solo to spend the week in silent meditation or surrounded by books (Bill Gates takes a solo “book week” at least once a year and claims it’s where he does his most successful strategic thinking). Sometimes couples come to spend time reconnecting, surrounded by nature. Other times, we get friends arriving together to experience revitalizing activities such as hiking or sunrise yoga at the beach.
To that end, we’ve compiled a list of resources and links to help you plan your own personal retreat week for whatever reason brings you here. Think of this as a menu of options which you can choose from and arrange in any order you want. Most will want to start with our Personal Retreat Blog and Personal Retreat Planning Guide that have some useful templates to help you structure your thoughts.
GETTING STARTED
SUGGESTED FOR OUR GUESTS AT THE CARMEL RETREATS COTTAGES
Over 8,000 yoga and meditation classes, films, and original shows streaming - live and recorded - through Gaia.com (included)
Thousands of streaming classes through MasterClass on topics ranging from self-development to leadership, creativity, and more (included)
A free music library with millions of songs in every imaginable genre through AmazonMusicUnlimited (included)
A free “Film Festival” including ten classic Hollywood movies set in and around Carmel - with greats such as Burt Lancaster, Elizabeth Taylor, Humphrey Bogart, James, Dean, Clint Eastwood and Cary Grant (included)
A private book collection including spiritual and self-development books, books on mindfulness, a number of biographies, and an assortment of great fiction works (included)
Two free guest passes to the Monterey Bay Aquarium (included)
An assortment of cleansing and calming teas (included)
Watch the sunset at Carmel Beach
Stroll along the promenade and around Carmel Point
Visit the historic Carmel Mission Basilica
You might also want to BOOK YOUR OWN…
In-Person Yoga and Meditation at Yoga Shala by the Sea
Private spiritual hikes with a guide from Yoga Shala
Private beachside yoga and meditation with an instructor from Yoga Shala
Mineral baths at nearby Refuge Spa with views of the Santa Lucia mountain range
AND SOME NEARBY ACTIVITIES TO CONSIDER
Rent a vintage convertible roadster for a drive down the Pacific Coast Highway to Big Sur (with the right tunes this is a spiritual experience!)
Go hiking at Point Lobos and Big Sur
Rent an electric bike and ride through Carmel and Pebble Beach, including the world famous 17 mile drive
Go Kayaking or Stand Up Paddle Boarding at Moss Landing / Elkhorn Slough
Book a local tour, including whale watching boats, Carmel Food Tour, Wine Tasting Tours, Local Art Gallery Tour, and more
We hope you find some of these activities to be re-energizing! We’re always trying to think of new activities for our guests to explore, so if you have ideas or questions, we’d love to hear from you.
Be Well!
Barry
