THE WEEKEND RESET

WHERE: Sophie Leen unwound at the Cliffs Of Moher Retreat, Ireland

This place had me hooked the moment I laid eyes on it. Perched on Ireland’s western coastline and set against a backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean and endless green fields, the Cliffs Of Moher Retreat sprawls across 10 acres of stunning natural landscape.

Here, stressed-out city dwellers (me) and yoga newbies (also me), alongside those more advanced in their practice, gather to stretch, unwind and breathe in the sea air.

FINDING SERENITY

The three-day Rest, Recover & Reflect weekend, led by retreat co-founder and yoga practitioner Michelle Moroney, focuses on restorative yoga and healing classes. Starting off with the friendliest greeting of all, from their live-in pooch called Moher, and a welcome reception filled with healthy, homemade snacks, it was the perfect way to meet with fellow solo retreaters who, I was delighted to find, made up most of the group.

Bookending my days with a restorative yoga class at sunrise and guided relaxation by candlelight before bed was the much-needed calm I was craving. All the classes are optional, so don’t worry if your idea of a stress-free getaway means a clean break from your alarm clock before the messy reconciliation come Monday morning. However, I was keen to take on the early starts and soak up all the classes, including breath work and meditation. As a newbie, my fears of being forced to “om” for hours on end were unfounded and, luckily, there were no uncomfortable group silences either. Instead, calmly stretched out on the yoga mat with my eyes closed and the sun beating in through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, my mind felt simply serene.

REST AND RELAXATION

On Saturday afternoon we were left to our own devices, so I took a relaxing dip in the outdoor cedar hot tub, with nothing but the panoramic sea views for company. It’s more than worth braving the brief disrobing in the chilly Irish air. This was followed up by a full-body massage, but bag a spot quickly as there are only a handful available. The estate also has a number of communal lounges, where you can curl up with a cup of tea and a book by the fire or chat to other guests between classes. After only two nights, I returned home determined to recreate both the sense of tranquillity and the delicious vegetarian fare in my everyday life. A stay here is so special, you’ll try anything to preserve the magic even a minute longer.

GO SOLO Eating alone is fine (just spend it editing the 67 photos of you for Insta)