Mellulah Retreats, Portugal

santa Luzia, algarve, portugal

Nature-rich yoga retreats for healing and self-discovery

Based in the charming fishing village of Santa Luzia in East Algarve, these breaks are for anyone who wants to press pause, put their phone in airplane mode and reconnect with nature and themselves. Practise yoga on the outdoor shala, surrender to sound healing, dance under fairy lights, uncover your inner artist, relax by the pools and lake, and stay in characterful quintas. You’ll leave rested and reconnected, with your energy and love for life recharged.

Queen of Retreats says:

‘You’re in excellent hands with your host Saira Francis. With more than 20 years’ experience as a healer, she is also an experienced yoga teacher and holistic therapist. Her support is heartfelt and her guests return year after year – a testament to her compassion and guidance’

Experiences

The signature retreat is Finding Your Inner Light, which aims to reconnect you with your soul and your true essence. Yoga is suitable for all levels of yogi – expect up to four hours per day, with uplifting vinyasa in the mornings, and evening restorative practice. There’s also a power vinyasa class.

The programme also includes art workshops, where you’ll make your own nature mandala and learn Cyanotype, as well as meditation, sound healing and deep karmic clearing. Evenings can be spent enjoying Balearic Beats and 80s and 90s dance music with raw cacao and conscious, ecstatic dance.

Spend your downtime by the natural swimming pools, have a massage or a psychic reading, hire a bike and see the area on two wheels, or head to the nearby Ria de Formosa, a natural park, and beaches on the miniature train or sea taxis.

Spaces

You’ll be based on the outskirts of Santa Luzia – the nearest towns are beautiful Tavira and Fuzeta - and just 40 minutes’ transfer from Faro. Set in a rural area of countryside surrounded by organic farmland with fruit and vegetables, orchards and jacaranda trees, there are swimming lakes all within walking distance of the fishing village of Santa Luzia.

Yoga takes place in an air-conditioned studio. There are outdoor sundecks, balconies and roof terraces, where you can relax, as well as two chemical, chlorine-free natural swimming pools, surrounded by lush gardens and loungers. There is also lots of countryside to explore, peacocks to admire and shady mature trees to rest under.

Stay in rooms spread over three houses – Quinta Pomar and Vistamar are recently built, and closest to the retreat centre; Quintamar is an older house, a five-minute walk away through the orchard. Each apartment across all houses has a fully equipped kitchen, lounge area and terrace. Rooms include walk in and power showers, some ensuite, some shared and all have either air-conditioning or fans for warm nights.

Sustenance

The meals included are brunch and supper, which you’ll have on the restaurant’s outdoor terrace and roof terrace. Enjoy delicious, buffet-style vegan and vegetarian meals, all lovingly prepared to support your retreat experience. All diets can be catered for.

Start the day with a smoothie, then enjoy a brunch of toast, granola and yoghurt, with a savoury plate like a tofu tart, hummus or salad bowl. Coffee is also served at brunch and cake is on offer in the afternoon.

Dinner might be sweet potato falafels with tahini and lemon sauce, a vegetable casserole or roasted pumpkin and carrot in white wine, followed by lemon pie with raspberry coulis or baked plums and ginger with Greek yogurt. The retreat is alcohol-free.

Quinta Pomar, Caminho das trindades, Santa Luzia, tavira, 8800-562, Portugal