LA GOMERA WINTER RETREAT
21 JANUARY - 4 FEBRUARY 2025
FEATURING OYSTERS 3, MIRANDA SYKES, CHRIS WHILE & JULIE MATTHEWS
WATERCOLOUR ART CLASSES WITH PAUL CLARK
Escape to the sunny paradise of La Gomera for our exclusive winter retreat at the hotel Jardin Tecina. Indulge in a 7 or 14 night stay complete with dinner bed and breakfast, music workshops, watercolour art classes and evening concerts.
Discover the tranquillity of the Canary Islands in late January, where sun-soaked La Gomera awaits with its picturesque beaches, trails winding through tropical mountain scenery and misty rainforests.
Oysters 3, with their captivating fusion of folk and rock will showcase their incredible voices as a dynamic trio. John Jones, Alan Prosser and Ian Telfer, the three founder members and creative heart of folk-rock legends Oysterband, invite you to fresh acoustic performances and off-the-wall stories.
Singer and bassist, Miranda Sykes, is touring as she started out: one woman, one bass, and one guitar. Her career has spanned over 20 years, during which time she has played with many of the top musicians and singers within the folk world.
Experience the magic of our winter retreat with exclusive performances by cherished British singer-songwriters Chris While and Julie Matthews. With an unparalleled musical partnership spanning over three decades they have amassed numerous nominations, awards, and critical acclaim throughout their journey.
Immerse yourself in creativity with Watercolour Art Classes by the talented duo Paul Clark and Margot Lofts. Paul, a published author and world-renowned artist, brings over 40 years of teaching experience, while Margot adds her artistic touch to create a diverse programme for beginners and experienced painters alike.
Explore the breathtaking landscapes of La Gomera on the 'Hike & Strum' programme coordinated by Andy Webster. Some incredible hikes around the island and informal ukulele sessions over drinks back at the hotel, following a Songbook crafted by Andy - available to download before you embark on this unforgettable adventure.
What's Included
- 7 or 14 nights Dinner B&B
- Return transfers from Reina Sofia (Tenerife South) airport to Hotel Jardin Tecina on 21, 28 January and 4 February 2025
- Evening concerts performed by Oysters 3, Miranda Sykes, Chris While & Julie Matthews
- Stargazing walks and tours of Eco Finca” Tecina, a 100% ecological farm
- Full time services from the on-site Harmony Voyages Team
- ABTA financial protection for your peace of mind
Optional pre/post event stay
Ease the arrival and departure days and trying to book flights that coincide with the ferry timetable for transfers over to the island and back. Add on the optional package of pre/post overnight at the H10 Costa Adeje Hotel, Tenerife, from £160pp per night bed & breakfast.
La Gomera
La Gomera is one of the smallest of Spain's Canary Islands. It is known for its lush landscapes and unique geological features such as the black sand beaches, deep ravines, and rugged coastlines. The island is recognised for it's unique 'whistle language', Silbo Gomero, used by locals to communicate across steep terrain.
Thanks to preservation efforts on La Gomera, Garajonay remains one of the best-preserved subtropical rainforests in Europe. Home to around 400 species of flora and fauna, many endemic to the island, the park sits at the heart of La Gomera’s 600km network of walking trails.
With paths weaving across the island, you can DIY your walk with short circular trails, half-day hikes and full-day treks over mountains and along the coast.
This island holds many surprises with its incredible wildlife, captivating culture, and breathtaking scenery, leaving visitors in awe by it's diverse environmental wonders and stunning ocean views.
Accommodation
Hotel Jardín Tecina is located on the island of La Gomera, declared an outstanding World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2012, with the Garajonay National Park previously declared a World Heritage site in 1987.
Bathed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, La Gomera is an idyllic paradise with a subtropical climate between the African continent and Spain.
Choose to join in with some of the optional activities, or simply disconnect from the world and relax in the sunshine by day, delighting in the local gastronomy by night.
In their constant pursuit of excellence and quality service, we are pleased to inform you that Hotel Jardín Tecina will undergo a comprehensive phase of renovation and modernisation to further enhance your experience. This process will cover various areas, from updating their facilities and implementing cutting-edge technologies that will ensure a more efficient and personalised service, always with the utmost consideration for sustainability, a fundamental part of the project.
