"Unveiling Cyprus's Secret Forest: A Journey into Mindful Escape"

I've never been good at resting. I didn't know what complete "disconnect" meant, as my mind is always racing. Feeling guilty not doing anything was common for me. So, when the opportunity to join a retreat at the Secret Forest arose at a pivotal point in my life, filled with changes, it felt like exactly what I needed.

Thus began my journey in mindfulness, strengthening self-connections, and allotting intentional time for relaxation and introspection. The retreat couldn't have come at a more perfect time.

Hosting in the Secret Forest in Cyprus. Photo: Ira Makiyenko

Arriving at a new place is an adventure – to explore, learn, and connect. But the Secret Forest in Cyprus surrounded me with calm you've never felt before, offering a sense of total freedom. I went because I needed to disconnect from the race and reconnect with myself.

Hosting in the Secret Forest in Cyprus. Photo: Ira Makiyenko

Arrival and Immediate Relaxation
Landing at Paphos Airport, my excitement peaked. The bus ride to the Secret Forest set the slower pace of the retreat. As the roads twisted and narrowed, I felt further from routine.

At the retreat itself, greeted by a bird's symphony and complete silence, you find ancient, healing forests. Scientifically observed for centuries, these trees bore fruit unbound by seasons, offering sweet oranges year-round.

One of the accommodation options in the Secret Forest in Cyprus. Photo: Ira Makiyenko

The retreat, established in 1760 as part of a monastery, includes an original church and a modern synagogue. Opened two and a half years ago by the Yonik Group, it harmoniously combines preserved historical buildings with modern necessities.

The retreat is a secure haven nested in nature, focusing heavily on participant safety, and deeply engaged with the island's government. Its relationship with the small village of Milio has strengthened post the October attacks, showing resilience.

The art studio on the hill. Photo: Ira Makiyenko

A Sense of Absolute Freedom
The Secret Forest is an adult-only retreat, offering complete control over your schedule. Despite the packed itinerary full of workshops, sports activities, and creative pursuits, the choice is yours to decide how to spend your time.

Some might feel "FOMO" but I basked in the abundance available in every retreat aspect. The property offers hospitality, thoughtful refreshment points, and staff eager to help, contributing to an All-Inclusive experience extending beyond the physical aspects to encompass emotional richness and freedom.

One of the pools in the Secret Forest in Cyprus. Photo: Ira Makiyenko

The schedule includes personal empowerment workshops, guided sports, forest herb tours, village Milio excursions, mindfulness processes, and creativity activities. A Rebirthing workshop is the only one with an additional cost.

During my stay, I experienced sessions with psychotherapist Maor Zuriel Aurieli and resilience workshops by Tal Privner, alongside Wellness activities like meditation, yoga, pilates, and QiGong.

Retreat pathways. Photo: Ira Makiyenko

The freedom to choose without external pressure is an expression of complete liberation. Many seek emotional healing here, but it's beneficial for anyone facing daily challenges, giving them an opportunity to take control of their lives.

The Wellness area. Photo: Ira Makiyenko

A Boost of Health
The program during my stay was full as we were introduced to the nearby "Health Farm" offering natural healing retreats. A holistic sanctuary in Cyprus mountains, focusing on personal nutrition, advanced natural treatments, and a serene setting, to promote deep healing and regeneration.

The farm comprises tailored nutrition, cutting-edge natural treatments, and a peaceful green environment, fostering a comprehensive body and soul healing process.

A selection of salads at every meal. Photo: Ira Makiyenko

At Yonik Farm, you'll find breath workshops, juice fasting, saunas, ice baths, acupuncture, advanced medical equipment, yoga, meditation, and herb treatments, guided by a skilled team led by mentor Igal Kotlin.

Guests also enjoy free access to the neighboring Secret Forest’s spa, with sulfur pools and complementary treatments. What sets the farm apart is the pre-visit health program that prepares you optimally for the retreat experience. It’s a profound, healing encounter that stays with you long after you leave.

Tamara Zubari's healthy cooking workshop. Photo: Ira Makiyenko

During my stay, we had a detox retreat visit with juice fasting workshops, lectures on nutrition and health, alongside diverse natural treatments.

