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About this trip
We would like to welcome you on our 'Grace meets Power' retreat and a magical excursion to the Algarve, Portugal.
"The focus of this retreat is to let go of “old man winter” … to find your childlike, playful self, through yoga and everything the beautiful Portuguese landscape has to offer... from hiking to surfing … eating... and even learning to cook amazing organic vegetarian food!
Breathe the fresh air, drink the organic wine, meet like-minded people and just CHILL OUT, for a well-deserved week in beautiful Portugal!"
YOGA SCHEDULE
Betsy and Abica will be offering a variety of yoga styles throughout the week, accessible to all levels, including Bikram flows, Power Vinyasa, as well as refreshing Restorative and Yin based classes. Everyone will have the opportunity to take their practice to a new level at their own pace … feeling accomplished, renewed and energized to jump into spring upon arrival back home!
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE - Lisbon
Your flight should arrive into Lisbon ANYTIME on Friday 11 May and depart from Lisbon ANYTIME on Sunday 20 May. You will make your own arrangements for transport from the airport to the group hotel in the center of Lisbon. A taxi will take about 20 minutes and will cost around €15.
HOTEL IN LISBON:
Name: MY STORY HOTEL TEJO
Address: Rua Condes do Monsanto nº2, 1100-159 Lisbon
Tel: +351 218 866 182
E-mail: guestservice@mystoryhotels.com
www.mystoryhotels.com
Our hotel is located in Downtown Lisbon in the 'Baixa' district, between 'Praca da Figueira' and 'Castelo de Sao Jorge'. The hotel is within walking distance of all the main sights and restaurants of Lisbon.
We will depart the following morning, after breakfast (included), at 11:00am from the lobby, on a 3 hour scenic drive to our retreat center in the Algarve, grabbing lunch along the way (not included).
We will leave 'Orada', after breakfast, at 10.00am on Saturday 19 May and head back to Lisbon, where we will spend another night in our hotel and be ready to depart for home the following day (Sunday 20 May,)
USEFUL INFORMATION & RECOMMENDATIONS
PASSPORTS & TRAVEL INSURANCE:
At this point, we would like to remind you to check that your passports are valid for travel and have at least 3 months left on them from time of departure for Europe.
We would also like to remind you to purchase a travel insurance, which will cover you in case of any cancellation, loss or theft of belongings and medical emergency. This can either be done through your credit card company, airline or travel agent. You can also purchase a travel insurance here during checkout.
Please note that Chirriposa will be there to assist you, but will not be responsible for any cancellation fees, lost or stollen items or medical expenses incurred on the trip. You will also be required to sign a ‘Liability Waiver’ before we leave the hotel in Lisbon.
WEATHER (May):
Lisbon and Algarve - The weather in Lisbon & Algarve in spring is relatively warm. The average temperature is between 21-22°C (that's about 69-71°F), and can go as low as 12-14°C (about 53-57°F) at night
WHAT TO WEAR
Pack light summer clothes and also don’t forget your swimsuits for the pool, aqueduct, beach and visiting the hot springs. Also remember to pack a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
However, you should also be prepared for cooler days and nights and perhaps even some rain and wind.
For those of you who want to go hiking, cycling or horseback riding, we suggest you bring suitable footwear. A pair of running shoes would be highly recommended. If you intend to go surfing, then you will rent a wet suit and equipment, but may wish to wear a rash guard underneath.
WATER
In Lisbon, we cannot vouch for the quality of the tap water and, therefore, we recommend buying bottled water for drinking. However, at the retreat center, the water in the house comes directly from a natural spring and passes through a filter and is excellent drinking quality. It makes sense to bring your own water bottle and fill it for your daily use.
ELECTRICITY
Electricity in Portugal, as in the rest of Europe, comes out of the wall socket at 220 volts alternating at a 50 cycles per second. In the US, electricity comes out of the wall socket at 110 volts, alternating at 60 cycles per second. Not only the voltages and frequencies, but also the sockets themselves are different.
You can get along with just a plug converter for many of today's small electrical devices designed to run on dual voltages. Devices like this include most laptops and recently produced battery chargers and many small electrical gadgets, especially those designed for world travel.
PHONE & INTERNET
There is limited cell phone signal at the center, but we will have free Wi-Fi access in the communal areas of the house. However, please try to disconnect as much as possible.
YOGA MATS + PROPS
Yoga mats, blocks, straps and blankets are available at the yoga temple. However, you may prefer to travel with your own mat.
BUGS
May is not typically a bad time of year for mosquitoes. Most bites occur during sunset/sunrise or in shady places in the forest. It is best that you bring a good insect repellent with you. You might also like to wear long pants in the evenings.
SHEETS AND TOWELS
All your rooms will have fresh sheets and towels provided. You should bring a towel for the beach, the pool or for visiting the hot springs. Otherwise a sarong will also work well and be much lighter to travel with.
MONEY
The currency in Portugal is the Euro (€).
€1.00 equals around $1.25
$1.00 equals €0.8
You can pay us directly for any optional tours, activities, bodywork and beverages together at the end of the week in cash ($ or €). You will be able to take money out of the ATM using your debit and credit cards. We may also receive payment via Paypal, but you will be charged a 5% service and Paypal fee.
