Name: Create & Connect
Item: Create & Connect
Author: DiscoverCuriosa

Reconnect with your creativity on an immersive retreat combining mindfulness, movement, voice, and creative music-making, held in a stunning manor house on a working farm in rural Portugal.

Escape from the demands of everyday life to find peace, presence, and a deeper connection to your creative voice through the power of music. Led by expert arts facilitators, this inspiring retreat balances led group activities, one-on-one lessons, and time for reflection and rest, all within a supportive community. Release tension through movement and mindfulness sessions. Rediscover play, exploration, and creativity through voice and collaborative music-making sessions. Enjoy delicious, fresh vegetarian meals made from ingredients harvested straight from the farm. Reconnect with nature through walking in the hills and swimming in the river. Share evenings full of laughter and song around the fire with a new community of friends.

Whether you’re an experienced musician looking to deepen your practice, or just curious to learn how music can contribute to your well-being, we welcome you on this journey.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Mindfulness – away from distraction, we can find peace and tranquility through seated meditation, mindful movement, sound meditation, nature walks, singing in nature and more

Movement & Voice – relieve built-up tensions in the body inspired by a range of somatic practices including yoga, Feldenkreis, and contact improv; explore movement, breath, vibration, and resonance of the voice

Creative Music-Making – create new music in a facilitated environment using games, improvisation, and devised composition with other participants; enhance your musicianship and collaborative skills

1-1 Tuition – all participants may sign up for a 30 minute private voice lesson, as well as a 30 minute private mentoring tutorial at any point during the retreat

Free Time Activities – Massage (Swedish, bamboo, deep tissue, aromatherapy, infused oil, advanced clinical, reflexology, reiki, facial and neck, myofascial release); Wine tasting; Guided 2 hour walk; Hilario boat cruise in Dornes

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

What’s included:
7 nights accommodation in a stunning Portuguese manor house
5 hours tuition a day from our expert leaders
30 minute private voice lesson
30 minute 1-1 tutorial
2hr gong bath
Fun evening activities including movie night, BBQ, song circles and more
Three delicious vegetarian meals a day (except dinner on Wednesday evening)
Afternoon tea, coffee and cake
Salt water swimming pool

What’s not included:
Flights and travel to venue
Cost of extra excursions (guided walk, visits to local town etc)
Alcoholic beverages, dinner on Wednesday
Spa services upon request
Personal travel insurance

FILIPE SOUSA
Creative Music Leader

Filipe Sousa is a Portuguese pianist/composer and workshop leader based in the UK. He trained at the Lisbon Gregorian Institute, Hot Club Portugal, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He is a tutor at Trinity Laban Conservatoire and Guildhall School of Music and Dance. With a background in capoeira and contact improv, his work as a composer and performer is often concerned with motion and movement, driven by a strong sense of rhythm. www.FilipeSousaMusic.com

KATE SMITH
Voice & Movement Leader

Kate is a London-based singer, performer, workshop leader and producer. She trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in Voice and Leadership. As the creator of The Embodied Voice, she has a deep belief in the importance of reconnecting mind and body in order to improve mental and physical health, as well as performance abilities. www.KateSmithMusic.com

Throughout our retreat, we will enjoy organic, locally sourced, naturally high-in-energy and balanced home-cooked vegetarian meals. We include various raw and vegan dishes in our standard vegetarian menu, but if you are vegan, do let us know in advance so we can adjust our menu for you. Wednesday night will be a free evening and we encourage everyone to try out the restaurants in the nearby town. On our last night we will enjoy a BBQ, suitable for vegetarians and pescatarians alike.

Breakfasts may consist of homemade sourdough bread, fresh fruit salad, muesli with homemade jam, yoghurt, and Kefir, tea and orange juice. A sample lunch might include a baked dish like Greek Spinach pie, served with salad and homemade pickles, chutneys and preserves. Our hosts make their own kombucha, kefir, pear-ale, and lemon squash, and elderflower syrup.

Our afternoon cake is freshly made each day, served with tea infusions, and raw, dried figs snacks are available for snacks all day long. Dinners consist of two courses, either starter and main course, or main course and dessert. There will also be an honesty bar for those who would like to taste a selection of local wine and beer.

Create & Connect

Welcome back

Sign up for Review My Retreat