Aligned Abroad: Portugal Edition
- Casa Paço D’Ilhas, Ericeira Coast, Portugal
- 25-31 October 2026
Why Choose the Aligned Living Women’s Sober-led Portugal Travel Experience?
Woman, this is for you if…
- You want a holiday that leaves you feeling restored, not depleted
- You enjoy traveling and seeing new places
- You want to share meaningful experiences with someone you love or immerse yourself in supportive community
- You would like to connect more to yourself and your body
- You are sober, sober-curious, or consciously choosing alcohol-free spaces
- You want to travel without the social pressure to drink
- You want evenings that feel calm, safe, and supportive rather than overstimulating
So if you’re…
- Stuck in loops of behaviour that keep you feeling disconnected
- Desiring to unplug from the noise of external pressures
- Feeling isolated in your inner world and craving real-life connections
- Yearning for mental and nervous system spaciousness
- Ready to choose your joy and invest in a life-changing travel experience
- Excited by the idea of adventuring in new environments… savouring delicious food… trying new activities… and all alongside epic women…
You have found the perfect retreat!
What to Expect
Day 1: Arriving & Rooting
Crossing the Threshold
Your adventure begins with a spacious arrival, a transition from the hustle of everyday life into the exhale of your coastal sanctuary.
This is a time to soften, land, and listen to the whispers of your heart, the wisdom of your intuition, and ground into the warmth of the immersive experience that awaits you.
As the evening unfolds, a gentle asana practice to help release tension from travel and get you into your body, and an opening circle to set your intention for the days ahead, will help you prepare yourself to rest into the wonder of rich culture, breath-taking nature and new activities that will allow you to play and connect deeply with the other women present.
A delicious and nourishing welcoming dinner will treat your senses, followed by free time to fully land in the space.
Day 2: Awakening Creativity & Presence
Rising into New Possibilities
Waking to the sounds of the sea and the smell of the salt-air breeze, your body exhales and knows there is time to unwind. A morning asana practice softens your body and eases your mind, anchoring you for the day ahead.
Breakfast and lunch is an opportunity to get to know the women around you, and your day feels full of possibility, connection becoming your orientation.
A pottery painting workshop allows you to drop perfection and create from expression. The experience of slowing down, feeling into your unique artistry, and enjoying the simple joy of making something with your own hands brings a deeper layer of rest to your system.
Dinner is yet another opportunity to drop from your head into your body, letting the wondrous aromas and tastes of your meal guide you into smiling satisfaction. Free time to acquaint yourself with the stunning space and bond further with fellow women gives you the felt sense that there’s nowhere else to be, and nothing else left to do.
Day 3: Stepping into Exploration
Your Adventure Inward Awaits
As dawn breaks, the retreat space becomes a hum of possibility. The day begins with Yoga and meditation practice, followed by a nourishing breakfast and space to simply be.
After a tasty lunch, you head to the beach in search of the most beautiful views and opportunity to immerse yourself in the wildness of the coastline. A group coaching along the breath-taking shores offers you insight, connection and clarity, bringing loving awareness to where you need it most; a container to explore your truth and release any limiting beliefs you may be holding.
A peaceful flow into an evening of mouth-watering cuisine and time to integrate the day in your own way, brings an invitation to offer yourself what you need most, whether that be silence, chats with other women, resting your body or watching the night sky.
Day 4: Deepening in Joy & Adventure
Movement & Play
As you experience more of the relaxed lull of coastal living, your body steps into its own rhythm. The morning opens with flowing asana and meditation, inviting movement to become a devotion to presence and ease.
With space for self-reflection and deep rest, the day unfolds organically. A packed and prepared tasty lunch accompanies you as you head to the beach for a sun-kissed afternoon in the salty waves of the Atlantic. A surfing lesson takes you into your body and out of your head, washing away the thoughts of past and future and that which no longer serves.
As the sun begins to set, we ease into a spacious evening of grounding food and free time to savour the delights of slow-living.
Day 5: Exploring your Surrounds
A Day to Remember
Your day starts with an inspiring movement practice, followed by a delectable breakfast that brings vitality and freshness for your expedition ahead.
