Pause in Portugal
Nov 1st-6th 2024 in the Costa Vicentina National Park, Portugal aka ‘Europe’s last wild coast’.
This is not your average yoga retreat, it’s so much more. Part nourishing retreat, part hiking adventure holiday, part an immersion in the art of pausing, and of course fun times with a lovely group of new conscious friends in beautiful nature.
Leave the stresses of daily life behind and join us for 5 days of Pausing in Portugal. We’ll spend two full days retreating and two full days hiking. You’ll be sure to return refreshed and reset, with a new toolkit of pausing methods to experiment with back home.
This wonderful adventure will begin on the evening of the new moon in Scorpio, a perfect time to set our intentions for this trip and the month ahead.
The Location
The Fisherman’s Trail or Rota Vicentina is considered one of the most beautiful coastal walking routes in the world. It runs for over 200km along the Alentejo coast. The scenery along the route is breathtaking; rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, stunning lookouts, charming towns, clear waters of the Atlantic ocean, and diverse wildlife.
I went on a solo trip to hike the trail in November 2023 and instantly fell in love with the peaceful energy and raw beauty there. It was on that trip the idea of bringing a group was born. It’s so magical for me to bring a group to share this wonderful experience.
Me hiking the Fisherman’s Trail.
Our Home
We’ll be staying in a beautiful, rural lodge immersed in nature in the Vicentine Coast National Park. Located in a leafy valley that extends to the sea, surrounded by old oak trees. It really is the perfect place to disconnect. Horses and other animals roam the vast estate grounds, with plenty of trails to explore directly from the property.
There are two swimming pools, a large and bright yoga shala that overlooks the mountains, and multiple comfy living areas complete with open fire. Perfect for relaxing with a good book after a days hike.
One of the light filled living areas.
Tea on the patio.
Drone footage of the estate.
Our Schedule
Please note that this is subject to change, but will give you an idea of what to expect.
All activities are optional. If you prefer to skip the morning pause and lie in/walk alone in nature, that’s fab too. This is your holiday, take care of you!
Day 1 - Arrive
1pm
Minibus pick up at Lisbon Airport
3.30pm
Arrive at retreat venue & free time to settle in
6pm
Gentle flow & opening circle with Cacao
7.30pm
3 course dinner
8.30pm
New moon in Scorpio intention setting ritual by the fire
Day 2 - Retreat
8.15am
Morning Pause
Options will vary depending on the day and needs of the group. A variety of Journaling, Breathwork, Meditation, Cold dip, Yoga/Movement practice
9.30am
Breakfast
10.30am
Free time to explore, lie by the pool & relax, or book a massage/activity.
1pm
3 course lunch
2pm
Free time to explore, lie by the pool & relax, or book a massage/activity
5.30pm
Evening Pause Variety of restorative yoga practice, breathwork, meditation, sound bath
7.30pm
3 course dinner
Day 3 - Hike
7am
Breakfast
8am
Minibus pick up
8.30am
Guide intro to the trail & begin hike
12 noon
Picnic lunch & beach time
1.45pm
Mindfulness Pause exercise
2pm
Silent hike
3pm
Silents ends, continue hiking
5pm
Watch sunset
5.45pm
Mini bus pick up
6.15pm
Arrive back to retreat & freshen up
7.30pm
3 course dinner
Day 4 - Retreat (as Day 1)
Day 5 - Hike (As day 2)
This time we will end the hike in town for final dinner out at a typical portuguese restaurant.
Hiking
On each of the two days spent hiking we’ll hike around 15/16km per day. You do not need to be an experienced hiker or a certain fitness level. All abilities welcome. The trail is mainly flat and sandy. You may even like to remove your shoes and walk barefoot to take in the sensation of soft sandy trail underfoot. Packed lunches and water will be provided, but you will need to carry these yourself.
During the hike there will be an invitation to leave your phone behind for the day to invoke a sense of pure presence. I will have mine and will be taking photos (or feel free to bring a digital/disposable camera!).
We will pause halfway through the trail for a beach picnic lunch on the sand and some sea swimming if you are that way inclined. During the second part of our hike we will pause for a short meditation to centre & ground, after which we’ll enter into an hour or so of silent walking together. This is a phenomenal practice to really be at one with our surroundings.
Evenings
Are spent enjoying delicious dinners, relaxing with a good book, stargazing, around the fire, singing and jamming, or sharing stories and s'mores.
Cosy indoor fire area
One of the dining areas in the light filled farm house.
Location & Accommodation
Our home for the 5 nights that we are together is a luxurious countryside lodge set in the Vicentine Coast National Park in South West Alentejo, located in a leafy valley that extends to the sea, surrounded by old oak trees. Horses and other animals roam the vast estate grounds, with plenty of trails to explore directly from the property.
Plenty of areas to relax and just be.
The second of the two pools available to us.
The wellness area where massages are enjoyed while listening to the sounds of nature.
Food
The selection on offer comes from the nearby region, the Alentejo bread from Dona Ercília, the juice from the oranges of their own trees, and vegetables from their own garden. You will notice the difference in the smell of the fruits, the taste of the bread, and the sweetness of the homemade cakes. Their ethos is if we respect the land, it provides for us the best.
The menu is seasonal and changes every day, depending on what nature and local producers provide. The inspiration comes from the Alentejo but also from the countries of all who have visited, a daily inspired cuisine that comforts the stomach and soul. The dinner menu consists of starters, fish dishes, meat dishes and dessert. There are always delicious vegetarian and vegan options available.
This could be you!
What’s included:
5 nights accommodation in a luxury rural country estate
All meals (Breakfast, 3 course lunch, 3 course dinner) excluding final nights dinner out in town which is to be paid by everyone individually
Unlimited tea/coffee/water
All transfers to/from Lisbon airport and to/from the trail.
Daily pausing activities (yoga/movement, cold dip, breathwork, meditation, mindfulness)
Two full days of hiking
Cacao and new moon intention setting ritual
Sound bath
Goody bag
What’s not included:
Flights - right now flights from London to Lisbon for these dates are less than £100 return
Snacks outside of meals
Additional activities, which can be arranged at an additional cost. Massages & other treatments, horseback riding, bike tours and cycle rental, SUP paddle on the Mira River and surfing / bodyboarding on nearby beaches.
Alcohol - there will be wine/beer available to purchase at mealtimes for those who would like
Cost
All prices are per person
Shared room
Twin room en-suite shared with one other guest
£1,250pp
To reserve your space, we ask for a 35% non-refundable deposit. We will contact you to collect the remaining balance before October 1st, 2024.
Private room
Double room ensuite
£1,650pp
To reserve your space, we ask for a 35% non-refundable deposit. We will contact you to collect the remaining balance before October 1st, 2024.
We can also accommodate couples sharing private rooms, please enquire for rates.
Payment terms
To reserve your space, we ask for a 35% non-refundable deposit.
And the remaining balance is due by 1st of October 2024.
Check out bookretreats.com for more of our retreats