Ukes'N'Yoga - Andalucía here we come... Again!!

After the success of our first retreat in Spain last May, we're doing it again!

Join me, Matt Parkin (The Awesome Ukulele Academy) in Gaucin, Southern Spain, with the incredible Phil Doleman for ukulele fun!

Arriving in Gaucin on the 30th of October and leaving on the morning of the 3rd of November, it's going to an awesome experience!

Gorgeous accommodation, amazing food, wonderful music, walks in the country, views across to Africa, good wine for €2 a glass, and the chance to obsess about the E chord in the ultimate safe space - what could be better!

Philippe and Evelyn have already booked for next May and 25% of the places on this retreat have already been booked by other people who were on the last retreat in May 2025.

The costs for 4 nights and 3 days full-board, including all workshops are:

one person (sharing a twin room) = £1,180
one person (single occupancy) = £1,480
a couple sharing a room = £1,980
or spread the cost with a £400 deposit followed by 3 (monthly) transfers

The pricing does not include transport to the venue or travel insurance, but we can help organise airport transfers or car shares.

YOUR TEACHERS:

Phil’s love of vintage blues, swing, and jug band music shines through. With just his big voice, and driving rhythms on both ukuleles and banjos he'll take you back to the speakeasies and juke joints of 100 years ago. Phil has travelled all over the UK, Europe, and the US performing and leading workshops at festivals, theatres, and clubs. He has been described as “massively entertaining” by Blues Matters.

Matt Parkin, from The Awesome Ukulele Academy, is a teacher, performer, professional musician, and all-round nice guy. He spent most of his 20's touring and recording with bands, such as The Jesus and Marychain and The Mission before relocating to Spain to raise kids and chickens. He likes yoga, swimming in rivers, and extreme gardening.

Both Matt and Phil have a very similar approach to teaching music - everyone is in their own lane and will develop their own style in their own time. The emphasis is always on fun and enjoying your unique journey.

No one get's left behind - we all have something to offer.

THE LOCATION - Gaucín, Malaga Province, Andalusia:

Gaucin in the Genal Valley at the Southern end of the Serranía de Ronda is more than just an idyllic Pueblo Blanco. This attractive white village founded by the Romans, and then expanded and heavily fortified by the Moors who named their village Gauzan, an Arab word meaning strong rock. These days Gaucin is better known as a haven for international artists who flock to the area for the peace and tranquility afforded them.

With a population of 2,000 and a few more scattered outside the village, Gaucin is large enough to have a small town centre, with markets, butchers, fruit shops, clothing, banks, and other miscellaneous traders. In fact many of the residents are able to buy everything they need on a daily basis in the village without having to travel to Ronda or the Costa del Sol.

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

4 nights, full-board accommodation (one lunch at a restaurant will not be included), including half a bottle of wine at each meal
Amazing catering from our chef, the wonderful Lucy
3 days of structured ukulele workshops focused on playing as a group and improving right-hand technique
Individual support and performance coaching
The chance to perform as a group and solo in front of a real live audience
Yoga sessions with a qualified instructor
An Awesome play along with Matt
An intimate concert with Phil
A huge amount of fun

The main theme of the weekend will obviously be playing the ukulele, . The workshops will be held at the accommodation and aimed at helping you improve your uke game, whatever level you are at, with an emphasis on playing with other people and performance. Matt and Phil will be on hand throughout to answer any questions you have, and give advice on all aspects of music and playing the uke.

The broader theme will be wellbeing and happiness. There will be optional morning yoga (I love yoga) with a qualified instructor, and time to wander in the hills, admiring the views to Morocco across the Straits of Gibraltar.

THE ACCOMMODATION:

La Almuña is one of my favourite places in the area. I first stayed there 25 years ago and was cooked for by Diana, the present owners grandmother - she still lives in a house on the site and I supply her with marmalade! I've played at numerous Christmas markets here, hosted family party's, and always enjoyed it's informal, rustic charm. Lucy's (our lovely chef) first job in the area was here and it feels so right to host a retreat here. I cannot wait to welcome you to La Almuña.
This is what the current owner said - "From the house, breathtaking views stretch across white hilltop villages and beyond the Pillars of Hercules, deep into the Rif Mountains of North Africa. Finca La Almuña, a beautifully preserved farmhouse over 100 years old, sits at the heart of a 200-acre private estate. Founded over 40 years ago by Sybil and Diana Paget, the estate has a rich and colourful history. During the Franco era, it’s said the house formed part of a smugglers’ route through the mountains. Today, the finca is sustained by its own organic kitchen garden, which yields a daily abundance of fresh, seasonal vegetables."

THE PROVISIONAL ITINERARY:

Thursday 30th October - Arrive and settle in at La Almuña with drinks on the terrace or by the pool (yes - there's a pool). In the evening we'll have a live Awesome play along hosted by Matt and a fabulous shared meal.
Friday 31st October - Early morning yoga (optional). Morning and afternoon uke sessions, with a buffet lunch . The evening meal will be on the terrace with views towards Africa (weather permiting) followed by an intimate ukulele concert from Phil Doleman.
Saturday 1st November - Early morning yoga (still optional). Morning and afternoon uke sessions, with lunch at my favourite restaurant in Gaucin and the chance to wander round the village. In the evening we'll hunker down at La Almuña, have a couple of glasses of wine and maybe play some more - or not!
Sunday 2nd November - Early morning yoga (Guess what - it's still optional!!). We'll have a uke session in the morning followed by an Awesome Uke Academy group performance (venue tbc). Don't worry - there is no pressure to take part but we really hope we'll give you the confidence to join in. There'll also be the opportunity to play in small groups or solo as well, and myself and Phil will be on hand to coach you for this. And that evening we'll have a final group meal at La Almuña to celebrate life and ukuleles!
Monday 3rd November - Breakfast in La Almuña and fond farewells!!

OTHER INFORMTATION:

Once again, the costs for 4 nights and 3 days full-board, including all workshops are:

Twin or double room = £1,080 per person, based on 2 people sharing
One person room (single occupancy) = £1,480
or spread the cost with a £400 deposit followed by 3 (monthly) transfers

NB: one meal will be in a local restaurant and is not included, but half a bottle of wine is included with each meal at La Almuña!

Most of the rooms share a bathroom with one other room. This is a retreat so we will all be working together and sharing the space.

We will be catered for by my friend Lucy, the most amazing local chef, for lunch and dinner (*one lunch will be at a local restaurant and is not included). She caters for quite a few holidaying celebs so she'll be fine with us! Breakfast essentials will be provided in the accommodation for us to help ourselves.

There will be time to enjoy and relax - it wont just be about ukes! There is a pool - it will be very bracing! And there are some lovely walks. And there will be a lot of music 😁😁😁😁👍

I have allowed half a bottle of wine per person, per meal, and all the water is from a local spring. If you would like to bring anything else that would be great. There is a supermarket in Gaucin.

You can either pay in full now or put down the deposit and spread the cost over the next three months. Places are limited so we wont be able to refund if you change your mind, but we will try and find somebody else to buy your ticket. We will be in touch about dietary requirements etc nearer the event and can advise on transport from to and from Malaga or Gibraltar.