Yoga Holidays Portugal – FULLY BOOKED!

Location:

I am excited to share with you an amazing venue in hills around Sintra. We will be very comfortably accommodated in the heart of this historic city yet surrounded by verdant forests. The guest house is set in the midst of a vast garden with a swimming pool and enchanting views to the mountains and palaces. 

We head off to Casa do Valle – surrounded by the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, with stunning views from the yoga platform to the surrounding hills and forests. And green too, because Casa do Valle has been awarded the ‘Green Key’ which is given to establishments that make a special effort to protect the environment and therefore the climate. They have made improvements to ensure that both we, as their guests, and they are “greener”. The sounds of the venue will be bird song in the trees.

Food:

The kitchen at Casa do Valle draws inspiration from the olive vines which used to grow in the gardens. We will enjoy a varied brunch buffet, suitable for vegetarians and vegans, with loads of choice and freshly prepared local dishes. Super healthy – seeds, grains, fruit salad, yogurt – or simply super – homemade jam, homemade bread, croissants. 

The style of cooking at Casa do Valle is typically Portuguese and they are offering a more creative approach to our main meal; we can eat there, we can dine in one of recommended local restaurants or, after a hike to the beach, a seafood lunch is offered.  One main meal plus B&B is included in the price, regardless of where and when we eat that meal.   

Venture Further:

After brunch on the terrace, how about a walk through the forests or visit the beach on the historic tram?  Visit the palaces and museums in Sintra, only a short walk away. Go paragliding, wine or beer tasting, or surfing. The Sintra-Cascais natural park has miles of footpaths and coastline to explore. How about Shinrin-Yoku, guided forest bathing walks? You could visit Lisbon which is only a 45-minute train ride away.  

OR simply read a book, relax, and unwind. Have a massage. Simply doing nothing allows more space to open up within, to decompress. 

Accommodation:

There are 11 double rooms, en suite, with their own outside table and chairs and access either to a balcony or the garden (7 standard rooms) or deck (the 4 superior rooms). Loungers are found by the pool. Surrounded by flourishing hibiscus, oleander, and bougainvillea, light and airy accommodation at Casa do Valle will make a supremely comfortable and relaxing environment for your week. Beautifully simple and simply beautiful. 

Yoga:

I work to ensure that all students can participate and benefit from the practices, whether you’re new to yoga or a more experienced student. The time on the mat is for you to enjoy and celebrate what your body can do, with a positive and non-judgemental or competitive attitude. The experience of yoga on a retreat offers the time and space to take your practice to a deeper, more transformational level.   

The day will start with a refreshing cup of tea and fruit. We will then rendezvous on the platform for a morning practice which will be dynamic and active, harnessing the power of the sun and the energy of the day to invigorate, enliven and stimulate. Brunch will be served on the terrace. The rest of the day is yours to explore this fascinating area or relax around the pool or terraces. The evening practice will be softer, quieter and more meditative as the day cools and evening unfolds; we will have time for some gentler asana, pranayama, meditation and yoga nidra. To close the day, we will share each other’s company and a delicious dinner on the outside terrace overlooking the mountains. 

I do not belong to any particular school of yoga and teach in a non-dogmatic eclectic way, with the emphasis on being inquisitive as to what your body can or cannot do, today, now, rather than acquisitive of posture or end result.  You are free to do as much or as little as you wish; non-yoga partners are very welcome.