Energyia Holistic Fitness Activity Holiday Retreats in Greece, with leading fitness professional, author, presenter, and producer, Michele Wilburn, on the glorious island of Zakynthos,(Zante) will take place during the summer in the Greek Islands.

Accommodation Overview Locations Overview Prices Booking Energyia Vasilikos Energyia Tsilivi Balcony Boutique Hotel Christys Villas Erietta Villa Energyia Porto Koukla The Gloria Maris Hotel Energyia Zante Town

FAQ's Energyia Holistic Holiday Retreat™ Zakynthos Greek Islands

with Michele Wilburn

• What shall I pack in my suitcase?
• What weather should I expect?
• What is the voltage of the electricity in Zakynthos?
• What facilities are there for money exchange, internet, and phone?
• What should I expect in different seasons?
• Can I bring friends to share accommodation, who wont be doing the Energyia programme?
• Are the exercise sessions suitable for a beginner?
• Should we bring moisquito repellent?
• Can we drink the tap water?
• Time What is the difference between time in the UK and Greece?
• Public Holidays: What dates will public holidays fall on in Greece this year?
• Telephone: How can I make phone calls?
• Postal Service: Will I be able to use the postal services?

Business hours: What hours are the shops and banks open in Zakynthos Town?

You can arrive any day of the week to join the Energyia Holistic Fitness Holiday retreat, in Greece on the Greek Island of Zakynthos also known as Zante in the Greek islands this summer.

 The fitness holiday retreat schedule rotates on a weekly cycle in Greece on the Greek Island of Zakynthos. You can opt in and out of Energyia Holistic Retreat™ activities, including the holistic retreat fitness schedule, based on Energyia Kinetics exercise. 

You can be sure of my wholehearted support in welcoming you to join an Energyia holistic fitness holiday retreat  in Greece on the Greek Island of Zakynthos and doing all I can to help you enjoy your retreat holiday on the gorgeous Greek island of Zakynthos! 

FAQ'S FOR ENERGYIA HOLISTIC FITNESS HOLIDAY RETREATS

Passport and Visa requirements

Question 1: What shall I pack in my suitcase?

• You will need :
  Loose comfortable clothing for exercise and meditation sessions, although comfortable beachwear is idea for outdoors with some baggy shorts or a sarong overtop! 

  If you wish to bring your own lightweight mat please do so. Otherwise we provide mats for Energyia Kinetics exercise sessions, suitable for yoga, and cushions for meditation.

  A variety of casual wear can be purchased in the local shops should you find you need T-shirts and leggings for exercise, yoga and meditation.

  You may want to dress for some special evenings out. Life in the Greek islands, in Greece on the Island of Zakynthos at night caters for all tastes. Dress remains smart yet casual.

  I've learned over the years that travelling light to the Greek Islands is always a good idea. Although the weather can get chillier in the evenings we are going to be out and about a lot during the day, and often on beaches.

  It is entirely up to you as to whether you want to wear training shoes during retreat fitness sessions. Many of the activities integrate Energyia Yoga Flow™ techniques with gentle Cardio Kinetics. A pair of trainers are always useful to pack; just be prepared to get sand in your toes, so dont go spending a lot of money on designer shoes!

Most of the time will be out doors in natural locations. Swimsuits, bikinis, beachwear, with light throw overs/ t-shirts to protect from the sun.

In Vasilikos village a number of clothing and cosmetic items can be purchased as required, at very reasonable prices, such as sunhats, sandals and clothing.

Wear light, roomy, and comfortable clothing for exercise sessions - swimsuits/ light leotards/leggings or shorts and a t-short are all fine; as long as you are comfortable.

If you come in low season May, June, September and October you need to bring
warmer clothes for the evenings and lighter clothing for the days.

Room towels are provided for your personal use in the accommodation. You will need beach towels; go for lightweight towels you can rinse and carry easily. A couple of lightweight small hand towels are also useful for use during pampering and thalassatherapy sessions by the sea.

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What weather should I expect? Zakynthos has a great climate, cool sea breezes, but it can get hot in July and August. We are never far from the sea and a refreshing swim in the wonderful waters of the Greek islands

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What is the voltage of the electricity in Zakynthos?

220 volts; you need a 2 pin travel plug for the hairdryer!

Appliances from North America require a transformer.  British appliances require an adaptor.
I recommend you pack one together with your electrical appliances, so that you do not have to spend valuable time looking for adaptors and transformers during your stay.

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• What facilities will I find for money transfer, phone and internet?

