Portugal Retreat 2026: The Little Touches That Made the Week So Special
A few weeks have passed since we returned from Portugal, but we're still talking about the week.
The swims in the natural pond as the sun came up. The waterfall trip…. we all made it behind the waterfall! What an adventure that was. The long dinners outside in the garden. The chats and chill time by the pool with a book. That yoga shala… as one guest said, it was like practicing yoga in a meadow.
Every retreat has its highlights, but often it's the small things people remember.
The first coffee of the day as we chatted by the natural pond. The delicious breakfast, and the incredible work of our beautiful chef Salomé.
The conversations over the dinner table that went on for hours.
The feeling of arriving somewhere and realising that for the next five days, someone else is doing the cooking, organising, planning and decision-making. Now that’s what we’re talking about!
The Welcome Bags
One of our favourite parts of preparing for a retreat is putting together the welcome bags.
It's a small thing in many ways, but we know how much guests appreciate arriving to find thoughtful treats waiting for them.
It's our way of saying: you're here now. You can relax.
We spend a lot of time choosing products that align with the experience we're trying to create. Things that encourage rest, wellbeing, nourishment and a little bit of enjoyment too.
This year we were lucky enough to work with some wonderful brands who helped make those welcome bags extra special.
A Thank You To Our Goody Bag Partners
🌱 MOA Magic Organic Apothecary
The calming and hydrating facial mist from MOA was just perfect for retreat life.
After a day spent outside, it was such a lovely addition to an evening wind-down routine.
✨ Cosmic Dealer
If you've never discovered Cosmic Dealer's chocolates, you're in for a treat.
Beautiful packaging and so delicious, they were just the pick-me-up that we needed after our waterfall hike!
🌿 Ancient + Brave
We’ve been a fan of Ancient + Brave for years now, and their products have become a firm favourite on our retreats.
Their focus on supporting wellbeing from the inside out fits beautifully with what we try to create during the week. Thoughtful nourishment, simple daily rituals, and feeling your best without overcomplicating things.
💚 Green People
We’re also huge fans of Green People, after using them on our last retreat in Mallorca too.
The sunscreen and aftersun minis were the perfect size for the week, and tehy are honestly so soft on your skin! They feel so luxurious. We also had the excitement of using them pre-retreat in Scotland in an unusually sunny week in April ☺️
💛 Sisterly Lab
Another retreat favouriate. As always, we love working with brands that help women feel supported, energised and nourished through different stages of life.
🌸 Neal's Yard Remedies
Who isn’t a fan of their long-standing stance on ethical products. They’re gorgeous! And the facial mist was so refreshing. Just the treat to keep us cool after our morning practice.
💦 Downward Frog
And of course, it was the first preview of our brand new Downward Frog x Blue Spaces Splosh mat collaboration! We LOVE them so much.
Why These Small Things Matter
When people think about retreats, they often think about the yoga, the workshops, and the beautiful venue. And of course, those things matter.
But what guests often talk about afterwards are the little moments.
The cup of tea someone made for them. The conversation they had by the pool. The face mask they used before bed. The chocolate they enjoyed with a book in the afternoon sunshine. The feeling of being looked after.
Those small moments are what help create the atmosphere of a retreat.
They're what turn a lovely holiday into an experience people remember long after they've gone home.
Looking Ahead To 2027
We're already missing the slower mornings, sunshine, swims, yoga practices, incredible food and lovely (and hilarious at times) conversations that made this year's retreat so special.
The good news is we've now confirmed the dates for our next Portugal retreat.
And if this year's retreat taught us anything, it's that those few days can sometimes create friendships, memories and shifts that last much longer.
A huge thank you again to all of our goody bag partners for helping us create such a thoughtful start to the week.
We can't wait to do it all again. 💙
What stays with us
Retreats are made up of so many small pieces. The conversations. The meals. The quiet moments by the pool. The magic of a group of women coming together from different places, different ways of life, but all with something in common that brought them together for this week.
We already cannot wait for the next one.
With love,
Laura & Nikita x
