Small, personal retreats in Bouro Santa Maria, near Gerês National Park, Northern Portugal ❤️ Created around rest, nature, choice and connection. All our retreats are held in English.
Explore the RetreatKeep me posted
Many retreats fill every hour. Ours don’t. At Holistic Olive Branch, you choose how much you do. Join every session, or sit by the river with a book. Both are a good day here 💚
Our retreats are small and personal. We live just round the corner, we know the area well, and we look after you from the moment you arrive.
Every retreat is different. Each retreat page shows exactly what is included.
Nothing here is compulsory. Join in when you want to, rest when you need to, and do absolutely nothing if that is what your body asks for. There is no timetable to keep up with, and nobody checking 😊
26–30 November 2026 · Bouro Santa Maria, near Gerês National Park, Northern Portugal · Held in English
Gyms, hiking and walking clubs, Yoga and Pilates studios, teams and friends · 2 to 30 guests · from €1,450 per person · bring your own host.
Plan your group retreat Group price plannerA Yoga teacher, coach or facilitator with your own group, or planning a family celebration? Bring everyone to us. We look after the venue, rooms, meals and planning; you bring your programme. Your price is built around your group.
Host your retreat with usBecome a Yoga teacher: 150 hours online at home, then 7 days (50 hours) with us near Gerês National Park.
Find out moreWellbeing · Walking and nature · Women-only and men-only · Creative · Photography · Sleep · Yin Yoga training · 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 days.
Tell us your perfect retreatWhich would you like to see first? Tell us your perfect retreat.
Day visits, Women’s Circles, Yin Yoga and Pilates classes, massage and workshop days are on our Events page →
Tap a date to reserve your place. Nothing is paid until we confirm. 4 nights · €1,350 per person · the same room options for every date.
What each 2027 retreat is about ↓200-hour Yoga Teacher Training: every month in 2027 →Help shape the next retreat →
Dates may occasionally change, and we will always tell you first.
Every date has the same four nights, prices and room options. Each one has its own theme. Tap a retreat to read what I’m planning. It’s all about wellbeing, never medical treatment, and everything stays optional.
“New Year, no resolutions. Just rest.”
After the festive rush, most of us are running on empty. This one is about deep rest and good sleep: Yin Yoga and Yoga Nidra by the log fire in The Annex, slow mornings, warming soups and stews, and short walks in the crisp winter light. Go to bed early if you want to. Nobody will mind.
Open to everyone.
“This Valentine’s, put yourself first.”
A Valentine’s retreat about being kind to yourself. Come on your own, with a friend, your sister, your mum or your partner. I’m planning heart-opening Yin Yoga, quiet time to write by the fire, a special dinner on the 14th and a little gift in your room. A massage can be booked while you’re here.
Open to everyone.
“Shake off winter. Step into spring.”
The spring equinox falls on 20 March, right in the middle of this retreat. As the days get longer we shake off winter with sunrise breathwork, the first long walks of the year, fresh seasonal food and a few gentle intentions for the months ahead.
Open to everyone.
“An honest retreat for mind and body.”
A retreat for women, about perimenopause, menopause and breast care, talked about kindly and honestly. Gentle Yin Yoga for sleep and hot flushes, nourishing food, a women’s circle by the log fire, spring walks among the blossom, and two talks: one on perimenopause and menopause, one on breast care and self-checks (guest speakers to be announced). It’s about wellbeing, not medical treatment, and as always everything is optional.
Women only.
“Move more, worry less.”
For anyone who wants to move more. Longer guided walks in the hills while the wild flowers are out, Pilates with Simone, a brave dip in the river if you fancy it, and big lunches after big walks. You set your own pace and the longer hikes are optional.
Open to everyone.
“Pick, taste, rest.”
September is grape-harvest time here, the vindima. This one is about food, the land and real Portuguese life: Vinho Verde tasting at a family vineyard, cooking with local produce and Rui’s BBQ. If a local farm can host us (to be confirmed), we’ll spend a morning helping with the harvest.
Open to everyone.
“Shorter days, brighter you.”
Shorter days and lower mood touch almost everyone, so this one is for men and women alike. Walks in the golden autumn light, Yin Yoga and breathwork, help with sleeping well, and a men’s circle alongside the women’s circle. Wellbeing, not therapy.
Open to everyone.
“Light a candle. Let something go.”
The clocks go back on 31 October, so this is a cosy retreat about letting go. Candlelit Yin Yoga, a fire circle where you write down what you want to leave behind and burn it, stories by the fire, misty forest walks, and pumpkin carving just for fun.
Open to everyone.
“When did you last have four days where nobody needed anything from you?”
Our signature retreat, the one that started it all: rest, nature, Yin Yoga and the women’s circle by the fire.
Our retreats take place at a peaceful country hotel in Bouro Santa Maria, beside the Cávado River. There are gardens to relax in, a bright restaurant, and an indoor pool with views of the hills.
Bouro Santa Maria sits near Gerês National Park, Northern Portugal: mountains, forests, rivers, waterfalls and quiet villages. Honestly, so few people know about it! It’s our home patch, and we love sharing it 💚
Explore the areaFlights: fly into Porto Airport (OPO). There are direct flights from the UK, Ireland and much of Europe.
Airport transfer: not included. A direct transfer costs around €80 each way, and Uber is usually the cheapest. The drive to Bouro Santa Maria takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.
Train: take the metro from the airport into Porto, then the train from Porto Campanhã to Braga (about 1 hour). From Braga it’s about 40 minutes by taxi to Bouro Santa Maria.
Bus: from the airport to Braga, the bus stop for FlixBus and Get Bus is at the far right exit. Both have apps, and it’s best to book in advance for the best price (€5–€20, depending on the day and time). From Braga bus station, the Cávado bus to Bouro Santa Maria (labelled Gerês or Abadia, lines 200 and 201) usually costs less than €10, but times are limited.
Going home: on us! A shared taxi back to Braga is included on departure day, so you can make your way home or stay longer.
Book a retreat, or save a place for the next one. Explore the November retreat, reserve a 2027 date, or ask us to keep you posted about new dates and special offers.
Explore the RetreatKeep me postedBuy a gift voucher 🎁From our sanctuary to yours,
Rui, Clare & Simone ❤️
