 |
 |
 |
 |
HOW THE JOURNEYS WORK A simple combination works its magic - absolute comfort by night, active stimulation by day. THE VENUE AND THE HOTEL Why the Picos? Close to Bilbao and Santander, the craggy limestone peaks of the Picos de Europa rise out of lush green valleys. The mountains are carved into three distinct ranges by clear rivers. The life you find there is surprisingly simple — wobbly old stone architecture in the hamlets, people cutting hay and making cheeses by hand.
Although within just two hours of the UK, the region is a culturally unspoiled pocket of Spain. It's surprisingly gastronomic: cider breweries, tapas bars and rural restaurants provide robust and tasty food, much of it straight off the mountains. Many people add a few cosmopolitan days to their trip to visit Bilbao and the Guggenheim.
Gastronomic picnic lunches are provided on the mountains. By night you eat at atmospheric restaurants serving authentic Asturian food. Although you can choose what you like, all meals are included in the price. We've tried every brewery in the mountains and every eatery in the fishing ports, so whatever you choose, quality is high. What activities? Days are full and active with plenty of time outdoors. We walk gently up peaks, through forests and down gorges from noonish to early evening. There's no time pressure and no competitiveness about our activities. This holiday is for people who enjoy walking and can imagine the buzz of a week's physical stretch — not sporting heroes. The kayaking is on an easy river, flowing downstream. Basic fitness is all you need. Our mountain guide is available as local expert, driver and cultural 'bridge' throughout the week. SLIDESHOW — View a slideshow of previous weeks in the Picos BIG NATURE AS THINKING SPACE Anyone who goes skiing or walking knows how outdoor activities can clear an overstretched mind. There's a reason for that: while you're happily concentrating on being vigorous, the brain slows to alpha state where your subconscious can filter disparate thoughts and resolve the unresolved.
Immersion in nature, meanwhile, provides moments of creative stimulation. We teach you to draw on the natural system as a bottomless source of analogies and ideas. Watching an eagle soaring might enchant you, then suggest a bird’s eye perspective on your question, an effortless gliding approach, or a fast precision plunge. Your walking is restorative time, but also crucial for your Stretch thinking.
In case you think this sounds hippy dippy, rest assured, it's not. Developed by a psychologist and strategist, Stretch thinking evolved from a thriving practice in the business world. Our coaches succeeded in the corporate environment before we transitioned to coaching others. We may be high-spirited and informal, but we regularly facilitate creativity and leadership in commercial and non-profit organisations worldwide, where delivery of results fast is a part of the brief. The press have roadtested us very thoroughly too. The Big Stretch is neither a therapy session nor a belief system. Our method of combining mental stimulation with quiet time in nature simply helps you hear yourself think, bring laser-like focus on big questions, and make sound choices — fast. “Nature will bear the closest inspection. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain.“ — Henry David Thoreau GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION You will have scheduled one-to-one coaching. You also have unlimited access to two coaches while out on the trail. The Big Stretch attracts spirited, intelligent characters from diverse backgrounds, with men and women in roughly equal number. Previous groups have included professionals, creative people, consultants, mothers re-entering work, individuals planning retirement, business owners and leaders, social entrepreneurs, film-makers... it is always a rich mix. Our maximum group size is eight people. Friends who come together are treated as individuals. We generally suggest couples travel on consecutive weeks. Tatler Magazine 2007: The Top Retreats which Really Work THE BIG LIFE STRETCH ITINERARY — View an itinerary here. THE BIG CAREER STRETCH ITINERARY — View an itinerary here. "My biggest paradigm shifts occurred outside the thinking sessions, perhaps because I live so much inside my head: conquering Hibeo mountain, and Fuente De's scree, I learned mind-blowing things about confidence, but highlights remain the epiphanies in my jacuzzi each night, and dining in a stone-walled farm surrounded by dusty bottles of Rioja." ME OR MY ORGANIZATION? The Big Stretch holiday in Spain is for individuals to think creatively for themselves. If it's your company that needs a creative breakthrough, then Stretch thinking takes a different form |
How comfortable? Very. We've chosen locally owned boutique hotels for quality and comfort. Our main hotel is exceptional — and deeplypeaceful — high amongst the eucalyptus trees. You'll have a huge room furnished with local chestnut wood, your own jacuzzi, and vast, uninterrupted mountain views.
This is a mental state where you're more likely to get to the heart of things. You're likely to break through old thought patterns that no longer serve you. It's also creative: after concentrated questioning, alpha is the state of mind where mental incubation occurs. New ideas synthesise, insights pop up, 'right' concepts tend to resonate and grow. Many people regain connection to their intuition, their emotions, and to their place in the world.
On your Stretch holiday, thinking sessions are kept short and energetic. You concentrate on your own situation, in parallel with others working on theirs. At relevant moments, you benefit from the vision and experience of others. It's a safe environment where strict confidentiality is demanded and given.