Sustainable Surf, Yoga, & Wine Retreat

From 1,800 € pp

  • Duration

    7 days
  • Departure Date

    Apr 6, 2024
  • Trip Style

    Small Group
  • Country

    Portugal
  • Physical Rating

    Average

Overview

A classic surf and yoga retreat, but with a sustainable twist! This experience is for people that want to do a little bit of yoga, a little bit of surfing, and then relax with a little bit of wine.

Enjoy daily surf lessons and yoga classes accessible to all levels. Then, indulge yourself with delicious healthy food, local wine from a different small producer each night with dinner, and a deep healing massage on the welcomed rest day!

Come join us on this active nature escape and have fun! You'll unwind in a beautiful natural setting and learn about the local culture, all while getting to know new, fun people throughout your stay.

Highlights

These laidback 7 days will fly by at this magical eco-retreat in southern Portugal's Alentejo region!

  • Daily yoga sessions in an open-air Shala in the woods
  • Daily surf lessons
  • An hourlong massage with our Goddess Masseuse, Jana
  • Healthy brunches and dinners; vegetarians happily accommodated
  • One glass of wine with each dinner
  • Winery visit with wine-tasting
  • Local artisan and/or market visit
  • Ample free time
  • Plenty of optional activities (for an additional cost)

This sustainable surf and yoga retreat is nestled in a historical rural village off the beaten path, yet located only a 15-minute drive away from the beach. You will stay at a beautiful property surrounded by nature where the hosts will welcome you like old friends. They will tell you about the history, traditions, and local culture of the area while taking you through the beautiful landscapes of the countryside and coast.

Get out of the city and feed your adventurous side by learning to surf (or improving your surfing skills!), and then find your sense of calm with daily yoga sessions. You will be delighted at how well yoga and surfing go together to strengthen and relax your muscles, improve your balance and focus, and, most importantly, make you feel great!

Yoga: The five, 75-minute yoga sessions take place in an open-air Shala in the woods. You'll be taught by Nina, a certified instructor who will tailor the classes to each person’s ability. There will be modifications suitable for beginners as well as those looking to challenge and advance their yoga practice.

Surfing: First-timers, beginners, and pros are all welcome. During your four surf classes on the beach, the group will be divided into beginners and those who already have some surfing experience, so you'll be in good company no matter what!

Rest Day: Near the end of the retreat, you'll have a rest day where you can completely relax with an hour-long outdoor massage by our Goddess Masseuse, Jana. In addition to giving your muscles some TLC, you can lounge by the pool, rest in a hammock, meander around the serene garden, or visit the secluded meditation platform.

Great food: You will enjoy healthy meals onsite, freshly prepared using exclusively fresh, local, organic, and seasonal products (most meals are vegetarian, too!). Menus change with each retreat, but here’s a sneak peek of what you might be served. Feel free to also drool over the French Toast brunch or the vegetarian frittata. At each meal, you'll learn about the origins of the food and its correlation with the local environment and culture. You may also visit the onsite garden if you wish.

Wine: The visit to a local winery is a real treat! You will learn about the producer's sustainable and artisanal wine-making practices before savoring wine and tapas during a paired tasting. See what the winery tour is like. Plus, with each dinner, you'll sip a different natural, regional wine sourced by local, small producers.

So come! Stay amongst the pine and oak trees, enjoy the delicious food and wine (again, it’s a big part of this trip!), and relax at this laidback retreat.

What is it Really Like?

Check out our blog post on Sustainable Retreats in Portugal for an even deeper look into what to expect. Or, watch these three 20-second video clips to get a sense of a typical day at this beautiful eco-retreat center.

Group Privatization:
If you want to bring your own group for a birthday, bachelor(ette) party, wedding, special celebration, or corporate retreat, it's possible! We recommend avoiding the crowded high season and coming in spring (April to June) or fall (September to November). The beaches are deserted, and the days are mostly sunny and warm (you’ll need a cardigan for the evenings though).

Departure Dates

  • Apr 6, 2024 - Apr 12, 2024
  • Apr 29, 2024 - May 5, 2024
  • Jun 29, 2024 - Jul 5, 2024
  • Jul 22, 2024 - Jul 28, 2024
  • Aug 26, 2024 - Sep 1, 2024
  • Sep 7, 2024 - Sep 13, 2024
  • Sep 30, 2024 - Oct 6, 2024
  • Oct 12, 2024 - Oct 18, 2024

Seasonal Notes

The surf and yoga retreats are organized throughout the year, mostly around the fall (September to November) and in the spring (April and May). These retreats are based on when the waves will be best and the temperatures will be comfortable for learning to surf.

