Your invitation to Barrecore's first health and fitness retreat
Barrecore, the cult ballet-inspired workout credited with keeping Pippa Middleton in top shape throughout her pregnancy, is offering fans of both fitness and travel a luxury five-night wellness retreat on the peaceful, picturesque Maltese island of Gozo.
Before settling in to the five-star Kempinski San Lawrenz, guests will have the opportunity to explore Valletta, Malta’s historic capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site. A short boat trip away is Gozo, a favourite of cinematographers and classicists (Homer’s hero, Odysseus, was ensnared here by the sea nymph Calypso). The island’s spectacular unspoilt beauty and cultural offerings provide an idyllic rural escape from the city’s crowds.
With up to two daily classes led by the Barrecore founder Niki Rein and her team, the retreat is sure to leave guests feeling balanced in both body and mind. Mornings start with a little exercise: either one of Barrecore’s classes, which combine interval training with stretches for optimum sculpting results, or a hike over the rugged coastline. A fitness and cultural highlight is the session at the Ggantija Temples, an imposing Neolithic temple complex even older than the Egyptian pyramids.
Regular exercise notwithstanding, the retreat offers ample opportunity to soak up the island’s cultural history and sample the delectable local cuisine. Guests can enjoy traditional Gozitan dishes and warm hospitality at the popular Ta’ Philip; an afternoon of sampling little-known but award-winning Maltese wines; and fine dining at Ta’ Frenc, an old farmhouse offering beautiful country views.
Also available at no extra cost are myriad sporting activities from rock climbing to diving, as well as plenty of time for swimming in the crystal-clear, azure waters of Gozo’s coastline and the spectacularly hued Blue Lagoon in neighbouring Comino.
The final evening includes a tour and intimate private dinner at the bastions of the Cittadella, the mediaeval fortress with Roman foundations and splendid views over Gozo’s capital city, Victoria.
The retreat is the perfect combination of restorative and dynamic, ideal for those wanting to combine their love of travel, food, and history without succumbing to the pitfalls of holiday languor. Expect to come back tanned, toned and with a new-found appreciation for all things Gorzitan.
The Barrecore Health & Fitness retreat takes place from 14 to 19 August (£2,950 per person). For more information and to book, click here.
