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Winter can be a challenging time for wellbeing, as it’s tempting to hunker down in a cosy corner with a box of chocolates rather than engage in vigorous exercise in the cold. Eleven Life’s new Live Well Retreat at Eleven Deplar Farm takes a counterintuitive approach, flying a select group of guests to the darkest corner of Iceland for a sensory Nordic adventure. “This time of year is so important for connecting people with place and with themselves,” explains Hannah Smith, Eleven’s head of product development.
The retreat is centered around the four pillars of wellness: Move, Breathe, Nourish, and Connect. Start with a yoga class, then explore the Troll Peninsula by horseback or cross-country skiing, then lunch by the lake. (Nothing is strict on the menu: the delicious food is locally sourced, and in-house chef Gurdur Gurdarson was named Iceland’s best chef in 2018.) In the afternoon, you might indulge in a Viking sauna ritual in the hills where elves are believed to live, or a Tata Harper treatment in the 10,000-square-foot spa. Meanwhile, after a sea-to-table dinner, a sound-healing session or a sleep-focused meditation class will prepare you for a restorative slumber.
Once a sheep farm, De Prall has been transformed into an oasis of sheer luxury. The 13 rooms are decorated in a simple, yet cozy, elegant style. Bathrooms have fireplaces, hardwood furnishings and heated floors, and large windows offer stunning views. There’s a media room for relaxation, but the spa is the real highlight. There’s a sauna, steam room, hot tub, flotation tanks and treatment rooms, as well as a geothermally heated indoor/outdoor pool and swim-up bar. Being submerged in the water surrounded by clouds of steam and watching the Northern Lights sparkle overhead is a soul-nourishing experience guaranteed to rekindle your joie de vivre. “People are always looking for quick fixes,” says Smith. “But this is about making small changes that have a big impact and long-term effect.”
Eleven Depra Farm’s Live Well Retreat is available from £7,572 per person for a three-night stay, which includes activities, all the necessary equipment, pre-arrival planning with an Eleven Experience Manager, chef-prepared meals, drinks and an in-room minibar.