As the best months for the surf and yoga retreat are outside of Portugal's high season (July & August), participating in this retreat will foster tourism dispersal (the antidote to "overtourism") and contribute to the local economy of the region anytime you join. If you're looking to explore Portugal further either before or after the retreat, you will avoid overcrowding.

Spring/early summer (March to June) and late summer/early fall (September to October) are really lovely times to visit Portugal. The weather is pleasant yet mild, making the outdoor yoga sessions, pool time, and short nature hikes very comfortable.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Lisbon [Portugal]

Transfer to the retreat center, and have a group dinner.

The days here are flexible! With the exception of the rest day, each day will include one yoga session, brunch, and dinner. The surf schedule will be adapted to the tides to leverage optimal conditions.

The remaining time is yours to enjoy by the sparkling blue pool, lounging in a hammock, or centering yourself on the meditation platform... you're even welcome to work out in the small onsite gym if you have the energy, and if you need to open up your laptop while you're here, that's OK too.

The below is a sample schedule of what to expect.

Day 2 Surf & Yoga

Morning yoga, brunch, free time, afternoon surf class, dinner.

Day 3 Surf, Market, & Yoga

Breakfast, morning surf class, market visit, free time, late afternoon yoga, dinner.

Day 4 Surf, Yoga, & Winery Visit

Breakfast, morning surf class, free time, early afternoon yoga, winery visit, dinner.

Day 5 Massage & Rest Day

Brunch, free time, massage, dinner at a traditional restaurant.

Day 6 Surf & Yoga

Morning yoga, brunch, free time, afternoon surf class, dinner.

Day 7 Yoga & Departure Day

Morning yoga, brunch, checkout, and start planning your next yoga retreat with us!

Inclusions & Exclusions

  • 6-night stay at the eco-retreat center

  • 5 75-minute yoga sessions

  • 4 surf classes (incl. board & wetsuit)

  • Beach transport

  • 1 hour-long massage

  • Daily brunch and dinner

  • One glass of wine with each dinner

  • Sustainable winery visit and tasting

  • Hike along the Costa Vincentina

  • Local artisan visit

  • Flights to/from Lisbon

  • Airport transfer to the retreat center (but we can coordinate this)

  • Extra wine & cocktails

  • Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) (~35 € pp, excluding rental material & transportation)

  • Kayaking (~25 € for 1 person / ~35 € for 2 people)

  • Horseback riding (~60 € for 1 person / ~100 € for 2 people; 1h30 guided ride)

  • Photography session (~50 € pp or per couple)

Pricing

Prices exclude flights to/from the destination.

Prices are for double room occupancy unless indicated otherwise.

  • Deposit per person

    50% of the trip price

  • Shared Room - sleeps 2 - price per person

    1,800 €

  • Private Room - sleeps 1 - price per person

    2,450 €

Optional Add-ons

Many 'excluded' activities (not included in the trip price) can be optionally added to your experience. Guests can decide on most optional activities once at the retreat center, and payment can be made on-site.

SUP and kayaking are dependent on weather, tides, and currents.

Sustainability

Our View on Sustainability
Sustainability is a way of life here. Our family has a deep respect and love for the region of Alentejo and we are passionately committed to protecting and preserving her to the best of our ability. Gratefully, we are able to plant our roots here and carry a strong sense of social responsibility to our community.

Our experiences are all based on the amazing nature of this place and our incredible community and we put a lot of effort to protect both. We love to share it with our guests and try to involve them as much as possible. This includes making them aware of our challenges and how can they further help. This is a truly authentic experience composed of small local and sustainable entrepreneurs only.

Sustainable Environmental Initiatives

We make a big effort to maintain and increase the amazing biodiversity among us through the diverse activities explained during the trip. Our eco-retreat center uses solar panels, LED lamps, and local, organic soaps and ecological detersives. We work a lot to reduce waste, reuse as much as we can, and recycle the rest. We have clear waste sorting systems in place for guests, serve mostly vegetarian meals, compost leftover food, and implement organic farming and regenerative forestry practices. The whole trip happens in a short circuit of 20 kilometers, and we are lucky to have nature, beaches, and historic towns all nearby to reduce this trip's footprint. We don't sell or use single-use plastic items. You will see our animals wandering free and happy along our property and the surrounding area.

Accommodation
Being the trip organizers, and the host of the accommodations ourselves, sustainability is part of our lives and business. Guests are welcome to explore every corner of the property and question any concerns they may have. As a small family business, we work very hard to improve every day and create a more positive impact on our environment and in our community.

