Andalucia, Spain - Hacienda De San Rafael

Tuesday July 11 - Sunday July 16, 2023
6 Days/5 Nights


 

RETREAT DETAILS

ABOUT HACIENDA DE SAN RAFAEL
Perhaps my most exquisite retreat to date. I created retreats knowing and waiting for the day I would bring people back to this corner of the world that changed my life entirely--Southern Spain (the area is known as Andalusia in English/Adalucia en espanol). I lived here, fell in love with the romance, language and rhythms of the Spanish culture. With family, food, wine and passions at the core, Spain seduces, reconfiguring our perspectives of ourselves and how we choose to live our lives. I am thrilled to bring us to the elegant countryside of Spain, the most idyllic backdrop for my newest retreat, that has been waiting in the wings for the right moment to estrenarla (translation: to shine in the spotlight).

La Hacienda de San Rafael, an award winning oasis tucked among the white villages of Southern Spain, enchants from first glimpse. Once a thriving olive estate, this privately owned boutique resort has been meticulously restored and converted into a magical hideaway, striking a balance of rustic charm and modern sophistication. The eighteenth-century hotel is perfectly positioned halfway between the historic cities of Seville & Jerez de la Frontera, renown for its sherry bodegas and dancing horses. Feeling the soft breeze off the Atlantic Ocean and staring towards the Sierras de Grazalema, the white villages known as pueblos blancos to the East, every turn of head is a moment to be captured. There is a timeless elegance of this 18th century Hacienda. Of Andalusian olive plains and almond groves, of the expanse of sunflower fields, of the scent of lavender and jasmine gardens. An intoxication for the senses from sunrise to breathtaking sunset.

THE ROOMS
The bedrooms are individually decorated by Kuky Mora-Figueroa; Suzanis from central India, old wooden headboards from Zimbabwe, Rajhastan and Andalucian haciendas, beautiful block print cotton bed covers embellished with kantha stitching, an array of decorative marble, stone, ceramic, wooden side lamps, polished terracotta floor tiles and artwork from Kuky´s private collection. Rooms are tucked around an oasis of summer day pools, among gardens of plumbago, lavender, rosemary, bougainvillea, pomegranate and olive trees. Each room is an extension of the surrounding beauty and grandeur, so even your respite is a layer of simple, decadent luxury.

FARE
The food of southern Spain is a star player of our experience. As per all my retreats, our meals will be wholesome, delicious and abundant. The culinary culture of Spain is one of deep appreciation for the land and animals. The historical emphasis on fresh, natural ingredients precedes all the current fads of organic and farm-to-table of today. The chef of Hacienda de San Rafael crafts menus highlighting local seasonal produce and bounty from the vegetable garden when seasonally appropriate. The kitchen makes careful daily selection of fresh fish from la lonja and meats are sourced from local premier specialist butchers. Our meals will contribute to and elevate our experience as much as the movement and surroundings. Bright, fresh breakfasts; sprawling lunches of tapas and elegant 3-course, wine-paired al fresco dinners will leave us breathless and sated.

YOGA + DANCE
Each day will have meditation, yoga and dance class. You choose how vigorous a schedule you want to have for your retreat. Classes are for ALL levels both in yoga and dance. This retreat gives you the luxury of time to truly indulge in the experience of the class. Some days we will change schedule to accommodate day trips. This particular retreat is one with an an emphasis on beauty. We will move through yoga + dance, but we will also explore, relax and indulge, as one should do summering in the countryside of Europe. As always on my retreats, you choose how much or how little you would like to participate in all and any activity.

RETREAT COSTS
Retreat includes: all on-site meals of breakfast, lunch, dinners with paired wine and IVA tax, all yoga, dance and meditation classes. Does not include flight, transportation, alcohol or off-site excursions, if you choose to explore further. Prices for retreats are always per person.

 

ACCOMODATION OPTIONS

 

DELUXE ROOM (PRIVATE or SHARED 2pp)
The bougainvillea-filled courtyard acts as centre stage to the three duplex designed Deluxe bedrooms. The thick walls and high ceilings with the original wooden beams highlight the Andalucian architecture. The bedrooms are individually decorated by Kuky Mora-Figueroa; Suzanis from central India, old wooden headboards from Zimbabwe, Rajhastan and Andalucian haciendas, beautiful block print cotton bed covers embellished with kantha stitching, an array of decorative marble, stone, ceramic, wooden side lamps, polished terracotta floor tiles and artwork from Kuky´s private collection. Rooms are two level with mezzanine, one bed, lovely for private occupancy or couple/friends with shared Queen bed.
$4,100 per person / Shared $3,000 per person

GRAND DELUXE ROOM (PRIVATE or SHARED 2pp )
The bougainvillea-filled courtyard acts as centre stage to the eight designed Grand Deluxe bedrooms. The thick walls and high ceilings with the original wooden beams highlight the Andalucian architecture. The bedrooms are individually decorated by Kuky Mora-Figueroa; Suzanis from central India, old wooden headboards from Zimbabwe, Rajhastan and Andalucian haciendas, beautiful block print cotton bed covers embellished with kantha stitching, an array of decorative marble, stone, ceramic, wooden side lamps, polished terracotta floor tiles and artwork from Kuky´s private collection. Luxurious rooms with King bed that can be made into two separate beds, with mezzanine level with another sofa bed.
$4,500 per person / Double Shared $3,200 per person
(*Inquire at teamtootsie@tootsieolan.com if you would like to learn more on making this room a Triple).

