- Email address verified
- Email address verified
About this trip
Join Deb Mareb and Lori Scott of Soul Sister Retreats for 5 nights / 6 days of yoga, adventure, and restoration in the Azores, Portugal next spring!
The Azores are a volcanic land, full of natural, raw beauty, a temperate climate and outdoor activities. Truly an adventure lovers paradise, and just a 5 hour direct flight from Boston, these islands are known as the "Hawaii of the mid-atlantic" and are not to be missed!
We will be staying on the "Green Island" of Sao Miguel, home to vibrant blue volcanic lakes, black sand beaches, lush natural preserves, and panoramic cliffs. Our included excursion days will include all levels hikes to some of the most stunning vistas on the island, soaks in natural hot springs, and exploration of neighboring towns and beaches.
Daily yoga classes will be offered by Deb and Lori, and there will also be plenty of time for relaxation and optional spa services amongst the stunning grounds of our 4-star, beachfront resort.
All meals (with the exception of 2 lunches) are included, and will be nourishing, fresh, and delicious, so that you can get a true taste of Azorean fare.
ALL PRICES LISTED ARE PER PERSON and a €500 per person non-refundable deposit is due to reserve your spot on the trip. Trip balances are due 120 days prior to departure, on December 8th. If you'd like to inquire about payment plan options, please email info@solseedretreats.com prior to registering.
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 with Deb & Lori
*Roundtrip airport transfers from Ponta Delgada Airport (PDL) to SBER and back (about a 15 minute ride each way).
*Base gratuities for the resort staff, taxi drivers and tour guides
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
Flight Parameters
For non-stop flight options, we recommend booking flights directly through Azores Air out of Boston (BOS).
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, April 13th
Yes, this is correct - the direct flights are red-eye flights, so you leave Saturday night and arrive in the Azores early on the morning of Sunday, April 14th, 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, April 14th in order to attend this meal.
Retreat return date: Friday, April 19th
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 19th.
If you book flights outside of these dates, you may be responsible for paying for your own taxi (budget about 35 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.
Passport, Visa & 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.
We are waiting for the new ETIAS Visa System to come online in 2024. This is a new visa system which will apply to visitors from the US to Portugal, and possibly the Azores, which are an autonomous region of Portugal. The process sounds straightforward, relatively low cost, and easy to complete. We will be sure to communicate these changes and requirements to everyone once they are live, and we will update our FAQs document with that new information as well.
Currently, there are no COVID testing or vaccination requirements to enter the Azores or mainland Portugal.
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.
To learn more about Travel Insurance and review some FAQs, please visit this helpful blog post that we put together on the topic: https://solseedretreats.com/travel-insurance-faqs/
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
Luxury Upgrades: The resort also offer a handful of villas which feature private hot tubs on their decks. If you're interested in booking one of these more high end rooms, please reach out to info@solseedretreats.com to inquire about pricing and availability.
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 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.
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.
If you'd like to share this room (1 Double Bed only) with a partner, please email info@solseedretreats.com for pricing.