A gorgeous drive through the countryside takes you to the fascinating town of Sintra, where you spend the day immersed in local culture, admiring the architecture of ancient buildings, filling your belly with delectable food, feasting your eyes on the hilly landscape and treasuring this remarkable trove of history in the greater Lisbon region.
Your day ends with a drive home, lovingly prepared dinner and freedom to spend the closing of the day as you will.
Day 6: Honouring your Journey
Acknowledging your Path
The morning holds you as you awaken to the rhythm of yoga and meditation, followed by a scrumptious breakfast.
As you begin to reflect on the past days of connection, adventure, play and rest, your body and mind feel the support of the spaciousness, the relationships you have deepened and built and the choice you made to give yourself this time.
The day becomes a loving cocoon for you to embody more of the woman you were always here to express – a woman at ease in herself, surrounded by the love of women on similar paths.
A group session guides you into this awareness and the devotional choice to show up for yourself in the ways you need most moving forward.
Lunch grounds you before a beautiful walk through nature that brings you back into the moment and the beauty of life.
Your final evening of nourishment and connection holds you with grace as you rest into the night.
Day 7: Integration & Departure
Carrying the Devotion Forward
As the retreat comes to completion, this final day is dedicated to honouring the journey and integrating the experience into your daily life. A closing yoga and meditation practice allows for gentle grounding, bringing awareness to the shifts within.
We then enter our closing circle with gratitude for ourselves, one another and for the journey we have walked together. We reflect, embrace, and acknowledge the transformation that has taken place.
After a final nourishing meal, there is space for chats, goodbyes, last moments of stillness, and a farewell to the land that held us.
Before departure, you are invited to walk the earth one last time, feeling the quiet power within you, knowing that the awareness and presence you have cultivated is now a part of you, guiding you as you step back into the world, deeply grounded and profoundly aligned.
This is not an ending, but a beginning. The journey home to yourself continues beyond these seven days, carrying the wisdom of nature, sisterhood, rest and play into every step forward.
Your home for 7 Days
The Heart of Our Retreat
Your Journey to Transformation
Included in Your Retreat
Connection call with Kathleen
Connect & Align
A personalized introduction to set intentions and prepare for your retreat experience.
7 Days/ 6 Nights of Accommodation at Casa Paço D’Ilhas
- Choose a space that supports your rest and rejuvenation.
- Cozy Communal Spaces
Comfortable areas to unwind, reflect, and connect with like-minded women.
Daily Locally-Prepared Feasts
- Nourish Your Body & Soul
Three wholesome, nourishing meals prepared with love (vegetarian/vegan options available on request).
- Tea, Coffee, Fruit & Rusks
Comforting treats to enjoy throughout your stay.
Daily Practices
- Daily Yoga
A blend of Vinyasa, Yin, and Restorative to support your energy and healing. - Meditation & Breathwork
Cultivate presence, clarity, and inner stillness. - Conscious Movement
Explore intuitive movement to reconnect with your body and soul.
Deepening your relationship to Self, Others & Source
- Yoga Nidra
A deeply restorative guided practice for deep rest.
- Guided Journaling
Thoughtfully crafted prompts to deepen your self-discovery. - Fire Ceremony
A powerful ritual for release, transformation, and renewal. - Opening & Closing Circles
Sacred spaces for intention-setting and integration.
Reconnect with Nature & Ignite your Senses
- Scenic Walking Trails
Breathtaking paths to wander and explore the magical coastline of Sintra.
- Space to Rest & Regenerate
Serene gardens and swimming pool to enjoy at your leisure, and cozy, aesthetic nooks for reading, heart-opening conversation or simply listening to the sounds of slow-living.
- Immersive Experiences with Nature, Creativity & Culture
Surf lesson and beach missions, pottery painting workshop and Sintra Day Tour to enliven your spirit and spark your senses.
Time to Simply Be
- Moments for Reflection & Exploration
Space to move at your own pace. - Deep Rest & Renewal
A retreat designed to restore and revitalize your body, mind, and spirit.
