THE HUMMINGBIRD RETREAT CENTRE, SPAIN

THE HUMMINGBIRD RETREAT CENTRE, SPAIN

By Gina Holsgrove

When Spanish explorers first encountered hummingbirds, they called them joyas voladoras: "flying jewels." The hummingbird was revered as a sacred healer, a guardian of plants, the spirit, and those who needed healing or were training as healers themselves.

That is why the hummingbird is the symbol for The Hummingbird Retreat Centre.

RELAX AND UNWIND
Located in one of the most peaceful and unspoiled parts of rural Spain, The Hummingbird Retreat Centre offers a relaxing and invigorating space where you can escape from ‘normal’ life into a more magical one where time slows down and you have the space to breathe, dream, heal, explore and allow your spirit to flourish as you enjoy the breathtaking scenery of our beautifully tranquil mountain setting – and one of the sunniest and most welcoming climates in Europe.

A RANGE OF THERAPIES AND WORKSHOPS
The Centre offers a wide range of healing therapies and treatments, including massage, hot stone therapy, reiki, shamanic healing and crystals, and training in the arts of shamanism, soul retrieval, Thai herbal massage, plant spirit shamanism, yoga, creative writing - and many others - with courses taught by some of the world’s best-known and respected teachers.

THE PERFECT BREAK
If you are looking for a pleasant escape from the rush of daily life, the Centre offers the perfect holiday, nestled among spectacular mountains in a landscape full of peace and quiet, where things move at a natural pace and the delights of nature surround you.

As well as beautiful scenery, a peaceful and private environment, and delicious home-cooked food, there is a pool for your use, a garden and a pool-side bar and, for those who wish to explore the local area, there are several unmissable sights close by which will give you a flavour of the real Spain.

A SUNNY CLIMATE AND THE PUREST SKIES IN EUROPE
The Hummingbird Retreat Centre is close to an unspoiled Natural Park in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada which is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and has many unique and rare species, as well as skies that are rated the cleanest in Europe.

It is surrounded by magnificent mountains and olive groves that have grown there for centuries, and ideally placed for those who love nature as you can literally walk out of the grounds and begin your discovery of the Andalucian countryside.

The climate is warm all year round. During the winter, temperatures range from average highs of 54 degrees to lows of 36 degrees - which is warmer than London in spring. Then, when spring comes to Andalucia, temperatures climb to the mid-60s with lows in the upper-40s.

Summer brings sunny days and warm evenings where daily highs of 87 degrees are typical: a time for sunbathing, relaxing by the pool and taking things easy. Nights drop to a nice mid-60s and everything feels right with the world.

Like spring, autumn is a particularly lovely time to visit. The days are cooler (an average of 70 degrees) and nights are a perfect 50.

HIRING THE HUMMINGBIRD FOR YOUR OWN WORKSHOPS AND EVENTS
The Hummingbird Retreat Centre is also available for hire by healers and teachers and for small groups who would like to ‘get away from it all’ and enjoy relaxation, healing and retreat. It is an ideal venue for yoga, tai chi, meditation, dance, holistic therapies and other courses, as well as for celebration and renewal.

CONTACTING THE HUMMINGBIRD
For more information on The Hummingbird Retreat Centre, its courses and healing therapies, or to hire the Centre yourself, email gina_holsgrove@hotmail.com, telephone 0044 (0) 7872 057382 or visit www.thehummingbird.org.