About this trip
**IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING THIS RETREAT, PLEASE EMAIL INFO@SOLSEEDRETREATS.COM TO INQUIRE ABOUT CURRENT AVAILABILITY.**
Join Emilie Reid and Ilana Beigel for 5 nights / 6 days of yoga, meditation, and adventure in the Azores, Portugal!
Experience the raw and rugged beauty of “The Green Island” of São Miguel. Deepen your connection to your senses and to nature in the excellent company of like-minded travelers.
Start your morning with yoga and meditation with an ocean view. Emilie and Ilana share a practical approach to traditional practices, making them useful and usable - and frankly, more fun - to us modern humans living in the world.
Ilana teaches with equal parts reverence and delight, and might throw in some soul-searching inquiries on the “meaning of life”. A class with Emilie will leave you feeling light-hearted and connected to your body and to the Earth. Both Emilie and Ilana guide Instinctive Meditation, a way of practicing meditation that feels natural, refreshing, and revitalizing. Classes are all-levels with no prior yoga or meditation experience needed.
Throughout this adventure, Emilie and Ilana will guide you to connect with the elements, with nature, and with the beauty that exists in every moment.
The Azores are a volcanic archipelago of natural beauty, a temperate climate and plenty of outdoor activities. Truly an adventure lover's paradise, and just 5 hours from Boston and New York, these islands are known as the "Hawaii of the mid-Atlantic" and are not to be missed. You will be staying on “The Green Island" of São Miguel, home to vibrant blue volcanic lakes, black sand beaches, lush natural preserves, and panoramic cliffs. Open your senses to take in the majesty of the Azores!
On two included excursion days, you will hike (all levels) to some of the most stunning vistas on the island, soak in natural hot springs, and explore neighboring towns and beaches. You’ll have plenty of time on your two free days to relax amongst the gorgeous, peaceful grounds of our oceanfront beach resort. All meals (with the exception of 2 lunches) are included, and will be nourishing, fresh, and delicious, so that you get a true taste of Azorean fare.
A €500 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot on this retreat. The balance is due 120 days prior to departure on June 1, 2023. Interest free payment plans can be set up at no extra charge. Simply email info@solseedretreats.com to inquire.
Please read on for important info on: What is Included, What is Not Included, Passport, Immunization & Covid-19 Entry Requirements, Our Cancellation & Refund Policy, and Required Travel Insurance.
What’s included
*5 Nights / 6 Days lodging at Santa Barbara Eco-Beach Resort
*Breakfast & Dinner Daily (Arrival day no breakfast, departure day no lunch or dinner)
*Lunch on Arrival Day, and Picnic Lunch on Excursion Days (no lunch on free days)
*Early Check-in on the morning of your arrival to the resort
*Two group hiking, hot springs, and town visit excursions, including all guides and transportation
*Daily yoga classes and meditation with Emilie and Ilana
*Guided mountaintop meditation, self-inquiry and immersion in the healing nature of the Azores
*Roundtrip airport transfers from Ponta Delgada Airport (PDL) to SBER and back (about a 15 minute ride each way). We will release FLIGHT PARAMETERS once trip minimums are met. Please do not book flights until then.
*Base gratuities for the resort staff, taxi drivers and tour guides
Flight Parameters
For non-stop arrival flight options, we recommend booking flights directly through Azores Air out of Boston (BOS), or connecting through Boston. For return flights, you will find direct flights to both BOS and New York (JFK) via Azores Air. I would recommend securing these flights sooner than later.
You will be flying into Ponta Delgada Airport (PDL).
Feeling adventurous, and have some extra PTO? Look into "stop over" packages which would allow you to continue on to Lisbon or Porto for very little extra money on Azores Air.
Retreat departure date: Saturday, October 7
Yes, this is correct - the direct flights from Boston are red-eye flights, so you leave Saturday night and arrive in the Azores early on the morning of Sunday, October 8th, the start date of your retreat. Everyone's rooms are held for an early check-in, so you will have an opportunity to get settled and take a nice nap. The first event of the retreat is a lunch at the resort at roughly 1PM. If you are arriving on a flight other than the direct option from BOS, you should arrive at Ponta Delgada by 11:30am on Sunday, October 8th in order to attend this meal.
