Surf and yoga retreat specialist Soul & Surf has confirmed the opening date for its first permanent European base in Portugal as the 5th April 2019. The opening of Soul & Surf Portugal, which will be located in the Algarve on the south-west Peninsula, means guests will no longer have to travel as far as Sri Lanka or India for a dose of the brand’s signature surf, yoga and community. The price for a semi-inclusive week starts from €790 per person or €410 per person for a weekend break.
This permanent venture follows years of successful ‘pop-up’ retreats in the Algarve (on the outskirts of Lagos, just a 40-minute drive from Faro), where the west and south coasts are littered with beach breaks, point breaks and the occasional reefs, all within a 45-minute drive from the villa base, a typical Iberian farmhouse.
This new venture into Europe brings Soul & Surf closer to home for founders Ed and Sofie Templeton, the British duo who opened their first surf and yoga hotel in Kerala almost ten years ago. This followed a venture which saw them cross the Arabian Sea to open a second base on Sri Lanka’s south coast a couple of years ago.
The ‘All Week Long’ retreat will offer expert surf tuition and chilled-out yoga sessions from the boutique villa accommodation, as well as nourishing food and meditation classes.
Based in the Algarve, on a quiet corner on the Iberian Peninsula, the retreat is aimed at all levels of surfer, groups or individuals, from complete beginners to more experienced surfers searching for more challenging waves. The villa base offers expansive views across open countryside, rolling hills and beautifully landscaped gardens. The house is comfortable and full of character with exposed beamed ceilings, traditional Portuguese tiling and log burners.
A typical day may begin at 6am with a coffee, pastel del nata and a morning stretch to shake out the cobwebs. From 9am, guests maybe heading out with surf instructors to search for perfect waves away from the crowds, before breaking at 1pm for lunch on the beach. Around 4pm its time to relax by the pool, take a quick siesta and relive the day’s surfing adventures, before enjoying communal dinners ranging from local fare to pizza nights in the garden.
Visitors can do as much or as little as they like and for non-surfers Yin yoga, Vinyasa Flow, Pranayama classes, meditation and treatments are available, so there’s plenty to do. The ‘Sunshine Food’ menu consists of nourishing, hearty meals made up of local Portuguese produce, designed to feed the soul and restore.
Solo Travellers
The Portugal retreat is perfect for solo travellers looking to learn a new skill, catch some waves and unwind with yoga. There’s plenty of time to socialise with likeminded people in the shared gardens and enjoy communal dining. What’s more, solo travellers can opt for their own room, or there is the option to share in a same-sex twin room.
The Portugal retreat is perfect for solo travellers looking to learn a new skill, catch some waves and unwind with yoga. There’s plenty of time to socialise with likeminded people in the shared gardens and enjoy communal dining. What’s more, solo travellers can opt for their own room, or there is the option to share in a same-sex twin room.
Family Breaks
Soul & Surf very much welcomes families and actively encourages children, tweens and teens to hit the water and try out yoga on a family break. If you can demonstrate your child’s swimming ability, then surfing lessons are available for children above six with parental supervision.
Soul & Surf very much welcomes families and actively encourages children, tweens and teens to hit the water and try out yoga on a family break. If you can demonstrate your child’s swimming ability, then surfing lessons are available for children above six with parental supervision.
Airport transfers
The nearest airport to Soul & Surf Portugal is Faro, one hour’s drive with frequent flights from all European airports.
The nearest airport to Soul & Surf Portugal is Faro, one hour’s drive with frequent flights from all European airports.
