Imagine waking up in your luxurious king suite to panoramic views of the Douro Valley: sunrise peeking over the hillsides, multi-generational vineyards, terraced up and down the hills, a serene river that stretches as far as you can see. Breakfast awaits, followed by a leisurely yoga practice and meditation. Lunch is at a special vineyard, where you sample Portuguese wines and learn the history of traditional Portuguese winemaking. Later, you take a nap by our villa's pool before joining the group for a dinner of local specialties, prepared by our private chef. After a dip in the hottub under the stars, you sink into bed for sweet dreams of another beautiful day ahead.
This is the life of you, on our Picturesque Portugal retreat. We have handpicked and carefully curated the best of the best experiences for YOU: culture, cuisine, nature elements, and of course, movement and meditation…all this with attention paid to our environmental and social impacts on our host country and her people.
Picturesque portugal
This boutique travel experience includes:
* Almost all meals! We will enjoy a delightful breakfast together each morning, as well as lunches most days as we are out and about exploring wineries and villages, and in-home traditional Portuguese dinners and wine each evening, prepared by our private chef.
That’s a lot of goodness! What’s NOT included?
- airfare
- lunches on your free day
- any additional excursions or services you may choose to arrange on your Choose Your Own Adventure Days
- extra drinks, snacks, and alcohol beyond those provided in the description above
- travel insurance (highly recommended for unforeseen needs while traveling!)
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get there?
Our villa is located in the Douro Valley, about 1.5 hours from the city of Porto. If you'd like to travel to the villa with the group, fly into Porto, and we will pick you up at the airport at the designated time. If you prefer to have access to your own vehicle during retreat, you are welcome to make arrangements for car rental and meet us as the villa.
I want to invite someone, but they don’t practice yoga. Can they still come?
Absolutely! All group activities, including yoga, are optional. We tailor our yoga practices to our participants, and to support the other planned activies of the day. You’ll be provided with a detailed itinerary, so you (and your traveling companion!) can decide what you’d like to participate in, and what you’d like to skip. We have hosted many guests over the years with no prior yoga experience; some choose to come to yoga, and some opt to spend their time doing something else. All are welcome; we are "not your average yoga retreat" for a reason!
How many guests will be on this retreat?
This retreat will include no more than 11 guests, plus facilitators Carrie + Kelly. We love the longstanding connections that are created among retreat participants when we host intimate groups!
I see that rooms are double occupancy. What if I want to stay in a room by myself?
At this particular villa, all rooms are king suites, meaning that you will be sharing a king bed with another person. If you are traveling solo, you are welcome to book two spots for yourself. Otherwise, consider inviting a partner or friend to join you!
What happens after I reserve my spot?
We do a happy dance and welcome you to the Explore & Expand family! And then, we send you an email with itinerary, packing list, and other vetted recommendations!
I have another question! What should I do?
Email us! We’re happy to help.
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You Don't just have to take our word for it
Traveling solo was a big step out of my comfort zone, but I'm so glad that I did it! I felt so much of the trip was an invitation to deeper self-discovery and expansion, from meeting strangers ( who many felt like family by the time I left) to tasting new food/cuisine, also hiking and sharing during the workshop times. I felt like I have a deeper sense of integrity and also adventure / courage after going on this trip. Something about it gave me a greater sense of confidence to travel more in the future and invest in things that are generative for my creativity and good for my soul. It was a rejuvenating/inspiring experience from the hospitality on the island, to the incredible food and meals that we shared, to the gorgeous island views. It was a mix of soulful self/group reflection mixed in with playful adventure and exploration. It exceeded any expectation I had!
Brooke Lehmann, Greece
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