- Melies Wellness Festival -
19th - 24th May 2026
In a time when we are being called back to what truly matters — our roots, our bodies, and our relationship with nature — Melies Wellness Festival is a 6-day gathering created to reconnect you with the wisdom of simplicity, and the richness of local life.
Set in the lush landscape of Pelion, Greece, this immersive retreat-festival blends wellness practices with authentic cultural and nature-based experiences, inviting you to not only rest and reset — but to truly arrive into the spirit of the place.
Guided by instructors and facilitators from different wellness backgrounds, the program is designed to support the nervous system, deepen embodied awareness, and open space for presence. But what makes Melies unique is its devotion to local rhythm: the land, the food, the traditions, and the people.
Wellbeing here is not only found in daily practices, but also in curiosity — in discovering, tasting, walking, listening, and connecting through experiences rooted in Pelion’s natural and cultural heritage.
Throughout the week, you will: ➤ practice yoga among vineyards ➤ hike through forest paths and share dinner under the trees ➤ visit local producers and learn from the land ➤ awaken your body with sunrise sessions ➤ enjoy sunset kayak journeys ➤ take part in cooking classes inspired by local cuisine ➤ and experience deep listening sound sessions designed to restore and recalibrate
Melies Wellness Festival is a gem — where wellness is woven into nature, culture, and the beauty of local experience.
The Location
Melies Seaside Deluxe Apartments is located in the heart of Horto, a peaceful seaside village on the Pagasetic Gulf, where forest paths meet the sea and sunsets become part of the daily rhythm.
Surrounded by the lush landscape of the Pelion peninsula, our home base offers a rare combination: crystal-clear blue and emerald waters, quiet beaches, and a coastline that feels untouched — a place that carries the atmosphere of an island, while remaining deeply connected to the mainland’s natural richness.
Just a short walk from the venue, guests can explore Horto’s traditional taverns and enjoy local flavours rooted in Pelion’s culinary culture. During the summer months, the village also hosts the Horto Music Festival, filling the area with concerts and performances that add an extra layer of artistic energy to the experience.
Melies is more than a venue — it is a landscape of serenity, where nature, culture, and the sea create the perfect setting for a retreat-festival devoted to presence.
Our Mission
At Melies Wellness Festival, our mission is to bring you back to what feels real: nature, simplicity, and presence.
We believe the new luxury is waking up to clean air, clear waters, birdsong, and a view of serenity — and letting your body remember what it means to slow down.
Through embodied wellness practices and carefully curated local experiences rooted in Pelion’s culture and landscape, we create a 6-day gathering where wellbeing becomes not a trend, but a return.
Our Facilitators
Soul Escapes
Soul Escapes is a collective of three facilitators — Stelina, Sofia, and Theofili — dedicated to creating immersive wellbeing experiences inspired by nature, local culture, and the art of slow living. Rooted in the belief that true wellness is found in simplicity, balance, and rhythm, we design retreats that combine embodied practices with meaningful local experiences, supporting rest, reconnection, and sustainable vitality.
Soul Escapes organizes curated retreats in Greece and abroad, as well as corporate and company wellbeing retreats, offering spaces where participants can return to clarity, presence, and a healthier relationship with body, mind, and environment.
Stelina Sound Art
Stelina is a singer, sound artist and sound healing practitioner. She began her musical journey as a lyrical vocalist in Greece, driven by a passion for transcultural music and diverse musical traditions.
Her academic studies in lyrical singing and music theater expanded her vocal range and introduced her to high-impact artistic performances and prestigious venues. She completed her vocal studies at the University of the Arts Berlin, and trained in sound healing with Tony Neck at the Academy of Sound Healing.
Her exploration of diverse musical cultures and sound healing has enabled her to facilitate self-healing, mindfulness, and soul reclamation. Stelina's work emphasizes the unity of sound and human consciousness, intertwining vibrations and frequencies with our being. She actively engages in interdisciplinary projects that promote holistic well-being, seamlessly blending her roles as a lyrical singer and sound healing practitioner to create transformative musical experiences.
Theophili
Theophili a degree in Physical Education and Sport Science (University of Thessaly), with specialization in Adapted Physical Activity, rehabilitation, and individualized exercise programming.
She has extensive professional experience in physiotherapy centers, gyms, and sports organizations, with a strong focus on functional rehabilitation, mobility improvement, and safe training for special and sensitive populations. She is a certified Pilates Instructor, Yoga Instructor (100-hour training), Personal Trainer, and Sports Massage Practitioner.
Alongside her clinical and fitness background, she has substantial experience in outdoor activities, sports-educational camps, and nature-based movement programs, integrating the natural environment as a tool for wellbeing, movement, and mental resilience. Her approach combines scientific knowledge, embodied experience, and deep respect for each individual’s needs, supporting holistic physical and psychomotor wellbeing.
Sofia
Sofia is a graduate of Physical Education and Sport Science (University of Thrace) with a specialization in Greek traditional dances. An active fitness instructor specializing in Pilates (Mat & Reformer), group wellness programs, and aqua fitness.
Through movement both in water and on land, she focuses on flow, functional strength, and the harmonious connection between body and breath.
Her teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that movement is a powerful tool for wellbeing, self-awareness, and connection to the natural environment.
With an approach that combines clarity, energy, and sensitivity, she creates supportive sessions that help participants build strength, mobility, and balance — while staying deeply connected to breath and presence.
Movement & Embodied Practices
A curated selection of movement sessions designed to energize, strengthen, and reconnect you with the body — on land and in water.
Water & Pilates
➤ Aqua Fitness
➤ Aqua Pilates
➤ Wave Rhythm Pilates (Pilates inspired by water rhythm and flow)
Strength, Mobility & Spine Care
➤ Full Body Cardio
➤ Flow Movement for the Spine (mobility + release + alignment)
➤ Space Awareness & Free Movement (somatic exploration in space)
Yoga Practices
➤ Vinyasa Yoga (dynamic flow)
➤ Hatha Yoga (grounding + alignment)
➤ Sunrise Yoga (awakening practice)
➤ Sunset Yoga (slow down + nervous system reset)
Creative & Partner Movement
➤ Yoga to Dance (yoga flow transitioning into expressive movement)
➤ Duo Balance (partner-based balance, trust & play)
Dance & Collective Energy
Sessions designed for freedom, joy, and embodied expression — where movement becomes release.
➤ Ecstatic Dance (guided dance journey, no choreography)
Sound, Meditation & Inner Practices
A space for deep listening, nervous system restoration, and expanded states of awareness.
➤ Sunset Sound Healing (restorative closing session)
➤ Deep Listening Concert (immersive sound performance)
➤ Partner Meditation (connection + co-regulation)
➤ Breathwork (grounding + energy + clarity)
The Local Experiences
➤ Kayak Journey in the Pagasetic Gulf
Glide through calm, crystal-clear waters at sunset, surrounded by the quiet beauty of the Pelion coastline.
➤ Wine Tasting at Milea Winery (South Pelion)
Discover local wines and traditions, with the option of a gentle yoga session among the vineyards.
➤ Hike & Forest Dinner among Olive Trees
Walk ancient paths through the landscape and share a meal under the trees — a grounding experience of nature, community, and slow living.
➤ Beehive Workshop
Step into the world of bees and learn about local beekeeping, honey production, and the delicate intelligence of nature.
➤ Cooking Class with Local Products
Prepare and taste Pelion-inspired dishes using seasonal ingredients, local recipes, and the simple flavors of Greek cuisine.