7 Day Breathing in Nature Yoga holiday at Lake Skadar, Montenegro

Spend seven days immersed in movement, nature, and deep rest on the shores of Lake Skadar in Montenegro. Set within the wild beauty of the national park, this small-group holiday offers a restorative blend of daily yoga, guided outdoor activities, and time to slow down in a peaceful setting.

Guests stay at Villa Miela, a beautifully renovated stone villa close to the lake, where morning hatha or vinyasa yoga flow sessions help set the tone for the day. Practices also take place on the hillside terrace and in scenic locations around the lake, including hidden freshwater beaches and panoramic viewpoints. Alongside yoga, there is the option to join guided adventures such as hiking, wild swimming, and kayaking, or simply enjoy the calm of the villa.

A British retreat chef will prepare two hearty meals each day, served as brunch and an early evening dinner, using the best local vegetarian ingredients. The purity of Lake Skadar, with its clean air, fresh water, and rich wildlife, creates an ideal backdrop for a wellness escape surrounded by some of Montenegro’s most spectacular scenery.

Book to Give Back – every booking sparks a donation to selected local environmental and community causes.

Nicola is a qualified yoga teacher RYT500, accredited by Yoga Alliance. Based on the Norfolk coast, she teaches weekly classes in her local community and also leads bespoke workshops and retreats further afield. Her teaching style is inclusive and empowering, with a focus on connecting movement to inner stability and awareness. She enjoys slow flow vinyasa and yin yoga, and is especially known for guiding students into deep relaxation while weaving yogic philosophy into practice in a relatable way.

Across the week, the program explores pranayama, asana, pratyahara, meditation, practical yogic philosophy, and ways to protect personal peace and improve relationships. Each day typically begins with a 90-minute morning practice, followed by gentler evening sessions that may include yin yoga, yoga nidra, and savasana. The retreat is suitable for all abilities, including beginners.

Itinerary Example: Times and activities may shift depending on weather and the flow of the week. Daily yoga workshops are usually held at 7/7.15am, with gentle evening practice on most days. Meals are served twice daily, with brunch around 9.30am and dinner at 6pm.

Day 1 – Arrival at Lake Skadar
Check in at Villa Miela near the lakeside village of Virpazar, followed by a welcome dinner, intention-setting, and drinks on the terrace.

Day 2 – Morning yoga and a day to ‘be’
Enjoy a full practice on the deck, then spend the rest of the day relaxing at the villa, including time by the saltwater pool, on the sun-loungers, or on a gentle walk. In June, there is a special early sunrise opportunity over the lake.

Day 3 – Morning yoga and kayaking to an island monastery
After yoga and brunch, head to the southern shore for a gentle kayak trip to Beška Island monastery, with time to paddle and swim in crystal-clear waters while enjoying the scenery and birdlife.

Day 4 – Morning yoga, waterfalls and dinner at a honey farm
A morning workshop leads into a woodland walk to hidden waterfalls, where there is time for a refreshing swim. Afterwards, continue uphill to a family-run honey farm for an organic early dinner.

Day 5 – Free day
Relax at the villa, or join an optional trip to Kotor on the coast, a UNESCO-protected Venetian-era stone town known for its architecture, churches, fortress, and dramatic mountain setting.

Day 6 – Morning yoga, a photo safari and a cave with swimming
Travel through the northern part of the national park, stopping for photographs before a forest trail leads to a large cave and nearby natural pools. Dinner is at a local restaurant in Rijeka Crnojevića.

Day 7
The final morning includes an extended yoga and meditation session, followed by a boat cruise to see the lake’s water lily fields and beautiful scenery, and a farewell group dinner at Villa Miela.

Day 8
Departure day. Check-out is at 10am.

Prices:

• £1,195 per person for a shared double or twin room with private bathroom
• £1,395 per person for solo occupancy of a double or twin room with private bathroom
• £995 per person for bed in bunk room with private bathroom
• £1,095 per person for a shared double or twin room with shared bathroom
• £1,195 per person for solo occupancy of a twin room with shared bathroom

The price includes daily coached yoga sessions, 7 nights’ catered accommodation at Villa Miela, a private chef providing two hearty vegetarian meals each day, and four nature activities with the group, including hiking and kayaking. Flights, snacks and drinks at restaurants, and airport transfers are not included.

VILLA MIELA and BADANJ VILLAGE HOUSE
Villa Miela is a beautifully renovated farmhouse with modern facilities, a large terrace, and a 70 square foot outdoor deck. With panoramic views, a pool, and easy access to both the southern and northern shores of the lake as well as Virpazar, it provides an ideal base for Lake Skadar yoga retreats. Guests share stone living spaces, an outdoor painting and chill deck, swimming pool, and orchard gardens.

At a glance

• 4 guest bedrooms with air-conditioning and private bathrooms
• Yoga deck surrounded by nature
• Free WIFI
• Open-plan living room with TV, DVD player, library of books and films
• Table tennis
• Large terrace for al fresco dining, loungers, hammocks
• Boules court
• Swimming pool
• Incredible views over lake, valley and mountains
• Extensive grounds with natural orchard and wild tortoises
• Two minutes from the lake shore, 30 minutes from the Adriatic coast
• Free use of mountain bikes and kayaks

Exposed stone, wooden ceilings and floors, handmade bedspreads, and olive-oil soaps add to the character of the house. Each bedroom and the open-plan living area enjoy stunning views, and the modern kitchen includes a washing machine and dishwasher.

When Villa Miela is full, additional guests may stay at nearby Badanj Village House, a restored farmhouse 500m up the road. It offers the same comforts, a stylish atmosphere, and access to Villa Miela’s facilities.