A retreat is a precious time you offer yourself to pause, practice self-care and engage in an activity you like, learn something new and be amongst like minded people.
PORTO SANTO YOGA RETREAT
9 MAY TO 17 MAY 2025
ONLY 7 SPACES LEFT
Dot Bowen and Katie Worsdell wish to offer you the opportunity to join a small and exclusive 8-day yoga retreat on the sunny island of Porto Santo. Porto Santo is a hidden gem with a single white sandy beach that extends across the South side of the island. Situated in the middle of the Atlantic, near Madeira, it offers peace and tranquillity and a chance to be somewhere very few people know even exists!
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With only 10 spaces available, this magical week includes daily yoga classes, and meditation, in a beautiful hotel with private access to the beach, spa facilities, and outdoor and indoor swimming pools. Porto Santo Hotel provides a relaxing vibe, coupled with the energy of the ocean, that will allow you to relax and renew.
The Location:
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Porto Santo sits in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and is part of the Madeira archipelago. The climate is mild and ranges from 19oc in winter to 28oc in the Summer. In May, the temperature is expected to reach a very dry 23 oc. with the sea close the same temperature. Blessed with a single 7km long with golden sandy beach, the opportunity to rest and relax is boundless!
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The island is semi-arid, with a warm sea breeze to cool the evenings. Unlike mountainous Madeira, which effectively traps rain clouds and the moisture of oceanic currents, the low profile of Porto Santo is far drier. The two volcanoes on the island are very much dormant.
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Porto Santo is a quiet place though there are one or two large tourist hotels that cater for full-board guests who rarely venture out of their hotels. This means that much of the island goes about its daily business without a care in the world. In August, it hots up and the Madeirans flock to the island for the high season but that will not affect our tranquil retreat. We will rest and enjoy the benefits of being near the ocean.
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​You can ride a horse along the beach, rent a paddle board or a kayak. If you enjoy diving, then there is always the opportunity to stay a few more days after the retreat and dive in the island’s crystal waters. We will certainly go out to explore the walking trails on the island which offer beautiful views over the island and ocean.
The Hotel and Spa:
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The hotel is situated in the dunes, with uninterrupted access to the beach. The low impact of the architecture of the buildings mean that it is hidden among palm trees. Its origins started in the 1970’s, but other wings have been added to complement its design. It maintains its cool 70’s style with the luxury of a modern-day Spa and indoor pool.
The hotel is also in walking distance to amenities and the main village. Vila Baleira is the capital and really the only village on the whole island. Whilst it remains a traditional Portuguese town it offers restaurants and bars. A short taxi ride back to the hotel is easily done.
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The hotel’s spa offers Hot Sand Therapy which brings many benefits for conditions such as rheumatism. Porto Santo’s biogenic carbonated sand has physical, chemical and thermal properties and it is rich in minerals such as magnesium, calcium, and phosphorous. There is an indoor and outdoor pool for those that would prefer it to the beach and sea. For more information about the hotel, please visit their website: Hotel Porto Santo - Hotel Porto Santo & SPA Hotel next to the beach
Retreat Price Schedule:
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The following options are available to you, and although this retreat formally ends on Saturday 17th May, there is a possibility of extending your stay at the hotel Porto Santo (subject to availability and additional cost).
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Single Room: 9th to 17th May (8 nights) for £1,220.00.
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Twin/Double Room (2 people sharing): 9th to 17th May (8 nights) for £950.00 (pp*). ​
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* Twin/Double rooms must be booked by two participants (only) and must be booked at the same time with both participants agreeing to share.
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Payment: 50% non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your place. The remaining amount must be paid on or before the 9th March 2025.
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The price of the retreat covers the following:
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Transfers to and from the airport or port. See travel options below (flight and ferry are not included).
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Accommodation (Bed and Breakfast) at Hotel Porto Santo with a buffet style breakfast.
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All bedrooms are ensuite. Room facilities include balcony, air conditioning and heating, hairdryer, Cable TV, Internet access, safe, complementary toiletries, room service and daily room cleaning.