Excluded from your Retreat
- Flights and Travel Expenses
- Airport Transfers
- Travel Insurance
- Visas
- Additional nights
- Optional Extras or Personal Expenses (including snacks & meals not listed)
- Any activities/treatments not listed within your inclusive experience
- Gratitude/tips for venue staff or third-party providers
This is a substance‑free retreat. No alcohol or recreational drugs are part of the experience.
Your Experiences
TIME AT CASA PAÇO D’ILHAS
Beyond the scheduled practices and planned experiences, there is something equally important woven into this retreat: unhurried time.
Time to wander through the gardens with a coffee in hand. Time to stretch out by the pool with a book you may or may not read. Time to walk down to the coastline and sit with the sea.
Time to nap. Journal. Chat. Be quiet. Be together.
This spaciousness is not an afterthought; it is part of the design. It allows everything you’re experiencing, the movement, the conversations, the ocean, the insights to land gently and integrate.
Here, doing less is intentional.
And often, it’s where the real magic happens.
SINTRA DAY TOUR
A charming town nestled in the cooling hills of the Serra de Sintra. Hidden within these pine-covered hills are mystical palaces, extravagant old villas and even the ruins of a Moorish castle. The variety of fascinating historic buildings and beautiful natural scenery is exceptional.
Sintra is regarded as the finest day trip in the Lisbon region. The absolute pearl and pride of Portugal and a must see! Sintra has so much to offer you could easily spend 2 full days visiting if you include the quieter monuments and attractions as well.
SURF & BEACH
Ericeira is Europe’s first and only World Surfing Reserve, celebrated not only for its waves but for its wild, unspoilt coastline. Stretching along dramatic cliffs and golden beaches, this protected shoreline invites long walks, quiet swims, ocean gazing, and deep breaths of salty air. It’s a place where the rhythm of the sea naturally slows you down and reconnects you to nature.
During our time here, we’ll also experience a guided surf lesson as a playful and empowering way to connect with the ocean. This will be gently balanced with ample free time to relax on the beaches, swim, walk along the coastline, or simply rest and soak in the calming rhythm of the sea at your own pace.
POTTERY & PAINTING EXPERIENCE
In this relaxed, creative session, you’ll choose your piece and bring it to life with your own colours, patterns, and expression.
Each piece will be glazed and fired in time for the final days, allowing you to take your creation home with you, a tangible reminder of your time in Portugal.
Working with clay and colour is a grounding, meditative practice that draws you into the present moment. In the context of our retreat, this workshop becomes less about perfection and more about expression, slowing down, feeling into your creativity, and enjoying the simple joy of making something with your hands. It mirrors the deeper themes of our time together: rest, presence, curiosity, and gentle self-connection.
SELF-DISCOVERY & COACHING
Jessica offers a grounded, honest space for reflection and self-inquiry, guided by her belief that clarity is kind. With a background in human behaviour, life coaching, and years of experience in fast-paced professional environments, she supports women in gaining insight into their patterns, relationships, and inner narratives.
Through gentle group coaching and guided reflection, Jessica acts as a steady mirror and relational anchor, helping you reconnect with what matters most, find clarity where things feel blurred, and leave the retreat feeling more balanced, self-aware, and anchored in your truth.
MOVEMENT & PRACTICES
Guided by Kathleen, the daily movement and practice sessions are designed to gently support the body, mind, and nervous system. Through a thoughtful blend of yoga asana, conscious movement, and somatic work, we’ll explore practices that encourage circulation, lymphatic flow, and digestive health, helping the body release stagnation and restore natural rhythm.
Alongside this, we’ll work with pranayama, meditation techniques, and Yoga Nidra to calm the nervous system, deepen awareness, and invite true rest. These practices are not about pushing or perfecting, but about listening, sensing, and reconnecting, allowing the body to soften, the breath to guide, and the mind to settle into clarity and ease.
Your Facilitators
Kathleen Booyse
Kathleen is devoted to creating spaces where women feel safe to slow down, soften, and reconnect with themselves in honest, embodied ways. Her work is deeply attuned to the nervous system, with a strong belief that wellbeing begins when women no longer feel the need to numb, perform, or push to belong.
