HORIZONS SPAIN RETREAT May 18 - 26 2026

¡Vale, venga! explore Spanish culture and the Mediterranean coast of Spain as you restore, revive & recommit to your best self. $1,800 for a double-occupancy room (or ask about the option to upgrade) includes everything except your flight + some meals on travel & excursion days.

FILLING FAST!

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FILLING FAST! 〰️

“Our retreat offered a good variety of fitness classes In beautiful locations, a wellness workshop, opportunities to bond and start new friendships, which is everything that made our retreat fun and meaningful. Charla projects positivity and support to bring out our best selves”. Lori G

Stone staircase leading down to a coastal area with clear blue sea, palm trees, and a white seaside building under a sunny sky; a scene from the location for the May 2026 Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Spain.

May 2026 Lorenzen Studios Horizons yoga and wellness retreat: explore Spanish culture and the Mediterranean coast of Spain as you restore, revive, and recommit to your best self 

Expand your horizons and broaden your perspective. Take a step back from everyday life to relax, reflect upon your life goals, reconnect with your inner wisdom, learn from others on the same journey, and renew your commitment to being your best self.

Dates: May 18-26, 2026 (your return date can be flexible)

Retreat location: Oodles retreat center in Benissa, Spain (Southeastern Spain, Costa Blanca). Website:

www.oodlesretreat.com – A place to discover new experiences

Included:

🇪🇸 Tapa-sized language & culture lessons before and during the retreat 

🤗 Guidance, support & connection before, during & after the retreat

🚐 Transfer to and from the retreat center & the airport

🧘🏻‍♀️Daily yoga (vinyasa, yin, restorative) 

💪 Daily fitness options (AquaFit, Pound, strength training, a small onsite gym)

📝 Thought-provoking workshops to envision and craft your best life 

🥘 All meals except lunches on the excursion days (a few dinners will be prepared by chefs at the retreat center but all breakfasts & lunches there will be on your own with ingredients we order ahead &/or buy at the store - included in your retreat price - and non-chef dinners will be cooked by the planning committee & any volunteers from the group)

🛌 Luxury air-conditioned accommodations & your own bed (sharing a room & bathroom with 1 other person)

⛱️ An excursion to La Fustera beach 

🌊 A day trip to Guadalest and Altea

🤩 Amazing amenities including a heated pool table, numerous areas to relax in the sun or the shade, tennis court, walking trials, road/mountain/ebike rentals, pool, ping pong, boule, beach volleyball, and more

Not included:

✈️Your flight(s) and your airport and other transportation in the U.S.

📃 Your trip insurance (required)

🥗 Lunch on the 2 excursion days

🍷Extra food & beverages beyond what is provided (food & beverages will be provided but it won’t be a 24/7 all-you-can-eat & drink type of offering)

💆🏽‍♀️ Spa services (available to book in advance)

Who is this retreat for?

This retreat is for physically and mentally healthy adults of any age 21+ and gender who have already started a yoga and/or fitness journey, who want to engage more with like-minded people on the same path to level up their physical fitness and mental well-being, who seek guidance in both theory and application, and who seek to step far away from their everyday culture to then come back to it with a fresh & appreciative perspective.

With support before, during, and after the retreat, you will experience soul-shifting connections with yourself and others, as well as a change of scenery and perspective as you engage as much or little as you would like in daily yoga and fitness offerings, workshops, and excursions in a beautiful setting in southeast Spain, meant to broaden your horizons in life-changing & transformative ways.

About Charla Lorenzen, your retreat leader:

💪 ACE-certified fitness instructor since 1994

🧘🏻‍♀️Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500)

🇪🇸 PhD in Foreign Language Education & college Professor of Spanish 

🧐 learn more: 

https://www.lorenzenstudios.com/retreats 

I have been teaching fitness and yoga for decades in virtually all known formats and to all ages (preschoolers through seniors) and in many different settings (schools, rec centers, gyms, and on retreats). 

I am bilingual in English & Spanish, have traveled extensively in the U.S. and abroad, and have lived in Spain several times. I have built a large fitness family of like-minded people on the path to physical fitness, mental well-being, and spiritual enlightenment. 

I found my passions for group exercise, international travel, and language learning as a high school student and I was mentored by experienced teachers as I started my group fitness teaching and language tutor journeys at that early age.

By the time the university wellness program where I taught during graduate school was looking for people to expand into teaching yoga, I had fallen deeply in love with learning and using Spanish, and immersing myself in places where it is spoken, and I was enrolled in a PhD program in Foreign Language Education and had started my path toward becoming a university Professor of Spanish. I have been fortunate enough to continue teaching on both paths ever since (wellness and Spanish language & culture).

I understand the value of active and experiential learning and can foster that for my students, whether in the language classroom, in the yoga or fitness studio, or while traveling to new places.

My love for learning and teaching languages is matched by my love of learning about yoga philosophy and a yogic lifestyle.  I excel at sparking the interest and engagement of students who start with classes and then want to deepen their understanding, application, and integration of that learning. 

