2024 Portugal Yoga Retreat
with Cat Valadez & Kristin Lovett
September 21 - 28, 2024 | 1 spot left!
Casa do Valle, Sintra, Portugal
Our most cultured, far-flung and luxurious retreat yet!
Move, flow, connect and explore the stunning history and natural beauty of coastal Portugal with us for 8 days, 7 nights in Sintra, Portugal! Dive into the enchantment of your own life with energizing fitness and vinyasa flows, fresh, locally-sourced daily meals provided by our Private Chef Francoise Brana, and exciting excursions exploring Portugal’s gems with like-minded traveling yogis like yourself.
Lose yourself in fairy-tale castles, grand palaces, and lush gardens. Hike through the ancient forests of Sintra. Soak up the sun at the beach in Cascais and Nazaré. Take in the rich history and chill vibe of Portugal, along with it’s warm weather, people, and delicious food.
Read on to get an idea of where you’ll go and what you’ll experience with us, inside a container of personal transformation and discovery.
What’s included in this experience:
7 nights at Casa Do Valle, a boutique hotel nestled in the lush hills of Sintra, 45 minutes West of Lisbon with views of nearby palaces from the grounds
Private bathroom, coffee/tea, mini-fridge and furnished patio or balcony
Private chef serving you locally-sourced, healthy meals
Shuttle transport from/to Lisbon Airport
Daily fitness & vinyasa yoga in the serene garden tent
Free time to explore, get spa services, go wine tasting & more
Guided day trips exploring Sintra, Cascais, Óbidos, Nazaré, and Lisbon
Evening group circle with soothing sound bath
Time to relax poolside with views of Pena Palace
New friendships and unforgettable memories… plus so much more!
What to bring:
Yoga/fitness appropriate clothing
Light, comfortable clothes for exploring in 70-80 degree weather
Comfortable walking shoes
Yoga mat & props optional - hotel provides yoga mats & blocks
Swimsuits, hat & beach bag for Cascais & our pool
Refillable water bottle
Desire to explore Portugal’s historical gems!
What’s not included:
Air Travel
Hotel/service gratuity
Additional activities, services, rentals & excursions
Alcohol, off-site food/drink, incidentals
ROOMS & RATES
These rates include cost of your accommodations, daily on-site meals and cost of all planned group activities.
OPTION 1:
STANDARD CASA DO VALLE ROOM
1 LEFT! - $3,150 PER ROOM
Single occupancy. One queen bed. Private bathroom. Some rooms have a balcony, some direct access to a patio – all have their own outside furniture.
Amenities: hairdryer, mini-fridge, toaster, and a water kettle; there is also coffee/tea/sugar in each room. Everything you might need for a late or early cup of something hot.
OPTION 2:
STANDARD ROOM WITH SOFA BED
SOLD OUT! - $2,900 PER PERSON
Double occupancy. One queen bed and one pull-out sofa. Spacious, walk-in closet. Private bathroom. Some rooms have a balcony, some direct access to a patio – all have their own outside furniture.
Amenities: hairdryer, mini-fridge, toaster, and a water kettle; there is also coffee/tea/sugar in each room. Everything you might need for a late or early cup of something hot.
OPTION 3:
SUPERIOR CASA DO VISTA ROOM
SOLD OUT! - $3,350
Single Occupancy. One queen bed. Features a view of the valley with wall-to-wall window to the views and a wooden deck with private outside furniture directly in front of the room.
Amenities: hairdryer, mini-fridge, toaster, and a water kettle; there is also coffee/tea/sugar in each room. Everything you might need for a late or early cup of something hot.
OPTION 4:
SUPERIOR CASA DO VISTA ROOM - DOUBLE
SOLD OUT! - $3,200 PER PERSON
Double occupancy. Two twin beds (can also be set up as King for couples). Features a view of the valley with wall-to-wall window to the views and a wooden deck with private outside furniture directly in front of the room.
Amenities: hairdryer, mini-fridge, toaster, and a water kettle; there is also coffee/tea/sugar in each room. Everything you might need for a late or early cup of something hot.
BOOKING & PAYMENT
REGISTER: Fill out the form, selecting the room option you want. If your room occupancy is double and you plan to share the room with a companion, make sure they also register and submit a deposit for the second spot for that room. Please note any food allergies or restrictions! This is not a vegan or vegetarian retreat, but we are happy to make accommodations.
DEPOSIT: $500 via Venmo or on redirect page to hold your spot (details on registration page)
50% PAYMENT: half of remaining balance due August 10, 2024
FINAL PAYMENT: remaining balance due September 1, 2024
GETTING TO THIS RETREAT
1) Fly into Lisbon International Airport. 2) Shuttles will be scheduled for pickup to bring you from Lisbon to our hotel in Sintra, which is roughly 30-40 minutes away. Check in begins on Saturday, September 21 is at 3pm local time. You’ll have a little time to settle in before the retreat begins.
If your travel dates are flexible, you may want to arrive a day or two early into Lisbon and meet the shuttle on Saturday to bring you to the hotel. Check out is Saturday, September 28 at 11am. We suggest an outbound flight around 2pm. Shuttle transfer from our hotel to the airport is included in the retreat cost. If you prefer to arrange your own hotel-airport transfers, please let us know.
We strongly recommend travel insurance to insure the cost of your trip is not lost in the event of extenuating circumstances. For the best fare, keep an eye on flights to purchase as soon as you’re booked with a deposit. Flights to Lisbon from San Diego are currently $1000-1500. If flying out of Southern California, LAX is usually a more affordable airport from which to depart.
