with Eileen Muir
Northern Portugal
13-20 October, 2023
Our Retreat
Join me on an invigorating and peaceful inner journey through yoga, pranayama, meditation, and hiking in a breathtaking environment. This program is geared to Iyengar levels II and up, and all students are welcome. I will work with your individual needs and will show you how to modify the postures to maximize the benefits of your practice regardless of physical abilities or the level of your experience.
You will leave stronger, more flexible, open-hearted and rejuvenated. ❤️
Each day begins with meditation followed by an asana class. There will be two vegetarian meals prepared for us, as well as an afternoon restorative yoga and pranayama class followed by Patanjali's Yoga Sutra study. After dinner there is meditation ... followed by silence.
Each day there will be personal time to recharge and reconnect with yourself, with nature, and with your fellow yogis. You can hike the local trails, swim in the pool, have a spa treatment, or just chill-out .
There may be an optional excursion to choose from, for example: the Douro Valley, hiking in the adjacent Peneda Gerês National Park, or perhaps an emotional Fado performance in a local vineyard for a good cry ;-)
Highlights
- 2 yoga classes per day and 2 daily meditations
- Daily discussion of the profound teachings of the Yoga Sutras
- Yoga props such as manduka mats, blankets, bolsters, and blocks
- Full access to yoga shala, dining room, kitchen, and heated swimming pool
- Bus pick-up from Francisco de Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) at 3:30 PM on the 13th of October.
- Wholesome vegan/vegetarian breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tea and snacks always available.
- Seven nights of tranquil and comfortable accommodations
Join me on this transformative adventure, where the harmonious symphony of yoga, nature, and self-discovery await. Let your path towards well-being begin here.
Retreat Cost
The cost for the 7-day Portugal Yoga Retreat ranges from $1,700 to $2,300 per person - depending on the housing option you choose.
Retreat Accommodations
The comfortable accommodations are nestled throughout the natural landscape, and include private chalets, wooden cabins, and cozy rooms in the main house.
The living accommodations are modern rustic-elegant chalets and cabins, tastefully decorated, and all with verandas. There are both private and secluded accommodations spread out over the landscape and shared boarding options in the main house, which was rebuilt with huge granite rocks from centuries ago.
Accommodations will be allocated on a first-come basis, and require full payment to be confirmed.
- Garden Suite Chalets (2 left)
- Single Accommodation - ensuite bath, kitchen & veranda: $2,300
- Couple (shared bed) - ensuite bath, kitchen & veranda: $1,950 each
- River View Cabins (sold out)
- Single Accommodation - ensuite bath, veranda: $2,100
- Shared (double - 2 beds) Accommodation - ensuite bath, veranda: $1,750 each
- Mountain Lodges
- Single Accommodation - shared bath, kitchen, living room & veranda: $1,900
- Main House
- Single Accommodation - ensuite bath - shared kitchen, living room & veranda: $2,100
- Double Accommodation (2 beds) - ensuite bath - shared kitchen, living room & veranda: $1,700
Included in the Price
- Bus pickup from Porto to the retreat centre on 13 October at 3:30 PM. Details to follow.
- Accommodation for 7 nights - with vegan/vegetarian brunch and dinner included.
- 2 yoga classes per day, daily meditation and Yoga Sutra study, and nature hikes.
- Full access to – yoga shala, dining room, kitchen, many outdoor areas to explore, heated swimming pool, outdoor lounges with undisturbed views, and hiking trails
- Yoga props including Manduka mats, blankets, bolsters and blocks
- Wi-Fi access in your rooms
Not Included in the Price
- Flight costs
- Travel Insurance
- Transportation from the retreat centre after the retreat.
- Optional Excursions
- Optional Spa Treatments
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations must be received in writing by e-mail to: eileen@karunayogahealingarts.eu
For cancellations received before May 1st, you will receive a refund of any monies paid, less a $350 non-refundable reservation deposit.
No refunds will be given if you cancel after May 1, 2023.
Karuna Center for Yoga & Healing Arts - Spain reserves the right to cancel this retreat at any time due to natural disasters, global pandemics, global travel restrictions, world or political events, or for any unforeseen reason. In this case, a full refund will be offered, minus the $350 non-refundable deposit.
When Flying from the US !!
