7 Day Drawing & Yoga Retreat with Işık Güner

What awaits you at this holiday?

Immerse yourself in the beautiful Swiss alpine flora for a whole week, as you observe, sketch, and paint using watercolours.

Enjoy the comfort of a modern wooden chalet in a eco-responsible mountain village and delicious meals made from scratch with fresh local produce.

Allow yourself to take a break from your routine, relax and breathe in the fresh Alpine air, with stunning surroundings at the background.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, this retreat promises to be an unforgettable experience.

Hotel bedroom with mountain views in Switzerland

Minimalistic design and Swiss comfort

Spend a week in an eco-responsible village situated in the picturesque valley of Valais at an altitude of 1200 meters.

The charming wooden chalets, built using local larch wood, will provide a cozy home-like feeling. The minimalist design and comfortable interiors of the chalets will help you relax, while the stunning mountain views outside will take your breath away.

With three bedrooms and two bathrooms in each chalet, you'll have ample space and natural light. Your private terrace with a mesmerizing view of the Rhone valley and Lake Geneva on the horizon will complete your idyllic cabin.

Enjoy the unique concept of "wild cuisine" served by Chef Jérémie and his team three times a day, made from local products and wild harvests.

Swisscabin retreat chalet in Switzerland

Swiss Cabin - Retreat venue in Switzerland

Les Cerniers Restaurant in Monthey, Switzerland

Minimalistic holiday accommodation in Switzerland

Minimalistic kitchen in holiday accommodation in Switzerland

Botanical drawing course with Işık Güner

Throughout this weeklong course, you will learn various botanical drawing techniques from the artist Işık Güner and receive one-on-one guidance to perfect your skills.

Get started by getting inspiration from exploring the local flora and gathering samples at the botanical garden, on the first morning of the retreat, before returning to the studio for the afternoon session.

The next two days will be spent in the studio, from 10am to 4pm, allowing the participants to enjoy the creative process without distraction, slowly getting into fine details. The forth day will offer a half day break with an inspiring forest walk, followed by an afternoon in the studio. The last full day at the studio will be dedicated to fine details and demonstrations of other techniques by Işık.

By the end of the week, you will have a collection of beautiful artwork that captures the flora of the Swiss alps.

La Thomasia Alpine Botanical Garden Visit

You will have the opportunity to visit the inspiring La Thomasia Alpine Botanical Garden, accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide.

Nestled in the heart of the Vaud Alps at an elevation of 1260 meters, the garden is situated near the expansive Pont-de-Nant pasture and the awe-inspiring Grand Muveran wall, which soars over 3000 meters high.

Having been established in 1891, La Thomasia is among the oldest continuously operating Alpine gardens in existence. With a diverse collection of 2000 alpine plants sourced from mountain ranges around the world, the garden places a special emphasis on showcasing species native to the Vaud Alps, such as the striking Alpine pulsatilla.

Mountain Retreat in spring nature in Europe

La Thomasia Botanical Garden in Switzerland

Botanical drawing course with Isik Guner

Forest walk foraging and lunch in an old barn

One morning of our retreat will be dedicated to a peaceful stroll through the nearby mountain region, where we will immerse ourselves in the natural beauty of the season.

Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, we will safely harvest wild edible plants, further connecting with the surrounding environment.

To conclude our forest walk, we will be treated to a special lunch in an authentic, centuries-old Swiss barn.

(Optional) Smooth Yoga for Your Balance

Balance your time spent at the desk with optional daily smooth yoga classes. Led by Christina from Sukha Retreats, who is a qualified teacher of the Kaivalyadhama school of yoga and Sivananda, and a very keen Ashtanga student and teacher.

While the yoga classes are not the primary focus of the retreat, they provide a great opportunity for those looking to move their body and calm their mind.

Allow yourself a truly holistic experience, where art and yoga come together to offer a rejuvenating and transformative week.

