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Alaya Retreat Centre
AN ECO OASIS SURROUNDED BY VINEYARDS
Located just 40 minutes from Barcelona, Alaya Retreat Centre is an idyllic destination for those seeking nature, revitalization, and wellness.
Alaya is a former wine farm that has been renovated to include private villas, beautiful gardens, a large swimming pool, and wellness centre with a jacuzzi and sauna.
Our relaxing ambiance includes many animals, including horses, chickens, dogs, cats, and more. We welcome you to bring your own friendly animals as well.
Alaya can accommodate yoga retreats, meditation groups, and workshops of all types.
The Masia is located 40 minutes outside Barcelona, in the center of the Penedes wine region with lots of activities and bodegas to visit.
visits to cities like Barcelona, Tarragona, Sitges and Villanova
Beaches at 20 minutes drive
Wine tasting
Sailing
Bicycle tours
Hiking to waterfalls and lakes
horseback riding
golf courses
visits to castles and monasteries
Yoga and Mediation
...and many other outdoor activities
We have a great team of fixed local staff and volunteers form an integral part of our centre. We love to have people around of different cultures and nationalities and have been working with volunteers for over 18 years of which many keep dropping by.
WE DO NOT ALLOW THE USE OF ANY DRUGS OR SUBSTANCES ON THE PREMISES OF THE CENTRE.
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Reviews
Staff & Host
Hours & Tasks
Hostel
Learning & Fun
About the experience in: Barcelona, Spain
Peru
I did two hours of yoga a day plus that 30 minutes mediation a day. Every breakfast, and dinner I had to do as a waiter, dishwasher and to had eat with the guests. The position says yoga instructor but I felt like I was seen more like a staff, I had to put my limits other wise I had to do coffee and other duties not specified in the position. It's not a good season to come in February I would say there were few people and no staff so I had to do many stuff like setting up the fire and more when it's needed. No family environment. There was lot a lot of vegetarian good food though.
8 months ago
ellen replied
dear kevin the deal is clearly stated in our profile and with 3 guests to wash 3 plates and bowls and your own plate we definitely do not feel we are overasking. In addition we say in the profile help with other items is expected as was restated in our interview as well. i do not think there was any day you did more then 4 hours of help.
About the experience in: Barcelona, Spain
United States
Ellen has been truly amazing every step along the way. She makes everything feel like a second family and her animals , especially the horses are amazing !
12 months ago
About the experience in: Barcelona, Spain
Brazil
It was my first experience with worldpackers and it was amazing. I loved to work at the Center. Ellen, the owner, gave me the task of volunteer coordenator.
We work 5 hours a day, 2 days off, very flexible.
We could use the pool, practice yoga and everything else. Outside of my working hours i felt like a guest there.
about 1 year ago
About the experience in: Barcelona, Spain
Brazil
The volunteer location is beautiful, but it is far from everything and very difficult to access. The way volunteering is being carried out is disorganized. I wasn't clear about the tasks I would be doing. Communication with the host is difficult. There are many mosquitoes at the site. The food offered is not enough for the volunteers and it is always late and served at odd times. I do not recommend this place for volunteering.
about 1 year ago
ellen replied
From the beginning, you lacked the proactive attitude and engagement we expect at Alaya. Volunteering is a shared exchange. Volunteers receive a 5 course brunch at 11:00, a snack at 15:00, and a freshly prepared dinner at 19:00, all made by our retreat chef. This is well above what most volunteer placements offer. Mosquito bites — a few are quite normal in a rural environment. As for our location, we are just 12 kms from Vilafranca del Penedès, with easy train and bus connections to Barcelona.
About the experience in: Barcelona, Spain
Argentina
Con Ellen, la anfitriona nos comunicamos en toda mi estadia, eso ayudo a entendernos y que encontraramos el equilibrio entre sus expectativas y mis ritmos de adaptacion y aprendizaje. A futuras personas voluntarias tengan presente que si quieren salir a pasear precisan caminar 35minutos a Sant Marti Sarroca y luego un bus hasta VilaFranca del Penedes. En definitiva fue un desafio para mi el ingresar a un lugar con varios protocolos, soy alguien que respeta el lugar donde me reciben, se adapta y tambien se compromete con el cumplimiento de lo acordado.
about 1 year ago