RETREAT ITINERARY
This is your retreat and all activities are optional. For the best experience, we encourage everyone to participate in as many of the group activities as possible. Free time activities available: shopping, beach time, hiking, wine tasting & vineyard visit, spa services, exploring historical points of interest in Sintra or Lisbon.
DAY 1: ARRIVAL
3PM Check In
4PM Light Snacks
5:30PM Intention Setting, Intros & Opening Circle
6PM Yoga & Meditation
7PM Dinner
DAY 2
8AM Fitness
9AM Breakfast
10AM-4PM Free Time!
1PM Lunch
4:30PM Yoga & Meditation
6PM Dinner
DAY 3
8AM Fitness
9AM Breakfast
11-4PM Guided Day Trip to Sintra Palaces & Cascais Beach
6PM Dinner
7:30PM Restorative Stretch
DAY 4
8AM Fitness
9AM Breakfast
10AM-4PM Free Time!
1PM Lunch
4:30PM Yoga & Breathwork
6PM Dinner
DAY 5
7:30AM Yoga
8:30AM Breakfast
10AM-6PM Guided Day Trip to Óbidos & Nazaré
7PM Dinner
8PM Journaling
DAY 6
8AM Fitness
9AM Breakfast
10AM-4PM Free Time!
4:30PM Yoga & Meditation
6PM Dinner
DAY 7
8AM Yoga
9AM Breakfast
10AM-3PM Guided Trip to Lisbon by Train
5:30PM Dinner
6:30PM Closing Circle
7PM Restorative Sound Bath
DAY 8: DEPARTURE
7AM Fitness & Flow
8:30AM Farewell Breakfast
11AM Check Out & Departure
Excursions & Destinations
All of our excursions will provide a private driver taking us to the cities and historical points of interest in our itinerary, with the exception of taking a train as a group to Lisbon on our last excursion day (which was highly recommended!). In addition, we’ll have a private group tour guide sharing details about where we’re going, what we’ll see, and the history behind our points of interest.
We’ll have time to shop or grab a coffee or treat during our excursions, but a packed lunch will be provided by our Chef on the Óbidos/Nazaré and Cascais/Sintra Day Trips, along with admission fees to the castles and palaces scheduled in our itinerary. Anything extra is up to you!
Picturesque Óbidos a hour or so north of Sintra.
Cascais is a stunning, trendy coastal town in Sintra.
Sintra’s Quinta de Regaleira and it’s beautiful gardens.
Óbidos is a picturesque, well-preserved medieval town located near the central coast of Portugal. This beautiful town feels like a step back in time with its narrow cobblestone streets (cars cannot drive through!), fortified walls and enchanting castle.
Cascais is located at the coastal end of Sintra, often called the Portuguese Riviera. Here you’ll find grand 19th century villas, historic monuments and turquoise beaches. Also known for its shopping, and outdoor activities like surfing, paragliding and rock climbing.
Sintra is a lush, hilly region outside Lisbon in which our hotel is located. Home to several palaces, fairy-tale castles, museums, enchanting gardens, historical monuments, and forest hiking trails. We’ll visit Pena Palace, Moor Castle and Quinta de Regaleira (above).
Nazaré’s beautiful beaches.
Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, Portugal.
Hiking is one of many activities to do in Sintra!
Nazaré is about 90 minutes from Sintra, on Portugal’s Silver Coast. Famous for its giant waves (the biggest in the world October-February) and beautiful beaches, charm, surf museum, and historical monuments.
Lisbon is Portugal’s coastal capital city, compact and bustling with cobblestone streets which makes it easy to get around on foot. Plenty of opportunities to shop, explore historical monuments and a palace await!
Other fun activities during your retreat, aside from additional visits to nearby points of interests or museums, include hiking, shopping, mountain biking, surfing, beach time, massages, wine-tasting and more!
Retreat TEAM
Cat Valadez, E-RYT 500, YACEP, NASM-CPT
Cat discovered yoga in 2005 in college and began teaching in 2011 after realizing the study and transmission of yoga is her calling. She’s a single mom living in North County San Diego, teaching yoga and meditation full-time in group, private, corporate, festival and retreat settings. Cat’s passion spans all things wellness, movement, and the self-realization practices yoga offers. Students describe her as relatable, nurturing, knowledgeable and encouraging when it comes to encountering limitations of body or mind. Her favorite part about teaching is having the opportunity to connect with students and supporting their well-being both 1:1 and in community.
Kristin Lovett, E-RYT 200
Kristin, affectionately nicknamed “KLove” by her students, found yoga and surfing in 1999 in Oregon. She started teaching yoga and fitness in 2008, then relocated to North County San Diego in 2011 where she’s taught full-time ever since. She’s a single mom in Encinitas teaching yoga, fitness and surfing to humans of all ages and walks of life online, in studios, and privately. Movement, health and inspiring others is her purpose; she loves guiding others to feel strong, powerful, and self-aware. She aims to change lives and be a beacon of light to others.
Francoise Brana, Culinary Chef
Francoise has worked in restaurant and hotel kitchens since high school and has been obsessed with food since she can remember. She was born in Los Angeles into a Chilean family who traveled the world extensively. After college, the kitchen called her to France and Italy, learning how to make amazing cuisine from scratch. She moved back to Los Angeles in 2008 to work in some of the best fine dining restaurants and five star hotels. She became a private traveling chef in 2012, from which she learned how to source fresh, unique meals in remote tropical locations for selective palates. She loves teaching people about food and inspiring families to try new flavors.