With over a decade of experience guiding
women through yoga, retreats, and one-to-one spaces, Kathleen weaves together somatic movement, breathwork, stillness, and inquiry.
Her approach is practical yet soulful, offering women tools they can carry into everyday life,
not just the retreat space.
Having walked her own sober path, Kathleen is deeply committed to normalising alcohol-free environments that still feel rich, warm, celebratory, and alive. She understands the subtle courage it takes to choose clarity in a world that often equates connection with numbing, and she holds this choice with gentleness rather than rigidity.
Kathleen’s work is shaped by lived experience, deep listening, and a reverence for women’s inner wisdom. Her intention is not to fix or change anyone, but to create the conditions where women can remember who they are, feel at home in their bodies, and move through life with greater presence, balance, and self-trust.
Jessica Cloete
Jessica is devoted to supporting and inspiring others to become the best version of themselves in ways that are grounded, practical, and honest. She believes clarity is kind, and that people deserve to know where they stand, within themselves and in their relationships.
With a background in human behaviour and a qualification in life coaching, she began working with individuals in her twenties, both in person and online. Alongside this, she spent over a decade in advertising and as a television presenter on a national cooking show, experiences that shaped her clear, engaging communication style and her ability to listen deeply and guide meaningful conversations.
Now serving as Chief Operating Officer at Pull North, Jessica focuses on building balanced, sustainable ways of working and living. She also mentors students entering the superyacht industry, equipping them with the confidence, clarity, and practical tools to step into new chapters successfully.
Becoming a mother deepened her commitment to presence and perspective. Within the retreat, Jessica offers a steady, grounding presence, holding space with honesty and warmth, and helping women feel anchored, seen, and clear as they reconnect with themselves and one another.
Accommodation Options
Casa Privada
Casa Privada offers a truly expansive experience, with uninterrupted 180-degree views over the Atlantic Ocean, stretching from sunrise to sunset. Rather than a single room, this accommodation occupies the entire upper floor of the original 1869 main house, providing both space and privacy.
The residence includes a comfortable living and dining area, a basic kitchen with fridge, and a bathroom with a bath. A fireplace adds warmth and atmosphere, while the ocean-view outdoor terrace offers a perfect setting for quiet mornings or relaxed evenings.
With its historic character, generous layout, and breathtaking views, Casa Privada is an exceptional option for guests seeking space, comfort, and a deep sense of peace.
Casa Palheiro
Casa Palheiro is a 2 bedroom, beautifully renovated double-storey rustic barn house, offering space and character in equal measure.
The open-plan layout includes a well-equipped kitchen with fridge, a cosy lounge with fireplace, a dining area, and a balcony for relaxed moments outdoors. The bathroom includes a bath/shower combo, adding to the sense of comfort and ease.
With its warm textures, thoughtful details, and relaxed atmosphere, Casa Palheiro is full of charm and a welcoming home base for rest, connection, and shared experience.
Double Bed Shared Bathroom
2 x Single Beds Shared Bathroom
Casa Celeiro
Casa Celeiro is a beautifully renovated rustic barn house, offering the same warmth and character as Casa Palheiro in a more compact setting, with a mezzanine that adds both charm and a sense of openness.
The open-plan interior includes a basic kitchen with fridge, a cosy lounge with fireplace, and a dining area that flows easily into the living space. The bathroom features a walk-in shower with a separate toilet, and an outdoor terrace provides a peaceful spot to relax and unwind.
Access to the mezzanine loft is through the lower bedroom, creating a naturally connected layout that lends itself to a shared, communal atmosphere. This thoughtful design makes Casa Celeiro especially well-suited for women who enjoy a sense of togetherness and ease in shared living. With its inviting energy and carefully considered spaces, it offers a comfortable and charming retreat for connection and community.
Cabana Jardim
Cabana Jardim is a charming and secluded garden cabana, nestled among flowering trees and surrounded by nature. Thoughtfully positioned within the grounds, it offers a sense of privacy and calm, with a private sit-out area that invites quiet moments outdoors.