REMEMBER: When booking your flights to Portugal from the US, remember that you lose a day on the overnight flights. So book the day before you want to arrive in Portugal. You may also want to arrive a day or so earlier to get over jet lag, and to take in some of the sights in Lisbon and/or Porto.
Travel Tips
Don't forget to get some euros and a European plug for your phone charger.
The best way to get euros is to use your debit card at an ATM in Europe. This will give you a much better exchange rate than using a Money Exchanger. When using an ATM, don’t accept any offer to do the conversion for you – just put in how many euros you want to take out and let your home bank do the conversion.
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly advised to cover any eventualities that lead to trip cancellations by the airlines, by yourself, or by us.
Transportation to the Retreat Centre
The Porto International Airport (OPO) is a one-hour drive from the retreat centre, and there will be a shuttle bus from the Porto airport to the retreat centre on October 13th at 3:30 PM. Details to follow.
After the Retreat: Transportation from the Retreat Centre to the Porto Airport
The transfer cost to the Porto Airport after the retreat are not included in the price of the retreat. The retreat centre provides drivers at the following rates:
- 120€ for a car up to 3 persons per way.
- 250€ for a van up to 8 persons per way.
- 375€ for a van up to 20 persons per way.
You can organize your trip to Porto to split the travel costs with fellow participants, according to your travel itineraries.
Metro from Porto City Centre to Porto Airport
Line E (purple) of Metro do Porto connects Porto’s city centre with the Porto airport. The metro runs on average every 15 minutes from 06:00 hours in the morning to 00:30 hours at night. The journey time from the middle of Porto (Trindade subway station) to the airport is about 26 minutes.
If you fly to Lisbon, it is 170 miles south of Porto - which is where you will be picked up for the retreat. There are many daily buses and trains from Lisbon to Porto, which take from 2 hrs. 40 mins. to 3 hrs. 20 mins. and costs between 10 and 40 euros. Here is a link to your travel options. Rental cars in Portugal are very inexpensive, and the roads are very good. Here's a link to explore rental car options: https://www.skyscanner.net/carhire
Contact me with any questions about your travel arrangements to and from the retreat.
Explore Portugal before or after the Retreat
Lisbon
Douro Valley
Lisbon
Lisbon is one of the great European cultural centers. Older than Rome, it has been the epicenter of discoveries and the capital of the Portuguese empire since the 15th century. Today Lisbon is one of Europe's most revered cultural Meccas, known for its vibrant arts and creative food, international vibe, sunny weather, and laid-back lifestyle. A Fado performance is a must!
Porto
Douro Valley
Lisbon
Porto, the second largest city in Portugal, is well known for its picturesque Douro River spanned by 6 bridges, for being the home of Port Wine, and for its youthful renaissance of street art. One of the oldest cities in Europe, its maze of steep and narrow cobbled streets is home to beautiful plazas, churches and houses with colourfully tiled façades. Its stunning Old Town on the Douro River is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Douro Valley
Douro Valley
Douro Valley
The Douro valley, with its lovely terraces of vineyards clinging to the hillsides, is the heart of the famous Port Wine region and offers visitors spectacular views. It is famed for being the oldest demarcated wine-growing region on the planet and a large section of it was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001.
Sintra
Guimarães
Douro Valley
Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located a few kilometers from Lisbon, and is known for its beautiful palaces and mansions, 19th-century gardens, and surrounding natural beauty. You can explore both its beaches and mountains in just one afternoon, but the town is best known for its lavish monuments and unique ambiance.
Guimarães
Guimarães
Guimarães
Guimarães is considered to be the cradle of Portuguese culture and history. An easy day trip from Porto, this UNESCO city has a harmonious, well-preserved heritage that is evident in the graceful iron verandas, granite balconies and porticos, mansions, arches connecting the narrow cobblestone streets smoothed by time, towers and cloisters. Walking the castle walls, you can imagine being transported to mediaeval time.
Barcelos
Guimarães
Guimarães
Barcelos began as a Roman settlement, and has become city of artisans, most of all ceramicists. and many of their goods are on display in the largest Portuguese market every Thursday. Barcelos is known for being the cradle of the Rooster of Barcelos (Galo de Barcelos); the Portuguese emblem and symbol of good faith and justice.