Portugal Yoga Retreat

The easiest way to arrive at the retreat center is to fly into Lisbon. There are direct flights departing from Boston’s Logan International Airport and New York City’s JFK, which makes for a more seamless travel experience. From Lisbon, there are several options to journey to the retreat center:

By train

There are three trains per day from Lisbon to Grândola, arriving at approximately 11:20 AM, 3:20 PM and 7:50 PM. From Grândola station, it's about a 15-minute drive to Monte das Casolas.

You can prebook a local taxi from the station (approximately €20), or Sophie, the retreat center host, can help pre-arrange a local driver for pick up. 

By Uber from Lisbon

You can take an Uber directly from Lisbon Airport to Monte das Casolas. This is usually a flexible and cost-effective option, particularly if 2–3 guests with similar arrival times can share the ride.

Private transfer from Lisbon

The retreat center works with a private professional transportation service if you would prefer to arrange transfers in advance. Their current rates are:

• 4-seater vehicle: €210 one way

• 6-seater vehicle: €250 one way

Getting around once you're here

Monte das Casolas is quite rural & Uber and other ride-share services are not reliably available here, so guests shouldn't expect to be able to call an Uber once they arrive.

***Note: Portland Yoga Collective is not responsible for getting you to and from the retreat center. We are here to answer questions, but please coordinate your own transportation. 

We recommend packing:

• Comfortable yoga clothes and layers for cooler mornings and evenings

• A bathing suit; there may be opportunities to swim or enjoy the beach

• Sun protection: a sunhat, sunglasses and sunscreen

• Sandals or flip-flops, plus a pair of sneakers or comfortable shoes for walking or gentle hiking

• A light sweater or jacket for cooler evenings (temperatures are between 55-75; early mornings and evenings cool down!)

• A light rain jacket — May is generally lovely, but an occasional shower is always possible

• A reusable water bottle

• Bug spray or natural mosquito repellent

• A small backpack or beach bag for day trips and excursions

• Travel adapter — Portugal uses Type C and F plugs

• Valid passport — U.S. travelers can enter Portugal for stays of up to 90 days without a visa; your passport should be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area
  

If you're bringing any prescription medications, be sure to pack them in your carry-on and check any travel restrictions ahead of time.

You'll be staying in Monte das Casolas. There are 5 small houses (casolas), each with 3-en-suites bedrooms, living room and equipped kitchen, scattered throughout the Montado, or cork oak forest to offer privacy. There is a Porch House near the pool and common area. In the common area, the Porch, we offer yoga classes, organic and healthy meals, and other activities.

Five casolas are nestled throughout the Montado oak tree field, offering plenty of privacy and a peaceful setting. Each casola has three en-suite bedrooms, plus a shared living room and kitchen.

Traveling with friends? Book early to reserve an entire casola together! :)

Traveling solo? You can either book a private room with your own en-suite bathroom or choose a double-occupancy room. If you book a double room as a solo traveler, you’ll be paired with another solo traveler. :)

May in Portugal tends to be warm and dry. The southern region features daytime highs of 72°F to 77°F, and plenty of clear, sunny days.

The closest beach is just 30 minutes away, but excellent surf can be found all along the coast, with some of the area’s best surf spots, including places where you can rent boards and gear, about two-hours away. We’ll be offering an optional beach day to one of the nearby beaches for anyone who wants to join, but you’re also welcome to choose your own adventure and explore the coast on your own!

You can expect seasonal, vegetarian and homemade meals, using as many local and homegrown ingredients as possible. A typical day may look something like this:

Breakfast

• Freshly squeezed seasonal juice

• Scrambled eggs with garden spinach

• Oat porridge with seasonal fruit and warming spices

• Slow-fermented sourdough and homemade seeded bread

• Local cheeses

• Homemade granola with kefir, yoghurt or plant-based alternatives

• Homemade jams, honey and peanut butter

• Coffee, tea and herbal infusions

Lunch

• A generous selection of colourful seasonal salads

• A hearty vegetarian main, such as green asparagus risotto, summer vegetable feijoada with basmati rice, or Mediterranean-inspired dishes

• Fresh bread

• A fruit dessert

Dinner

• Homemade seasonal soup

• A nourishing main course, such as carrot dhal with spinach and basmati rice, Asian-style grilled tofu with roasted vegetables, or other protein-rich vegetarian dishes

• Seasonal vegetables and salads

• A homemade dessert