Name: Vale de Moses
Item: Vale de Moses
Author: Andrew Winter

Vale de Moses is a yoga retreat in the beautifully restored home of the Winter family deep in the forested mountains of central Portugal.

Retreats run from March til October with daily Yoga classes from a team of experienced yoga teachers, restorative Massage and Acupuncture treatments, 3 delicious Ayurvedic meals a day, guided walks in the forest and a trip to the majestic Rio Zêzere for a swim.

It is a wonderful location, with fabulous views of the surrounding Portuguese forests and mountains, nestled in the valleys below the picturesque village of Amieira, Oleiros. There are 4 stone cottages, woodland and orchards, olive trees and grape vines, 2 flowing streams with cascading natural pools, and the Winter family and their dogs on a journey towards self sufficiency.

The combination of yoga, massage, acupuncture and good vegetarian food in a family home on the edge of wilderness provides a truly restorative environment for a week or more’s break. Everyone is truly welcome, whether you are new to yoga or have been practicing for decades. Menu is vegetarian and most dietary requirements catered for, especially gluten free and vegan.

Discover more on the Vale de Moses website, Facebook or Blog.

Online reservations via the Vale de Moses website which also shows live availability .

Story: The Winter family found this beautiful valley during a road trip round southern Europe in 2007. It has the same name as their dog Moses and they fell in love with the landscape, the rural Portuguese culture, the hospitality of the people and the potential live a little more self and co-sustainably.

Their vision is to see the forest valley flourish with life, so they can continue providing a gorgeous retreat space for those in need of a break.

Price: 800€ per week with a 100€ supplement for single occupancy in their private bedrooms, Soulpads and Tipi.

Price includes transport from the local town of Oleiros (take the Sunday afternoon coach from Lisbon or Porto) all food, facilities and 6 nights accommodation, daily yoga classes, a half hour health consultation and an hour of massage and/or acupuncture, mud baths in the Rio Zêzere and guided morning meditation walks in the forest before class.

10% discount available for 2 week stays and for group bookings of 4 people or more. Confirm reservations, with a 150€ deposit per person per week. If you need to cancel, they will refund any balance payment made and you can use your deposit on any other retreat this year or next.

Environment: Mountain, Forests, River / Stream, Rural, Rustic, Woods

Gay Friendly: Yes!

Pet Friendly: Yes!

Disabled access: Yes!
Although wheelchair access limited to one bedroom and shower room. Mountains paths are steep and stony.

Environmentally Sustainable: Yes!
Farmhouses restored by hand with traditional Portuguese clay, stone, wood and lime. Thermodynamic hot water system harnesses the wind, sun and rain. Wood burning stoves heat the houses using the best solar energy converters around – trees. Dry toilets made of old wine vat chestnut panels and marble, also 3 flush toilets available. Grey water irrigation of orchards so please be careful about which products you bring to wash with.

You won't be hungry as Vale de Moses feels it's important to nourish your body while on retreat with. They lovingly prepare three delicious and nutritious vegetarian/vegan meals every day. Fresh vegetables, salads and fruit available from their own or the neighbours' gardens during the season and from our favourite local greengrocers in Oleiros. Rich in pulses and grains, low in salt and high in fresh herbs and spices. Honey from local wild bees is preferred over sugar.

Their talented plant-based chefs bring passion and joy to their cooking. They have years of experience with vegetarian and vegan food in a variety of settings around the world. Their fusion of ingredients, spices and flavours, according to the principles of Ayurveda, mean every dish is not only tasty but also easy to digest.

You start the day with warming tea, fruit and nuts before a silent meditation walk in the forest, followed by yoga class. After which they serve a hearty breakfast of rice, millet, quinoa or buckwheat porridge, with fruit salad, toasted nuts and seeds, and freshly squeezed juices. Lunch is the biggest meal of the day when your stomachs are best able to digest. Dinners are light to help you sleep more deeply. Food is plentiful at Vale de Moses. And one of the highlights mentioned in many of their reviews.

They are well versed in looking after those who have specific dietary requirements. The majority of the menus are vegan and gluten free. Please do let them know any other requirements in advance and introduce yourself to the chef when you arrive.

Testimonials:

Hundreds of independent 5 star reviews on Trip Advisor, on their Facebook page and their website.

"The retreat is run not just like a well oiled business, but like a passion project. The Winter family have poured so much love and joy into this place, it's hard not to feel it when you're here. Each stone, each pathway, each cottage was lovingly shaped and restored by them and the community around them. It shows. The place oozes with character. It's something special and unique. I doubt it can be replicated anywhere else.
- The people. Everyone comes here for different reasons. But great minds think alike, and the retreat gives you an opportunity to bond with some brilliant people from around the world. The space allows you to be as social or as solitary as you feel
- The environment. A Shala suspended in the mountains, cottages built into the hillside, tipis hidden away. Plunge pool and river swims a plenty. This place takes your breath away. Morning meditation walks around the property were an absolute highlight
- The food. You will never be hungry, and every taste bud will be satisfied! Rahul and his team create magic in their little kitchen
- The yoga. Last but not least, Fleur was our wonderful teacher. Every level of yoga was catered for. She was caring, gentle, supportive and funny. Couldn't have asked for a better instructor for the week.
I'm still feeling the glow from my week at Vale de Moses, and I'm sure I'll feel it for a long time coming. Thank you Winter family for so generously opening your home to us. I know I'll be back very soon!" Cara, Australia, August 2016

"I returned to Moses simply knowing that I would have a great time. Hard to believe that my experience topped the one from two years before. The quality of the yoga practice, the incredible food, the world class standard of treatments and the sheer beauty of the surroundings are unbeatable. Such a lovely family run business, they really do it right. So many laugh out loud moments together with the great group that i was with, the best retreat holiday I've taken in a long time. Can't recommend it highly enough." Emma, Spain, August 2016

"Located in the Portuguese mountains, the serenity provides a welcome change to our busy western lives. The minute you arrive at this idyllic place, you unwind. I had never done yoga before when I first came to Vale de Moses last year. Now I’m fully hooked! The gentle and enthusiastic Fleur van Hille is a fabulous yoga instructor, and provides good vinyasa flow classes in a beautiful shala overlooking the mountains. She manages to challenge everyone. The staff are incredible and prepare delicious vegan and vegetarian meals, three times a day. A feast for your senses! I stayed in a shared cottage, which was great; spacious and very cool (on hot summer days). What else do you want but to find inner peace, doing great yoga and taking dips in the natural pool? The Winter family makes you feel welcome and at home." Nina, Holland, July 2016

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