BHakti YOGA ADVENTURE
CROATIA 2025
AUGUST 24TH - SEPTEMBER 1ST
From Sacred Stillness to Coastal Freedom:
A Bhakti-Fueled Journey of Yoga, Adventure, and Connection
August 24th - August 29th
Ekodrom Estate, Vojnic
August 29th - September 1st
Adriatic Coast
Discover the Heart of Croatia through Bhakti Yoga
Get ready for a retreat that blends the heart of Bhakti Yoga with the stunning beauty of Croatia’s landscapes. With daily yoga, chanting/kirtan, sound baths, and Bhagavad Gita lessons, this is your chance to relax, connect, and dive into the yoga of devotion—all while exploring some of Europe’s most incredible destinations.
We’ll start with five nights at the peaceful Ekodrom Estate, complete with hot tubs, saunas, and nourishing vegetarian meals. You’ll enjoy an Ayurvedic cooking class, visit the charming village of Rastoke, and take a day trip to the breathtaking Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its turquoise cascades.
To end the trip, we’ll head to Croatia’s stunning Adriatic coast, where you can soak in the Mediterranean vibes. This is the perfect spot to unwind or extend your stay and explore more of the coast’s iconic charm.
It’s the ultimate mix of nature, relaxation, adventure, and yoga. Join us for this unforgettable experience and discover Croatia through devotion, connection, and culture!
Location & Accommodation
Your retreat begins at the tranquil Ekodrom Estate, a hidden gem in Croatia’s lush countryside. Surrounded by rolling hills and peaceful forests, this eco-retreat offers cozy accommodations, nourishing meals, and rejuvenating amenities like hot tubs and saunas. It’s the perfect setting to immerse yourself in yoga, devotion, and connection with nature.
For the grand finale, we’ll journey to the breathtaking Adriatic Coast, where Croatia’s world-famous turquoise waters meet charming seaside villages. Here, you’ll unwind in the Mediterranean breeze, savor the coastal serenity, and soak in the vibrant culture. It’s the ideal blend of tranquility and adventure, offering the opportunity to extend your stay and explore even more of Croatia’s coastal magic.
WHATS INCLUDED IN YOUR RETREAT
5 nights/6 days at Ekodrom Estate
3 nights/3 days on Croatia’s stunning Adriatic Coast
Daily yoga, chanting/japa, kirtan & Vedic storytelling
Ayurvedic cooking class
Plitvice Lakes entrance fee and guide
Visit to Rastoke Village
Coastal excursion & swim in Mreznica River
STAY & ACTIVITIES:
Comfort & Connections:
3 vegetarian meals per day (most of the retreat)
Use of hot tubs, saunas & hammocks
Use of yoga equipment
Pick-up transfer from Zagreb
Local host & guide during the retreat
Immerse in Croatian cultural heritage
Unforgettable experiences & meaningful connections
Airfare
Personal expenses
SOME MEALS
EXCLUDED:
Pricing Options
Ends February 28th 2025
*priced in canadian dollars
EARLY BIRD
Shared Room: $2,600 CAD
Private Room: $3,100 CAD
Deposit: $750
(non-refundable)
March 1st - June 24th 2025
*priced in canadian dollars
FULL PRICE
Shared Room: $2,800 CAD
Private Room: $3,300 CAD
Deposit: $750
(non-refundable)
*All prices are exclusive of applicable local Ontario taxes. These will be calculated and added at checkout.
GET TO KNOW YOUR GUIDES
PARAMANANDA
Paramananda has been traversing the path of yoga for over 25 years. His journey towards higher consciousness started out early in life, as a punk guitarist from the hardcore scene of New York City, where he spent his youth playing blaring rebel anthems in popular bands such as Youth of Today, Judge and Shelter. In a music scene mired in drugs, negativity and violence, Youth of Today championed a straight edge lifestyle of positive thinking, personal empowerment and freedom from drugs and alcohol. His band Shelter went even further into uncharted territory, incorporating Eastern spirituality, yoga ethics and self discovery into their music. Selling hundreds of thousands of records, the band toured constantly, bringing a message of hope to Generation X kids all over the world looking for something higher.
Paramananda found great inspiration in the Krishna Bhakti tradition and started living in ashrams, intensely studying ancient Sanskrit texts, meditation, kirtan (chanting of sacred mantras) and bhakti yoga (the yoga of devotion to God). From there he made yearly pilgrimages to India, learning to live the life of a yogi from the culture where it came from.
In a spirit of wanting to share what he had learned, Paramananda became a yoga teacher, specializing in arm balances, inversions, kirtan and storytelling from the wisdom literature of ancient India.
MONIKA BENKOVIC
Monika has been teaching and practicing yoga for 9 years, blending her passion for Bhakti Yoga with a deep commitment to the path of yoga. Her training spans both India and Canada, offering a foundation in various yoga traditions. Monika works with energy, teaches Punk Rock Yoga, and leads Nada Yoga—the yoga of sound and vibration—focusing on the transformative power of sound for healing and connection.
