‘Pay what you want’
3 Hours
10 Maximum
Coole - Garryland Nature Reserve
Being Amongst Trees
Forest Bathing in Coole-Garryland Nature Reserve
Imagine, Ireland was once covered with trees, a squirrel could travel from Cork to Donegal without ever touching the ground, jumping from tree to tree. Only little is left today and maybe that makes those woodlands extra special.We will take a gentle walk, slowing down, getting aware of this amazing connection between flora and fauna of a forest, getting aware of these magnificent trees often much older than we are. Spending time at the shores of a lake, listening to the sounds of the water, this life essential element. Our connection to nature and trees is so old, humankind needed and still needs trees for its survival, a forest is like an old homeplace we have forgotten. With some exercises for breathing and silence we will aim to calm the mind, breathe easy and let go of our worries so that we feel relaxed and refreshed and ready to go back to life’s challenges.
What is forest bathing? Shinrin-Yoku is Japanese and means ‘taking in the forest atmosphere’ or ‘forest bathing’. It emerged as a physiological and psychological exercise in the 1980s. The purpose is to offer an eco-antidote to tech-boom burnout and to inspire people to reconnect with nature.
In the 1990s researchers started studying the benefits. Science now supports what we probably already knew all along, spending time in nature is good for us. And this is not only for wilderness lovers, it can be practiced in any natural environment. You can do this on your own, though research shows that connecting with people makes us happy too. So to spend time in a group of likeminded people in nature with some guidance, maybe some meditation or simple breathing exercises, paying attention to the natural world around us is really good for us! I have been practicing shinrin-yoku in combination with my happiness coaching and I often find I am out amongst trees and I completely forget the time and my troubles. I feel calm and relaxed and happy afterwards
Please bring comfortable and suitable clothing. Easy to moderate walks on paths and forest ground.
Meeting point – Garryland Nature Reserve, near Gort. Please contact us for available dates.
Special Price – ‘pay what you want’, max 10 participants.
For private group bookings please contact us about available dates
SONAS – a new way of being in places
The Irish word SONAS means happiness, good fortune, bliss. Trying to find what makes us happy we realise more and more that we find happiness in the company of friends, in being in nature. Our lives are so often ruled by an avalanche of information, by looking at screens, going from one appointment to the next. While we are concerned about our jobs, our health, money, we tend to forget how to slow down, how to be aware of ourselves, our surroundings, our life. Happiness – SONAS and how to attain it was already discussed by the earliest philosophers. Over the last decades scientists have directed their research to happiness and wellbeing. Where do we find it? And their research shows it is often in those places where we do not look.
On our SONAS tours and in our SONAS courses we will take our time, be silent and breathe, experience our surroundings and getting to know the history or special features. To be aware and to know a place forms a connection and this is how we find our special places of happiness.
‘Sonas ort – may you be happy’
What's Included
For these tours you will meet your guide at a local meeting point and spend 2 to 3 hours exploring the landscape, the sites, learning something new, experiencing something special. Check out our calendar and book your favourite tour.
Guided by locals
Our vehicle for chauffeured tours is a practically new Volkswagen Transporter for maximum 8 guests, for 2021 we are limiting our guest numbers to 6. Sitting a bit higher than in a limousine you will have a great view and see more of the landscape passing by. For extended tours we have plenty of room for your luggage.
Great Photo Locations
Taking photos has become so easy, we will make sure to stop at the best locations so that you can bring back amazing photos, share them and keep them as a memory of a special trip. For our Sonas Tours we suggest switching off your devices and spend some time 'offline' to be free to experience your surroundings.
Supporting Trees
Sustainable tourism is important to us. One measure to make a difference for climate change is to plant trees. 10 % of our proceeds are going towards native trees being planted in Ireland.
Peace of Mind
Andaire is registered with the Irish Tourist board and you will see the white and green logo of the Covid-19-Safety charter on our website which shows you we have been educated in infection control and adhere to strict hygiene measures and are also subject to spot checks. You can find us on the Directory of Covid-19 Compliant Businesses.
What our customers are saying
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the wonderful tour that I was able to experience thanks to you. I am overwhelmed by how many beautiful places and wonderful nature I have seen and enjoyed in Ireland. Thanks!
Petra
from Switzerland
We thought we knew Ireland. But Andrea Lippert, in her own competent and entertaining way, made it clear to us that we have same catching up to do. Thank you for this wonderful experience
Hanne and Hermann
You make dreams come true. Thanks for the wonderful trip.
Birgit and Manfred
For our first trip to Ireland we could not have asked for a better introduction. With her profound knowledge of history, culture, nature and above all the people and culture, Andrea not only made our trip a great experience, but also passed on her love for the country and its people to us.
Ines and Joerg
Our round trip through Ireland has become a dream trip thanks to the professionalism, comprehensive knowledge, as well as charm and care of the tour guide Mrs. Andrea Lippert. We really liked the choice of sights, accommodation and meals. Thanks to these experiences, we will happily plan another trip to Ireland again.
Nadia and Marwan
We really liked Andrea as a tour guide and as a person. She has immense knowledge, a lot of life experience, you can have great conversations with her. She recognizes the interests of each group member and caters specifically to them. She has a natural friendliness and willingness to help without bending over backwards. I would like to have her show me other areas of Ireland.
Kerstin
Thanks to the competent and unobtrusive management by Andrea Lippert, our trip to Ireland became an experience and made us fans of this beautiful island. We'll come back, if she is our guide again.
Ute and Bernd
Thanks to Andrea's good organization and the competent guidance, our trip to Ireland was a complete success. We could see that she knows and loves Ireland for many years, and the spark jumped over to us.
Ulla and Detlef
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the wonderful tour that I was able to experience thanks to you. I am overwhelmed by how many beautiful places and wonderful nature I have seen and enjoyed in Ireland. Thanks!
Petra
from Switzerland
We thought we knew Ireland. But Andrea Lippert, in her own competent and entertaining way, made it clear to us that we have same catching up to do. Thank you for this wonderful experience
Hanne and Hermann
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