Hot Yoga & Wellness Escape in the Algarve

The retreat is based at Moodz Spa & Resort, a rural property in the Algarve countryside near Silves, about an hour's drive from Faro Airport. The setting is intentionally quiet – no beach right outside, but a beautiful natural landscape with gardens, a pool, sauna, and a purpose-built yoga shala. The host, Nadine Faitas, has been practising yoga for 18 years and leading retreats for five, and she's joined by two other teachers, Galina and Johanna, who bring their own styles – Galina specialises in Bikram, while Johanna blends Hatha and Vinyasa and also leads cacao ceremonies and sound healing.

The daily rhythm is consistent: meditation at 8am, Bikram yoga at 8:30am (90 minutes in a room heated to around 40°C), a healthy brunch at 10:30am, then free time until a 4pm workshop. Workshops vary across the week and include a posture clinic where you get personal adjustments, breathwork sessions, ecstatic dance, a cacao ceremony, and an ice bath. Evenings bring dinners and optional group activities like a connection game night or evening meditation. There's also an optional day trip to Lagos on the last day, with a morning yoga session at Meia Praia beach, free time to explore the old town, and a sunset dinner at a traditional Portuguese restaurant.

What makes this retreat different from a standard yoga holiday is the consistent focus on Bikram yoga. It's a specific practice – 26 postures and two breathing exercises in a hot room – and it's taught every single morning, so you get a real physical and mental challenge rather than a light stretch class. The heat helps beginners access the postures, but it also gives advanced practitioners something to work with. The group size is capped at 18, which keeps things personal, and Nadine makes a point of building community from day one, with welcome ceremonies and game nights designed to break the ice.

The accommodation is split between a villa and a lodge, both on the resort grounds. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with shared bathrooms, air conditioning, and wifi. You can choose a private room or share with one other person. The villa has a common kitchen and living room, while the lodge rooms have terraces with nature views. It's not luxury in the hotel sense, but it's clean, comfortable, and well-suited to a retreat where you're spending most of your time in the yoga room or the spa.

What's included

- Airport pickup (shuttle from Faro Airport) - 5 nights accommodation - 2 daily meals (brunch and dinner) plus snacks - Welcome drink - Water, tea, coffee served throughout the day - Daily yoga classes - Daily meditation classes - Daily pranayama classes - Specialized workshops - Group excursions/activities - Nature hikes with a trusted guide - Professional event photos - Pre and post retreat support from the team - Transportation during the retreat - Daily laundry service - Towels (pool, yoga, sauna) and bathrobe - Yoga mat - Shampoo, shower gel, conditioner, body lotion, hairdryer - Luggage storage - Parking - Wifi connection

What's not included

- Airport transfers (if arriving outside shuttle times) - Flights costs - Travel insurance - Visa fee - Wellness treatments (massages, private sessions, etc.) - Additional activities not included in the itinerary - Optional surf lessons - Personal expenses