Join Julie for a glorious week on the Alentejo coast of Portugal with its abundant beauty, cliff side beaches, remarkable sunsets, and easy way of living.
Come ignite your soul in the Southwest coast of Portugal and experience the Atlantic ocean in a whole new way. This retreat will re-balance you through daily yoga, immersive nature, delicious chef prepared meals, local wines, and the charming Portuguese way of life.
The retreat center: Quinta Camarena
Our home for the week is Quinta Camarena, a sustainability focused boutique hotel and yoga wellness center located in Southwest Portugal in the protected area of Costa Vicentina. Alentejo is known for its outrageously beautiful cliff-side beaches and secret coves, all a short drive away, the nearest being Vila Nova de Mil Fontes and Porto Covo.
The picturesque town of Cercal is a short walk from Quinta Camarena, giving you a true sense of the Alentejo way of life. Other small villages to explore like Santiago do Cacem, Odemira, Santo Andre, and São Luís are each uniquely full of history, interesting architecture, and local artisans. This part of Portugal is very easy to get to and about a 90 minute drive from either Lisbon or Faro airport.
Quinta Camarena has a pool, a sauna, a 24 hour gym, and offers daily massage. Between yoga classes, you can explore the coastline and its endless beaches, hike on nearby trails, visit nearby towns and markets, or even a winery. You can make this retreat as relaxing or adventurous as you wish!
Room options: Choose from a variety of options at Quinta Camarena, mixing modern with traditional and a focus on comfort, easeful living, and Portuguese style. Every room has private bath, outdoor space, and ample natural light!
Casita Mae: A spacious 1 bedroom apartment on the ground floor or a 2-level traditional country house. It has a large living room with AC, kitchen, with 2 private patios, and sliding glass doors to let in beautiful afternoon light. Casita Mae is super stylish and perfect for comfort and privacy. Can be configured with two twin or one double bed.
Pricing: Early pricing – pay half deposit, with balance due by July 1st.
SHARED: $2950 per person
PRIVATE: $3450
Standard price – after July 1st: SHARED: $3150 per person / PRIVATE: $3650
The Loft: This cool 1 bedroom apartment is upstairs of a traditional Portuguese house, with ample space to rest and relax. It has a studio style kitchen / living room layout with AC, bathroom, and gets tons of natural light. The Loft has a double bed, perfect for a couple or solo retreater.
Pricing: Early pricing – pay deposit of half, with balance due by July 1st
SHARED: $2650 per person
PRIVATE: $3150
Standard price – after July 1st: SHARED: $2850 per person / PRIVATE: $3350
Hillside Quarto: The Hillside Quarto has 7 modern rooms, each with spectacular views and are a short 4 minute walk from the pool and common space. Every room is a duplex with a private bathroom, has AC, and large sliding glass door opening to a private terrace for a view of the striking sunsets. Note: no kitchenette or kettle. Can be configured with two twin or one double bed.
Pricing: Early pricing – pay deposit of half, with balance due by July 1st
SHARED: $2450 per person
PRIVATE: $2950
Standard price – after July 1st: SHARED: $2650 per person / PRIVATE: $3150
Villa do Laranjal: There are 4 bedrooms available in this beautiful sustainable charming craft house, with a lounge room, fully equipped kitchen, and outdoor deck. Great for friends traveling together on retreat, every bedroom in the Villa has large windows, a ceiling fan, and it’s own private bath. The decor has been meticulously curated with antiques, art pieces, and local craftsmanship, and The Villa is close to the pool. Note: No AC. Rooms can be configured with two twin beds, or one double bed.
Pricing: Pay deposit of half, with balance due by July 1st
SHARED: $2250 per person
PRIVATE: $2750
Standard price – after July 1st: SHARED: $2450 per person / PRIVATE: $2950
The yoga experience
Our dedicated and fully equipped yoga shala is a glass enclosed thing of beauty surrounded by pine trees, and a short walk from the center of Quinta. Morning asana classes with Julie will be upbeat, curated to the group, individually themed, and designed to reinvigorate and refine your yoga practice. Evening classes will be thoughtfully prepared to offer nourishment, restoration, and rest. Retreats with Julie are always all levels – anyone of any experience level is welcome, so bring your newbie! Julie has been teaching almost 25 years and will offer expert attention to everyone.
The Cuisine
All homemade, chef prepared meals are made with love and care, sourced with local produce, fish, featuring regional wines at dinner. Retreat includes all meals – light breakfast before yoga (coffee/tea, fruit, boiled eggs and granola), a full brunch, and a glorious dinner. In between yoga classes, you’ll be free to fill your days with hammock naps, ocean dips, afternoon hikes, or a wander through time in a medieval village and grab lunch. Enjoy your meals and wine while being bathed in glorious sunsets of vibrant oranges and fiery reds!
Getting there, and a little about Portugal
Travel: You are responsible for all of your travel, both international and domestic. Fly into either Lisbon or Faro airports. Quinta Camarena is an easy 90 minute drive from each. We recommend renting a car for total freedom of movement, although Bus and Train service is convenient and available. Taxi service to / from either airport is available for non drivers, and Uber is available from Lisbon. We will give you information about all of this as its requested, and guide you to coordinate rideshares as time nears to the start of retreat through a retreat Whats App group.
Visiting Portugal: Lisbon is a must – it’s a magical and vibrant European city known for its historic charm, stunning architecture adorned with tiles, soulful Fado music, and delicious food. It has an enchanting atmosphere and you’ll want to get lost in its pastel neighborhoods and winding alleys. Porto is also worthwhile yet further north, about a 5.5 hour drive to Alentejo.
Lagos is about an hour south in the Algarve, and Faro is about 90 minutes. Both offer historic landmarks, cobbled streets, amazing coastline views, and vibrant markets and shopping. Lagos is such fun, and the piercingly colorful sunsets in Sagres are not to be missed.
We do recommend Travelers Insurance for a stable peace of mind!