I love to synthesize and share what I learn through my own study & experience, making complex concepts and practices more approachable and attainable for busy people of all ages and genders who might not know where to start or how to progress, but would benefit from my mentoring and the wellness community that I have built over the years. 

Please contact me with any questions, concerns, etc.

Upon submitting your deposit, I will contact you via email to discuss payment options and to schedule a video call to get acquainted if you aren’t already part of her fitness family. At that point, if it becomes clear that the retreat will not be a good fit for you, the deposit could be refunded.

Once registered, you will be invited to a google photos album where we can share pictures of our adventures! Please post a photograph of you with your name in advance of the retreat so we can all get acquainted. 

May 2026 HORIZONS Spain wellness retreat itinerary draft

DAY 1: Monday 5/18/26 Travel day

Approximately 6:00 pm Fly out from US to Madrid (overnight flight)

Transportation to & from the airport will be arranged among those who sign up

Meals on this day will be at your own expense


DAY 2: Tuesday 5/19/26 Travel day and retreat kick-off in Alicante

Arrive in Madrid around 8:00 am and take fast train to Alicante (2.5 hours) 

Arrive in Alicante around 12:30 pm

Lunch together location TBD 

Stay overnight in Alicante location TBD (with nearby options for food)

Vinyasa Yoga 

Opening Circle

Dinner together location TBD

Meals on this day will be at your own expense

DAY 3: Wednesday 5/20/26 Luxury awaits

9:00 Vinyasa Yoga & meditation

Breakfast TBD (at your own expense)

Travel together to the retreat venue

4:00 (or earlier, if possible) check into the retreat venue

Time to relax and enjoy the retreat venue

7:00 Dinner (3-course meal catered in at the retreat center)  


DAY 4: Thursday 5/21/26 Benissa ecological walk and beach picnic

7:00 Tea and coffee available

8:00 Vinyasa Yoga

Breakfast on your own with groceries we will have at the retreat venue

11:30 Travel together to the location of the ecological walk  

1:00 Picnic on the beach (catered)

4:30 Travel together back to the retreat venue

Free time

7:00 Dinner (3-course meal catered in at the retreat center) 

DAY 5: Friday 5/22/26 Day trip to Moraira & La Playa del Portet

7:00 Tea and coffee available

8:00 Travel together to Moraira: free time + the retreat committee will buy local ingredients for a simple dinner tonight & a big farewell dinner tomorrow

Lunch on your own (at your own expense)

3:00 Travel together back to the retreat venue 

5:00 Yin Yoga

6:30 Cook & eat dinner together

DAY 6: Saturday 5/23/26 Day trip to Guadalest

7:00 Tea and coffee available

8:00 AquaFit class (45 minutes)

Breakfast on your own (at your own expense)

11:30 Travel together for a trip to Guadalest and lunch in Altea

4:30 Travel together back to the retreat venue

7:00 Cooking the farewell dinner together (if interested)

8:00 Farewell dinner & Closing Circle


DAY 7: Sunday 5/24/26 Leaving Oodles

7:30 Tea and coffee + breakfast on your own with the groceries we have at the venue

10:00 Travel to Barcelona & spend the night there at a hotel that offers transportation to the airport: location TBD

Dinner & workshop together: location TBD

DAY 8: Monday 5/25/26 Barcelona

TBD: maybe a guided tour? (at your own expense) There are soooo many things to do!

Breakfast & dinner on this day will be at your own expense

Dinner together: location TBD

Closing Circle


DAY 9: Tuesday 5/26/26 Not good-bye, but hasta luego group flight from Barcelona (late morning) back to D.C. (or change your flight to stay longer) early to mid-morning, arrive mid-afternoon and drive home. Meals on this day will be at your own expense.

Please be sure to let Charla know when you’re back home, whenever that might be! 💗

 

Map of Spain and Portugal highlighting locations including Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon, and a red location marker for Benissa, location of the May 2026 Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Spain.

Embrace a Spanish state of mind

Expand your horizons and broaden your perspective. Take a step back from everyday life to relax, reflect upon your life goals, reconnect with your inner wisdom, learn from others on the same journey, and renew your commitment to being your best self. In addition to daily yoga and fitness classes and workshops, you will immerse yourself in nature while learning about the local people, places, and traditions.

Aerial view of Oodles Retreat (a large house with a swimming pool, patio areas, and surrounding greenery), location for the May 2026 Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Spain.

Restore & Revive in Luxury

Daily yoga & fitness options, thought-provoking workshops, delicious meals, luxury air-conditioned accommodations with your own bed and minimal bathroom sharing and amazing amenities including a heated pool, numerous areas to relax in the sun or the shade, tennis court, walking trails, road/mountain/ebike rentals, pool table, ping pong, boule, beach volleyball & more.

Coastal view with sandy beach, turquoise water, rocky cliffs, and houses surrounded by trees under a blue sky; a scene from the location for the May 2026 Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Spain.

