The WELLNESS WITHIN Retreat Experience

The WELLNESS WITHIN Retreat Experience is scheduled from October 25 - 30, 2026. 

This timeframe is recognized as the 'shoulder season' in São Miguel, intentionally selected for its milder temperatures, allowing guests to enjoy the island's beauty without the crowds typical of peak tourist season. Retreat activities will commence on the evening of the 25th, and a breakfast is included on the 30th, which is the planned day of departure for all guests participating in this wellness experience.

São Miguel offers a rare blend of charming European towns and awe-inspiring natural beauty, making it an ideal destination for a restorative retreat for women. Surrounded by breathtaking ocean views, lush mountain landscapes, natural thermal pools, serene beaches, and scenic trails, this island provides the perfect setting for rest, reflection, and meaningful personal transformation. It serves as an unforgettable backdrop for women seeking renewal, growth, and a deeper connection with themselves during their wellness experience.

While the local language on the island is Portuguese, all facilitated group discussions will take place in English. Facilitators are fluent in Portuguese and are well-acquainted with the local surroundings and culture.

To reach the island of São Miguel, you can fly directly to João Paulo II Airport (PDL) in Ponta Delgada, Azores. There are frequent direct flights to the Azores with airlines such as TAP Air Portugal, Azores Airlines, WestJet and Air Canada. Regular connections operate from major European and North American cities. If you wish to extend your trip, you can explore the other Azorean islands via short inter-island flights and ferries connecting São Miguel to Terceira, Faial, Pico, Madeira, Santa Maria, and others.

Participants will arrive in Ponta Delgada, the island's capital city, and make their way to Terra Nostra Garden Hotel. 

Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, recognized as a premier wellness experience, was the first hotel in the Azores and one of the earliest in the country. With over eighty years of history, the hotel retains the charm and exclusivity of its past. 

Today, Terra Nostra Garden Hotel is celebrated as one of the world's top "Green Retreats" by Condé Nast Traveler, offering visitors an unforgettable stay immersed in nature. This stunning location serves as an ideal restorative retreat for women, providing beautiful rooms, an on-site spa [additional cost], morning yoga classes, a restaurant, thermal hot springs, and lush gardens that facilitate rest and renewal. 

Feel free to reach out with inquiries. Visit our photo gallery for a glimpse of this amazing São Miguel retreat.

Your Retreat Experience: 

$2850  (double occupancy with twin beds) 

$3500  (private room with one double bed) 

Your experience includes: 

• 6 night stay in a peaceful, 4-star boutique hotel in Furnas Valley
• Use of indoor pool, sauna, access to natural hot springs, and 12 acres of lush garden trails, gym, steam room. 
• Restorative wellness sessions facilitated by an experienced professional. 
• Nourishing, cook-to-order breakfast and dinner daily. 
• Curated experiences in nature and local villages for rest, integration, and meaningful reset, all part of your wellness experience. 
• 2 excursions [including transportation]. 
• Support with customizing your personal time with recommendations for local activities 
• Guided, intentional wellness experiences with a supportive community of women. 
• Optional: Occupational Therapy services — three virtual sessions:  One orienting session before and two after the retreat to prepare and integrate the experience, are included in your investment. Participants who prefer not to include these sessions may opt out; total investment is unchanged. OT receipts of $200 per session ($600 CAD total) are issued for participants who have signed the consent agreement. Please confirm your coverage with your insurer. 

To keep the experience grounded in personal choice, exploration, and restoration, a few elements are left intentionally open. Guests are responsible for: 

• Air travel to and from São Miguel. 
• Ground transportation, including travel to the retreat site to/from the airport or to/from destinations chosen during personal time. 
• Lunches, as we hope to spend our days immersed in nature and exploring the area without the pressure of fixed meal schedules. 
• Alcohol. 
• Selected spa services at the retreat location. 
• Gratuities (optional)

This approach creates more room for spontaneity, adventure, and presence — allowing you to personalize your restorative retreat in a way that feels most aligned. 

Questions? Email us - we'd love to support you!

