Reformer Pilates & Coastal Walking Week in Ericeira, Portugal

Days here follow a loose rhythm rather than a rigid timetable. Classes run in the morning, usually starting at 8:00, in a studio a few minutes' walk from the centre of Ericeira. Sessions last around 75 to 90 minutes. You'll alternate between Reformer work — leg press, footwork on the carriage, long-box series, arm work with the springs — and mat classes doing the classic sequence plus targeted core and glute work. Two of the morning slots are coastal walks instead of class, covering the cliff paths towards Praia do Norte and Ribeira d'Ilhas, roughly 8 to 12 km depending on the day and the group's pace.

The midweek day is kept free of classes. People tend to use it for a longer walk, a day trip into Lisbon (about an hour by bus), a surf lesson in town, or a massage — there are several therapists in Ericeira the studio can book for you.

The instructors are all studio-trained and have been teaching on this coast for years. Classes are held in English, with small groups so you get individual cues rather than a workout you could follow on a video. If you have an old injury or a stiff shoulder, say so on the first morning and the instructor will adapt the springs and the exercises for you.

Ericeira itself is a working fishing town that also happens to be a World Surfing Reserve. The old centre is whitewashed with blue trim, and there are enough cafés, bakeries and restaurants within a 10-minute walk of the accommodation that you don't need a car. The beaches — Praia dos Pescadores, Praia do Sul, Foz do Lizandro — are all within walking distance or a short drive. Lisbon airport is about 45 minutes away by car.

What makes this different from a generic yoga-and-beach week is that it's a proper Pilates holiday with equipment, not just mats on a terrace. You get Reformer time every other day in a real studio, and the rest of the programme is built around walking the coastal paths rather than sitting on a resort. It's a small operation and it feels like one.

What's included

- 7 nights accommodation in a guesthouse in Ericeira - Daily breakfast at the guesthouse - 3 group dinners at local restaurants - Reformer Pilates classes on alternating mornings - Mat Pilates, stretching and mobility classes - 2 guided coastal walks along the Ericeira clifftop paths - All Pilates equipment, mats and props - Welcome meeting with the instructor

What's not included

- Flights to and from Lisbon - Airport transfers (can be arranged for an extra cost) - Lunches and remaining dinners - Travel insurance - Surf lessons, massages and other optional activities - Personal expenses and souvenirs - Drinks outside of included meals