come home to nature, come home to you

Guided by stillness, held in ritual

This 6-day retreat offers a deeply grounding invitation to slow down, turn inward, and reconnect with yourself.

Held in the gentle spaciousness of Yin Yoga and the transformative ritual of the Sweat Lodge (Temazcal), this experience supports reflection, release, and renewal. It creates a nourishing pause from daily life, allowing you to listen more closely to your inner wisdom.

The retreat is guided by Lottie de Bruijn, a well-loved Yin Yoga teacher, body worker, and fire keeper based in West Algarve. She leads ceremonies in Portugal, Morocco, and the Netherlands, including Cacao and Temazcal sweat lodge ceremonies. Her approach is warm, intuitive, and deeply embodied. In addition to her ceremonial work, she is also an experienced massage therapist, encouraging deep relaxation and greater awareness of the body.

What to Expect

More details about the program and schedule will be shared soon.

Structure of the Day

More details about the program and schedule will be shared soon.

Accommodation & Food

Our accommodation is simple, comfortable, and immersed in nature — designed to help you slow down, rest, and feel at home.

Guests stay in a mix of thoughtfully prepared spaces, including bell tents with proper beds and mattresses, two cabins (Om Shanti — a studio, and Sunrise Lodge with two rooms and a kitchen), and The Shepherd’s Hut. The cabins and Shepherd’s Hut each have their own showers, while the bell tents share two outdoor showers. Across the land, we use eco-friendly compost toilets.

Accommodation is available on a shared or single basis, and spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please let us know your preference when booking, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.

There is also a natural swimming pool, offering a refreshing place to cool off, relax, and enjoy the surroundings.

Food

Meals are vegetarian, nourishing, and prepared with care, using ingredients sourced mainly from local farmers’ markets, along with seasonal produce from our own garden wherever possible. We aim to use organic ingredients, and always offer vegan and gluten-free options.

We understand that everyone’s needs are different, and we’ll always do our best to be as flexible and accommodating as possible. If you are following a specific food program or your diet includes meat, you’re welcome to bring or purchase your own — we can stop in Monchique on arrival if needed, and we’ll provide fridge space so you can store and combine it with the meals we prepare.

Living Off-Grid

At Rural Escapes Portugal, we live in harmony with nature — and that is part of the magic. Our center is completely off-grid, using the sun for power and sustainable systems for water and waste.

You’ll find compost toilets and outdoor private showers, all clean, thoughtfully designed, and easy to use. Many guests arrive a little unsure — and leave saying it’s one of their favourite parts of the experience.

There is something surprisingly grounding, and even joyful, about showering with a view of the mountains while knowing your stay treads lightly on the earth.

This simple, natural way of living helps set the tone for the retreat: slower, more mindful, and gently connected to what really matters.

Guided by stillness, held in ritual

What to Expect

Structure of the Day

Accommodation & Food

Food

Living Off-Grid

About your host

Your Investment

Contact us

Ceremony in Monchique