Living Wild Retreat: A Finnish Winter Escape
For women craving winter’s pause— a space to retreat, reconnect, and remember their wild and inner rhythm.
7th–13th February 2026: 6 Nights / 7 Days (Optional Helsinki extension)
*A WOMENS ONLY RETREAT* Immerse yourself in the pristine beauty of Finland's Lake District at our luxurious lakefront villa
This is more than an escape — it’s a return.
To your body. Your breath. Your voice. Your wild.
Sometimes, all we need is a change of environment to remember who we are — and to find ourselves again.
This retreat offers that space — and that spark.
Set in the wilds of Finland, surrounded by snow-draped trees and skies alive with stars, you’ll reconnect with what truly matters. Through movement, ritual, rest, and nature, you’ll come home to the steady, wise self that’s been waiting for space to be heard.
Join us for an intimate, transformative week in Southern Savonia — 𝐿𝑖𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑊𝑖𝑙𝑑 — a deeply nourishing blend of yoga, ceremony, connection and adventure in a beautiful lakefront villa, surrounded by pine, birch and spruce forest, with panoramic views, wood-burning fires, a private sauna, and the chance (if nature allows) to witness the Northern Lights dancing above us.
Each day begins gently — with yoga led by me: a mix of dynamic flow, Kundalini, restorative practices and Yoga Nidra — all designed to help you come home to yourself.
There’ll be fireside sharing circles, sound baths, nourishing seasonal meals, and spacious time to rest or roam. For those craving the outdoors there will be options for forest walks, snowshoeing or an icy lake dip.
Hibernate to recharge.
Re-merge renewed, reinvigorated and ready for your most aligned year yet!
This retreat balances true hibernation days with opportunities to explore the stunning winter landscapes. We encourage moving with life's flow rather than forcing against it, providing practices to soothe the nervous system and nourish body, mind, and soul. Whether you seek a more grounded, purposeful life, a deeper connection with nature's cycles, or belonging within a supportive community, this retreat offers the tools, wisdom, and practices to guide you.
This retreat is for those seeking:
* A sacred pause to reset and realign.
* A balance of deep restoration and adventure.
* A safe, held space to reconnect with themselves and others.
* A community of kindred spirits on a similar journey.
* An experience that ripples into daily life beyond the retreat.
The Venue
The venue provides total tranquility away from the hustle and bustle, offering a peaceful escape
Boasting panoramic lake views and a spacious sauna, the villa features a charming cobbled area with a built-in fire pit and circular south-facing decking, perfect for relaxing evenings wrapped up watching the sunset. The large-capacity sauna is designed to connect you with the outdoors, offers excellent views across the terrace and lake.
Location
Located in southern Finland, the Finnish Lake District itself, a landscape sculpted by the Ice Age, is an abundance of rocks and lakes. After the ice melted, it left a bare labyrinth of solid rock, diverse rock formations, lakes, streams, and rivers. Nature slowly and carefully covered parts of the land with typical Finnish woods: stately pine forests, beautiful birch woods, and fabulous spruce forests for us to explore during our stay.
Accommodation Highlights
The villa has four warm and stylish bedrooms to choose from. You have the option of sharing a twin room, a king-size room for couples, or a single-occupancy king-size room. All rooms are comfortable bedrooms, each with its own air-heat pump, premium pillows, linens, and sheets, closets with hangers and shelves, and nightstands with reading lamps. With two shared bathrooms, conveniently located in the hallway, ensures easy access for all guests. To ensure a perfect, carefree stay, essential toiletries and towels are provided.
Bathroom amenities include a walk-in shower, vanity, mirror, toilet, towels, hair dryer, and essential toiletries.
Your Host
Clare is an experienced yoga teacher, wellness and empowerment mentor with a wealth of knowledge, a fun, dynamic energy, and a warm, open heart. A full-time yoga teacher since 2009, Clare has hosted numerous yoga classes, retreats, and workshops.
She founded The Quaives Retreat centre in 2016. Her expertise lies in women's wellness; her sessions are all-inclusive, non-judgemental, and welcoming to people of all levels and life stages. Clare is qualified in Sunpower Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Women's Wellness Yoga Therapy, Yoga Nidra, sound healing, and Ayurvedic massage. Her mission is to support you in finding inner peace, joy, and self-confidence, offering a safe, compassionate, and supportive space for personal growth and increased confidence in your body and life choices.
The Programme
Rooted in the elements – This retreat follows the natural rhythm of the five elements, guiding you from grounding (earth) to expansion (ether).
Ceremony & Sharing Circles – We gather to release, reflect, and connect around the fire or with plant medicine cacao or talking circles, holding space for transformation and shared wisdom.
Balance of Structure & Spaciousness – this retreat offers a beautiful flow between guided sessions and open time for rest, reflection, and integration.
Soulful, Heartful & Mindful Practices & Movement – Expect yoga, sound healing, somatic movement, journaling, meditation, sauna sessions and deep rest.
For those after some adventure outdoors we will be going on a moonlight mindfulness guided snowshoe walk. You will also have the option for an exciting day visit to a husky park for husky sledging.
CLASS STYLES
Morning classes will generally start with a relaxing session of yoga nidra, breathwork or meditation followed by a dynamic practise designed to both ground and energise you for the day. The late afternoon / early evening classes will generally be longer and more gentle starting with a sharing circle, guided journaling or a cacao ceremony followed by a nourishing yin-style yoga session and deep relaxation.
