Women's Wellness Retreat in the Azores
Feeling adventurous? Need a break from the grind? Want to spend a week on a gorgeous island?
You are invited to spend 6 days soaking in natural beauty in the Azores. Filling your cup. Filling your well. Hiking the green hills. Soaking in the hot springs. Taking care of YOURSELF first and foremost.
Where are the Azores, you may ask?
The Azores are an archipelago of nine volcanic islands in the North Atlantic ocean and are an autonomous region of Portugal. The largest island is Sao Miguel with its capital city of Ponta Delgada. Geologically, these islands have been compared with Iceland, Ireland and Hawaii, with their volcanic heritage, lush green hills, striking cliffs, and deep blue water.
Beginning in the 15th century, the Azores were settled by people from Portugal, France, Spain, and Belgium, and enslaved people from Africa. Catholicism is strong here, with many religious festivals and celebrations throughout the year.
March 26 - April 1, 2023
The moon will be NEW during this week - a perfect opportunity not only to bask in the expansive night sky full of stars, but also the perfect opportunity to take time out from your busy life and reflect on what you want to let go and envision what you want to bring in to your life at this time.
Retreat Schedule
This retreat is for YOUR wellness. Be as active or as relaxed as you choose.
The trip begins on Sunday with a late afternoon circle, where we will "arrive" into our small group and begin to weave the web of the week. We will start to get to know each other, and you will have time and space to reflect on your intentions for your retreat.
Then we will partake in a welcome dinner at the hotel, where traditional dishes of the island are given a contemporary touch by the chefs. Fresh seafood, local dairy products, vegetables and tropical fruits are mainstays in the Azorean cuisine.
Wellness Mornings
You will have the option of starting every day with qigong led by me on the hotel terrace. Qigong is an ancient Chinese health-enhancing practice for body, mind and spirit, and beautiful natural settings enhance its efficacy. I will teach you easy movements that will help your nervous system relax, help you feel more grounded in your body, and help you feel more connected with the Earth. Qigong can also benefit your joints, help detoxify your internal organs and strengthen their functioning.
Since sleep is a critical part of wellness, I encourage you to maximize your time spent in rest this week. A relaxed schedule is woven throughout the week, with Thursday the only day that we will leave the hotel around 9 am.
YOUR DAILY SCHEDULE
MONDAY: Morning Relaxation and Afternoon Tour
Monday morning is at your leisure. In the afternoon we will take a half day tour to the pineapple plantation and Sete Cidades, an extinct volcanic crater housing spectacular twin lakes that is officially listed as one of the “7 Wonders of Portugal.”
TUESDAY: Food
Starting at 10 AM, we will take a half-day walking food tour through the downtown of Ponta Delgada. We will visit a farmers' market, eateries, and shops, and our guide will orient us to the town and introduce us to Azorean history, lifestyle and culture while we sample numerous local dishes.
After a leisurely afternoon, you will have the option of joining in a sharing circle to talk about the trip thus far and check in with your intention(s).
WEDNESDAY: Full Day Tour
Today we will start around 9 AM for our daylong adventure visiting the Furnas Valley, center of geothermal activity on Sao Miguel and the 200-year-old Parque Terra Nostra, which contains flora native to the Azores as well as flora brought by settlers and visitors from other countries. Bring a non-white bathing suit and towel for the thermal baths!
THURSDAY and FRIDAY: Your Choice!
You will have two full days to do whatever you want. Two full days! You may choose to rest, hike, get a massage, wander around town, go horseback riding or kayaking, play golf or tennis, visit Materia 47 paint and pottery studio to make a craft in the local style, get a massage, lie around all day, or...?
Friday late afternoon we will meet for a closing circle, to share our gems, challenges and experiences from the week, how we have been changed by this unique place, and what we are taking home with us.
After our circle is our farewell dinner at the hotel.
SATURDAY: Final Day and Departure
We will enjoy brunch at the rooftop bar and spend our final moments on Sao Miguel, returning home full of island experiences and inner peace and rejuvenation.
Our Home Away From Home
The beautiful and locally-owned Senhora da Rosa hotel in Ponta Delgada is a 4-star property with an onsite spa and a special soaking pool inside a hothouse nursery for pineapples.
Where We Will Stay
Senhora da Rosa Hotel
Senhora da Rosa Hotel
Senhora da Rosa Hotel
Senhora da Rosa Hotel
Senhora da Rosa Hotel
Our hotel is owned by a local family and is a refurbished 18th century farm where oranges were grown.
Senhora da Rosa Hotel
Here is the rooftop terrace, with mountains in the distance.