The cabana features a separate bathroom, and a compact kitchenette with a fridge, all designed in a warm, rustic style that complements the natural setting.
Simple, cosy, and deeply grounding, Cabana Jardim is an ideal option for guests who enjoy a closer connection to nature while still having the comforts of a private space.
Quarto Pequeno
Quarto Pequeno is a simple and welcoming twin room located in the 19th-century main house, inspired by the spirit of shared travel and communal living. With views over the surrounding countryside, it offers a light, comfortable space for guests who value experience and connection over luxury.
The room features access to a shared bathroom with a separate toilet and is intentionally uncomplicated, Quarto Pequeno is ideal for those who enjoy a vibrant, social atmosphere and the ease of shared living while travelling.
2 x Single Beds Shared Bathroom
Quarto Mais Pequeno
Quarto Mais Pequeno is a cosy twin room located in the 19th-century main house, designed for guests who enjoy a simple, social style of travel. Overlooking the surrounding countryside, it offers a comfortable base for those who value shared experience and connection.
The room includes access to a shared bathroom with a separate toilet. It is well suited to guests who appreciate communal living and the ease of traveling light.
2 x Single Beds Shared Bathroom
Casa Açores
Charming and comfortable, Casa Açores is the perfect spot for guests who want a clean, private space.
This en-suite double room keeps things simple and welcoming, a cosy retreat with your own private bathroom, so you can enjoy all the comfort of a home away from home.
This is your invitation
A Choice to Reignite your Spirit
If you’ve been feeling the pull, subtle or strong, trust it. This is your sign to pause, to listen, and to step gently toward yourself.
Together, we, Kathleen and Jessica, have created a space for deep rest, honest reflection, and soulful connection. A space where you can exhale fully, remember your essence, and align with what’s real and meaningful to you.
You’ll walk away nourished in ways words can’t explain, with clarity, with grounded practices, and with a new sense of soulfulness, joy and confidence for life that stays long after the retreat ends.
Reach out to begin your journey. We’ll be here to welcome you in.
Retreat Agreement & Holding the Container
Aligned Living Portugal Retreat - Terms and Conditions
1) Booking Basics
INCLUDED:
- 7 days / 6 nights accommodation at Casa Paço D’ilhas
- Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner (vegetarian options available)
- Coffee, tea, fruits and daily snacks
- Non-alcoholic drinks, teas, and nourishing alternatives with meals
- Daily embodied movement, yoga, and somatic practices
- Opening and closing circles
- Group life-coaching and reflection sessions
- Beach and ocean immersion experiences
- One surf lesson experience
- One pottery & painting experience
- One Sintra day tour experience
- Access to pools, gardens, yoga shala, and firepit
- Spacious free time for rest, exploration, and integration
- Fully alcohol-free retreat environment
All activities are subject to change due to weather, safety considerations, third-party availability,
or force majeure events.
NOT INCLUDED:
- Flights
- Airport transfers
- Travel insurance and visas
- Additional nights outside retreat dates
- Optional extras or personal expenses
- Any activities or treatments not listed above
- Any bank costs or additional fees for payments to Aligned Living
- Comprehensive travel insurance including medical coverage, trip cancellation, and activity cover for surfing and ocean experiences is strongly recommended.
Aligned Living is not responsible for any costs, losses, medical expenses, cancellations, or disruptions beyond what is explicitly stated as included in the retreat package.
2) Eligibility
Guests must be 18 years or older and able to participate independently in a group retreat setting.
3) Payments
- A 30% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your booking.
- Booking is confirmed only once full payment has cleared.
- Remaining balance is due 90 days before retreat start date. Failure to complete payment by the due date may result in cancellation of the booking and forfeiture of deposit.
- Payment plans include three payments in total, including the deposit.
- All payment processing or banking fees are non-refundable.
4) Cancellation & Refund Policy (Guest)
All cancellations must be submitted in writing.
- 90+ days before start date: refund of amounts paid minus deposit.
- 60–89 days before start date: 50% refund minus deposit.
- 0–59 days before start date: no refund.