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The hotel provides beach towels for pool and sea swimming.
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For the retreat we offer daily early morning meditation, morning yoga after breakfast and late afternoon yoga classes. All yoga equipment is provided though you are welcome to bring your own.
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Two evening meals: Saturday 10th May at the hotel and Friday 16th at a venue outside the hotel are included in the retreat price. All other lunches and dinners are at an additional cost. Mini bar and bar services are also excluded.
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If you would like to book this retreat please contact either Dot Bowen (dotbowenyoga@gmail.com) or Katie Worsdell (ktworsdell@gmail.com).
Travel Options:
FLIGHTS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RETREAT PRICE.
Porto Santo is graced by its isolation, but this does mean that you will need to take a plane to Madeira, then catch a smaller plane, or ferry, to get to the island. The recommended routes are:
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OUTBOUND on Friday 9 May both EasyJet and British Airways fly from London Gatwick directly to Funchal (Madeira). All flights leave early in the morning which means they arrive in Funchal before or around lunchtime. Costs vary, but once you have booked with us it is best to book your flight; the early bird catches the (cheaper) worm!
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Once in Funchal you have two options to travel to Porto Santo late in the afternoon:
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By the island-hopper plane operated by Binter Canarias. The daily flight to Porto Santo leaves at 18:30 and arrives at 18:55. Return flights cost approx. €130.00. You can stay at the Madeira airport whilst you wait or take a short trip to nearby Santa Cruz or Machico to have lunch, or even a quick swim, before returning to the airport. The airport has a luggage facility which will give you greater freedom.
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By ferry boat with Porto Santo Line https://www.portosantoline.pt/en/. The Ferry boat leaves Funchal Port* at 19:00 and arrives in Port Santo at 21:30. Price for a return ticket costs around €45 (€30 for a one-way ticket). At your own cost, you will need to take a taxi from the airport to the harbour in Funchal (30 minutes away).
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Whichever route you choose, we will be there to pick you up after your long but fun journey to the island paradise! The hotel will welcome you upon arrival and take you to your room.
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* For those that wish to enjoy a boat trip, the ferry is big and comfortable and at this time of the year it is rarely full. The 2½ hours will quickly pass you by, as will the vista of Madeira as you sail to Porto Santo. There are a few luggage storage options in Funchal whilst you wait for departure. Apps like Luggage Hero, Bounce, and Radical Storage, which allows shops, restaurants, and cafes to offer luggage storage at their business premises. All you must do is load up the app and search for suitable businesses nearby. When picking a luggage storage location, be sure to check the opening hours as some facilities may close outside of business hours.
RETURN on Saturday 17th May EasyJet and British Airways can fly you from Madeira to London Gatwick. If you wish to stay-on in Madeira (Funchal) then there are daily flights to get you home. All flights depart late morning and some additional flights (not all days) that leave later in the day.
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To get you back to Madeira, Binter Canarias flights from Porto Santo to Funchal depart at 8:30am every day, arriving at Funchal airport at 8:55am which gives you plenty of time to catch the flight back to the UK on the same day.
If you wish to fly home on the same day, then the return ferry option does not work. The ferry leaves Porto Santo to Funchal late in the afternoon (Saturday at 18:00) and arrives late that evening when all the flights have left. You would have to stay overnight in Funchal or in a hotel closer to the airport for a next-day flight.
Other Options and Insurance cover:
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More flight options are available, but you will need to do a bit of research. You can fly from Lisbon (and other EU cities) directly to Porto Santo. EasyJet flies directly from Lisbon to Porto Santo on Fridays and Sundays, TAP (Portugal’s airline) runs daily flights from Lisbon to Porto Santo, but they are far more expensive!
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Whatever you choose to do, we highly recommend that you have travel insurance. Flights are not direct and if there are delays you want to make sure that you are covered. In terms of medical assistance, Porto Santo is a tiny island and medical assistance in case of an emergency is limited and might require you to fly to Madeira for treatment. If you need to be taken to Madeira hospital, without insurance, it could be expensive.