28th August - 2nd September 2024
crete RETREAT with Gus vaz tostes
Duration
5 nights
Location
Plaka, Crete
Group size
4 Villas, up to 4 people per house
Fly into
Heraklion Airport
Perfect for
Training / Exploring / Making new friends
From £1950 per person
What to expect
This summer, after a few years of preparation, we’re thrilled to be welcoming Coach Gus Vaz Tostes to Crete. We’re so excited for you to train, relax and explore with Gus as your coach and Team MLA as your hosts, in what is going to be a week of movement and good vibes.
Gus is a FiiT master trainer, Hyrox ambassador, WIT fitness coach and was also named 'Coach of the Year' by Men’s Health in 2018.
Join us on an incredible 6-day fitness holiday, where he will take you through a variety of fun but challenging workouts and active recovery in nature. Here’s what you can expect in a nutshell:
Stay with us for 5 nights (6 days) in a private or shared bedroom.
Train daily in a small group with workouts designed and coached by Gus.
Recover in nature.
Discover local Crete secret spots and food.
This is a week for athletes of all levels of fitness and the only prerequisite we ask for is an appetite for adventure, training and being in the company of others. Movement will be just as important as relaxing and making the most of the company you’re in.
MEET GUS!
Our trip host is the one and only Gus Vaz Tostes, a motivator, a mentor, and a source of boundless energy who brings the positive vibes wherever he goes. Also one of the kindest and most encouraging coaches around.
Gus was born in Brazil and each retreat has a unique cultural flair to it, making each moment a celebration of movement and joy.
He combines his love for fitness with his innate ability to connect with people.
Everyone is welcomed with open arms into his classes, there is no ego and his genuine care to see you reach your goals is admirable. His nurturing approach extends beyond the gym, creating an atmosphere where all feel inspired and open to new adventures.
Gus' fitness journey is marked by a passion for movement and holistic well-being. As CrossFit coach, PT, avid competitor, and ambassador to some of sport’s best-known brands, Gus brings a wealth of expertise and adventurous spirit. He lives by the motto "you never know if tomorrow will happen, so have to make everyday worth it" making him the perfect guide for those seeking an incredible journey towards a healthier, happier, and more vibrant life.
We are so happy to have him on board!
Accommodation
Our summerhouse, also known as Fig Tree Villa, includes four houses laid out around a communal gym and courtyard.
Each house is laid out on two levels, with a twin/double bedroom, private bathroom and terrace on each level. A central lounge with an open plan kitchen is the hub of each house and here you can gather and relax with your housemates. Each house is laid out so you can take time to be alone or socialise with others as you please.
Three of the houses boast stunning sea views, while the fourth opens up to mountain and gym views.
The gym is right outside your front door and you can train there around-the-clock.
All houses have free and reliable wi-fi for those who need to stay on top of work while away.
Training
Gus will coach you in a small group format throughout the six days, offering his expertise across Olympic Weightlifting, gymnastics, metabolic conditioning and functional bodybuilding.
Training sessions will take place in the morning, with an optional second session in the afternoon where you can choose to train alongside Gus or do your own programme.
All of our gym sessions will take place at our private onsite gym which you’ll have exclusive use of.
Our fully-equipped gym includes what you can expect to find at a functional fitness space; an Eleiko rig with space for squats, pull-ups and muscle ups, gymnastics rings, ropes, Eleiko Sport barbells, training barbells and bumper plates, dumbbells, kettlebells, sandbags, medicine balls, jump ropes, bands, parallettes and 4x C2 Model D rowers.
Outside of the gym, you will also make use of the surrounding trails for running, as well as the beach and bay for swimming.
Exploring & active recovery
There’s nothing quite as refreshing as spending time in nature and it also helps to balance out our gym training.
Swimming
We’re located across the road from the beach so you can dip in the water at any time, whether for training or recovery. Further along the village there are more spots where you can snorkel and explore .
Trails
Outside the villa there are two mountain trails to the north and a flat trail to the south, all of them with views towards the sea and great options for a walk or hike.
Morning Paddleboarding
Paddleboarding at sunrise is a great way to set yourself up for a great day. The nearby island of Spinalonga is a short 15-minute paddle away and the sunrise is the most beautiful time to do it.
Gorge Hike
This hike takes approximately four hours and we will walk, climb and treat ourselves to views of the Cretan landscape. To cool down we will dip in the waterfall on the way down, and also in the sea before climbing back up.
Private boat trip
Our 4-hour private boat trip gives us a chance to explore nearby beaches and coves and enjoy diving off the boat into blue waters. We typically set off late morning and return in the afternoon, having had lunch on the boat.
Download your full itinerary
Meals
We love sharing food together around a table. We aim to find fresh, locally sourced delicious food and we choose restaurants that do this very well.
We have breakfast together everyday. You have a choice to make your own breakfast or order it from our favourite spot. We eat breakfast after morning training.
Lunch is more flexible and up to you to make your own or eat out. Each house has its own kitchen where simple meals are easy to prepare.
