Yoga and Surf Wellness Escape in Sintra, Portugal

This retreat is built around a simple daily rhythm: morning yoga, surf, free time, and evening yoga, with meals together in between. Patricia leads the yoga and fitness classes, drawing on over 20 years of teaching in everything from Ashtanga to Hatha and Vinyasa flow. She adapts each session to whoever is in the room, so beginners and experienced practitioners alike will find their level. Zarqa, who grew up surfing and spent six years living in a meditation school, leads the guided meditations and teaches the surf lessons.

The location is a big part of why people come. The house sits on the coast of Sintra-Cascais National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage area, and is within walking distance of two of the region's most beautiful beaches. Praia da Aguda, the main surf beach, is a short walk away, and the village of Azenhas do Mar, perched dramatically on the cliffs, is about 20 minutes on foot. The area is quiet and uncrowded, ideal for long coastal walks.

Unlike more structured retreats, this one leaves real space in the day to do as you please. There is no packed itinerary, so you might spend an afternoon reading on the lawn, taking a walk to the village, or booking an extra treatment like an Ayurvedic massage with Zarqa. The house itself is a comfortable, high-quality place with a jacuzzi, a mini-gym, and a pool table, and it accommodates just 11 guests, so it never feels crowded.

Patricia handles the bodywork side of things, and she is also a Zen Shiatsu therapist with over 12 years of experience. Her classes are designed to suit all levels and to be both flowing and creative. Zarqa brings a spiritual dimension, having worked with shamanic traditions and the spiritual teacher Tony Samara for over 20 years. Together, they aim to balance the physical, mental, and emotional, but they do it in a low-key, personal way.

What's included

- 5 nights accommodation - 5 delicious and healthy breakfasts - 4 lunch buffets or takeaway package - 5 delightful dinner buffets - 5 morning yoga classes - 5 evening yoga classes - 10 guided meditations - 4 surf classes, all equipment and insurance included - Use of jacuzzi as part of the program - Use of mini-gym

What's not included

- Flights - Airport transfers (available for €50 per car) - Additional treatments (e.g., Ayurvedic massage) - Additional activities not in the itinerary - Travel insurance