Oasis Rooms
30m2 welcoming, light-filled rooms with views over the swimming pool or gardens, each with balcony or terrace. Maximum capacity 3 people* *Double or twin beds + single bed
Room facilities include: Air conditioning, mini bar (on request), safe deposit box, music channels, telephone, satellite TV and hairdryer.
Armonia Side Sea View Rooms
30m2 welcoming and light-filled rooms with views of the gardens or side views of the Atlantic Ocean Maximum capacity 3 people* *Double or twin beds + single bed
Room facilities include: Air conditioning, mini bar (on request), safe deposit box, music channels, telephone, satellite TV and hairdryer.
Horizonte Sea View Rooms
30m2 rooms with unspoiled views of the Atlantic Ocean. Maximum capacity 3 people* *Double or twin beds + single bed
Room facilities include: Air conditioning, mini bar (on request), safe deposit box, music channels, telephone, coffee & tea making facilities, pillow menu, satellite TV and hairdryer.
Junior Suite Laurisilva Sea View Rooms
Each Junior Suite is characterised by the additional space of 52m2 and comprises a lounge separated from the bedroom by doors. Each with a balcony or terrace with unspoilt ocean views or lush garden views. Maximum capacity 3 people* *Double or twin beds + single bed. Free use of a Balinese bed at Club Laurel and use of Eco boutique amenities are provided.
Room facilities include: Air conditioning, mini bar (on request), safe deposit box, music channels, telephone, coffee & tea making facilities, pillow menu, satellite TV and hairdryer.
Duplex Suite
Each Duplex Suite offers maximum privacy with the best panoramic views of the golf course, gardens or the Atlantic ocean. Each suite is over three floors with a large bedroom, bathroom and terrace on the ground floor. A living room convertible into a second bedroom, with balcony and a shower room on the second floor. A private sun terrace on the top floor with panoramic views. Located in an exclusive adults only area of the resort, with a private pool, balinese beds and 2 Jacuzzis, use of Eco boutique amenities are provided. Maximum capacity 4 people*
Room facilities include: Air conditioning, mini bar (on request), safe deposit box, music channels, telephone, coffee & tea making facilities, pillow menu, satellite TV and hairdryer.
Entertainment
OYSTERS 3
Oysterband from a different angle…
John Jones, Alan Prosser and Ian Telfer, the three founder members and creative heart of folk-rock legends Oysterband, invite you to fresh acoustic performances and off-the-wall stories - an insight into their history, sometimes turbulent, often funny, with great songs from every era of a unique career.“The very first time we did this, we more or less improvised the show. We were astonished when it went down a storm - and we wondered why on earth we’d never thought of doing it before!”
MIRANDA SYKES
Miranda Sykes, the acclaimed singer and bassist with ‘Show of Hands’ is returning to her roots. After a career spanning over 20 years, during which time she has played with many of the top musicians and singers within the folk world, she is touring as she started out: one woman, one bass, and one guitar.
CHRIS WHILE & JULIE MATTHEWS
With 30 years of unrivaled musical partnership and gathering numerous nominations, awards and critical acclaim along the way, much beloved British singer-songwriters Chris While and Julie Matthews celebrated a quarter of a century last year as one of the best loved and most prolific female duos to come out of this country.
Please note; during the two week holiday, there will be six evening concerts. Three concerts the during the first week and three concerts during the second week. The artists appearing on the website are currently booked to perform and will appear either in the first week or the second. We cannot offer any guarantee that an artist or band will perform on specific dates.
Activities
The choices of activities on offer at La Gomera are plentiful and you can join in as much or as little as you wish. These include Watercolour Art Classes for beginners and more experienced painters with Paul Clark and Margot Lofts, Ukulele Hike & Strum with Andy Webster, dolphin and whale watching, bird-watching, tennis, Golf & Yoga, visits to the “Eco Finca” Tecina, a 100% ecological farm and guided walks in Garajonay National Park (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), with its unique ecosystem.
*the full programme of events will be available shortly.
Watercolour Art Classes
We are delighted to welcome Paul Clark and Margot Lofts back to La Gomera to take the watercolour art classes.
Paul Clark is a published author, professional artist, and a world renowned YouTuber with a following of over 200,000+ subscribers, who has been teaching watercolour painting and drawing techniques to adult learners of all levels for over 40 years.
Margot Lofts, a watercolourist in her own right, works alongside Paul to take extra classes to provide a varied programme.
A list of equipment required is available and can be downloaded as a pdf by clicking here.
Prices to be confirmed - payable in resort by Card (sterling), BACS, cash Sterling or Euros.