Sukha Retreats in Switzerland with Christina - Ashtanga yoga teacher

Restorative yoga with Sukha Retreats in Switzerland

Summer gateway in the heart of the Swiss Alps

The Swiss Alps in June offer some of the most breathtaking and stunning natural surroundings in the world. The snow-capped mountains glisten in the bright sunshine, while the meadows below are awash with colorful wildflowers.

The crisp mountain air is filled with the sweet scent of pine and the sound of birds chirping. The crystal-clear alpine lakes reflect the majesty of the mountains, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere.

Hiking trails wind their way through the rugged terrain, providing ample opportunities to explore the awe-inspiring beauty of the Alps.

In June, the weather is mild and pleasant, making it the perfect time to experience the natural wonder of this magnificent region.

What's included?

6 night accommodation in a private room

3 meals a day including soft drinks

Daily art classes - full programme

Guided visit in La Thomasia Alpine botanical garden

Guided forest walk & Foraging wild edible plants

A special lunch in a century old barn

Optional daily yoga classes

Group transportation to activities

What's not included?

Transportation between hotel <> airport

Travel insurance

Art Materials (see the list)

Personal expenses

How to get there?

The hotel is easily accessible via various transportation options:

2 hour drive from the Geneva airport
3 hour drive from Zurich airport

Les Cerniers 100, 1871 Monthey, Switzerland

Parking is right in front of the chalet Les Cerniers
- Reach Monthey train station from anywhere in Switzerland
- From Monthey train station (CFF), take a 45 trip by bus n° 63 to Les Cerniers, get off the bus at the final final bus stop «Les Cerniers Restaurant».Timetables and prices can be found on www.cff.ch.* From Geneva airport (GVA) – find a train station inside the airport.
Prices per trip, not per person:
- Pick up from Monthey train station CHF 60
- Pick up from Aigle train station CHF 115
- Pick up from Geneva airport CHF 450
Contact Christina for more info (via a form at the bottom of the page)

Retreat Leader

Sukha Retreats - Christina Spire

Sukha Retreats were created by Christina Spire, who is passionate about yoga, art, and personal development.

After experiencing a disruptive expatriation, and a new life as an expat-wife in Switzerland, she discovered the transformative power of yoga with the help of inspiring teachers.

Christina also studied botanical illustration and explored personal development tools to overcome the dark moments and challenges.

All these inspired her to create Sukha Retreats, a platform where she can welcome and inspire others and share the positive influence these passions and experiences have had on her life.

Christina - Ashtanga yoga teacher, Sukha Retreats in Switzerland

Botanical Artist

Isik Guner

Isik Guter is an environmental engineering graduate who became a botanical artist after completing her studies.

She spent seven years working on the book 'Plants from the Woods and Forest of Chile,' which was published in 2015 and was awarded 'Excellence in Botanical Art and Illustration' in 2017. She has been involved in various art projects and her paintings are in the collections of the Shirley Sherwood collection in London and the Hunt Institute in the USA.

Isik currently works as a tutor at Diploma Botanical Illustration at the Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh and as an art editor of 'Illustrated Flora of Turkey.' She has recently published an educational book called 'Botanical Illustration from life' in multiple languages.

Currently based in the mountains in Turkey, Isik often travels around the world to illustrate rare plants and runs art workshops.

Botanical drawing retreat in Europe and Switzerland

What to bring

Recommended Material List

 1. Drawing Pencil (2H, HB, 2B, 4B)
 2. Divider
 3. Eraser
 4. Sharpener
 5. Tracing Paper 
6. Sketching paper (Smooth surface Cartridge paper / pad, 120-160 g/s, A3/A4)
7. A range of Watercolour brushes (N 4, 3 or 2, and smaller)
 8. Palette
 9. Watercolour pigments
10. Watercolour Paper (Minimum 300 g/s, Hot Pressed, 50-100% Cotton watercolour paper is recommended)
11. Backboard (if possible) 

7 Day Botanical Drawing Retreat in The Swiss Alps