New Life Portugal
Folgosinho, Portugal
Deeply nourishing life resets in a stunning natural park
New Life Portugal is a wellness retreat and mindfulness centre nestled in the serene Serra Da Estrela. Programmes offer a combination of counselling and coaching, with group workshops, mentoring, meditation, yoga, fitness, nature activities and therapy, all carried out within a supportive community and natural surroundings. Expect to reduce stress, heal burnout, get help with depression, anxiety, grief, or addiction, or just relax.
our Reviewer KIT GRIFFITHS says:
‘I’ve never so clearly and deeply felt trauma leaving my body - luckily I’d been taught how to breathe by then, so I was able to breathe through the pain and reap the ecstasy beyond’
Queen of Retreats says:
‘A profound sense of care permeates everything here, from the hand-addressed welcome letter on arrival to the chef attending morning meetings for menu suggestions. The community setting is effective in removing barriers and shame, leading to deep healing. Giving, receiving and accepting support, and sharing and listening to one another’s stories, reduces feelings of isolation and loneliness’
Experiences
Come for wellness programmes of various intensities all year round. Craft your own retreat from activities and therapies on offer, or opt for a structured Therapeutic Pathway to tackle stress, anxiety and burnout, grief, depression or addiction. There are also retreats for those who want to rest and relax, undertake personal development or undergo a life transition.
An international team of experts is on hand to provide coaching and counselling. All practise trauma-informed care and engage in professional supervision and collaboration.
All programmes include mentoring, psycho-educational group workshops, yoga, mindfulness, meditation, mindful movement and breathwork sessions.
Skilled massage therapists offer a full body therapeutic or relaxing massage, Swedish massage, sound massage, and acupuncture to soothe aches and pains and help you to truly unwind.
Between sessions, relax in the pool and sauna, use the small gym, and hike, bike or cycle around the valleys and charming medieval villages of the Serra Da Estrela Natural Park. Local culture escapades and trips to town can be arranged.
Spaces
Yoga and meditation take place in The Contemplative Hall, a large, air-conditioned glass box with a balcony that stretches from the hillside into the valley. There are hammocks near the vegetable gardens, and benches dotted throughout the hillside.
The pool has a large patio, protected from the breeze by trees, with a gap so you can watch the sunset. The sauna and changing rooms are inside nearby.
Smaller workshop and treatment spaces are more secluded. The Wellness Hall houses a few fitness machines and a ping pong table while a comfortable, neutral lounge has puzzles, games and a small library.
The 49 private en-suite rooms are remodelled from traditional Portuguese stone quintas, and have a kitchenette, a bedroom with a desk, a shower, and shared balcony with a personal chair and coffee table with stunning valley views.
The premium room has high ceilings, abundant storage, plenty of space, with a colour scheme of white and tasteful greens as a canvas for peaceful landscape art.
Sustenance
Meals are made with home-grown or local ingredients and served buffet-style with extra oils, pickles and dressings. There are always vegan and veggie options.
Breakfast is eaten in Noble Silence and includes fresh watermelon juice and a smoothie, along with salads, home-made peanut butter, and hot dishes like egg, mushrooms, grilled aubergine, broccoli, rice, lentils and chickpeas.
Lunch and dinner always include one hot meat or fish option, such as chicken, steak or sea bass. There’s a permanent Silent Table indoors for those who want to eat every meal in quiet.
Freshly baked bread, honey, granola, nuts and fruit are available all day. The local Serra da Estrela cheese, pineapple jam and aubergine dip are unmissable.
New Life is an alcohol-free retreat. There are two coffee machines in use until 7pm.
