There’s something refreshing about stepping away from the usual routine and making time for yourself. That was the idea behind our Woodland Barre Escape, a full day of movement, mindfulness, good food and relaxation hosted at Cork’s Vienna Woods Hotel in collaboration with Barre by Emma.
Set amongst our 22 acres of peaceful woodland, the day was designed to give guests the chance to slow down, reconnect and enjoy a little time for themselves.
Starting the Day Slowly
Guests arrived from 9am to a warm welcome of tea, coffee, protein balls and fresh fruit skewers before settling in for the morning.
At 9:45am, Emma led a one hour barre class, followed by time for stretching and cooling down. It was a great way to get everyone moving and start the day feeling energised.
Afterwards, guests had a mid morning break with delicious granola pots and chia seed pudding made by our chefs before moving on to the next part of the retreat.
Rooted & Rising with Elaine
The morning continued with a Rooted & Rising session with Elaine, a 25 to 30 minute session focused on taking some time to pause, reflect and reconnect.
It offered a natural transition from the energy of the barre class into the more relaxed pace of the afternoon, giving everyone a chance to slow down and be present.
A Fresh and Delicious Lunch
By lunchtime, it was time to sit down, refuel and enjoy a little time to digest.
Guests chose between a colourful poke bowl or superfood salad, with plenty of fresh ingredients to keep everyone feeling energised for the afternoon.
Of course, a wellness day is still a day out, so there was plenty of time to sit, chat and enjoy lunch together without rushing.
A Walk Through the Woods
After lunch, guests headed outside for a woodland walk through the grounds of Cork’s Vienna Woods.
With 22 acres to explore, the walk was a chance to get some fresh air, take in the surroundings and enjoy a change of pace after the morning's activities.
The woodland setting was a natural fit for the day. Away from the usual distractions, it gave everyone the opportunity to simply slow down and enjoy being outdoors.
A Sweet Finish
The afternoon finished with an Eton Mess, bringing the day to a relaxed and indulgent close.
It was the perfect way to round off a day that balanced movement and wellness with good food, conversation and a little treat.
A Collaboration We Loved
We're so pleased to have partnered with Barre by Emma for this special event. Bringing together Emma's passion for movement with the peaceful surroundings of Vienna Woods felt like a natural fit.
The day was about much more than a workout. It was about taking a break from the everyday, spending time with like-minded people and enjoying a full day dedicated to feeling good.
A huge thank you to Emma and Elaine, as well as Juspy, Kevin Murphy, Tangle Teezer, Nut Shed, Folláin and Living Things for providing goodie bags for our guests, and of course to everyone who joined us for our very first Woodland Barre Escape.
We're already looking forward to creating more wellness experiences here at Vienna Woods Hotel.