HACIENDA CASITA SUITE (PRIVATE or SHARED with up to 3 pp)
All three casita suites sit discreetly within the East gardens. Each suite has its own private garden area full of plumbago, lavender, rosemary, bougainvillea, pomegranate and olive trees. The casita homes are individually decorated by Kuky Mora-Figueroa; a stucco façade, reed thatching and restored wooden doors. The rooms and separate living rooms are eclectic, cozy and elegant; Antique Burmese style painted sideboards, antique wooden, lacquer and ceramic artifacts from Indonesia, Burma & India, Moroccan kilims & Indian Dhurries, bed spreads made from vintage silks & linens with natural dyes and hand carved marble Mughal design single lamp niches are among the objet d´art to be appreciated. The marble bathrooms have a separate bath and rain shower. Fine details includes a choza with day bed and a private pool exclusive to the casita area, private terrace, espresso machine, mini bar and a glorious view. Essentially, a small home, rooms include King/double bed on ground floor with additional bed that can accommodate up to 3 people shared.
$6,500 per person / Double Shared $4,200 per person / Triple Shared $3,400 per person

POOL VILLA SUITE ROOM (PRIVATE or SHARED 2pp)
Set in the olive grove on the east side of the Hacienda estate, lies the new additional private pool villas. Designed for today´s modern living in contemporary style and offering complete privacy from the remainder of the Hacienda.  These villas have been carefully curated and everything handpicked from Kuky´s private collection;  antique Chinese tall cabinets, Indian dhurries, mirrors made from old teak from Rajasthan, antique Thakat coffee tables, hand carved marble Mughal design single lamp niches, stone Jali panels.  The pool villa has three bedrooms, a living room and a kitchen.  There is a verandah for breakfast and a private thatched choza. Each Pool Villa has 3 bedrooms suites. The private garden and infinity pool look out onto the Andalucian sierras. Details include ensuite bathrooms with separate bath and shower, house kitchenette, iPOD dock, private terrace and resplendent views.
$5,700 per person / Double Shared $3,800 per person
(*Inquire at teamtootsie@tootsieolan.com if you would like info on entire Pool Villa Rental).

 

 

Transportation

This retreat will likely have people coming in from different airports on different days, perhaps elongating stays before or after on the continent. The nearest airports to the Hacienda De San Rafael are Jerez (flights within Europe) and Seville (flights from the US and Europe), both 45 minutes away by car. From the US, you can fly into Madrid and continue on to Seville or train to Seville. Taxi or hired car can take you to the hotel from airports. La Hacienda de San Rafael can coordinate your travel if you like. As per all retreats, we try to minimize the cost by transporting in groups when possible and are happy to coordinate with you to ensure an eased, beautiful welcome.

 

 

Tootsie Olan retreatS SAMple day schedule

Meditation

7:30 AM
light breakfast fruit, tea and coffee or fruit, granola and yogurt
-
8:30 AM-10:00 AM
Yoga Class
-
12 PM
Lunch
-

1:00-4:00 PM
Time for massages, swim, excursions, reading, strolling the lavender/sunflower fields, local hike, siesta.

-
4:30-6:00 PM
Dance Class
-
7:30 PM
Dinner
-
Evening to relax, sunset gaze, swim, party.

 

 

WANT MORE?

Southern Spain is amesomely rich with charm and culture. You will have opportunity to add on to your trip: spa services, excursions to nearby towns/beaches, horse riding, hikes, wine tours, flamenco shows, jerez tastings. As we approach our retreat, we craft curated offerings for you to experience a retreat of a lifetime. Stay on premise or explore and add on experiences as you wish. You will have too much from which to choose.

 

 

payment

Deposit of $500 is due upon reservation.
Remainder of payment is due by Wednesday, May 15th, 2023.
All transactions are non-refundable.
Some transactions are transferable and discussed by case to ensure fairness for both parties. Travel insurance highly recommended.

 

frequently asked questions

 

+ How are you handling Covid?

