Balkans
EVERYTHING IS BETTER
IN RETREATS
The South of Albania is an undiscovered treasure, a place where rugged mountains meet crystal-clear waters, ancient olive groves stretch across rolling hills, and the untouched coastline offers a peaceful escape from the chaos of everyday life. The region's beauty is not just in its landscapes, but in the stillness it offers to the soul. Here, the timeless rhythm of nature encourages mindfulness, self-reflection, and a return to balance, while providing a healing environment for those seeking to release stress, find emotional clarity, restore vitality, and nourish the spirit.
ABOUT US
Our retreat team is a collective of compassionate guides, intuitive coaches, and nurturing yoga teachers dedicated to supporting transformative journeys. With gentle guidance and mindful presence, they create a safe space for healing, growth, and connection. Through nature-based experiences, holistic coaching, and grounding yoga practices, our team invites guests to find balance, reconnect with themselves, and embrace a deep sense of harmony and well-being.
We believe that wellness is more than physical health—it is about cultivating a deep, harmonious relationship with the Earth, with others, and with oneself. At Retreat Albania, we foster this connection by creating spaces that support healing, nourishment, personal growth, and deep relaxation. Our retreat center is not only a place of physical rejuvenation but also an immersive journey that invites guests to pause, listen, and fully experience the restorative power of this stunning and unspoiled region. Healing and nourishment are at the heart of the Retreat Albania experience. Through a variety of holistic practices—ranging from yoga and hiking to energy work and swimming —we aim to support our guests in releasing physical tension, emotional blockages, and mental stress. Additionally, our nutrient-rich, locally sourced meals nourish the body, offering vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients that support optimal health. The serene environment of the retreat serves as a catalyst for deep healing and nourishment, allowing guests to align with their natural rhythm and restore their inner balance.
Through this union of ancient traditions, local wisdom, and modern wellness practices, Retreat Albania offers a unique opportunity for individuals to heal, reflect, nourish, and reconnect with what truly matters. By fostering inner peace, nourishment, and well-being, we aim to create lasting transformation—empowering our guests to live more purposefully, with clarity, joy, and gratitude, long after they leave the retreat.
Meet The Team
Asdren Nivokazi
Asdren is passionate about promoting Albanian traditions, folklore, and village cuisine, bringing people into the heart of the Balkan spirit. He believes hiking combines sport, joy, and cultural exchange. His tours blend socializing, delicious food, warm hospitality, and the beauty of nature. A filmmaker and landscape photographer, Asdren captures the essence of the Balkans through adventure and art.
Nita Zeqiri
Nita is a nature lover with a special bond to the sea, believing it to be a soul healer. She’s passionate about plants, herbs, and flowers, often enjoying walking tours along the shore, long swims, and herb exploration. As an artist and cultural worker, Nita actively contributes to the development of art and culture in Kosovo, blending her love for nature with her creative work to enrich the local cultural scene.
Ajete Kërqeli
Ajete is drive by curiosity and a deep love for movement, mindfulness, and creative expression. She explores everything from the human experience to the mysteries of the universe and the rhythms of nature. Whether through yoga, psychology, stand-up comedy, or the arts, she finds ways to connect, challenge, and inspire. As a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200) with Yoga Alliance and a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT) accredited by EABCT, she takes a holistic approach to mental health. She leads yoga and mindful movement practices, facilitates support groups, and conducts team-building sessions, helping individuals and teams find balance, resilience, and a deeper sense of self.
Míša Ellenberg
I am a yoga teacher based in Frankfurt am Main, where I share a practice that has been part of my life since early childhood.
In my classes, I weave together elements of Hatha, Chakra, Yin, and Flow Yoga, enriched with breathing exercises, prana guidance, mantra chanting, and philosophical reflections.
With mindfulness at the core, my teaching invites you to connect with your body’s inner intelligence, expand perception, harmonize the nervous system, and find deep relaxation for both body and mind.
Meet our collaborators
Friedrich "Frieder" Binder
Friedrich "Frieder" Binder is a certified coach specializing in Systemic Coaching and Acceptance and Commitment Coaching (ACC), as well as a certified trainer for Intercultural Communication. He helps individuals and organizations navigate cultural complexities and personal growth challenges. With extensive experience working abroad and in culturally diverse teams in Germany, he brings a deep understanding of intercultural dynamics. His coaching approach is rooted in humanistic psychology and a firm belief that everyone has the capacity for change. He has a lifelong interest in Eastern philosophy, especially Daoism and Buddhism, and integrates their principles into his coaching practice. Beyond his professional work, he enjoys being in nature, foraging for wild mushrooms and herbs, and cooking. He coaches in German, English.
Michael Birkhold
Too much of a good thing is wonderful.” Liberace quote.
For him, cooking is deeply connected to hospitality. This creates an extraordinary space for enjoyment.
I learned to cook from a wonderful Frenchwoman who taught me the importance of using the perfect ingredients. Inspired by the international Slow Food movement, he has been following this philosophy for years—using only high-quality, clean, and fair seasonal products from the region. This is the only way he can offer his guests sustainable pleasure and the best flavors.
He wants to give you unforgettable experiences – l’Expérience.
L’Expérience – a heartfelt way of sharing my deep affection for different places with my guests. It’s about experiencing the charm and energy of culture, the beauty and creativity of cooking, and the warmth of genuine companionship.
Besfort Kruma
A professional trainer with extensive experience in training and mentoring future leaders, instilling discipline, teamwork, and operational skills. His leadership background extends beyond proffesions, where he applies his expertise to guiding others in both professional and personal growth. Passionate about nature, he thrives in open spaces and embraces the challenges they bring. As the owner of a highly-rated hostel, he welcomes guests from around the world, helping them plan their journeys. Committed to teaching and self-improvement, he empowers others to overcome mental barriers and carve their own path to success.