Embrace the New Year
An invigorating 4-day retreat focused on intention. As you step into the retreat, you’ll be invited to set your intentions for the days ahead to create a positive and meaningful foundation for the year to come.
Throughout this soul-nourishing journey, you’ll immerse yourself in a variety of mindful practices that support personal growth and self-discovery. From revitalizing mindful movement that awakens the body and calms the mind to guided meditations that deepen your connection with yourself and the surrounding world, every moment of this retreat is created to empower you.
The introspective journaling workshop will provide you with a space to articulate your experiences, dreams, and aspirations. By putting pen to paper, you’ll gain clarity and direction, shaping your path towards a more fulfilling and mindful life.
As the retreat culminates, you’ll carry cherished memories with you and have a renewed sense of direction. Equipped with the tools and mindful habits cultivated during these four days, you’ll be ready to embrace the new year with unwavering focus and intention.
Join us on this holistic journey to revitalize your body, reflect on your inner self, and harness the power of intention to create a meaningful and transformative year ahead.
THE DATES
18 - 21 JAN 2024
PRICES & ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
CHALET DOUBLE
R30,000 | 2 PERSONS
CHALET SINGLE
R20,000 |1 PERSON
TENTED CHALET DOUBLE
R25,000 | 2 PERSONS
TENTED CHALET SINGLE
R17,000 | 1 PERSON
THE PRICE INCLUDES
4 days | 3 nights private accommodation in our chalets or tented chalets
Daily meditation, mindfulness tools and practices, and mindful movement
Journaling workshop
Daily mindful walks in the wilderness
1:1 guidance | Mindful Conversations
Mindfulness in nature sessions
Snacks and beverages served throughout the day
3 balanced and nutritious meals a day
Clean, biodegradable skin care products
Access to 1,350 ha of wild & pristine nature
MEET your GUIDES
We’ve been there. Working long hours and rarely making time for ourselves while ignoring that inner voice.
Mindfulness and nature were two things that allowed us to see life from a more balanced perspective. From there we realised that we had postponed our true dreams for too long.
As soon as we created space for self-care and learned how to keep stress at healthy levels: creativity and courage flourished. We created Bliss & Stars to share our passions, our life-long learnings and the experience of self-discovery by living with no fear.
Daria & Heine Rasmussen
REVITALIZE & RESET RETREAT IS FOR YOU IF:
Daily flow
From Thursday afternoon to Sunday noon: the days are designed to give you plenty of time to slow down.
The retreat explores mindfulness techniques each day. We’ll begin with a warm welcome in our opening circle at our serene Bliss & Stars, where we’ll set our intentions for the days ahead. Then, get ready to unwind and pamper yourself with a relaxing time as you kickstart your rejuvenation journey.
On Friday, dive into a day of movement and meditation. Start your morning with a tailored yoga practice that invigorates your body and calms your mind. Throughout the day, take part in guided meditation sessions that deepen the connection between your mind, body and spirit.
Saturday is all about introspection and journaling. After a mindful morning routine, engage in a workshop that allows you to express your thoughts and feelings on paper. By putting your experiences into words, you’ll shape your intentions and aspirations for the upcoming year.
Our mindfulness workshop happens on Sunday morning. Learn how to cultivate and maintain a mindful perspective, enabling you to navigate life with more presence, acceptance, and focus.
BENEFITS
REVITALIZE
Reconnect with your body, feel restored and rested.
REFLECT
Understand your needs and find the new sense of direction.
CUISINE
Our serene days are complemented by nutritious and delicious plant-based food prepared by our chefs.
The food is a highlight for guests and a key component of balancing the nervous system. It heightens your senses, grounds you in your body and connects you to the Earth.
We use ingredients sourced from our on-site organic garden and nearby local farms. Our menus are full of vegetables, grains, legumes and seeds.
Alcohol, caffeine and processed sugars are excluded to aid the rejuvenation process.
Be it at the dining table or out in nature: meals are enjoyed in a communal setting with magnificent views either.
We accommodate most allergies and cater to most dietary requirements.
Come as you areWe take care of the rest
BLISS & STARS EXPERIENCE
Rest in spacious chalets that seamlessly mesh with nature
Be amazed by nature and observe the night sky through our state-of-the-art telescopes
Saunter in secluded mountainous areas
Relax and breathe deeply with mindfulness practices
Discover Bushmen cave paintings
Build bonds with others in small groups of a maximum of 10 people
Share the living space with eland, baboons, Cape leopards and many more beautiful animals
Travel light and use our daily laundry service
FAQ
It is a +- 4.5 hour drive from Cape Town to the Bliss & Stars meeting point. Bliss & Stars is 60km north of Clanwilliam in the Western Cape. It is a 45-minute drive on a gravel road from Clanwilliam to the meeting point however no 4 x 4 or raised vehicle is necessary. At the meeting point, you can safely park your car and will take you the last bit of the way in our vehicle.
You are welcome to drive all the way to Bliss & Stars however: after the meeting point the road is sandy and rocky so a high clearance vehicle and confident driving skills are needed.
If you need a transfer from CPT or Cape Town International Airport then let us know.
Please aim to check in before 2pm. On the last day the retreat ends at 11 am and you will be able to check out from 12pm onwards.
If you are flying back home: we recommend booking your flight after 4pm. Alternatively break your travel and stay in Clanwilliam before you head back. We recommend the Yellow Aloe guesthouse in Clanwilliam.
Once your reservation has been confirmed: you’ll be sent a welcome letter providing lots of useful information about the retreat, including a helpful guide on what to pack.
These experiences are designed to be more intimate. We limit the number of guests to 6 – 10 people to ensure you receive full attention from the team.
Yes, we are very happy to welcome couples at this retreat.
Bliss & Stars is not conducive to children. We have a minimum age requirement of 21.
Please arrive no later than 2pm and plan to leave no earlier than 12pm. Exact arrival and departure times can be arranged with us closer to the time.
We cater to specific nutritional and dietary requirements including food allergies and food intolerances. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are always available.
Everyone is welcome at all of our experiences regardless of the meditation and yoga experience or fitness levels. We cater for different levels, so that you will be supported, challenged and encouraged to learn.
No. You can pace yourself to find the perfect amount of activity that suits you. We support you in doing as much or as little as you’d like, depending on how you are feeling. Personally, we wouldn’t want to miss a thing!
Unfortunately not. We ask that you leave by 5pm on the closing day.
We unfortunately cannot accommodate disabled or mobility impaired people. Bliss & Stars is located in the Cederberg wilderness and the terrain doesn’t allow for such access.
For the benefit of everyone: we ask that all participants commit to attending the entire retreat from beginning to end. Your wholehearted commitment supports those in your group and expresses respect for the retreat staff.
We offer personalized payment plans for all our retreats up to 2 months before the start date of your stay.
Please read our terms & conditions for our cancelation policy
No, there is no mobile coverage or WIFI available. There is a computer with guest access available in case of emergency and you will be provided with a phone number should you need to be reached while staying at Bliss & Stars.
MAKE YOUR RESERVATION
Please answer the questions below so we can tailor the experience to meet your needs.
We require a 50% deposit to confirm your reservation.
If you are not committed to making a reservation yet and have some questions, contact us here.