Wellness & Sailing Retreat in Madeira with Yoga, Aerial Yoga and Guided Hikes

The retreat takes place at La Maison ZiaZen, a traditional Madeiran house on the island's north coast near Porto da Cruz. Antoine and Cilene live here and host small groups of up to nine guests. The setting is quiet and green—the house sits among farmlands with views toward the mountains and the sea, and the vegetable garden supplies much of what ends up on the dinner table.

Antoine, a French-born nature guide who has walked Madeira's trails since 2000, leads the hikes. He knows the island's natural history well and shares it as you go: the routes take in Santana's thatched-roof houses and clifftop views, a levada walk that climbs into the Laurisilva primary forest (a UNESCO World Heritage site), and a dramatic cliffside trail with 300-metre drops to the ocean. These aren't tough endurance hikes—they're paced for a mixed group and include stops for meditation and mindful walking.

Cilene handles the yoga side. She holds multiple certifications, including a 200-hour RYS with Sundari Integra Yoga School, a 300-hour YACEP with Bhakti Yogshala, and is a Master teacher of Air Yoga (Levels 1 and 2). Her sessions mix classic hatha-style practice with aerial yoga, where you work in silk hammocks—expect a session that's more about letting go of tension than building a hard workout.

One afternoon you'll set sail from the north coast for about three hours. This is the highlight for many guests: a chance to swim in the Atlantic and watch for dolphins and whales. The program notes that if the weather turns, this gets swapped for a walk instead.

Food is a big part of the stay. Cilene cooks dinners from regional ingredients, and the house can adapt to vegetarian and vegan diets if you let them know when booking. The whole experience is delivered in French, so it works best if you're comfortable following along in that language.

What's included

- Airport pickup and drop-off - 5 nights accommodation - 3 daily delicious and nutritious meals - Water, tea and coffee served throughout the day - Daily yoga classes - Nature hikes with a trusted guide - 2 sessions of meditative walking - A sailing trip - 1 visit to the city of Funchal - Transportation during the retreat - Wifi connection

What's not included

- Travel insurance - Flights costs - Additional activities not included in the itinerary - Additional treatments - Optional massages - Extra nights - Laundry services