Let me introduce you to one of the best-rated retreat centres in Portugal  where you can join me for a week-long detox or yoga and vegetarian food retreat.

Wild View Retreat has risen from the ruins of an abandoned mountain village of Corgas Bravas, in the foothills of the Algarve. Originally built by a Portuguese Army General in 1898, the ‘Manor House’ and surrounding ruins have undergone a 1.5-year restoration and redevelopment project, transforming the iconic setting into a bespoke wellness retreat.

Wild View Retreat is defined by its spectacular uninterrupted 360° views of the Serra do Caldeirão mountains, a Zona de Intervenção Florestal protected for its natural beauty and famous Portuguese ‘cortiça’ (cork) trees. There are no cars, no roads, no buildings, no neighbours. Nothing but wilderness and nature. Nothing to hear but the birds and the wind. Nothing to do but restore and relax the body, mind and soul.

We know how to feed the body by simply giving it the right food, nutrients and detoxing and cleansing when needed. Giving it the right amount of movement throughout the day to keep our joints mobile and healthy.

At Wild View, you have an opportunity to give some love to your body by eating the most nutritious food or experience a week of juice detoxing diet where you would typically drink freshly-made juices throughout the day and daily delicious homemade soup.

Each morning begins with a yoga class that gets your body and breath moving. Daily walks through nature, one fitness class per day and two yoga classes will keep you in the right state of movement and relaxation throughout the week. Wild View is known for its best fitness trainers and yoga teachers, so you are guaranteed to get the most experienced team to work along with.

How do we feed the mind? For all of us, this may be different as all of us have different interests and things that fascinate or inspire us. For me, feeding the mind is being curious … asking the right questions about how I can become more productive, wiser, maybe more patient and less reactive, maybe a better listener or better at switching my mind off when needed.

Based on my desires, I reach for the right course, material, book or find the right community to learn from.

At Wild View Retreat, you get to feed your mind through their daily nutritional talks and simply by being surrounded by the best team of people including vegan chefs, nutritionists and instructors who will feed you a little bit of knowledge every single day.

And, lastly, how do we feed our souls? There are endless ways, but one of them is to begin by learning how to meditate, which is something I would be guiding you through in our yoga morning and evening practices at Wild View retreat.

Learning how to sit in stillness and listening to your thoughts without any judgement is a challenge for everyone. If your soul is a creative one, maybe allowing it a space and time to be creative – perhaps a silent walk in nature – would work for you.

Reaching out for an interesting and inspiring book from the Wild View library, where you find a quiet space, is also an option. Sitting in a sauna and taking a cold pool dip after, or just simply watching the sunset and listening to the sound of birds, you may feel fulfilled and grateful. You have all the above at Wild View Retreat, as this place was built with love and passion for good and healthy lifestyle.

On the retreat, all guests will be away from the pressures of modern society, isolated in nature, embarking on a programme of detoxification, wellness and fitness, working towards restoring health and balance in our lives. You’ll return home feeling brand new and fantastic!

What you will experience at Wild View Retreat is: yoga, fitness classes, expert nutritious meals or juice fasting, nutritional therapy, guided walks, massage, gentle meditation, swimming, sunbathing, relaxing – it’s a holiday after all!

Check out the dates that suit you and join us at Wild View to have the most unforgettable experience https://wildviewretreat.com/ for a discount code, reach out to me via my Haven Community [email protected] or my Instagram page: thehaven_algarve

Here are some reviews from clients who have attended the weekly retreat at Wild View:

Arabella Read-Ward

I have just returned from a two-week stay at the Wild View Retreat and l am buzzing and full of enthusiasm to continue all l achieved at the retreat. Week 1 was a juicing detox week. The juices were delicious and carefully thought out by Andrew to give us a wide variety of nutrients. We never felt hungry.

My second week was vegetarian. The chef just blew us away with his knowledge of vegetarian meals and his skills. Andrew worked very closely with the chef, again to give variety and ensure we received the correct amount of macros and nutrients for our wellbeing.

I thoroughly enjoyed my early morning yoga classes and walks (some of which were challenging for me the first week) in the stunning hills. I was surprised by how much fitter and more flexible l was in Week 2. My skin is glowing, I have more energy than l have had in a long time. I feel fabulous. Which leads me very nicely to Andrew. He had a dream, he wanted a better, more healthy life for himself and others. He put his all into this retreat. And it shows. He has a fantastic knowledge of nutrition and is eager to share and encourage others. He genuinely wants the best for everyone and is a lovely guy too. I can’t recommend this resort enough and l can’t wait to return.

Deirdre MacGabhann

I am just back from my fourth stay at Wild View Retreat. The week-long retreats run by Andrew are the best I have experienced with top-class yoga and fitness instructors, warm and welcoming staff and delicious juices.

The daily programmes are well structured to ensure you go home at the end of the week feeling energised and inspired. Andrew’s background in nutritional therapy is hugely beneficial and he is very generous in sharing his knowledge in a practical way. The location of Wild View is stunning and the hikes through the mountains are amazing. Andrew and Erica have created a truly magical place and I look forward to returning again and again.

Edward Ukleja

From the moment you arrive on top of the highest peak in the Algarve, you know that you have arrived. We were sincerely, warm-heartedly welcomed, and that feeling stayed with us the whole week.

The eye for detail in the rooms, yoga studio, swimming pool and sauna provide a secure aesthetic ambiance; the eye for detail was in the menu for meals as well. Andrew’s daily nutrition classes gave a bounty of worthwhile information to further help everyone when they left. Every person that attends will go away with a stronger, more grounded sense of being.

Britta Martini-Miles

My first ever retreat…and it really was a treat. Serene setting, quiet and peaceful, loved sleeping in the yurt, environmentally conscious (outdoor bio loos), fabulous vegetarian cuisine (thank you, Max), nutrition talks, good mix of yoga, walking, fitness, sauna, or…just resting or connecting with others. Was glorious. Will be back. Thank you, Andrew and team!

By Elena Menci
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Elena Menci is a 700hr International Yoga Teacher who studied in India, Bali, Mallorca and Dubai. She teaches private and group classes in Vilamoura and hosts workshops, weekend and week-long retreats for her “Haven” community in the Algarve, which she is a founder of. Elena’s passion is to pass on what she has learnt from all her gurus and teachers to those around her. Instagram: @thehaven_algarve | www.thehaven.pt