Hydra Island Rounding Retreat
26th - 31st May 2026
A Luxury Vedic Rounding Retreat on an idyllic Greek island.
Hydra is an extraordinary island in the Saronic Gulf, made timeless by it’s car-free status, rich literary history and charming amphitheatre-shaped port. It also happens to be Hayley’s favourite place on Earth, and she knows it like the back of her hand.
This May, Vedic Meditation teacher Hayley Shepherd invites you to join her on the magical Greek island she knows and loves for a five-night Luxury Rounding Retreat.
Following the success of October’s Hydra Deep Rest Retreat, she will once more be partnering with the incredible chef Liv George, Founder of Trough, whose ‘perfect’ food elevated the offering to a whole new level.
The programme will be designed to provide time for immersion in the beauty of the island and its legendary swim spots, paired with the quiet luxury of the retreat space, which will serve as our own private sanctuary. We’ll be staying in a one-of-a-kind Greek mansion from the 1700s with panoramic views and one of the best sunset vistas in the world (without exaggeration!). This is a special opportunity to experience Hydra in the company of other like-minded souls.
In the words of one of the participants who attended Hayley’s last retreat, ‘Hayley’s passion and devotion to Vedic practice and the knowledge shines through in everything she does, and I have walked away feeling not only more grounded and clear, but with more permission to live life beautifully.’ There is nowhere one lives more beautifully than on Hydra.
This will be 5 days of delicious nourishment, expansive experiences, great company and an upwelling of bliss in an unforgettable setting.
Expect…
Gourmet mouth-watering vegetarian feasts with a local Greek flavour, provided by our exceptional partner, Trough.
Meditations and rounding on the many terraces with a panoramic view of the island and sunset.
Gentle walks along the cobbled (car-free!) walkways of Hydra and swims in the crystal water.
A truly luxurious mansion to relax in and enjoy, including our own swimming pool.
Evening knowledge sessions by candlelight and a mini individual consult, weaving wisdom into your rest.
An effortless programme designed to give you maximum rest and the deepest experience over 5 nights.
Praise for Hayley and Liv’s last Hydra retreat
‘Hayley and Hydra together offering a Vedic meditation rounding retreat is an extraordinary and incomparable experience. The deep reset and rest I experienced during, and following the retreat as I re-entered normal life, has been profound. The impact of the retreat was very deep indeed, absolutely unique and to be an Annually repeated experience!’
‘It was bliiisssss bliss bliss to the max!!!’
‘The island, the food, the villa... it was such a perfect setting for a rounding retreat. And having all of Hayley's local knowledge made the experience that much richer!’
‘I really have no words! I feel so blessed to have joined you all for these magical five days. To be lead and held in your wisdom and spiritual elegance and to have met this group of wonderful souls with such warmth and welcome.’
‘It was completely perfect.’
‘Liv's food was absolutely incredible. She really is a genius with flavours, and tied in so many beautiful Greek elements to honour the island we were on. We all felt so nourished throughout! If ever there was a plate of food that personified love - it would be Liv's cooking.’
‘Being up on top of hills overlooking the stunning views, ocean and other islands made for many very happy hours gazing out at all that nature has to offer. We were tucked away from the outside world and could really surrender to the rounding process.’
‘This is the second retreat that I have attended with Hayley after starting meditation with Hayley. I was not disappointed. I came to the retreat with a lot of things that were out of my control and that I was doing my best to support issues which had taken a lot of energy from me. Hayley saw this and showed me another way / method to relax into my meditation. The next round was amazing and something that I experienced was new and at another level. I left the retreat relaxed and refreshed.’
A sample of the programme:
Tuesday: Hayley will greet you as you arrive on the island in the afternoon or early evening via boat. Settle in and then enjoy a group dinner in one of Hayley’s favourite restaurants.
Wednesday: A group round & workshop in the morning. Spend the day exploring Hayley’s favourite spots on the island and return ready for a group round the evening before dinner.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday: Deep rounding immersion with spaciousness for swimming, gentle walks, wisdom talks, and plenty of rest. Greet the sun from our terrace every morning, watch the sunset as we dine on our terrace and stargaze at night.
Sunday: Rounding programme first thing, brunch and then return to Athens via boat.
If you’d like to stay on the island for a few more days and make a holiday of it, Hayley can support you in arranging this.
During the Retreat, we’ll practice an advanced meditation program known as 'Rounding' - a combination of some simple yoga positions, pranayama (a Vedic breathing technique) and deep meditation. Our programme is designed to launch us into the deepest, lushest and most restorative meditations we’ll ever experience. In this state, we’ll be able to perceive the beauty of the island in a heightened state. If you’re brand new to Rounding, you’ll learn everything you need to know on the retreat.
There will also be the opportunity to receive advanced techniques during the retreat.
Please note that due to the nature of Hydra’s landscape & the location of the villa, this retreat is not recommended for those with mobility issues, as it’s necessary for us to walk up several sets of steps.
We’ll meet on the island of Hydra. To arrive at the retreat, one must fly into Athens. The journey to Pireaus port is approx 50 minutes by car. The ferry from Piraeus to Hydra is just over 1 hour.
Hayley will provide clear guidance and assistance for your arrival and departure, but we will ensure scheduling works so you can land in Athens on Tuesday and fly out on Sunday (if coming from the UK). If you’d like to stay on Hydra for a few additional days, or in Athens, Hayley will be glad to support in arranging that for you.
Travel
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Luxury Tier Room
A Master Suite with private panoramic sea & sunset view terrace, and a marble jacuzzi.
Perfect for a couple or for 2 friends sharing.
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Premium Tier Rooms
3 beautiful suites with private bathrooms, terrace access and island views in the main house.
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Island View Tier Rooms
3 suites with private bathrooms and lounge, located in the house next door with an expansive terrace. One suite with a shared bathroom in the main house.
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Shared Tier Room
A shared bright & spacious twin room in the main house, with a shared bathroom.
The investment
The cost includes:
All freshly prepared meals by our private chef, alongside a dinner in a delicious, high-grade Hydra taverna on our first night.
Luxury accommodation & daily room service.
Exploration of Hydra with Hayley as your guide.
Tailored deep-rest rounding programme and workshop, one private mini mentoring session & daily wisdom sessions.
It excludes travel to and from the retreat.
The double rooms are costed at sole occupancy. If you would like to share a double room, the cost will be provided upon request.
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You deserve the best.
This tier features:
A Master Suite with private sunset sea-view terrace + marble jacuzzi, the best room in one of the most beautiful houses on Hydra.
£2850
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This tier features:
3 beautiful suites with private bathrooms and island views in the main house.
Cost: £2650
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This tier features:
3 suites with private bathrooms and lounge, located in the house next door with an expansive terrace.
Cost: £2450
And, one suite with a shared bathroom in the main house.
Cost: £2350
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This tier features:
A shared bright & spacious twin room in the main house, with a shared bathroom
Cost: £1850 per person
Register your interest.
If you’d like to join, the payment schedule will be as follows:
£400 deposit to secure your spot. Book by January 10th and receive £200 off the total price.
2nd payment of 50% remaining cost: March 1st, Final payment: May 1st
The retreat is open to all Vedic Meditators. We’ll host a small and intimate group for this long weekend of transformation, and so spaces on this retreat are very limited. It will be a pleasure to host you in my favourite place in the world.