It has been a tough year for all, but Fykiada Retreats, a small firm running yoga holidays in the Greek islands, is making a real go of it. The business is run by two island girls, Anna Martinou and Eranthi Karamali, who have been organising up to 10 retreats a year with various internationally-acclaimed teachers.

This year they saw activity slowing down by 70% with retreats getting cancelled one after another. “It was supposed to be the most promising season for our business,” says Karamali. “We didn’t want to confess to each other but we were both thinking that we should look for another job!”

Yet, despite lockdowns, quarantines and pandemics, the girls have been able to host some of the very few retreats that happened in Greece during 2020 (and most probably, worldwide). And all have been sold out, highlighting how desperate people are for a wellbeing escape in the current climate.

Both the girls confirm how surprised they were to see people longing for human connection and companionship after their first retreat of the year. “By the end of the first retreat, their posture and facial expressions had changed, their cheeks had found their colour and people were grateful they’ve offered this gift to themselves,” says Martinou.

The final retreat of the year, in October, was also sold out — but there’s a full schedule of events in the making for 2021. Check the website for details.