Most of the hotel accommodation will provide cash from a card. There are numerous cash machines in the Tsilivi region. At the Hotel Vasilikos beach you are about 9 kms from the nearest larger resort which has cash machines. I suggest bringing some cash in Euros so that you can relax about money following your arrival.

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Question 5: What should I expect in different seasons?

• March - Mid June is a beautiful time with spring flowers and lovely clear temperatures. The tourist season starts in May and this is when everything starts to open.
• From mid June to the end of August the weather can be very hot with balmy summer nights. Shops are open late and transport is on the summer timetable which means it runs frequently. It is a lovely time of year to enjoy the sun and the sea. The island still remains amazingly green throughout the summer in Zakynthos.
• September is also the month of wine-making in the island of Zante. The weather starts to become crisp and clear again; great for swimming, hiking and cycling. The peak tourist season in Zakynthos has dies down and the atmosphere is delightful.
• Olive harvesting in the Greek island of Zakynthos begins in October, and carries on through the winter. The rain can come a little more often but generally this is a great time for cycling and enjoying the beaches. From mid October facilities start to closing down so choice of tavernas etc can be limited even though the season runs until the 31st. The last two weeks in October are quieter, the nights begin to draw in more quickly, and  beach facilities begin to close, but still this is a great time to enjoy the delights of the Zakynthian countryside, especially for a quick recharge of your batteries before the winter sets in.

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Question 6: Can I bring friends to share accommodation, who wont be doing the Energyia programme?

• Yes this is fine, as long as we have the facilities to accommodate you all near by or in the retreat holiday location. Otherwise I can find suitable accommodation close by. I will arrange a quote for the whole party when I know who will be attending the retreat activities, and how many other guests are coming just to holiday.
• I also have time set aside to arrange private Energyia Holistic Holiday Retreats™ and VIP Energyia™ Holiday Retreats in Zakynthos this summer. A special package is tailored to meet your personal needs. Whether travelling alone to the Energyia holiday retreat, with family or a group of friends, the private package is designed to include a complete holiday schedule with day trips to include the most spectacular highlights of the island. Personal daily tuition in respect to all Energyia™ activities, for the whole party if required, and a choice of accommodation to meet your taste and budget are carefully scheduled to meet your requirements. Email me with your particular preferences for your holiday.

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Question 7: Are the exercise sessions suitable for a beginner?

I have been teaching all ages and fitness levels for over 30 years as a fitness professional. When I have larger groups I employ a secondary facilitator; a  leading fitness professional trainer from the UK.

I have always instructed mixed groups of people and teach carefully.  Part of the Energyia Kinetics™ approach to exercise is based on the philosophy of ' learn, share and pass it on' This way we all learn from each other in an open atmosphere of questioning, exploring; aiming for precise control within all movement, whether CardioKinetics™ or Energyia Yoga Flow™ activities.

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We are never too old to start learning, and we are never too young to learn to exercise!!!

Before commencing any fitness program, you should visit your doctor to get a physical examination.

It’s important to ensure you don’t have any medical issues to address. Discuss with your doctor or health professional any issues that need clarifying so that you know what’s best for you before changing your physical activity

If you suffer with a heart condition, any other debilitating illness, or any chronic disorder, which requires permission to exercise, before you begin to exercise, you must speak with your doctor. If you suffer chest pain, dizzy spells, osteoporosis, arthritic or joint pains, if you are taking any medication, you must consult your doctor before booking to attend Energyia Holistic Holiday programmes.

I am always happy to receive calls and correspondence in regard to personal queries. My expertise remains as a fitness professional, author, and presenter. If you have any health care questions, please consult your physician. Always consult your physician or health care practitioner before you begin any new treatment, diet or fitness programme.

• If you are currently under medical supervision of any sort, I may ask you to provide a doctors certificate confirming your fitness to travel, if appropriate, and may decide that the Energyia Holistic Holiday Retreat™ programme is not suitable for you. The holiday retreat programme is not suitable for those who are currently too emotionally disturbed or too physically disabled to take responsibility for themselves. In any case, all health problems should be disclosed when booking.

• Please detail any relevant information regarding your fitness, health, and any medical treatment regarding medication you are currently receiving. If you are under medical supervision, please provide details.

•  I will consult with you personally as soon as possible following your arrival. We will fill in a health and fitness questionnaire,  before you commence the Energyia Holistic Holiday retreat™ programme activities.

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Question 8: Do we have to bring insect repellent?