Sustainable Economic Initiatives
We are a small start-up that works very closely with the local community that depends mostly on tourism and agriculture. The timing of our programs year-round, and especially out of high season, helps the community to guarantee their income all year round. By working directly with local farmers and small food/wine producers, we help them to maintain their projects of family-owned, completely organic productions.

Sustainable Social Initiatives

Being part of the local community ourselves, it's in our own interest to protect it and ensure it develops in a sustainable way. One of the high points of the trip is the visit to the sustainable farm where the grapes are grown before the winery and wine tasting. The tour is guided by the owner himself, a true expert that carries the work of five generations. The whole experience is very much community-oriented and we are very much actively involved in projects that protect it. Our other activities visiting local artisans, teaching guests about our cultural heritage, prioritizing small, local, and sustainable suppliers, and inclusive practices also support our efforts to be socially sustainable. We also discuss with travelers how to act responsibly in this destination and make donations to local organizations.

Responsible Animal Welfare

We are a pet-friendly site, prefer cruelty-free products, source meat and fish from trusted local suppliers, and support local pro-animal projects.

Health & Safety

With a capacity of only 12 guests, plus its remote location, this eco-retreat is a safe way to enjoy Portugal. We follow special cleaning protocols adhering to European regulations.

Be sure you have traveler's insurance.

FAQs

What does the Physical Rating of "Average" mean?

Our yoga sessions are suitable for beginners curious about the practice to pros looking to strengthen and challenge themselves. Come with an open mind! Our certified yoga instructors will gladly accommodate all levels. Modifications are always available for you to adapt your practice.

The surfing classes accommodate complete beginners. On the beach, the group will be divided into beginners and those who already have some surfing experience, so you will be in good company no matter what.

What are the accommodations like?

The eco-retreat center has guest houses, an open-air Shala in the woods for yoga, a pool, a garden, a gym, and nearby walking trails. The eco-retreat center initiates myriad sustainable projects, from its solar panels, organic farming, local artisan support, support of local pro-animal projects, and more.

Is this trip recommended for solo travelers, women, LGBTQ+, and POC travelers?

Yes. We do not tolerate any kind of discriminatory behavior and we ensure a safe, friendly environment for all travelers.

Can the retreat be done on dates other than the listed?

Yes, it can be privatized for groups of 6+ guests on request!

How much wine is included in the program?

One glass of wine per dinner, plus the full wine-tasting experience at the winery.

What kind of yoga is practiced?

A mix of styles with a base of Hatha. There are always pranayamas and dynamic flows, and the teacher always tries to challenge the students with poses that demand a bit more physical work.

What kind of food is served?

Homemade, healthy, and delicious, all with seasonal and local organic products. Mostly vegetarian and international. Check out this 20-second video for a sampling of what's served!

Reviews

Erika R.

Retreat for my community that exceeded expectations

I organized a retreat for my community and worked with Yugen Earthside to book the 5-Day Sustainable Yoga & Wine trip in Alentejo, Portugal. This trip exceeded all my expectations and then some!

Starting with the accommodation/retreat center, it was perfect for our sustainable entrepreneur retreat. It had multiple indoor and outdoor common areas for coffee breaks, power hours, and happy hours. 

The outdoor activities were well spread out to allow us free time. There’s something for everyone, from yoga sessions, nature trails, coastal hikes, and walking to town. The best experience that kept giving was the sustainable winery tour, truly going above and beyond!

I would 100% recommend this trip for any active group or retreat organizer. Hilary from Yugen Earthside is the best and made this retreat extra special for us. I already had participants asking me if we are doing this retreat again next year!

Elysia T.

Oct 20, 2022

Amazing trip, embodied sustainability

The Sustainable Yoga & Wine Retreat seemed right up my alley as I'm a beginner at yoga but interested in learning more, and I was sold by the focus on sustainability that Yugen Earthside had on their site. The trip was amazing! Everything about the retreat embodied sustainability simultaneously. I feel like I learned a lot through each meal and activity that we did. I can't wait to book my next trip with them!

Courtney H.

Oct 17, 2022

Incredible retreat in a gorgeous space

I went on the Sustainable Yoga & Wine Retreat in Portugal and booked through Yugen Earthside. The retreat was incredible, the overall space was gorgeous and relaxing. The food was some of the best I've ever had! The hosts were personable and it was such a well curated few days. I would absolutely recommend that retreat! Booking through Yugen Earthside was super easy and Hilary was very knowledgeable of sustainable travel options.

Aubrey W.

Oct 14, 2022

Fantastic trip with delicious food

This trip is fantastic! The food was delicious every single day, the hosts were incredibly inviting, and the local places we got to see were enchanting.

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