Hasta La Ideas

In our latest competition, we’re offering our readers the chance to win a week-long retreat for two at Soul & Surf in Sri Lanka.

Located on the southern coast, the winner and their guest will be invited to join yoga classes and surfing lessons throughout the week.

The seven-night stay includes breakfast, lunch and two-course dinner every day, five two-hour surfing lessons plus an extra five at sunset, five yoga classes and additional meditation sessions and a canoe ride.

The resort is based near Ahangama, and is a 25-minute drive from the historic fort town of Galle. Away from the main road but near the ocean, it is surrounded by verdant jungle.

Soul & Surf Sri Lanka packs in an active itinerary of surfing and yoga classes, or, for those looking to do more relaxing, meditation and lounging by the pool.

The week at the hotel starts on Saturday, and guests check out the following week.

A typical day begins with a 90-minute yoga session at sunrise, with a two-hour surfing session later in the day. In the evening, sessions such as sunset surfing and yin yoga sessions take advantage of the picturesque scenes.

Despite the organised schedule, the hotel reminds guests that they’re free to attend as little of the sessions as they wish. The package also includes activities like cooking demos and paddle-boarding tours of the nearby river.

The resort has 12 suites, centred around a swimming pool with a sunken lounge.

They are all fitted with en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning and a veranda overlooking the jungle, with mid-century furniture and four-poster canopy beds.

Guests can relax in a communal indoor/outdoor lounge with an external pavilion area, which is designed to soak in the jungle nature.

On the first floor, a shala – meaning a room for yoga – overlooks the jungle. Similar to the lounge areas, this space also is semi outdoor.

Soul & Surf began in Kerala, India, in 2010. Founded by Ed and Sophie Templeton, they created the resort as an escape from their jobs in the city.

The Sri Lanka branch was the couple’s second retreat, and the third in Portugal opened earlier this year.

One winner and their guest will receive a package including: seven-nights accommodation, breakfast, a light lunch and two-course dinner, five morning and five evening surf sessions, one SUP or canoe ride session, seven yoga classes, surfboard hire for all seven days and unlimited drinking water. A video feedback session and one surf theory lesson are also included.

Photography is by Mike Wakefield unless stated otherwise.

Competition closes 23 January 2020. One winner will be selected at random and notified by email, and his or her names will be published at the top of this page. Terms and conditions apply. Flights are not included.

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