About Tamar

Organiser & administrator

I was born in Yorkshire in the UK. In my mid-twenties I moved to the Middle East where I worked in marketing, specifically within the automotive after-market industry. My clients were based in India, the Middle and Far East, the UK and Ireland. In 2021 myself and my husband (Peter) returned to the UK – looking for new directions in a slightly less stressful environment. We bought a house in Umbria which we let out for holidays – this was way before Air BnB etc came onto the scene and any marketing was done either by word of mouth or via newspaper advertising. Although we eventually sold Weavers Cottage, this was my first foray into the world of holiday rentals.

Peter is an Artist and so we moved to Cumbria where he took up a teaching position.  I worked with a well-known sculptor whilst in Cumbria who owned a small Estate in North Wales – due to my experience in holiday rentals, we decided to start renovating some of the old barns/building on the Estate.  By the time that I left Cumbria, Wern Holiday Cottages had become a market leader and was awarded the “Best Holiday Cottages in Wales” by Prestige.  Through the Welsh cottages, I was contacted by various owners who were keen for me to let out their holiday homes and Rural Escapes was born https://www.ruralescapes.co.uk/ – a niche collection of exceptional homes in areas of outstanding natural beauty in the UK; the Greek island of Syros; the Limousin area of France; Portugal’s Eastern Algarve and Spain’s Andalucia.  As well as the houses being wonderful, it has always been special equally important to me that the owners of these homes were also that little bit special………who, along with Simone, include an Interior Designer, a member of the House of Lords, a member of the Greek government, a Greek/Irish Sculptor, the owner of an exclusive Cashmere company and even an Octogeneran who still plays hockey for England veterans.  I was thrilled to include Simone’s wonderful homes in my collection.  I am also an inspector for Sawday’s Special Places https://www.sawdays.co.uk/ and am very excited to be part of the team at Iberian Wellness Retreats.

I speak fluent English and Hebrew

 

Meet the full team

Linne

Organiser & teacher

I discovered my passion for yoga early in life and have since dedicated myself to exploring various practices that nurture the body, mind, and soul. 

With over 15 years of experience in Shiatsu, Holistic Bodywork, Expressive Movement, Yoga, and Meditation, I combine and integrate these diverse techniques to support individuals and groups in their journey toward self-development, well-being, and greater consciousness.

Passionate about guiding others, I support individuals on their unique paths to reconnect with their inner strength and cultivate a life filled with fulfillment, happiness, and well-being. A traveller at heart, I embrace the beauty of different cultures and communities, finding joy in nature, yoga, meditation, and dance. I am fluent in English, German, Portuguese, Italian and Spanish.

Simone

Organiser & owner

I have always loved rescuing old homes and transforming them into something magical while retaining their original essence.

For many years, I have scoured antique fairs and markets, searching for that perfect piece of art or sculpture to complete the style puzzle and restore these neglected homes to their former splendour. As a fervent believer in the Farm-to-Fork philosophy and mindful of our carbon footprint, much of the produce we provide to our guests is home-grown and very much seasonal.

Juan and I share our home with a growing menagerie of horses, goats, donkeys, peacocks and wild deer. Our love of animals has fuelled my other passion in saving abandoned creatures – our latest additions (now in situ at the Olive Mill) are 2 Llamas (Pinky and Perky) and 2 Donkeys (Daisy and Dolly).

Having lived in various European countries, I have now found my forever home in Spain’s Andalucia and speak fluent Spanish, English, Portuguese, French, Italian and German.

Tamar

Organiser & administrator

I have lived, with my husband and family, in the United Kingdom, Italy, and the Middle East.

I own a small company called Rural Escapes, a collection of exceptional houses located in areas of outstanding natural beauty in North Wales, Cumbria, the Greek island of Syros, Portugal’s Eastern Algarve, and now Spain’s Andalucia. I take great joy in personally connecting with clients and guests who book our rental spaces and retreats, ensuring they feel welcomed and cared for. I am also an inspector for Sawday’s Special Places, and we were thrilled to include Simone’s wonderful homes in our collection. I am fluent in both English and Hebrew.

As featured in

For our special 4 for 3 offer as featured in The Times this weekend, please call or WhatsApp us on: +44 7903 864357 

“We hiked together through fields blooming with wildflowers, to white-washed villages and a local restaurant where we were treated like family. We picnicked in olive groves, to the sounds of a flamenco guitarist, after taking Simone’s rescued donkeys for a walk.” Reviewed by Suzanne Duckett

“Iberian Wellness Retreats offer this stunning restored villa for more than just yoga, but it did feel like a perfect space to do this retreat. We had everything we needed there, and stunning nature all around us.” Reviewed by Lis-Marie Linden

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