Island Warmth Retreat - Luxury in Gozo, Malta
This retreat is for you if.....
You know that feeling of sun on your skin right now. By November, you'll be craving its gentle warmth.
- You hold a lot, think a lot, and rarely put yourself first
- You feel quietly stretched, even if everything looks fine on the outside
- You sense it's time to pause before moving forward
- Your nervous system has been "on" for too long
- You're craving space, nature, and room to think clearly again
- You want steadiness and clarity, not a dramatic overhaul
- You're ready for support that doesn't feel like pressure or performance
You don't need experience. You don't need a plan. Just space to slow down.
What’s included
The setting
5 nights across ancient stone farmhouses in the quiet village of Qala, Gozo, Malta, with views over the sea to Comino island, and a sandy beach just 1km away.
- Spacious ensuite rooms, some with private terraces or balconies
- Private pools for each farmhouse - looking out over farmland to the sea
- Gardens, terraces, and quiet corners to rest or simply be
- A restored, centuries old setting created for slow living
- Daytime highs around 21°, cool evenings, and a sea still warm enough to swim in at around 21 to 22°
Food & dining
- Daily brunch and evening dinner
- Vegetarian meals with a vegan option, seasonal and beautifully prepared
- Tea, coffee, and water available throughout the day
- Relaxed, shared dining together as a group
Guidance & practices
- Gentle Qi Gong and movement practices (all levels)
- Seasonal Chinese medicine self-care guidance
- Group acupuncture session
- Quiet evening practices or meditation
The experience
- Small, women only group for a more spacious, personal experience
- Generous free time built into each day
- A relaxed, supportive atmosphere throughout
- Solo-friendly, many guests come on their own
- Suggested flight times and transfers arranged for ease
Not included
- Flights
- Transfers (arranged for you, usually in a group)
Massages and additional treatmentsditional treatments
Reserve your place
Twin ensuite room · £1,295 per person
Single ensuite room · £1,495
Guarantee your place with a £400 deposit. Balance due 60 days before the retreat.
Klarna available at checkout - payment plans available.
Single Ensuite Room
Spacious, beautifully designed rooms that offer a calm, light-filled space to fully switch off and retreat at your own pace.
Traditional stone walls, soft tones, and natural textures create an environment that feels both authentic and deeply comfortable, somewhere you can arrive, exhale, and immediately feel at ease.
Each room includes an ensuite bathroom, air conditioning, quality linens, and thoughtful finishing touches, with many opening onto a private terrace or balcony. Sit out, read, or simply take in the stillness around you.
Single room £1,495
Rooms are located across the Samudra farmhouses, all of which have a shared pool and indoor and outdoor space, allocated on a first come first served basis.
Twin Ensuite Room
Spacious, beautifully designed rooms shared with one other guest, with soft tones, natural textures, and a light, airy feel — balancing shared space with plenty of time to yourself throughout the day.
Each room includes an ensuite bathroom, air conditioning, quality linens, and thoughtful finishing touches, with many opening onto outdoor space where you can step out, sit quietly, or unwind.
If you're booking on your own, I'll thoughtfully pair you with someone similar. If a suitable match isn't available, a solo room will be offered at the solo room price.
Twin room £1,295.
Rooms located across both properties, allocated on a first come first served basis.
Limited Spaces
Secure booking and flexible payment options via paypal and Klarna.
See below for remaining options for full payment and deposit.
What women say
"I got on the plane feeling sluggish, low and fed up. I came home feeling like a new person."
Helen · Google Review
"I arrived feeling exhausted and left completely rested, energised, and with a new sense of purpose. Jo's sessions are uplifting, grounded, and delivered with real care and knowledge."
Trude · Google Review
About your guide
I’m Jo Darling — acupuncturist, retreat guide, and practitioner of Chinese Medicine.
I create retreats for women who are tired of pushing through and ready to work with their bodies instead. My work is grounded, seasonal, and focused on nervous-system support, nourishment, and living in rhythm with nature.
I’ll be guiding you throughout the retreat — gently, practically, and with plenty of space for rest.
Not quite ready to book?
Email hello@jodarling.co.uk for the full brochure or arrange a free 15-minute chat with Jo — she replies personally to every message.
Questions that often come up
Participation & pace
Do I need experience with Qi Gong, meditation, or yoga?
No. Everything is guided, gentle, and suitable for all levels. You don’t need to be flexible or experienced — you’re encouraged to listen to your body and move at your own pace.
Do I have to take part in everything?
No. All practices are optional. You’re welcome to rest, sit something out, or take time alone whenever you need. Although most people join all sessions - the FOMO can be real!!
What does a typical day look like?
Each day gently balances movement, rest and learning. You can expect:
- Morning Qi Gong or gentle movement
- A nourishing brunch
- Chinese medicine teaching or group sessions
- Time to rest, journal or enjoy nature
- Evening meditation or Yoga Nidra
There is always space to opt out or rest if you need to.
I’ve never had acupuncture — is that OK?
Yes. Group acupuncture is included in the retreat but is optional and can always discussed beforehand.
Can I come on my own?