Explore the Mediterranean coast

With support before, during, and after the retreat, you will experience soul-shifting connections with yourself and others, as well as a change of scenery and perspective as you engage as much or little as you would like in daily yoga and fitness offerings, workshops, and excursions in a beautiful setting in southeast Spain, meant to broaden your horizons in life-changing & transformative ways.

RETREATS

You will experience soul-shifting connections with yourself and others and a change of scenery and perspective as you engage as much or little as you would like in daily yoga and fitness offerings, workshops, and excursions in a beautiful setting

PAST RETREATS

Our wellness retreats feature fitness, fun & friendship in gorgeous locations!

Elkton, Maryland June 2022
Outdoor setting with a stone fire pit containing a burning fire, surrounded by gravel. Two stone and wood benches are nearby. Behind, there are trees and a view of a lake at sunset. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Maryland.
A swimming pool with a pergola and lounge chairs by the lakeside at sunset, featuring a vibrant orange and pink sky. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Maryland.
Two people relaxing in a hot tub at sunset, overlooking a lake with a few lights visible across the water. The hot tub is illuminated with purple lighting. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Maryland.
Rehoboth Beach DE October 2023
Group of people on beach at sunset doing Partner Yoga on sand near calm water and cloudy sky. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Delaware.
A group of people sitting around a long wooden table in a beachfront restaurant, enjoying a meal with plates of food and drinks in front of them. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Delaware.
Sunset over a calm beach with scattered rocks on sandy shore, reflecting orange and purple hues on the water. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Delaware.
Group of four people posing with bicycles on a sunny day, wearing helmets and casual clothing, standing near a large blue Adirondack chair. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Delaware.
Group of women doing yoga outdoors while holding drinks, near a bridge and water, surrounded by grass and wildflowers. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Delaware.
Group of people seated on a porch, gathered around a massage table, participating in an outdoor educational session to learn about the art of reiki. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Delaware.
Group of people sitting around a fire pit outdoors at night, with snacks and drinks. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Delaware.
A group of people practicing yoga on a sandy beach beside calm water and surrounded by grass and a cloudy sky. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Delaware.
Elkton, Maryland June 2023
A group of people walking on a forest trail on a sunny day. The path is surrounded by green trees and vegetation. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Maryland.
A group of seven people doing a group yoga pose standing next to a swimming pool, surrounded by trees and a wooden playground structure in the background. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Maryland.
Sunset view over a lake with a wooden dock and people sitting under a pergola, silhouetted against the orange sky and sun reflecting on the water. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Maryland.
Woman in a blue life jacket holding two blue kayak paddles stands on a dock by a lake. The sky is clear and sunny. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Maryland.
Steamed crabs with seasoning on a table next to a can of lemon-flavored hard seltzer and wooden utensils. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Maryland.
People relaxing in an outdoor swimming pool overlooking a scenic lake with trees in the distance on a sunny day. Lounge chairs are positioned around the pool deck. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Maryland.
Costa Rica July 2024
Sandy beach with ocean waves, lush greenery, and overcast sky, featuring small boats near the shore. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Costa Rica.
Rustic wooden cabin surrounded by tropical greenery, featuring decorative railings and a colorful mural on the porch. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Costa Rica.
A cup of coffee with chocolate shavings on top, placed on a saucer with a spoon. Next to it is a brochure titled "La costa del chocolate, Talamanca – Costa Rica," featuring a map and cocoa beans. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat.
A group of people kayaking in a lush, tropical river surrounded by dense green vegetation, wearing life vests and hats. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Costa Rica.
Outdoor dining setup with wooden tables and chairs, tropical plants in the background, and a covered gazebo-style roof, surrounded by lush greenery. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Costa Rica.
A variety of fruits and vegetables, including carrots, dragon fruit, chayote, avocados, eggplants, tomatillos, mangoes, tomatoes, beets, pineapples, and bell peppers, displayed on a counter at a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Costa Rica.
Hand-painted sign with the quote "Let food be thy medicine" surrounded by decorative illustrations of flowers and vegetables. The kitchen at the retreat venue for the June 2024 Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Costa Rica.
Coastal view of ocean waves crashing against a rocky shoreline with overhanging trees. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Costa Rica.
Rehoboth Beach DE October 2023
Beach boardwalk with people walking, bicycles parked, and a rainbow flag. Ocean and beach with umbrellas in the background under a blue sky. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Delaware.
A sandy beach with a blue boardwalk path leading to the ocean, flanked by dune grass and vegetation. The ocean is in the background under a partly cloudy sky. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Delaware.
Group of people seated at a restaurant table for outdoor dining, with string lights overhead and greenery in the background. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Delaware.
Serene lake scene with surrounding autumn trees, reflecting in calm water, and foreground plants. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Delaware.
Group practicing yoga on wooden deck outdoors with yoga mats. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Delaware.
Beach at sunset with a calm ocean, cloudy sky, and wooden posts in the sand. A scene from a Be well with Charlita wellness retreat in Delaware.

Pura Vida Vibes retreat July 2024 Costa Rica