The ultimate highlight was a cooking workshop on our final night at one of the retreat’s stunning villas. Under Tamara Zubari’s humorous guidance, we learned to create a plant-based feast, savoring the delicious results after.

Healthy cooking workshop. Photo: Ira Makiyenko

Accommodation and Dining

The rooms are beautiful, spacious, and well-designed, fully equipped with everything you need, including plant-based morning coffee milk. With 97 rooms accommodating up to 230 guests, diverse accommodation options range from standard rooms, intimate cabins, to large villas with pools.

The room I stayed in. Photo: Ira Makiyenko

Meals are served all day, including breakfast, brunch, soup hour (consider adopting this at home), lunch, and dinner, plus smoothie and juice times. The food is kosher, vegetarian (including fish), and based on local, fresh plant produce. The menu includes a variety of organic green leaves from the on-site hydroponic greenhouse, where guided tours are available.

Exquisite chef meals. Photo: Ira Makiyenko

A Day in the Secret Forest Looks Like This
I'm glad you asked, because as I said, your day is entirely up to you. Mornings start to the sound of birds, followed by a guided yoga session in an equipped studio, and a fresh breakfast.

Afternoons were dedicated to engaging workshops focusing on personal development, emotional work, meditation, and health. Some days, I chose to explore the forest, take a free shuttle to the Latchi beach, or join a vision board creation workshop at the stunning studio on the hill in nearby Milio village.

Art studio on a hill at the village's edge. Photo: Ira Makiyenko

Evenings were about different relaxation: a good book by the pool, a soothing massage, swimming in the pool, or soaking in the jacuzzi. The magnificent spa, alongside sulfur water pools (thankfully odorless), was perfect.

The Secret Forest in Cyprus. Photo: Nir Davidzon

I dedicated time to myself, and could spend the entire day alone without speaking to anyone. But my love for meeting new people had me engaged in fascinating conversations with other visitors. It's interesting being abroad and speaking nearly only Hebrew, with fellow Israelis.

Art studio on a hill at the village's edge. Photo: Ira Makiyenko

And the Night - Completely Different
The real surprise was in the evenings. If you imagined only silence, introspection, and herbal tea sips - think again. You'll enjoy those, and more, as choice is a central theme. Long dinners sometimes include a Greek tavern night with music and dancing by the pool.

The ancient bar. Photo: Ira Makiyenko

Post dinners, you can shift to the ancient bar with a free-flowing cocktail bar, or even a DJ-led party and revel until late hours. The magic lay in choosing how to socialize, laugh, share, listen, or dance, at your own perfect pace.

There are cocktails and parties too. Photo: Ira Makiyenko

The People Who Make the Place
They say "people make the place," and there's truth in every cliché. Here, I met people from across the country and ages. Some came alone, most in pairs, some even with family or small groups. Many, like me, didn't know what they were seeking – but found more than expected. They found a space to drop pretenses, slow down, truly listen, to others and themselves.

The staff was exceptional, fostering a community driven by mission, with guides and healers, kitchen staff who genuinely enjoy being there. Their enthusiasm was infectious.

Mindfulness practice on Latchi beach. Photo: Ira Makiyenko

The Journey Back to Myself
I came to the Secret Forest in search of self-discovery, with every other experience a bonus. The multitude of knowledge from all directions, new ways of thinking, and wonderful people exceeded my imagination. Reconnection wasn't only internal, but also fostering empowering, strengthening connections with the world and surroundings.

These feelings didn't come from doing less – my days were bustling, albeit with slightly different focuses. I did only what was right for me, at my pace. For the first time in a long while, I didn't want to do everything. Just to be and stay in the moment.

The hydroponic greenhouse. Photo: Ira Makiyenko

I always relish coming back home, grateful for past experiences and life's goodness. The Secret Forest deepened my gratitude for life's good moments. Indeed, I've never returned from a holiday so connected to myself, along with achieving secondary goals unrecognized initially.

The reporter was a guest of the Secret Forest in Cyprus.

The view from the art studio in Milio village. Photo: Ira Makiyenko