No refunds will be issued for flight delays, missed retreat days, late arrival, early departure, or illness.
If a guest leaves the retreat early for any reason, all additional costs incurred (including transport or accommodation changes) are the responsibility of the guest.
Bookings may be transferred to another person with prior approval and an administrative fee.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Aligned Living is not responsible for individual guest insurances.
5) Cancellation or Changes by Aligned Living
Aligned Living reserves the right to cancel or modify the retreat due to low enrolment, safety concerns, or circumstances beyond reasonable control. In the case of low enrolment, cancellation will occur no later than 60 days prior to the retreat start date if the minimum booking requirement has not been met.
If the retreat is cancelled, payments will be refunded minus any non-recoverable costs already incurred. Aligned Living is not responsible for flights or personal travel expenses, including airport transfers.
6) Force Majeure
Aligned Living is not liable for events beyond reasonable control including but not limited to; fire, flood, storms, natural disasters, government restrictions, transport shutdowns, strikes, war, evacuation or supplier failure. Aligned Living is not liable for insolvency, bankruptcy, or service failure of third-party providers including accommodation, transport, or activity suppliers.
If the retreat is cancelled, payments will be refunded minus any non-recoverable costs already incurred. Aligned Living is not responsible for flights or personal travel expenses, including airport transfers.
7) Travel Responsibilities
Guests are responsible for flights, transfers, passport validity, visas, and meeting arrival windows.
Aligned Living is not liable for delayed or missed flights or personal travel disruptions.
Guests are encouraged to arrive one day early if concerned about delays. This is for guests own account and will need to be arranged independently.
8) Health, Medical & Participation
Guests confirm they are fit to participate and will modify activities as needed.
Relevant medical conditions, allergies, injuries, pregnancy, or medications must be disclosed in advance.
Aligned Living may refuse participation in any activity deemed unsafe.
No medical or therapeutic services are provided unless explicitly stated.
Any medical expenses incurred during the retreat are the responsibility of the guest.
Guests acknowledge that personal growth work may bring up emotional responses. Guests are responsible for their own emotional wellbeing and agree to seek appropriate professional support outside of the retreat if needed.
9) Liability & Risk Acknowledgement
Participation in yoga, movement, ocean activities, and excursions involves inherent risk.
Guests participate at their own risk and release Aligned Living from liability to the fullest extent permitted by law. This includes but is not limited to personal injury, illness, death, property damage, or financial loss.
Aligned Living is not responsible for loss, damage, or theft of personal belongings.
Third-party activities (surf lessons, ceramics workshop, Sintra tour, taxis/transport) are not under Aligned Living’s liability and guests must follow all instructions provided.
10) Code of Conduct
Guests are expected to act respectfully, observe quiet hours, and contribute to a safe and supportive environment.
This is a sober retreat: no alcohol or recreational drugs are permitted. Prescription medication is allowed.
Aligned Living reserves the right to ask a guest to leave without refund if behaviour compromises safety or group wellbeing.
11) Accommodation & Rooming
Shared accommodation requires consideration for others including noise, shared bathrooms, and differing routines. Room allocations are final and guests acknowledge shared living realities.
12) Food & Dietary Needs
Meals are provided as described.
Dietary needs will be accommodated on a best-effort basis if communicated in advance.
Cross-contamination cannot be guaranteed.
13) Photography & Media
Photos and videos taken during the retreat remain the property of Aligned Living and may be used for promotional purposes. Guests may request not to be featured in identifiable content, however incidental background appearances may still occur.
14) Privacy & Data Protection
Personal data is collected for booking, communication, and retreat logistics and may be shared with the venue or suppliers where necessary.
Guests may request access to, correction, or deletion of their data.
15) Complaints & Resolution
Guests are encouraged to raise concerns during the retreat so they may be addressed in real time.
Aligned Living will make reasonable efforts to resolve issues within the scope of the venue and retreat container.
16) Currency & Exchange Rates
All retreat prices are confirmed in Euros (EUR). The Euro amount is final regardless of payment currency.
Aligned Living is not responsible for currency fluctuations or international banking fees.