Vale de Moses is a magical remote valley farm nestled in the stunning foothills of the Serra de Estrela mountains, central Portugal.
It is home to the Winter family, who spent the last 13 years restoring old stone cottages, building new facilities and planting 5 hectares of forested gardens with the help of neighbours and local artisans. Head for these hills and stay with us for a week’s retreat. Practice yoga in a wooden and glass shala floating above edible flower and herb gardens, walk miles of endless paths in the surrounding pine forests with our dogs, swim and mud bathe in cascading natural river pools, breathe pure mountain air, eat deliciously nourishing fresh veggie and vegan meals, have healing treatments from compassionate therapists, star gaze and then sleep deeply each night in comfy rustic stone cottages or Soulpad belle tents.
Since we arrived in 2008, we threw ourselves wholeheartedly into restoring the four Xisto stone cottages at Vale de Moses, with great care and respect to the old local Portuguese traditions of building with natural materials: clay, lime, stone and wood.
Daily yoga schedule Sunday afternoon arrival from Lisbon coach or via hire car after 5pm. Sundays are just to arrive, settle into your accommodation, meet the team and the others on your group and have dinner together. Monday to Friday 7.30am Kitchens open for tea, fresh fruit and nuts 8am Silent led meditation walk through the forest 8.30am Yoga 2 hour class with your teacher for the week 10.30am Big breakfast, a variety of delicious rice and grain porridges, fruit salads, toasted seeds, local honey and freshly squeezed juices 11.30am Free time / massage treatments / swimming / walking 2pm Large nutritious lunch 3pm More free time / massage treatments / swimming / hiking 5pm Yoga classes/workshops/self-practice depending on the retreat 7pm Light evening meal One afternoon in the week we head off to the nearby Rio Zêzere for a wild swim and mud bath weather permitting. Friday evening party with music and dancing Saturday check out 7am for 8am coach to Porto or Lisbon.
Vale de Moses to me is an extraordinary yoga retreat with great vegetarian (or also vegan) freshly cooked food, a wonderful teacher (Fleur), warm and welcoming people in the middle of nowhere.
Location
Vale de Moses
Yoga Retreat
Oleiros 6160-052 – Castelo Branco
Portugal
Europe
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