For dinner, we head to one of our favourite local spots, a different one every night. There is a wealth of cafes and restaurants serving fresh local food in and around Plaka. We love the local food and we’re excited for you to try it.
Portions in Crete are generous, so you are unlikely to be hungry between meals.
We have not included meals in the price. Generally you can expect to spend between 25-35€ per person for dinner.
How to book
Book your place with a deposit and pay the balance in monthly instalments
You can book your space with a deposit and spread the balance across monthly instalments. The full balance is due one month prior to departure.
Dates and pricing
Wednesday 28th August - Monday 2nd September 2024
Double occupancy bedroom: £1,950 per person
Single occupancy double or twin bedroom: £2,150
All bedrooms have private bathrooms.
terms and conditions
Once your deposit is made, you’ll receive our Terms and Conditions to sign for your booking to be confirmed.
Please note, we need a minimum of 7 guests for the trip to go ahead. If the trip does not go ahead, all payments will be refunded in full or can be used on other More Life Adventures retreats.
Included in the price
Accommodation
Accommodation for 5 nights at the Fig Tree Villa.
Daily small group training sessions planned and coached by Gus (morning training)
As well as daily optional afternoon open gym sessions where you can train follow Gus’s programme with him
MLA Host throughout your stay
24-hour open air gym
The gym is right outside your front door and you can train there around the clock.
Gorge Hike & Boat Trip
Paddle boarding
Airport transfers
On arrival and on departure day we have an airport transfer arranged for the group. The transfer is just over an hour by car to the house. The minibus will leave at 2pm from the airport on arrival day and at 11am from the house on departure day. Please note if you need to arrive or depart at different times there will be an additional charge.
All transfers to activities and dinners
Wi-fi
Photography To keep the memories alive!
Not included in the price
Your return flights to Heraklion airport
We will suggest the best flights to book but ask you to cover these at your end.e w
Meals
We will book breakfast and dinner at selected spots, but will ask you to cover those separately.
Extra activities
These include water sports, sports massage sessions, lunch at a local winery or the short boat trip to Spinalonga island. You can select these on booking.
YOUR HOST
STELLA KAMBA
Stella founded MLA after several years working as an architect and personal trainer. She loves to bring people together for weeks of training and quality time in nature. She is in her element hosting groups of mixed abilities and backgrounds and you can rely on her to teach you Greek phrases and keep you going when the temperatures get hot!
Frequently Asked Questions
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If you would love an active holiday in the sun, exploring new places with like-minded people, this is for you.
Guests on our trips range in age from early 20s to late 60s. They typically love to train, explore, and hang out in a light-hearted group environment.
If you’re in doubt, drop us a line at hello@morelifeadventures.com and let’s have a chat.
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All levels of fitness are welcome.
Prior experience in functional fitness training or CrossFit is relevant but not at all required.
If you have taken some time out of training, you’ll have a chance to move outdoors and an opportunity to get back into gym training if you like.
If in doubt, drop us a line at hello@morelifeadventures.com and let’s have a chat.
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Upon receiving your booking we will send you suggested flight times. You also have the option to book your airport transfers with us at an additional cost.
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Everyone over the age of 21 is welcome on our trips and there is no upper age limit.
To date we have had guests in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s and everyone gels well.
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Absolutely. We plan these trips specifically for our guests to gel easily. Get ready to make new friends!
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Unless you specifically book to share a room with a friend or partner, we will not ask you to share a room with anyone.
If you are booking a room to yourself, please make sure you select the single occupancy option.
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We will be training once or twice daily and would love you to join us. However if the timings don’t suit you, you can opt out and train ‘open gym’ style at a time that suits you better.
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We cater for all allergies and dietary requirements. Just let us know on your booking form.
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There is stable WiFi in the villas for most people to work and study remotely. If you have specific video streaming requirements please get in touch.
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We have a drink at dinner and after that, additional drinks will be charged as extras. (To keep you from nursing a hangover the next day!)
Did we miss anything?
Words from our guests
★★★★★
“It was just an amazing week. Like I'm still living off the energy from it. It was without being corny, like it was everything I hoped for and more. It was a great combination of three activities a day, some downtime, trying some different food, socialising over dinner, going on a boat trip, paddle boarding. I quite enjoyed all the small things like after the beach we don't just run off like we're the guests here. We'll take the equipment back and you know, pump the paddleboards, I think it gave it a real family feel.”
Andy Tapping
★★★★★
“I went on the remote working retreat in Crete and it was incredible! A beautiful location, has everything you need around. The team was extremely accommodating and welcoming; the trip was a perfect balance of activities and relaxation time. Highly recommend :)”
Tali Vaisbart
★★★★★
“Crete was the perfect week of working out, beach time, working, and meeting some awesome people. The house and gym are amazing - everything is designed beautifully, the kitchen has everything you could need, and the sunrise view over the ocean out the bedroom window was breathtaking. The houses are literally across the street from the beach, and you can do a couple short walks/hikes from the house with gorgeous views of Plaka below.”
Lea Cohen