• There are mosquitoes in the summer months in the greek islands, and Zakynthos is no exception. I advise you to bring repellent if mosquitoes bother you. You can also purchase repellent at the local village, and of course there are other candle burners and mosquito wall plugs, plus other deadly mosquito tips the locals provide you with to help keep the mosquitoes away.

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Question 9: Can we drink the tap water?

• The tap water in Zakynthos is generally not tasty to drink. Bottled drinking water can be bought cheaply in the mini market stores close by.

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Luggage
Please pack a suitcase, when travelling to the holiday retreat in Zakynthos, that you can carry comfortably. A realistic weight for a woman is 15kg (20 kg at the most to avoid overweight penalties at the airport!)

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Greek Time
Greek time is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time, an hour ahead of Central European Time and seven hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. Along with the rest of continental Europe, the clock is advanced one hour during summer -from the end of March to the end of September- almost a month earlier than the UK, the US and Canada. Therefore keep in mind that the time difference with these countries is one hour greater for some weeks in April and October.
If you want to find out what is the exact time call 141 (recorded message in Greek).

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Public Holidays in Zakynthos
New Year's Day: January 1st
Epiphany: January 6th. The seas around Piraeus are blessed. A Cross is thrown into the sea and young men dive to retrieve it.
Ash Monday: 41 days before Easter. Lent begins. On Ash Monday, Greeks fly kites, eat lenten food and celebrate the Koulouma.
Independence Day and the Feast of the Annunciation: March 25th , Military parade.
Easter: Good Friday-Easter Monday. Vesper evening is on Good Friday and every church decorates an Epitaphios (bier). The Epitaphios processions, followed by people holding lit candles and chanting hymns, fill the streets of every city, town and village in the country.
Anastasi (Resurrection): celebrated with fire-works and lit candles at midnight, on the eve of Easter Day. Pascha (Easter): on that Day Greeks traditionally eat lamb, spit-roasted on charcoal. The festivities include singing and dancing through the day.
Labour Day: May 1st . Many Flower Festivals take place all over Greece.
Whit Monday: 50 days after Easter.
Dormition (Assumption) of The Virgin: August 15th .
October 28th: rejection of the Italian ultimatum in 1940. Military parade.
Christmas: December 25th -26th.

Using the Telephone
OTE Telecommunications offices are the cheapest way to make local or international calls. To do so, just walk in and wait for a booth to be free. At the end of the call, the desk operator will present you with a bill. OTE offices are open from 08:00 to 14:00.
Local and international calls can also be made from public cardphone booths and kiosks (periptera) equipped with meters.
Telecards can be purchased from kiosks and OTE offices.

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Postal Service in Zakynthos
Signs denoting post offices are usually bright yellow, as are post-boxes.
If you need to send a letter there are stamp vending machines and post-boxes outside all central post offices. Parcels sent abroad must be inspected, so do not wrap and seal them beforehand. Brown paper, soft padded envelopes and cardboard boxes can be bought at the post offices themselves.

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Business hours in Zakynthos
Banks: 8:00. to 14:00. daily, Friday 8:00. to 13:30. ,
closed Saturday, Sunday , and most holidays.
Shops are open Monday, Wednesday and Saturday 9 am-3 pm and on Tuesday and Thursday 9 am-8 pm
Many tourist shops are open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Gas stations are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m Some are open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
Government offices : 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, closed Saturday, Sunday and most holidays.
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Passport and Visa requirements

FOR E. U. CITIZENS
Travel documents :
Passport is not a compulsory requirement for E.U. citizens travelling from or to Schengen countries. (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Austria, France, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, Portugal).
Currency :No limit
Customs Formalities :None
Forbidden substances :
Drugs, explosives etc. Travellers in possession of codeine-based medication are subject to severe penalties, unless they declare their possession.
Health : Vaccines are not required for E.U. citizens.

FOR NON E.U. CITIZENS
Normally, for all non E.U. citizens willing to travel to Greece, valid passport if required. Visa formalities are required for visitors from certain third countries. For their convenience, regarding the currency, custom formalities etc. all eventual visitors, are advised to contact the nearest Greek Embassy or Consulate.

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Accommodation Overview Locations Overview Prices Booking Energyia Vasilikos Energyia Tsilivi Balcony Boutique Hotel Christys Villas Erietta Villa Energyia Porto Koukla The Gloria Maris Hotel Energyia Zante Town

Michele Wilburn London UK Tel(0044)(0)(207)2841918 

email: michele@energyia.com

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