Retreat return date: Friday, October 13th
There are direct flight options from PDL to both BOS and JFK on this date.
Check out at the resort is noon. The last programmed events are Friday morning leading up to and including breakfast. We will offer multiple shuttles to Ponta Delgada airport, and/or hotels in Ponta Delgada, during the day according to people's travel itineraries. The resort will safely store luggage, and you are welcome to enjoy the restaurant and grounds if you schedule an evening flight on the 13th.
If you book flights outside of these dates, you may be responsible for paying for your own taxi (budget about 20 Euro for this each way), but we can still help to coordinate a taxi for you.
Once you have secured your flights, please forward your flight confirmation email itinerary to ian@solseedretreats.com.
Not included
*Airfare to Ponta Delgada (PDL). We fly SATA (Azores) Air direct from Boston.
*Lunch on your two free days
*Alcoholic beverages
*Additional excursions or cab rides
*Massages & Spa Services (can be booked directly at the resort front desk)
*Required Travel Insurance
Passport & COVID-19 Entry Requirements
You must have a valid passport to travel to the Azores. Please check your passport expiration date and make sure it is valid for at least 3 months after the end date of your retreat.
Currently, there are no COVID testing or vaccination requirements to enter the Azores or mainland Portugal.
See more detailed info here: https://www.azoresairlines.pt/en/mandatory-procedures-for-entry-to-destinations#raa
We will keep you posted if this changes prior to your retreat. However, registrants are personally responsible for complying to local laws, at their own expense. Such expenses may include, but are not limited to:
- Proving adequate vaccination status
- Providing a negative PCR test(s)
- Showing proof of travel insurance
Required Travel Insurance
The purchase of travel insurance is required for this trip.
Most policies protect you against potential trip delays or cancellations due to airline issues, family emergencies, illness, injury, etc. The travel insurance will also demonstrate to the host country that you are able to pay for any emergency services which may be necessary during your stay.
SolSeed is not authorized to sell travel insurance. Any offer to purchase travel insurance that you encounter during the checkout process are third party offers. You are free to select your own policy provider. If you would like to review options in a convenient online marketplace, we like what www.insuremytrip.com has put together. We have also had great experience with Trawick International and their customer service, and heard very good things from AAA and AMEX Members who have purchased their travel insurance through those respective agencies.
We strongly encourage you to speak with a travel insurance agent to discuss your specific coverage needs, and to clear up any questions you may have relative to travel insurance coverage, including questions about COVID-19.
Please make sure you purchase a plan that includes coverage for COVID-19 related trip cancellations and trip interruptions as not all do.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
All retreats include a €500 non-refundable / non-transferable deposit, which is required to hold your spot on the trip. Any balance payments made are also non-refundable / non-transferable. SolSeed Retreats can only make an exception to these terms if:
- The host government forbids us to visit as tourists.
- The host government forbids our vendors from hosting us as tourists.
- The US government forbids us to travel to the host country as tourists.
If SolSeed must further postpone or cancel the trip for any of the above reasons, all registrants will receive a refund of all deposits paid less €200.
If you refuse to comply with the entry laws of the host country, region, town, etc; SolSeed will not consider this a valid reason for receiving any refund. SolSeed will ensure to the best of their abilities that all registrants comply with all then current laws and regulations.
Selecting Your Room Type - PLEASE READ
Below you'll find all of our available accommodation packages. If you're wondering which is the best type for you, and possibly your travel buddy or group of friends, please follow this link to our handy ROOM SELECTION FLOW CHART.
All Villas are equipped with: LCD TV | Independent air conditioning | Wi-Fi | Hair dryer | Bathrobes | Electronic safe | Kitchenette equipped with microwave, fridge and utensils | Coffee machine with capsules
Available Packages
This beautiful villa features two bedrooms and two bathrooms. By selecting a Double Occupancy Bedroom, you and your selected roommate with share a bedroom and a full bathroom with stand up shower.
Your bedroom will contain two twin beds OR one double bed (please indicate your preference upon registration).
You will then share a common living area with kitchenette, which separates the two bedrooms, as well as a beautiful outdoor seating area, with one other person who will occupy the second bedroom and bathroom of your villa.
YOU MUST HAVE A ROOMMATE TO REGISTER FOR THIS PACKAGE. ALL PRICES ARE PER PERSON. If you don't have a roommate, please email info@solseedretreats.com prior to registering.
