La Vie en Bleu. How we incorporate Blue Zone living on our retreats — and how we can help you do the same

The fantastic Thea's Taverna in Ikaria

What if your next getaway didn’t just help you unwind—but actually inspired you to adopt a lifestyle that could help you live longer?

By incorporating the time-tested wisdom of Blue Zone living, a Nefeli Nine retreat can become much more than just a break from daily life. Experiencing a week designed around Blue Zone principles—enjoying a nutritious, whole-food diet, practicing mindfulness and connection, and living in sync with nature—can transform your stay with us into an opportunity for a powerful reset for both body and mind.

Spring buds on a hiking trail

What is Blue Zone Living?

Studies on areas with increased longevity began as far back as 1999, but it was author and longevity researcher Dan Buettner who first popularized the term. Buettner reported on communities with exceptional longevity—identified as Blue Zones—in his cover story for National Geographic Magazine's November 2005 edition, "Secrets of Long Life.” He has since devoted his life to spreading the “gospel” of Blue Zone living, writing a number of best-selling books and even co-producing a multiple Emmy-winning series on the subject. (If you’d like to explore his work, I recommend his New York Times magazine article on Ikaria titled “The island where people forget to die”).  

The spectacular Seychelles Beach in Ikaria

9 Essential Principles to Live By

It all boils down to this: through his research, Dan Buettner identified 9 basic principles that the world’s longest-lived people share. Chief among them is a set of lifestyle habits that promote natural movement through daily activities rather than structured exercise. He also observed that these individuals live with a strong sense of purpose and use simple, consistent routines to reduce stress. Their diet emphasizes mostly plant-based foods, eaten mindfully with a practice of stopping before they feel full, and they enjoy small amounts of alcohol socially and regularly. They prioritize close family ties and belong to supportive community groups, which provide emotional and social grounding. Finally, they surround themselves with positive social circles that reinforce good habits and emotional well-being.

Sunset over the mountains

Nefeli Nine Retreats and Blue Zone Living

At Nefeli Nine, we believe that these simple principles are indeed the key to a healthier, longer life. So much so, in fact, that we have used them as our guide and blueprint for each of our retreat experiences. This is our version of Blue Zone living—condensed into one transformative week, but designed to inspire new habits that could last much longer.

A refreshing post-lunch dip

Here's How We Do It:

Each day is designed to guide you back to what truly matters—starting with movement that feels natural, such as an energizing morning yoga flow and hikes through breathtaking landscapes that showcase the best of Greek nature. Our meals are lovingly prepared using fresh, local ingredients, inspired by traditional Mediterranean recipes and Blue Zone principles: mostly plant-based, always wholesome, and free from processed additives. And since science recommends it—and who are we to argue with science—we like to pair our meals with a glass of wine (or two), most of which are locally produced through time-honored traditions passed down from generation to generation.

We also believe in slowing down, savoring the moment, and making space for purpose and peace. Whether through yoga, meditation, or the tried-and-true (and frankly beloved among Greeks) practice of a refreshing siesta, we encourage you to quiet your mind and connect with your inner voice, free from the grind of daily life and its external distractions.

Finally, whether it’s gathering for meals, sharing stories with new friends, or taking time to simply breathe, we aim to cultivate a sense of community and belonging that remains active even after we’ve said our goodbyes at the end. In fact, if you want to learn more about our community and join us, why not check out the Nefeli 9 Facebook Group? 

At Nefeli Nine, we don’t think of your week with us as just a retreat—but a reset for your body, mind, and spirit, grounded in the timeless wisdom of long-lived, joyful living.

Eager to experience all this firsthand and -who knows- maybe pick up a new habit or two? We would love to welcome you on one of our upcoming retreats!

Young boy fishing