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I had the most wonderful time on retreat with Clare. It was my first yoga retreat and it has set a high standard. Clare was a warm and inspiring host. The food was amazing. I was nervous about trying a retreat on my own. But the whole experience was wonderful and felt very natural. The yoga, sound baths, and cocoa and fire ceremonies were all authentically delivered, the whole group were made to feel safe and all experiences were inclusive as well as immersive. It was a real healing experience
- Samantha L
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A wonderful escape from everyday life. I received a warm welcome and the cottage was lovely; clean, cosy and beautifully decorated. The classes were great; excellent instruction, loads of guidance and new learning. Clare was a brilliant instructor for yogis of all levels. Adaptions were made for those of us with injuries and there was no judgement. The food was fantastic and there was plenty of it! I will certainly be booking to come back. Keep up the good work!
- Suzie T
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My experience with Clare and her team were utterly phenomenal. Right from the moment I arrived, Clare was welcoming and thoughtful. This was my first ever yoga retreat so I was unsure of what to expect for the weekend. The quality of the healing, nourishment, workshops and lasting tools was exceptional. Clare was also extremely respectful when I needed solitude versus group activity over the weekend and I didn’t ever feel pressure to participate if it wasn’t right for me. Two weeks after returning home, I still feel the radiant glow that I left the weekend with, which is indicative of the quality of the retreat
- Erin H
Seasonal Soul Food
At Living Wild Retreats, food is more than fuel — it’s part of your healing, grounding, and pleasure. Each day, you’ll be served three nourishing meals made from seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, designed to support your energy, digestion, and overall sense of wellbeing.
The menu is mostly vegetarian, with a few locally caught Finnish fish dishes thoughtfully woven in. From warming soups and roasted vegetables to fresh salads, wholesome grains, and gently sweet desserts, every plate is a celebration of nourishment.
Breakfasts might include spiced porridge, cottage cheese pancakes, or herby eggs with homemade rye toast. Dinners may feature baked salmon with dill and roasted roots, or buckwheat with lemon-tahini and sauerkraut slaw — always colourful, balanced, and prepared with love.
Please let us know in advance about any allergies or intolerances so we can make sure you feel fully supported at every meal.
Nourishment by Łukasz
Throughout the retreat, you’ll be lovingly nourished by our private chef Łukasz, whose approach to food is rooted in care, creativity, and connection to nature. Expect delicious, nutritionally balanced meals crafted from seasonal ingredients — mostly vegetarian, with a few locally sourced Finnish fish dishes.
Łukasz’s background is in the hospitality sector formally working at some of the top restaurants and hotels in Edinburgh. Now the founder of Whispers of the Jungle, a retreat centre in the heart of the Amazon jungle in Peru where he leads groups on transformational experiences and dieta’s. He believes playfulness and creativity are essential to healing, fostering deeper connection with oneself and others. His other passions are plants, storytelling, sound healing and movement such as martial arts, yoga and fire spinning, some of which he undoubtedly will share with us during our stay.
The Details
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A week of yoga classes/ meditation / sound healing / guided relaxation / rituals and ceremonies
6 nights accommodation (solo or twin occupancy)
All meals from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day (excluding any meals out if you opt for a day tour)
1 x Guided moonlight mindfulness walk in the forest/snowshoe trek
Aurora lights gazing (season dependent)
Sauna use
Local walks
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All additional activities are optional and prices vary.
Walking an ice trail (price tbc)
Ice lake swim (free)
Husky sledding at a husky park (price tbc)
Massages (£80/hour or £110/90 minutes)
Extend your stay in Helsinki (not included in the retreat price) ….
Either you could fly to Helsinki and stay the night before we start on the 6th and enjoy some sightseeing in the exciting capital OR join Clare and Lukasz on the return to the capital for an extra night on the 13th-14th Feb for dinner / sauna / sightseeing. They are staying at Hotel Klaus K.
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Flights
Train travel to Mikkeli
Travel insurance
Extra day tours & lunches during day tours
Taxi transfers/shared car rental
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A small deposit will guarantee your place. Payment plans are available — get in touch with Clare to arrange
♛ Bedroom 1: King-Size Bed or 2 x Single Beds Large room with Lake views (shared bathroom)
Shared occupancy for two = £1350 pp
Single occupancy = £1750
♛ Bedroom 2: King-Size Bed or 2x Single Beds (shared bathroom). Adjoining Bedroom one, but also with private access
Shared occupancy for two = £1350 pp
Single occupancy = £1750
♛ Bedroom 3: King-Size Bed or 2x Single Beds, TV and Wood burning stove (shared bathroom).
Shared occupancy for two = £1400 pp
Single occupancy = £1850
♛ Bedroom 4: King-Size Bed or 2x Single Beds (90cm) TV, Wood burning stove, Lake views and Terrace access (shared bathroom)
Shared occupancy for two = £1400 pp
Single occupancy = £1850
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Step 1. Fly to helsinki 2 hours 50 - find best prices on Sky scanner
Step 2. Train Helsinki - Mikkeli - 2 hour 32 mins ( we will help you book your train)
Step 3. Taxi / Car rental from Milkeli to the villa - 15 minutes - Taxi Mikkeli – is great for group transfers. Hertz, Scandia Rent, and Europcar – Car rentals will pick-up from Mikkeli train station
We suggest booking in advance, especially for winter. For day tours we help organise transport between everyone.