Included in this restorative retreat for women, each participant will be provided with:  

Guided Group Sessions by a qualified professional: A blend of guided discussion, experiential activities, meditation, gentle movement, and restorative time in nature will help participants translate insight into real-life strategies. Program materials are included. 

A 5-day itinerary is planned with clear outcomes: renewed clarity about what's next, deeper self-understanding, emotional grounding, supportive connections with like-minded women, an empowered sense of self, and an appreciation for self-care.  A detailed itinerary  is available for review. 

Restorative Time in Nature: Each day will include time to enjoy the beautiful landscapes of São Miguel with curated experiences that emphasize the connection between reflection and restorative environments. Two excursions are included, and information about accessing the numerous amazing and free hiking trails, vistas, beaches, and volcanic landscapes during personal time will be provided. There is something for everyone on this island!  

Time to Reflect, Relax, and Restore: Personal time will be built into each day, allowing participants to rest, refresh, and renew. You can choose to stay on-site or explore local shopping, restaurants, and other attractions of your choice. Click the 'Learn More About São Miguel' button to explore your options (additional costs apply).  

Limited Group Size: The group size is intentionally limited to 6-10 participants to preserve the intimate, supportive nature of this wellness experience. This smaller setting fosters meaningful connections, personalized guidance, and a calm, restorative environment where each woman can feel truly supported in her experience.

A deposit of $500 reserves your participation in our restorative retreat for women!  

Deposits are due at the time of registration. 

Deposits are fully refundable with a written request until July 30, 2026 [Midnight, Canada EST]. After July 30th, deposits become non-refundable as they directly fund the preparation for the São Miguel retreat. 

The balance is due by September 1, 2026 [Midnight, Canada EST] to confirm your wellness experience. Failure to pay the balance by the deadline will jeopardize your enrollment in the retreat. 

Payment options and instructions are outlined in the welcome email. 

Questions? Email us - we'd love to support you!

This wellness experience is designed for women seeking growth, restoration, and a deeper connection to themselves. To ensure each participant feels fully supported and aligned with our restorative retreat for women, we ask all guests to complete a brief Self-Reflection Questionnaire.

This simple form helps clarify your intentions, explores what you hope to receive from the retreat, and helps determine that the experience is a supportive and safe fit for each participant. Once completed, you’ll receive a welcome email with your full São Miguel retreat packet and next steps to complete registration.

This process allows us to create a space where everyone arrives grounded, supported, and ready to embrace meaningful growth in the breathtaking surroundings of São Miguel.

Take the first step - access the questionnaire here...

Did you want to connect? A 15-minute clarity call is available to explore opportunities related to our restorative retreat for women, allowing you to ask questions, clarify expectations, confirm emotional readiness, and discuss concerns privately. Please email us with a time that works for you to discuss this wellness experience further. A link is provided below.

Our restorative retreat for women offers group-based guided discussions designed to support balance, self-reflection, and personal renewal. These sessions are an invitation to explore, share, and connect — always at your own pace and comfort level.

This São Miguel retreat is not a substitute for individualized assessment or clinical care, in any capacity. All participants are encouraged to follow their own healthcare provider's guidance to attend the retreat.

To help us create a safe and supportive environment, we ask participants to:

- Complete the Self-Reflection Questionnaire to register.

- Respect confidentiality and privacy, honoring the shared reflections of the group.

- Have medical travel insurance [proof of insurance is required].

- Discuss participation with a therapist or healthcare provider if currently in care, to ensure the retreat is the right fit.

Participation in this wellness experience is fully optional but highly encouraged. You are never required to engage in activities or discussions outside of your comfort zone. Facilitated sessions are scheduled at the start and/or end of most days, and you are warmly invited to join in guided discussions and personal reflections as part of your journey.

This experience is designed to be supportive, empowering, and restorative, offering you the freedom to honor your needs at your own pace.

Receipts for Occupational Therapy services can be provided upon request for those who opt into this service. OT services can be claimed for a maximum amount of $600 CAD. 

The service provider will deliver services within the scope of occupational therapy practice, adhering to the professional standards outlined by the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario.  

Services will be aimed at the supportive integration of retreat experiences upon return home.  Individualized health services are not provided during the retreat.