**Please indicate your roommate's name upon registration. If you would like your own private bedroom and bathroom within a Two Bedroom Villa, please register for the Single Occupancy Bedroom option. If you and your bedroom-mate would like more privacy, please register for the 1 BR Villa - Double Occupancy Villa option.**
This beautiful villa features two bedrooms and two bathrooms. By selecting this Single Occupancy Bedroom option within the two bedroom villa, you will have a private bedroom with one double bed, sink, toilet and European style soaking tub with handheld shower-head.
There is also a common living area with kitchenette, which separates the two bedrooms, as well as a beautiful outdoor seating area. Common areas are shared with 1-2 other people, who will occupy the second bedroom of your villa.
NOTE: If you would like to share a 2 Bedroom Villa with a friend, and each have your own private bedroom and bathroom, please indicate your friend's name upon registration so we can pair you up in the same villa. You and your friend must each register for one of these retreat packages.
If you would like more privacy, please register for the 1 BR Villa - Single Occupancy Bedroom option.
This beautiful one bedroom villa is ideal for two friends or a couple seeking a bit more privacy and space.
It can be configured with one double bed OR 2 twin beds, and has a private bath with stand up shower. The Villa also comes with a living room, small kitchenette and private outdoor seating area.
YOU MUST HAVE A ROOMMATE TO REGISTER FOR THIS PACKAGE. ALL PRICES ARE PER PERSON. Please indicate your roommates' name upon sign-up and whether you'd like 1 double bed or 2 twin beds.
This beautiful one bedroom villa is ideal for the solo traveler seeking the most privacy.
It comes with one double bed and a private bath with stand up shower, as well as a living room, small kitchenette and private outdoor seating area.
These private studios are ideal for a couple and feature an open style floor plan with one double bed, private bath, kitchenette, and living area. The studios also have access to a plunge pool, which is private to only the Studio Guests.
You must have a partner to book this package. Please register for 2 of these packages, one for you, and one for your partner.
These private luxury studios feature an open style floor plan with one double bed, private bath, kitchenette, and living area. The studios also have access to a plunge pool, which is private to only the Studio Guests.
If you'd like to share this room (1 Double Bed) with a partner, please book two of the Luxury Studio - Double Occupancy packages.
This luxury villa features two bedrooms and two bathrooms, both with stand-up showers.
By selecting this Double Occupancy Bedroom option within the two bedroom villa, you will share a bedroom with two twin beds and private bathroom with your roommate. Your bedroom will contain two twin beds OR one queen bed, and a full bath with stand up shower.
You will have another roommate in the second bedroom of your villa, whom you will share a common living area with kitchenette, which separates the two bedrooms, as well as a beautiful outdoor deck and lounging area with a hot tub that is private to your villa.
YOU MUST HAVE A ROOMMATE TO REGISTER FOR THIS OPTION. ALL PRICES ARE PER PERSON. Please indicate your roommate's name upon registration. If you would like your own private bedroom and bathroom within a Retreat Two Bedroom Villa, please register for the Retreat Two Bedroom Villa - Single Occupancy Bedroom option. If you and your roommate would like more privacy, please register for a 1 BR Villa - Double Occupancy option.
This luxury villa features two bedrooms and two bathrooms, both with stand-up showers.
By selecting this Single Occupancy Bedroom option within the two bedroom villa, you will have your own private bedroom and bathroom within the villa.
NOTE: You will have 1 or 2 other villa-mates, who will occupy the second bedroom in your villa. All villa-mates will share a common living area with kitchenette, which separates the two bedrooms, as well as a beautiful outdoor deck and lounging area with a hot tub that is private to your villa.
If you would like to share a Retreat 2 Bedroom Villa with a friend, and each have your own private bedroom and bathroom, please indicate your friend's name upon registration so we can pair you up in the same villa. You and your friend must each register for one of these retreat packages.
If you would like more privacy, please register for the Luxury Studio - Single Occupancy Bedroom OR 1 BR Villa - Single Occupancy Bedroom package options.
These private luxury studios are ideal for the solo traveler looking for the most upscale accommodation option. They feature an open style floor plan with one double bed, private bath, kitchenette, and living area. They also have a private deck with a jacuzzi hot tub.