Frogs chirping. Stars wheeling overhead. Stunning sunsets views. Tranquil lakes. Pine trees all around. This amazing retreat center is located 5 minutes drive from one of the many gorgeous beaches on the Costa Vicentina. With country tracks waiting to be explored by foot, bike or horse; a swimmable lake and surfing beaches nearby; Plenty of opportunity for healthy outdoor fun.
The holistic centre is designed to offer all the comfort and space you need for your practices. The main temple made with round wood architecture and heated floor is inspired by a center at the Brazilian rainforest. This temple is where the main activities evolve, comfortably inside and surrounded by nature. Between activities you can relax or study in a variety of calm and peaceful spaces that were placed for the purpose of joy and contemplation, all with amazing views to the surroundings.
The main house its composed by:
- A common living room with 75m2 well decorated and harmonic.
- A dining room with capacity between 25 and 35 seats.
- An outdoor breakfast veranda with capacity for 32 seats.
- A spa with a sauna, steam bath and a therapy room.
Rooms
There are 13 rooms that can be used as single, double or twin rooms and many also as 3-4 beds if desired. The rooms are cozy with simple decoration in warm colours, with all that is needed to let go.
Room 0-7 have two separate bedrooms with a shared bathroom in one of the rooms. These rooms can also be booked for single use.
Room plan room 0-3 (have 3-4 beds but can be booked as single room or as twin room with the beds in separate rooms)
Room plan room 4-7 (have 3-4 beds but can be booked as single room or as twin room with the beds in separate rooms)
Room plan room 9 (used as single, double or twin)
Room plan room 10-13 (used as single, double or twin)
Eco Energy
The main house is powered with solar energy batteries and a windmill. For the hot water system, also the sun and a wood boiler are used. This helps to heat all the buildings.
The wood used in the boiler is from own forest and is harvested in a sustainable way.
Sustainability
This retreat project started with reforestation, with umbrella pine trees, cork trees, and strawberry trees that were planted in 1997. The land had been abandoned and wild for more than 20 years, it was infested by acacias and eucalyptus trees, the soil was very poor with lots of stones and little water.
A lake to collect the rainwater was the first step to revitalize the land. Without water nothing was possible….
While digging the lake with machines, the clay and argile was used to build the main walls of the houses. After 2 winters the lake was almost full of water and the wildlife began return to the land. You could hear the birds singing again, frogs croaking, rabbits, foxes, wild boars and other wildlife were happy to share the land.
Now the water from the lake is used for the permaculture garden and horses during the summer months.
Pine Forest
The 34 hectares are mostly cover with umbrella pine trees, which produce delicious pine nuts. The trees are now 18 years old, and the last years there has been good harvests during the winter time.
