S L O W L I V I N G

Slow Living
Portugal Retreat

This retreat is an invitation to slow down + take it easy ... in a beautiful place ... together ...

We will spend a week immersed in potent yoga practices, & enjoying beautiful nature, delicious foods and deep connections ...

From my heart to yours, I've been envisioning this retreat for some time now, and have chosen this special place because of the retreat center's values, food philosophy, simple + luxurious property, and idyllic location.

I'm so excited and so grateful to share this with you ...

And, we will be here for the summer solstice ...
European summers are pretty amazing !!!

Retreat Includes:

SLOW STAY

6 nights beautiful accommodations at Cocoon retreat center,
a 275 acre farm situated on the breathtaking Atlantic coast of Portugal

Cocoon offers:

plenty of beautiful indoor + outdoor spaces to chill, read a book, or enjoy conversation ...
the kind of hammocks you dream of ...
a lake to jump in, and a handful of bicycles to explore the surroundings ...
and goats, peacocks, cats + colorful chickens !!!

we will be just 12 minutes drive from a fabulous untouched beach,
perfect for hiking, swimming, or sunbathing ...

and just 10 minutes from the charming seafront village of Vila Nova de Milfontes ...

SLOW FOOD 

Three local farm-to-table meals daily
Strong coffee, herbal tea, and fresh water from Cocoon's very own spring

A little about Cocoon's food philosophy...

"We believe that a nourishing meal and a delicious feast don’t need to be exclusive of one another. 
Our food is local, with most of our produce coming from either our property or a nearby farm.  

We choose not to serve red meat, from a sustainability standpoint. We do serve eggs from our chickens and local cheeses. A typical breakfast includes eggs, local fruit, Greek yogurt, homemade granola, local honey, homemade jam, slow-rise bread. Lunch is often a bowl; a base of ancient grains like farro, topped with avocado, roasted veggies, nori, or mixed greens.  For dinner, expect Indian + Japanese curries, Mediterranean stews, legumes, rice, salad and dessert."

One night we will enjoy Cocoon's famous pizzas from the wood burning outdoor oven.
Another night we will enjoy a wild caught, sustainable fish dinner. 

Cocoon is comfortable with accommodating dietary restrictions such as gluten free and vegan.

Cocoon sells local beer and wine too.

SLOW YOGA

6 strong slow flow morning yoga practices
with breathwork + meditation 

4 long slow deep evening yin + restorative practices

Cocoon has two gorgeous yoga shalas and all the props ...

The indoor shala is light filled and has enough windows and doors for the air to circulate freely. The floor is hand-made traditional Portuguese Santa Catarina tiles, which are both beautiful and a joy to practice on.  

The larger outdoor shala has wood floors, and is shaded by a handful of old-growth pines.
The outdoor shala has no walls, and is a 3-5 minute walk from the house. 
It’s especially wonderful for morning practice, as the fog rolls in.  

Cocoon also has a complete selection of high-quality yoga props: 
~ Manduka yoga mats 
~ Manduka cork blocks 
~ Manduka bolsters 
~ Quick-release yoga straps
~ Portuguese blankets
~ Sandbags

Free Time Activities:

quiet time
hammock time
making friends
swimming in the lake
relaxing around the property
beaching
hiking 
bicycling
visiting local villages
secret, freshwater swimming hole
surfing (add on)
stand up paddle boarding (add on)
kayaking (add on)
horseback riding (add on)
tasting at a local winery (add on)
massage (add on)

Things to Bring:

You will certainly want yoga clothes, beach wear, and good walking shoes ...

Additional items to consider: 
- An open heart and an open mind, always
- Journal and writing utensil
- Books for joy reading
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Bathing suit
- Toiletries
- Euros for cash spending: please bring euros with you as money exchange may not be available at nearby banks
- Credit card or cash for any add ons at Cocoon
(massages, horseback riding, surfing, wine, beer, souvenirs and snacks in town)
- Power adapter for Portugal ... Electricity in Portugal is 230V, with a frequency of 50hz

Travel Details:

The easiest way to get to Cocoon is to fly into Lisbon, Portugal.

From Lisbon, Cocoon is just two hours drive south ...

Or from Faro, which is in the Algarve region, Cocoon is slightly closer ...
(Faro is where many low-cost European airlines fly)

Cocoon is located in the coastal Alentejo region. Also known as The Costa Vicentina, much of the
Southwest coast of Portugal is protected by a natural reserve.  This means that development stays
constrained, with traditional architecture + small farms dotting the land.  The nearest town to us is the
charming white washed village of Vila Nova de Milfontes.  

The Vicentine Coast Natural Park runs about 100 km down the coast. The preserved nature has
a strong + wild character here, creating landscapes of breathtaking majesty. The coast is ideal for
swimming, surfing, and world-class hiking along the gorgeous sandstone bluffs.

The fabulous Praia do Cavaleiro, with its sandy beach, is very close by.   

Transport Recommendations:

Most everyone that comes to Cocoon rents cars, this is highly recommended.

Sharing rental cars will help with the costs, as well as making connections on the road.

We will have a retreat group WhatsApp and Google Doc to help coordinate travel plans.

It is also possible to hire a private driver,
or take the Rede Expressos Bus from Lisbon to near to Cocoon.

Travel Requirements:

Valid passport required with at least 6 months from expiration date, no visa is required for less than 90 day stay

For your and group’s safety, you will be asked to sign a waiver before joining the retreat 

Please check for travel updates in all countries you will be traveling to / through / from 

Knowing your right to enter Portugal and return to your desired country, and your flights are your responsibility

It is highly recommended that you book flexible or refundable flights in case of any changes to your trip

Please ensure you have health, travel and cancellation insurance

AWAKEN Holistic Healing LLC / Tish Hilyer Yoga / Leticia Hilyer will not be responsible for any travel related costs

Not Included in Retreat Price:

airfare + transfers 

travel insurance (always recommended)

additional activities / alcohol / spending money

Cancellation Policy:

If you need to cancel, we will do our best to find a replacement for your retreat spot.
If a replacement is found, your payments will be refunded, less your deposit.
Otherwise, any money paid towards your retreat is non-refundable.