Picture this: after an invigorating yoga practice, you walk barefoot on silky soft sand with the warm ocean gently lapping your toes - you have not a care in the world, nor a cloud in the sky. Or how about gazing across an infinity pool at a lush private villa as the warm sun kisses your skin?
For the very present we rely on our imagination, so we asked Hugo what inspired him to set each of the Helios destinations and to share some insight knowledge of the founder’s top picks from each retreat destination with you, starting with his original Greek retreat, Helios number one destination: Mykonos.
Tell us about what brought you to create a wellness retreat on what most people consider an iconic party island in the Mediterranean.
I first ventured in the world of retreats at the world’s most notorious party island of Ibiza, Spain. So just like Mykonos, what attracted the ‘party scene’ in the first place to these beautiful destinations are their tranquil vibes and welcoming residents. Mykonos is a smaller island in the Aegean.
Greek people are famous for their hospitality. When I first visited, I immediately felt at home with the warm welcome of my local partners.
The peaceful settings around the villa also showed I was in the right spot. Secluded and on top of one the highest parts of Mykonos, Zinas Villas offer a spectacular sight of the blue Aegean Sea right in front of you and an unobstructed view of the old town to your left. It allows you to reconnect with your inner senses in our villa and experience the vibrance of the old town from afar.
If you could tell us a secret spot of Mykonos, where would that be?
Mykonos has a beautiful, rugged coastline with crystal-clear water and untainted beaches. A secluded beach called Fokos was an unexpected, yet delightful find. There’s a small taverna next to the beach. The smell of the herbs and garlic from the kitchen perfumes the entire beach. Of course, I went there; the food was simply to die for.
Founder of HELIOS RETREATS
What has been the weirdest thing that ever happened while in Mykonos?
We run retreats during the shoulder seasons, which is wonderful when the island is less crowded with tourists to experience the best Mykonos offers. Though sometimes September can still be a busy time, that means you can see many people having a good time and whatnot, occasionally a little too much to drink.
There was once a minor collision between some Italian tourists on a moped and a Greek taxi driver. We had an Italian guest and a doctor with our group and asked our private driver to stop to offer help. Little did I know, we were engulfed in the middle of a scuffle between these Italians guys and the taxi drivers. The argument became heated, and they started throwing punches at each other. I was in the middle of it and tried to get everyone back in the van whilst everything was kicking off around us. Eventually, I got everyone safely to the villa.
Today I can laugh about the whole thing, but it was quite scary. Sometimes we retreat organisers, have to act as some sort of School teachers for Grown-ups. Whilst fun and rewarding to see our guests happy, it is quite a responsibility to look after a group albeit, always worthy, every second.
Can you reveal the Mykonos secret? What makes Mykonos so special?
Our Mykonos villa is amazing. We are in the remotest part of the island, so peaceful. The food is also special to me. Our friends at ‘Bowl Mykonos’ prepare delicious meals for us in the villa. We mainly eat vegetables and seafood.
However, my hidden gem is a small local taverna I consider the best place for food in the world; I always bring our guests there to try. A family-run taverna and the staff are lovely, just like the food. The freshness of the ingredients is incredible. Their salads are some of our favourite dishes. Nearly all guests will agree with me after a night at Limnios. It’s got to be one of the best foods in the world.
Hugo with Australian couple Victoria and Fish, owners of Bowl Mykonos.
Another unique adventure that only Mykonos offer is a special day out around the island, scootering on quad bikes. We hop from beach clubs and famous hotspots until we stop for sunset and a night to remember, dancing by the sound of the DJ at Scorpios. This is the Yin to the Yang of our Mykonos adventure. A night to celebrate our new friends and the amazing week experienced as a group.
Every traveler is looking for something different. What’s been your number 1 motivation to visit Mykonos?
We have a beautiful space for workouts and yoga sessions. In the mornings, all you can hear is the sound of the birds singing and the relaxing sound of the water falling from the infinity pool like a calming soundtrack for our yoga sessions.
I love to meet local people, try to be a “temporary resident” of the places I visit, do things and visit places where usually only locals go. It’s what we do at our retreats: we bring our guests “local knowledge” which helps them see the destinations with the eyes of a local.