Absolutely. Many women attend on their own. The group is small and welcoming, with space for connection without pressure to share or socialise more than feels comfortable.
Wellbeing & nervous system support
Is this retreat suitable if I’m feeling emotionally fragile, exhausted or burnt out?
Yes — this retreat has been created especially for women who feel tired, overwhelmed or in need of gentle support.
Jo is an experienced Chinese medicine practitioner who has spent many years working with women who are stressed, depleted or going through periods of change. She is very used to supporting people who are not feeling their best, and the retreat is held with care, sensitivity and flexibility.
How physically demanding is the retreat?
Practices are gentle and accessible and there’s no expectation to push yourself physically.
Practical details & booking
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes, depending on when you book Payment plans are available to make the retreat more accessible.
You can reserve your place with a deposit and pay the balance in instalments before the retreat begins.
Full payment is required 60 days in advance.
You can pay via Klarna via this website, at checkout, spreading the cost.
If you'd like a bespoke payment plan there will be an additional cost. Please contact me via the contact form or hello@jodarling.co.uk and I can arrange that for you.
What if I need to cancel?
Booking terms and cancellation policies are shared clearly with the full retreat details so you can make an informed decision before booking. Deposits are non refundable. You can transfer to another person.
How do I book?
You can request the full pricing, room options, and booking details via the form on this page or book directly here. Booking is completed securely online when you’re ready
Accommodation, comfort & what’s included
What’s the accommodation like?
The accommodation is calm, spacious, and thoughtfully designed, with a quiet elegance that immediately helps you settle.
Rooms are light-filled and comfortable, with traditional stone walls, natural textures, soft tones, and an emphasis on ease rather than excess.
Many open onto a private terrace or balcony, offering somewhere to sit, read, or simply take in the stillness around you.
Across the Samudra farmhouses there are places to gather and places to retreat, a shared pool, quiet terraces, and open spaces that invite you to slow down.
It's a setting that supports rest without effort, where everything has been considered, and nothing feels overstated. Rooms are allocated across the Samudra farmhouses on a first come first served basis after full payment.
What’s included in the price?
Your stay includes accommodation, 2 meals per day, all practices and teaching, plus a group acupuncture session. Flights and transfers are not included.
Do I have to share a room?
The retreat is set across beautifully restored, centuries old stone farmhouses in a quiet corner of Gozo, with views over the sea. Rooms are spacious, ensuite, and thoughtfully styled, many with a private terrace or balcony. The overall feel is calm, comfortable, and quietly authentic.
There are two room options: a solo ensuite room (£1,495) or a twin ensuite room shared with one other guest (£1,295 per person). If you're booking the twin on your own, you'll be paired thoughtfully, and if a suitable match isn't available, a solo room will be offered instead.
Travel Info
Do you recommend flights?
Flights to Malta are very reasonable at this time of year, and there are a few ways to get across to Gozo, all involving a short ferry crossing of around 25 minutes.
- Recommended transfer: an organised minibus seating up to five people plus luggage. It picks you up at the airport, takes you to the ferry, holds your luggage during the short crossing, then drives you straight to the retreat centre. With five sharing, this works out at around £20 each way (about £15 for the transfer plus £5 for the ferry), and I'll organise it, so there's nothing for you to arrange yourself.
- Arrival: aim to land around midday on the first day of the retreat, giving time to settle in for check-in at 3pm.
- Departure: on the last day you've got two options, an early departure around 8am, or a more leisurely one via checkout at 11am, which leaves time for a relaxed trip back to the airport, including a stop for lunch on the way if you'd like.
- Staying elsewhere first? If you'd prefer to spend a night or two in Valletta (or elsewhere) before or after the retreat, that's no problem, you can still join the group transfer by meeting us at the airport at the arranged time.
How do I get there from the airport?
How do I get to the retreat from the airport?
The nearest airport is Malta International Airport (MLA). From there, it's an organised minibus transfer to the ferry, a short 25-minute crossing to Gozo, then straight on to the retreat centre.
Transfers are arranged as a group around a week before we travel, the cost is paid separately and works out at around £20 each way per person.
How do group transfers work?
How do I get to the retreat from the airport?
The nearest airport is Malta International Airport (MLA). Transfers are arranged as a group around a week before we travel, the cost is paid separately.
Once you've booked, I'll organise everything so you don't need to think about it. You'll be met at the airport and travel to the retreat with the group, including the short ferry crossing to Gozo, no navigating, no waiting around, no arranging taxis on your own. The cost is typically around £20 each way.
Just book your flight, let me know your arrival time, and I'll handle the rest.
If this feels right
If something in you has softened as you've read this, trust that.
You don't need to arrive feeling well, clear, or ready. You just need the willingness to pause and choose what supports you.
By November, the UK is already deep into short days and little sunshine. This retreat is an invitation to step out of that darkness for a while, into warmth and light, and recharge your batteries before the real depths of winter set in.
Five nights to properly rest, reset, and return to yourself.
Have a question?
If there’s something you’re unsure about, you’re very welcome to get in touch.
Whether it’s about the retreat, accommodation, travel, or whether this is the right fit for you — I’m happy to help.
I’ll always reply personally.
