Women-Only Fitness Retreat in Portugal's Douro Valley: Hikes, Kayaking & Wine Tasting

The retreat is based on a private vineyard estate in the Douro Valley, split across two properties. The main Quinta has one private guest suite with its own entrance, a living room and an ensuite. Casa Pequeña, a smaller farmhouse on a terrace just above, has four super king bedrooms — two with private bathrooms and two sharing. Both have access to the pool, the gym, the dining area and a large garden looking out over the valley. Check-in is from 14:00 and check-out is at 12:00 on the Sunday.

Thursday is arrival day. You get to the estate, settle into your room, have a look around, and then do a pre-dinner mobility stretch before the welcome dinner. Friday starts with a group workout, a dip in the pool and breakfast, then a guided hike through the surrounding landscape. Lunch follows, and the afternoon is yours — there are hiking maps if you want to walk more, or you can use the gym. In the late afternoon there's a wine tasting of locally produced wines, then dinner.

Saturday is the river day. Morning workout, breakfast, then kayaking on the Bestança River in the Douro Valley. Lunch back at the estate, an afternoon of pool or optional gym work or a self-guided hike, a gentle mobility stretch before dinner, and a creative activity afterwards. Sunday is short: a final workout, breakfast, and departure by midday.

What makes this different from a generic fitness retreat is the setting. It's a working vineyard estate rather than a purpose-built retreat centre, so the meals are cooked in-house with local produce and traditional recipes, and the wine at the tasting comes from the region you're walking through. The group is women only, which is how Katie has run her fitness events for the past seven years — the whole point, as she puts it, is getting women moving in a happy, healthy, safe environment.

The activity level is moderate but adjustable. The morning workouts are functional fitness and mobility sessions, not competitions, and you set your own pace. The guided hike on the Friday and the kayak trip on the Saturday are the two fixed outdoor activities; everything else is optional. The weather can change the schedule, and the programme is adjusted if it does.

What's included

- 3 nights at a private vineyard estate in the Douro Valley - Exclusive use of the houses, pool, gym and grounds - All meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner - Soft drinks, healthy snacks, tea and coffee - Daily functional fitness and mobility classes - Guided local hike - Kayaking on the Bestança River - Wine tasting of local Douro wines - After-dinner creative activity - Retreat gift pack - Photos and videos from the weekend - Free Wi-Fi and free parking

What's not included

- Flights to Porto - Airport transfers (taxi, car hire or train can be arranged with help) - Travel insurance - Alcoholic drinks and drinks out - Personal expenses