We are back to traveling with caution on our retreats, but with more freedom now that travel testing has ended. There is currently no need to test before travel and no need to test to return to the US. As always, we stay current on all travel and CDC advisories. If you are exhibiting signs of Covid, we request you to take a Covid test prior to arrival to confirm a negative test result within 24 hours of departure. We highly recommend travel insurance. No refunds are given regardless of the reason for cancellation. As per all retreats, some transactions may be transferable and will be discussed by case to ensure fairness for both parties. If there are changes to a regulation, we will modify our procedures to ensure as safe a retreat as possible for all participants. We ask that you respect each other and make choices that are safe for you and your retreat participants.

+ What are the dates for this retreat this year?

Tuessday July 11 - Sunday July 16, 2023

+ What is included?

The trip is all inclusive of accommodations, on-site meals of breakfast, lunch and dinners with paired wine, dance, yoga and meditation classes and IVA taxes. Flight, transportation & any alcoholic beverages at resort is not included. There are optional experiences that you may choose to add on (excursions, tours, spa etc). We try to keep cost down by allowing you to create the experience you desire. You decide to keep it simple or amplify it, choosing as much as you like once you arrive at the hotel.

+ I am accustomed to marble tubs & white glove service when I vacation. Is this retreat offering that?

Haceinda de San Rafael is a stunning, authentically restored Southern Spanish estate turned boutique hotel that has won several awards. Rather than a cookie cutter resort with glossy identical rooms, each room is distinctly charming, authentic and beautiful & room descriptions capture the essence of that. As per all of our retreats, that which is most important is that you should need for nothing & feel totally cared for, in just the right way. Our intention is for you to arrive and then let go and let the experience take care of you. This is what we consider luxury.

+ Do people attend your retreats alone?

Yes! Every single retreat to date has people coming alone. Some come alone and then swear their experience is that much richer because of it. You will meet a remarkable comunity of people and feel very comfortable attending my retreats by yourself.

+ How does payment work?

All payments are non-refundable. In some cases, payment is transferable & decision is at the discretion of retreat organizers. We aim to be as fair as possible. You will reserve your spot on one of the retreats with a $500 non-refundable deposit. The balance of your payment is due by May 15th, 2023.

+ When do classes begin/end on the retreat?

First class is Tuesday evening. Last official class is Saturday evening. Final meditation is offered Sunday morning.

+ When should I arrive & depart?

We recommend arriving Tuesday to Hacienda de San Rafael, though we imagine some might be spending a night or two in another part of Spain. If you have to/prefer to arrive earlier or later, wonderful. Talk to us. The owner of Hacienda de San Rafael has other locations and/or ability to help you find accomodations for other nights of your stay in Spain.

+ Do I need to have taken your/other dance class before? Do I need to know how to dance or practice yoga?

Nope. I love meeting brand new people who think they do not know how to dance. Yes, some people who come on retreats with me have been taking class for a little to a long time. But equally, there are cousins, college roommates, mothers, sisters, brothers from different parts of the world-- all of whom come together to experience the retreat and who have never taken class with me before, often having never met me. All levels welcome!

+ What flight should I take?

See transporttion info on detials page. You can fly into Madrid and then to Seville or Jerez. Car transport is approx 45 minutes to Haceinda de San Rafael. The hotel is happy to arrange for transportation. If there are many traveling from the same area, like Seville, we willl coordinate shuttle for the group to minimize cost to all.

+ Is this really for ALL levels?

Yes. This retreat is for YOU. You have the time and space to learn, ask questions & get it. I personally welcome ALL levels. You will be astounded at how much you get it & grow in just 6 days. Feeling anxious? Sure. Get acquainted with me and moving! Sign up for a trial, rent a class or grab a month/year on Tootsie Olan Digital Studio.

+ Do I have to take every class?

Nope. This retreat is for YOU. Catching this theme yet? It is not a bootcamp. It is not a detox. It is a beautiful moment that includes meditation, yoga and dance to elevate what will already be an incrediblly luxurious European experience. No one cares about you in a bathing suit. There are no mirrors in our outdoor studios scattered throughout the property. Just Spanish countryside views. If you want to make it a detox, go for it. If you want a tinto (glass of red wine) pre-class, enjoy (& good luck). But the intention of this experience is pretty solid & simple. To live beautifully & fully. To pause from your life & experience wholly everything you are eating, drinking, feeling, sweating, dancing, meditating, discovering, nurturing & most of all, living. This retreat, like all of my retreats, is an opportunity to tap into what YOU need. Some people wake for sunrise meditation & attend every class. Some sleep in one day or miss a class to get a massage or walk amid the fields. Some do mostly dance, some do mostly yoga. Most do most of everything. Some realize they've lost a couple pounds. Some choose wine over fresh coconut water. You make it as rigorous & full of activity or as non-rigorous & tuck-away-book-reading as you like. Regardless of your retreat-style, you will return to your life different, renewed, cleared...lived.

 
 

Questions/Concerns/Revelations:
tootsie@tootsieolan.com