Ukulele Hike & Strum with Andy Webster
Andy Webster is an avid walker and is at his happiest when in the fells taking in the views or playing one of his ukuleles with his band "Warehouse of Thieves! He has guided / arranged successful walking holidays including walks in the Alps, over the Hadrian’s Wall path in its entirety twice and walked sections of the walk countless times. He has also completed the Pennine Way, St Cuthbert’s Way, climbed most of the fells and mountains of the Lake District and much of the 630 miles of the South West coast path.
Hike with Andy
In La Gomera Andy has put together (with the help of La Gomera walking guides) a programme of hikes for guests who are interested in exploring this beautiful volcanic island.
Routes for the hikes will be decided nearer the time as they will vary according to the prevailing weather conditions. Hikes can also be tailored to a certain degree to the abilities of the group, but please bear in mind that La Gomera is a mountainous volcanic island, so all hikes will have steady and sometimes long ascents and descents and will involve some rough ground. Although there won’t be any scrambles, we may encounter loose uneven stony terrain, long series of steps and occasionally mud! With all this in mind, when considering whether to book on a walk it is worth thinking about your fitness level. We will be hiking for around 5 hours and will cover between 4 and 6 miles and you will need to carry your own lunch and an ample supply of water.
Each week, one of the walks will be a higher level, shorter and flatter walk to accommodate those who may not fancy the more challenging longer walks on other days.
An example walk is below:
Tajaque-Alto de Garajonay Iqualero-Chipude
The walk starts at Mirador de Tajaque which overlooks the Integral Nature Reserve of Benchijigua. We continue through the national park to the highest point of La Gomera, Alto de Garajonay where, on a clear day, you can see almost the entire island. We make our way down to Igualero (the highe3st village in La Gomera), pass La Fortaleza (Table Mountain) and finish our walk in the little village of Chipude.
Walk is 10.8km, lasting 4 hours with a 415m ascent.
Booking is essential as each walk can take a maximum of 14 people. To give more people a chance of walking there will be a limit of 3 walks per person. Price per walk TBC. This includes your guide and transport to and from the walk sites. Payable in resort by card (sterling) or cash (sterling/euros).
Strum with Andy
Andy will be running informal ukulele strumming sessions on each Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday evening following a songbook which you will be able to download before you travel. These sessions will be open to everyone and Andy will have a number of spare Ukes for people to borrow if you are unable to bring one with you.
In addition, you can access workshops on the non-walking days (Monday, Thursday and Saturday) which will be more learning based and in depth. The first of which will be a beginners session and then progress from there. Featuring themes like "Moving from strumming to picking" , "Finger picking, the next steps” and “12 bar blues including turnarounds and walk downs”. You will receive all workshop worksheets in the resort. Andy will also be available throughout your holiday for any questions you may have relating to your ukulele skill development.
What will you need (walks):
- Sturdy walking boots or shoes with good support and grip
- A fleece as it can get chilly up high or in the rain forest
- A lightweight waterproof jacket, just in case
- A hat
- Suncream
- 1ltr - 1.5ltrs water
- Lunch either ordered from the hotel the day before or from the well stocked local shop
- Walking poles
Please let us know in advance of any medical conditions.
We reserve the right to cancel or change a walk or tour in the event of adverse weather or path conditions.
Walking poles will be provided for those who do not want to travel with them.
Prices
Prices per person (pp) / Dinner, Bed and Breakfast
Flights not included, please contact us if you require assistance with travel arrangements.
£200pp deposit required to secure booking.
| EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNT £50pp UNTIL 30 APRIL 2024 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Room Type | 14nt prices | Solo Occ | 7nt prices | Solo Occ |
| Oasis Room | £1940 | £2410 | £1365 | £1610 |
| Armonia Side Sea View Room | £2140 | £2680 | £1465 | £1740 |
| Horizonte Sea View Room | £2270 | £2880 | £1530 | £1840 |
| Junior Suite Laurisilva Sea View Room | £2590 | n/a | £1600 | n/a |
| Duplex Suite | £2770 | n/a | £1725 | n/a |
Optional pre/post event stay
Ease the arrival and departure days and trying to book flights that coincide with the ferry timetable for transfers over to the island and back.
Add on the optional package of pre/post overnight at the H10 Costa Adeje Hotel, Tenerife, from £160pp per night bed & breakfast.
