Join Daillen Culver and Annalisa Gardner in the Portuguese countryside for a long weekend of mindful movement, nature immersion, and deep rest.
We will gather for four days of daily yoga and meditation practice, home-cooked farm-to-table meals, and guided excursions across the rolling hills of Alentejo, just one hour from Lisbon.
Our venue is a 115-acre working farm, and the majority of ingredients on our thoughtfully-curated vegetarian menu will be sourced onsite. Swim in the pond in the heat of the afternoon, or journal by the wood-burning fire on cooler evenings. Disconnect from your habitual roles and responsibilities, and delve into guided practices and reflections designed to deepen your connection with the natural world.
No experience necessary. All levels of yoga practitioners welcome.
7:30 - Optional sunrise guided meditation for those who wish to start their day with a moment of stillness.
8:00 - Wake up with 75 minutes of invigorating Vinyasa-inspired yoga. Creative sequences may include sprinkles of Hatha, Katonah, and other movement modalities.
9:30 - Enjoy a bountiful brunch on the terrace, typically a buffet with eggs, seasonal fruits, Greek yogurt, homemade granola, local honey, homemade jams, and fresh bread.
11:00 - Optional forest bathing workshop. Embark on a multi-sensory exploration of our private Mediterranean woodland, and discover the benefits of this ancient Japanese practice.
13:00 - Lunch on the terrace under the autumn sun, highlighting seasonal vegetables harvested from Cucumbi's garden.
15:00 - Free time! Paddleboards and kayaks available at the pond, or you can borrow a bicycle and explore the property. Maybe you just want to lounge by the saltwater pool, or visit the garden and get to know Cucumbi's flock of free-roaming chickens.
17:00 - Wind down with a 60 minute grounding yoga practice, followed by a guided meditation and gentle breathwork.
19:00 - Dinner is a three-course affair: usually a starter (salad or soup), main
dish, and homemade dessert.
21:00 - Get cozy with herbal tea from the garden or play games by the fire before you retire for the evening.
Note: itinerary subject to change based on weather, availability, and group preferences.
We understand that life happens and plans can change. Please read the following refund policy carefully before booking. A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of 500 GBP is required to secure your spot. The remaining balance is due six weeks prior to the retreat start date. You will receive a reminder email two weeks prior to this date. If the balance is not paid by said date, your spot will be released and your deposit forfeited. No refunds will be issued for cancellations after this deadline, regardless of the reason—no exceptions.
If we are able to fill your spot last-minute, we will refund your payment minus deposit. Please note payments cannot be transferred to a future retreat. By booking this retreat, you acknowledge and accept these terms.
Have questions or need support? We’re here to help, please reach out!
We recommend you procure travel insurance to protect your investment in case of unexpected changes, cancellations, or emergencies.
Shared and private rooms available, with shared or ensuite bathroom options. All room blocks include a kitchenette, cozy common areas with games and puzzles, and wood-burning stoves throughout.
Dinner on arrival, brunch before departure. Our chefs can cater to all dietary requirements. Please indicate any dietary needs at time of booking.
Both teachers hold advanced certifications spanning a range of lineages. Whoever is not teaching will provide hands-on assists to ensure that every student receives ample 1:1 guidance.
Daily workshops are optional. Dive into the world of nervous system regulation, or explore immersive eco-therapy techniques. Emphasis on accessible, practical tools that participants can take home.
Shuttle to/from Lisbon airport on arrival and departure days. Please arrive at LIS by 16:00 or earlier. Shuttle will depart at 17:00. Late arrivals must arrange Separate Transport (see below).
Available throughout the day and between meals.
Paddleboards, kayaks, bicycles available around the property for your use free of charge. Beach towels provided for swimming in the pool and the natural pond. Unlimited wood for your fireplace.
Closest airport is Lisbon. Please arrive by 16:00 on arrival day, and depart after 13:00 on departure day. If you prefer to arrive by train, meet the Group Ground Transport at Lisbon airport.
If you arrive outside the designated window for Group Transport, you will be responsible for your own transport to the venue. It is approximately one hour by car. We can assist you with booking.
Massages and other treatments can be organized with Cucumbi. Let us know in advance if you would like to book, as there may be limited availiability.
Recommended.
Practicing yoga since 2011 and teaching since 2019, Daillen leads group classes, private sessions, workshops, and retreats around the world. Her classes combine inventive sequencing and breath-led movement to build strength, encourage bodily awareness, and cultivate presence, with an emphasis on finding genuine joy in movement. Her trauma-informed approach was shaped by training in Traumatic Stress Studies with Bessel van der Kolk's Trauma Research Center, and her emphasis on compassion is a product of her longstanding affiliation with Stanford's Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE). She is a certified Shinrin Yoku practitioner and often weaves immersive nature-based therapy into her retreats and other offerings. She is interested in how embodiment practices can support nervous system regulation and deepen connection in an increasingly fragmented world.
