Increasing numbers of us are swapping all-inclusive beach breaks for health-focused getaways. From luxurious yoga retreats to longevity clinics, the choice is endless – but it can be difficult to know where to best spend our hard-earned cash.
Could a wellness festival in Greece offer the reset we’re looking for? I went to find out.
Arriving at Colibri Spirit Festival
Colibri Spirit Festival is a wellness festival in the village of Arillas, on the northwest coast of Corfu. The hour-long taxi from the airport winds through sleepy villages and past pine-covered hills, before revealing the sparkling Ionian Sea. So far, so idyllic.
Camping was available at the festival this year, but with daytime temperatures soaring to over 30°C, I swapped a sweaty tent for the cool sanctuary of Angelos’ Apartments – a simple, family-run base complete with a kitchen, bathroom and efficient aircon. There are a number of supermarkets and tavernas nearby too, making self-catering a breeze.
It’s about a 30-minute walk to the festival from the apartment – pleasant in the mornings, though I quickly learned to pause at the beach halfway when the midday heat set in.
First impressions
I’ll admit, when I first stepped onto the site at Colibri, I felt more like an awkward outsider than a free-spirited festival-goer. Groggy from my early-morning flight, I wasn’t quite ready to join hands with the chanting circle I stumbled across on the beach, or to greet strangers with a lingering hug. My panic rose further when I spotted a handful of attendees napping nude in the sun.
In short, I arrived in “business mode” – rushing from A to B, scanning the programme, trying to see it all. My shoulders were tense, my mind was closed, and I was very much observing rather than participating.
Opening up
The turning point came after a decent night’s sleep (and a strong cup of coffee). I made a conscious decision to keep an open mind and try new things.
My day began with a soulful vinyasa class with yoga teacher, Meghan Currie, accompanied by live music from Holloway. We moved through strengthening flows, playful wiggles, and finally melted into a savasana that Meghan described as “a cup of hot chocolate after a snowy day spent skiing” — a description I can confirm was entirely accurate.
From there, I dipped into a mix of workshops: ecstatic dance, breathwork, a water blessing ceremony, and a sound bath with Holloway that left me in a blissed-out daze, as if I’d just had the best nap of my life.
The energy shifted again in the evening – live bands drew everyone to the dancefloor, where strangers became friends against the backdrop of the Greek sunset.
Food & drink
Colibri’s food stalls were a real treat. All plant-based, locally sourced, and fresh enough to make you forget greasy festival fare even exists.
My standouts were a post-yoga granola bowl with fresh fruit, and a falafel wrap with creamy tzatziki to watch the sun go down. Drinks were kombucha, homemade lemonade, and cold brew coffee — all perfectly refreshing in the heat, and with no alcohol in sight.
The real takeaway
What struck me most wasn’t the classes or the setting – though both were exceptional – but the festival’s atmosphere. There’s no pressure here. You can fill your day to the brim or simply laze in the sun.
The people, too, are part of the magic. On my first day, a kind stranger noticed me rushing, nearly tripping over myself, and gently reminded me: “Slowly, slowly.” That became my mantra for the rest of the trip.
By the time I left, my shoulders had softened, my pace had slowed, and my mind had opened. I was trying new things – yes, even the chanting and hugging – and feeling genuinely lighter.
The bathing suit is still staying firmly on, though.
Book tickets for Colibri Spirit Festival 2026
Can’t wait until next year to visit Colibri Spirit Festival? Colibri Beach is open six days a week throughout the summer as a sacred sanctuary for yoga, breathwork, live music & embodied celebration.
