In 2018 we discovered the Marina Alta while exploring for a new, slower life. We instantly felt at home and were lucky enough to find an amazing place, which became our rural paradise. The following year we moved from busy Amsterdam to authentic Benissa. From a fast city life towards a better quality of life. Yalcin worked in hospitality and as Graphic Designer, Carlijn in the fashion industry. It was a big change of life, which we have never regretted. 

 

We started a small Boutique Hotel “Casa Alba'' in the countryside of Benissa. It became a good running business. As a result we were mentioned in Spanish lifestyle magazines, such as Cosmopolitan, Elle, Conde Nast Traveler and Harper's Bazaar. But also in the Dutch Bart’s Boekje and VRIJ magazine. 

 

After four years we realized that working 24/7 was not the reason why we moved to Spain. We worked even harder than we did in Amsterdam. The daily stress of owning a business in Spain and not being able to recharge our batteries, ended up in two unhappy and unhealthy people. On top of that, Yalcin struggled with a burn-out and Carlijn lost her mom within the same year. It was very clear we had to choose for our own wellbeing and happiness, so we sold our paradise. It has been a great success and above all a great adventure, but we were ready to start a new chapter  in our lives. We moved to a quieter life at the countryside with our dogs, and are now enjoying the Mediterranean slow life. 

 

The following year we spent a lot of time soul searching, including attending retreats. When we were searching for retreats in our area, we couldn’t find anything that covered our wish list. And so it began, it was an intuitive decision to create exactly that.

With our experience from Casa Alba, our own ‘soul’  searching journey and our love for creating personal concepts, the idea for sōl retreats was born.