FOOD:
We will offer a range of traditional Portuguese and international vegetarian and fish dishes, incorporating organic vegetables that are grown on the property and local produce from nearby villages and markets. Please inform us of any dietary requirements or restrictions ahead of time and we will try our best to accommodate you. Also if you have any allergies, please let us know in advance.
ALCOHOL:
Local organic wine will be served with meals. Outside of mealtimes, we will operate an honesty system, where you can write down what you consume and settle up at the end of the week.
SECURITY:
There is not much need for strict security measures at the retreat center, however, there are keys for all the rooms and we can also lock away your passports etc. for you in the main safe.
NB. Please be extra careful of your valuables and belongings in Lisbon, especially on the public transport, as there are a lot of pickpockets around.
What’s included
- Layover in Lisbon· 2 nights four star accommodation on arrival/departure
- Accommodation· 7 nights exclusive accommodation in Algarve
- Meals· All meals with local organic wine (Algarve)
- Group Travel· Group transfers from Lisbon to Algarve
- Yoga· All yoga and meditation classes
- Tours· Group excursions to nearby beaches & towns
- Dinner Out· 1 group dinner in fish restaurant in Lagos
- Workshops· Cooking demonstration
- Gratuity· Added staff gratuity
What’s not included
- Individual Travel· International flights
- Individual Transfers· Airport transfer to hotel in Lisbon
- Individual Meals· Lunch and dinner in Lisbon
- Beverages· Alcoholic beverages outside of mealtimes
- Activities & Services· Optional activities (surfing, bodywork, etc)
Available Packages
Please note that this price is for your final payment ($500 deposit already received).
Please note that this price is for your final payment ($500 deposit already received).
Please note that this price is for your final payment ($500 deposit already received).
Itinerary
1. TORRE BELEM - A UNESCO world heritage site and one of Portugal’s most famous monuments. The Gothic tower was built to guard the entrance to the harbour and has some fine examples of Portuguese stonework dating from the 1500s.
2. The historic ‘BAIRRO ALTO’ and ‘BAIXA CHIADO’ districts have a network of quaint, old-fashioned trams that lurch and screech around the narrow streets of the capital. No visit to Lisbon is complete without taking a ride on one of these classic, pre-war, Remodelado trams. In total there are five different tram routes, which either head east (towards Alfama) or west (towards Belem).
Also check out the various ‘Funicular’ trams, that take you on a seemingly vertical ascent and the famous ‘Elevador de Santa Justa’ lift, inaugurated on the 10th July 1902 and it is the only vertical lift in Lisbon for public service. It was built by the architect Raoul Mesnier du Ponsard and has a cast iron structure, enriched with filigree details. In 2002 it was classified as a National Monument.
3. IGREJA DE SÃO VICENTE DE FORA - Portugal's first king, Afonso Henriques, laid the foundation stone for the first church of St Vincent 'Outside' - that is, beyond the then city walls - hardly a month after taking Lisbon from the Moors in 1147. He was fulfilling a vow to construct Christian houses of worship on the sites where Portuguese soldiers and northern European crusaders lay buried. The big draw are the cloisters, richly decorated with early 18th-century tile panels, some illustrating La Fontaine fables. Inside there's the royal pantheon of the Braganza family, the last dynasty to rule Portugal. The figure of a weeping woman kneels before the twin tombs of Dom Carlos I and Crown Prince Luís Filipe, shot by assassins in 1908.
4. ALFAMA is one of the oldest districts of Lisbon, and is a delightful maze of narrow cobbled streets and ancient houses, which lead up the steep hill from the Tejo Estuary to THE CASTLE. Contained within this diverse and charismatic district are many historic buildings including the Se Cathedral, the Castle, the National Pantheon and Saint Anthony’s Church. Originally, Alfama was situated outside of the city walls and was associated with poverty and squalor, where only the poor and disadvantaged resided. As Lisbon grew into an important port, the district retained its lowly status as the tough and deprived district where sailors and dock workers lived. Today, Alfama has shrugged off its grim reputation, being transformed into a fashionable artisan district, while still retaining its character and dilapidated charm.
5. MUDE (Museu do Design e da Moda) - Lisbon's Museum of Design and Fashion highlights the links between the two disciplines: the permanent displays were donated to the city by a private collector with an interest in both fields. It's housed in a cavernous former bank headquarters. The underground vault and second-floor gallery host temporary exhibitions, while the ground floor showcases the main collection: iconic and experimental clothing, footwear and accessories, household design and furniture - even the odd scooter.
FOOD
TIME OUT MARKET LISBOA - The food court of Lisbon’s historic market hall – the Mercado da Ribeira – was taken over by Time Out in early 2014. The revamped (and bustling) Time Out Mercado da Ribeira is now home to 35 permanent stalls from some of Lisbon’s most celebrated foodie shops and restaurants.
TIME OUT MARKET LISBOA
Address: Avenida 24 de Julho 49, Lisbon 1200-479
Opening hours: Sunday - Wednesday: 10:00 to 00:00; Thursday - Saturday: 10:00 to 02:00