In 2020, Monika founded Church444, an alternative wellness community that deeply focused on yoga, the arts, and mental health. She now co-owns So’ham Studio in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, where she continues to cultivate meaningful connections and community through yoga.
Having traveled extensively, Monika has shared her teachings globally through workshops and retreats. Born in Croatia, she is excited to guide participants on a Bhakti adventure through her beautiful homeland, sharing both her love for yoga and her cultural heritage. Her dedication to merging science with spirituality inspires her teaching and aims to help people return to themselves, reconnect with their true nature, and deepen their self-awareness.
sasha dakic
Sasha Dakic, born and raised in Croatia, is a yoga teacher and the founder of Fige Yoga Adventures. With a passion for blending yoga, nature, and cultural exploration, Sasha creates thoughtfully curated experiences that showcase the beauty and heritage of her homeland. As your local guide for the first half of the retreat, she brings her deep knowledge of Croatia and her love of yoga to ensure a unique and immersive adventure. Sasha will be joining us on the first part of our adventure as our personal local guide!
FAQS
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Not at all! This retreat is open to everyone, whether you’re a seasoned yogi or brand new to the practice. Our goal is to create a welcoming space where you can explore yoga and Bhakti Yoga at your own pace. Come as you are and enjoy this unique blend of movement, sound, and connection—no prior experience needed!
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Absolutely! Solo travelers are more than welcome. This retreat is designed to foster community and connection, so you’ll quickly find yourself surrounded by like-minded individuals. It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet new people, make meaningful friendships, and share unforgettable experiences. You might arrive solo, but you’ll leave with a community!
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We’ll do our very best to ensure your dietary needs are met! All meals during the retreat are vegetarian, and we’ll send out a food allergy form prior to your arrival to gather important details. Your comfort and well-being are our priority!
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Yes, we do! After your $750 deposit, we’ll arrange a flexible monthly payment plan that works for you. Of course, if you’d prefer, you can also pay the full amount in one transaction. Total balance is due 60 days before the retreat date.
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It’s simple! Just click the "Reserve Your Spot" button, and you’ll be prompted to send us an email. From there, we’ll schedule a personal call to connect, answer your questions, and ensure this incredible trip aligns with you. After the call, we’ll send you an invoice to secure your $750 deposit, followed by additional invoices based on the payment plan we’ve arranged together. We’re here to make the process seamless and personal!
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You can pay using any major credit card, PayPal, Wise, or email money transfer. If you prefer to pay in cash, we’re happy to offer you a small discount as well. We aim to make payment as flexible and convenient as possible!
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This is a substance-free trip. In the spirit of health, wellness, and Bhakti Yoga, we kindly ask that you refrain from consuming alcohol or drugs while participating in the retreat. Our focus is on connecting with nature, each other, and ourselves in a high-vibe, harmonious environment. Consider this a wonderful opportunity to detox and fully embrace the transformative energy of this experience!
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A few meals are excluded during the trip, and this is reflected in the price. On days when you’ll be adventuring through Croatian villages and sightseeing, we want to give you the freedom to explore the local cuisine and satisfy your curiosity. Part of the joy of traveling is trying new foods, and Croatia offers a rich culinary experience, including plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.
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The deposit of $750 CAD is non-refundable. This policy is in place because we are required to make advance payments for accommodations, transportation, and food preparation in Croatia to secure your retreat experience.
If you are unable to attend the trip, refunds for payments (excluding the deposit) may be available depending on how close your cancellation is to the retreat date. Here’s a breakdown of our refund policy:
90+ days before the retreat: Full refund of payments made (minus the $750 deposit).
60-89 days before the retreat: 50% refund of payments made (minus the $750 deposit).
30-59 days before the retreat: 25% refund of payments made (minus the $750 deposit).
Less than 30 days before the retreat: No refund available.
We understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise, and we commit to being as fair and transparent as possible in making decisions regarding refunds. If we are able to fill your spot with another participant, we will work with you to adjust refunds accordingly.
Feel free to reach out with any questions about this policy!
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You will book your flight to Franjo Tuđman International Airport (ZAG) in Zagreb, Croatia. From there, you’ll make your way to Zagreb City Centre, which is easily accessible by Uber (about 20-30 euros) or a coach bus (about 8 euros). On August 24th, a bus will pick everyone up as a group from Zagreb City Centre and shuttle you to Ekodrom Estate.
Transportation from the Adriatic coast back to Zagreb is not included, as many participants often choose to extend their stay on the coast. However, we’re happy to help arrange transportation back to the airport for a small additional fee if you wish.
We highly recommend arriving a day earlier to explore Zagreb and adjust to the time zone before the retreat begins. Specific details about pick-up times and locations will be shared closer to the retreat date.
Let us know if you have any further questions!
Still Have Questions?
If your question isn’t covered in the FAQ section, we’re here to help! Feel free to reach out to us directly on WHATSAPP AT +1-905-512-0460 OR EMAIL USING THE FORM TO THE RIGHT, and we’ll be happy to provide more details about the retreat, accommodations, or anything else you need to know. We can’t wait to share this unforgettable adventure with you!