Arrival package 20 & 27 January - from £160pp (£210 solo)
The price includes; airport meet & greet, private transfer to the hotel, B&B, private transfer from the hotel to Los Cristianos ferry terminal to tie in with a ferry time of your choosing.
Return package 28 January & 4 February - from £170pp (£220 solo)
The price includes; meet & greet at the ferry terminal, private transfer to the hotel from Los Cristianos, B&B, private transfer to the airport for your return flight.
| Package Type | Price PP | Solo Occ |
|---|---|---|
| Arrival package 20 & 27 January | from £160 | from £210 |
| Return package 28 January & 4 February | from £170 | from £220 |
Getting There
The holiday does not include flights, this gives you the flexibility to choose flights that suit your own personal preferences.
Return transfers from Reina Sofia (Tenerife South) airport to Hotel Jardin Tecina on 21, 28 January and 4 February 2024 are included.
Flights arriving/departing at other times may require an additional overnight in Tenerife due to ferry times*:
*Based on 2024 ferry times
From Los Cristianos - 21 & 28 January - 09:30; 13:00; 16:00; 20:30
From La Gomera – 28 January & 4 February – 08:00; 14:30; 17:30
On arrival at Tenerife South airport, a transfer will be provided to the port at Los Cristianos for the 50-minute ferry crossing to La Gomera.
The transfer from Tenerife South airport to Los Cristianos port is approx 20mins.
On arrival in La Gomera a transfer will be provided to the Hotel, approx 50mins.
Please contact us if you require additional hotel accommodation in Tenerife, or assistance with booking flights.
FAQs
Is my booking financially protected?
Yes, your booking protected under our ABTA bond No: P7419 which means should Harmony Voyages fail prior to your holiday you will be fully reimbursed or during your holiday, you will be flown home as per your original booking.
Are flights included?
No, flights are not included to allow you the flexibility to travel from your airport of choice to and from Tenerife South. Transfers are included to/from La Gomera on 21 & 28 January and 4 February. If you would like a quote for a fully inclusive package, including flights from the UK please contact the office and we will be happy to assist.
What happens if the artist that I booked to see is unable to perform at the festival / holiday?
As you have booked a holiday, then the holiday will still take place. In the event of a festival where there are multiple artists, the full programme will still be performed and any artists unable to travel will be replaced. In the event of a river cruise or other holiday where only one artist is performing, the artist will be replaced with an alternative artist of a similar genre. The cost of the holiday is not refundable.
Can I extend my stay?
Yes absolutely. Please talk to us about your requirements.
Can I book airport hotels & parking with you?
Yes, we are happy to assist with booking airport Hotels, plus parking if required prior to your flight departure or you can book directly via our referral link here.
Which airport do I need to fly into / home from?
You will fly into Tenerife South (TFS)
Are transfers included?
Transfers to La Gomera are included on 21 and 28 January from Tenerife South airport. Or from Los Cristianos Ferry Terminal, should you opt to arrive into Tenerife earlier. Return transfers included on 28 January and 4 February. Transfers on alternative days may incur an additional charge.
Where courtesy transfers are provided as part of a package cost, we are unable to offer any form of reimbursement should you decide to make your own transfer arrangements. Transfers from airport to accommodation will operate when all passengers have joined the vehicle and the maximum wait time should not exceed 30 minutes.
Where you have booked a private transfer through Harmony Voyages, you will have been charged separately for this, and a voucher will be issued.
How long is the transfer?
Transfer to the hotel takes about two hours, including the 50 min ferry crossing*.
*Based on 2024 ferry times
From Los Cristianos - 21 & 28 January - 09:30; 13:00; 16:00; 20:30
From La Gomera – 28 January & 4 February – 08:00; 14:30, 17:30
Room facilities
Kettles are not provided in every room type. You are welcome to bring your own travel kettle or you can hire a 'kettle, mugs, tea, coffee, milk tray' from the hotel reception for a small daily charge.
Can I book an independent package and just buy the art classes separately?
No, all classes need to be pre-booked and only available to those booking the official package.
We look after you every step of the way
We are a small experienced team who look after you from first enquiry, right through to the end of your holiday. The same people who help you with your booking, will be in the resort or on the cruise to look after you. We are extremely proud of the personal service that we provide and when you need to get in touch, there are no call centres or chatbots, just the same people you've always being dealing with. Need help with flights, care hire or extra nights? ...we are just a phone call away.
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- Andy
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