Vale de Moses Yoga Retreat

Experiência fantástica: Beautiful location in the mountains of Portugal, about 2 1/2 hours away from Lisbon. Very secluded and calm atmosphere. Helped alot to forget the busy city life and relax. Diverse nature and water pools to cool off in. I enjoyed the hammocks. Very tasty and healthy vegan food, that is freshly prepared. Nice variety of teas. There are also three friendly dogs. It is a family run business and they are very nice. Would definitely do it again, best regards :-)

Experiência fantástica: Lovely retreat with the best community! Alchemy of Clarity. Andrew , Julia and Christiana. Thank you so much! I’m so grateful.

Experiência fantástica: Vale de Moses Retreat Center came highly recommended by a friend. I could not have been happier with my decision to attend a yoga retreat there. It was more than anything I could have imagined, the food, the company, the hosts and all their extended family. I came away with more knowledge and kindness than I have seen in a very long time. I'm also physically stronger, breathing better and more at peace. It was a wonderland of joy, laughter, movement and good food. Thank you Vonetta & Andrew. You all know how to throw a good party and it is ALL food for the soul. Thank you again.

Experiência positiva: I chose Vale de Moses to celebrate my birthday in the Yoga Retreat from 10-15th April 2023. It was my first retreat ever. And I was deeply grateful and enthusiastic for this journey by myself. I will share my feedback in a constructive way for the management and also for potential guests to be more informed. *Accommodation* I wanted to stay in a tent alone but in the end I was told that there was only the possibility of Ninja Suite for the same price. I didn't find a photo of this "room" (calling it a suite is overrating!) Still I accepted and trusted that it would be comfortable. It wasn't at all (check photo attached). I never complained. But I honestly felt that I should have been alerted for the fact that it's tiny, dark, carved in the rock, typically a cave, just one door and mainly suitable to sleep and literally nothing else. I don't recommend it for claustrophobic nor tall people. Plus, charging the same price as a tent is not fair. *Program* I expected a more structured program of Yoga sessions and workshops as mentioned in the website. The motto of the Retreat was Spaciousness and I hoped we would explore it with more guidance. The surrounding nature is awesome and offering a lot of possibilities to dive in Spaciousness. To follow our own rhythm is one thing but to leave guests by themselves on free flow is something totally different. After all I paid for it. *Food* It was very good! Sónia and her son Diogo were the best Cooking team and always available to meet the guests' needs. I felt honoured to have a vegan cake baked by Ana for my birthday. It was indeed special. *Children* It should have been more clear that this specific Retreat is inclusive to children. There were two toddlers and as much as I love kids the serenity and quietness you expect in a retreat is compromised with their presence. Some yoga sessions were a nightmare with one boy crying for his dad inside the yoga shala. Everybody was polite but management should take measures to prevent this compelling situations. Last but not the least: I chose the place to celebrate my birthday, but I didn't choose the people. I did trust it would be a memorable experience. And it was! I met and connected with wonderful humans from all over the world. It's always about the company and not the journey nor the destination.

Experiência fantástica: Vale De Moses is a wonderful place of refreshment and renewal. Just finished a week there as a newbie to Yoga. Fleur our teacher for the week made the Yoga practice accessible to me without holding back the more advanced. The early morning walks and my own exploring the forest and mountains were a superb opportunity to feel at one with the natural world. The food is all vegetarian and mostly vegan and was an absolute highlight ... every meal being beautifully presented and tasty. On top of all this Vale De Moses offers some of the best therapists I have ever experienced with one complimentary massage and the opportunity to buy more, which I happily did. Thank you everyone at Vale De Moses for such a renewing experience ... I shall be back.

Experiência fantástica: A crazy beautiful corner of the earth, run by wonderful people. Deeply recommended if you’re looking to spend a week or so reconnecting with nature, your yoga practice and true essence, nourishing yourself with good food and massages, and simply *being*. Forever grateful I discovered Vale de Moses, and Vonetta and Andrew!

Experiência fantástica: Everything about Vale De Moses is magical. The family themselves, the nature, the surroundings, the food, the shala. It allowed us space to heal and to deeply connect both outwards and inwards. I cannot recommend VDM enough. We'll be back!

Experiência fantástica: My time at Vale de Moses in early November was magical, from the moment Andy picked us up from the train station with a friendly smile and lots of stories, to admiring the sunrise over the mountains when I sadly said goodbye a week later. Von and Andy are truly amazing people, and I am so grateful for their warmth, kindness, and generosity in sharing their beautiful retreat space and offering an opportunity for healing and restoration. I was completely blown away by the delicious and nourishing food – wish I could have it every day! Other highlights were the meditative walk that Andy led and Von’s treatments. Von is an amazing healer, and she generously spent two hours with me, listening to my needs, affirming my concerns, and offering me a lovely Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and massage session. I loved doing yoga in the beautiful shala, I appreciated the relaxed way that Von led yoga classes – poses were more suggestions than instructions to follow, she encouraged us to do whatever our bodies were craving in the moment. If you’re new to yoga or more experienced, you’ll find your home here. Thank you Von, Andy, and all of the staff at Vale de Moses for a truly incredible experience. I can’t wait to return!

Experiência fantástica: I knew it was going to be a beautiful place but couldn’t be prepared for the honest and caring atmosphere I received. Also, every detail was accounted for: from the over the top food, to the types of pillows to sleep at night. The yoga classes were the best I could hope for and the seclusion was what you needed but with a nice social vibe from the group of people that I shared the retreat with. Also we had loads of options to spend the day in between classes and meals. All topped with Andrew’s and his crew charm and warmth.

Experiência positiva: This remote valley in Portugal is all I could want for a yoga retreat in beautiful nature. The owners have established a well run organisation by hiring in staff to provide classes, meals and activities such as massages, cooking classes and meditation walks. Tom, our yoga teacher coped well with a wide age range (23-72)of participants urging us to be mindful of what our bodies were telling us and what we were capable of doing. There were two yoga sessions per day which by the time we climbed the steep path to the yoga room and dining room we were already well exercised. My gut reacted in a positive way to the change to a largely vegan diet. The meditation walks led by Andrew reminded us of our strong connection to nature and how by walking in the countryside we could raise our awareness of our bodies and the possibilities of using our senses to enjoy more of what life offers.

Experiência fantástica: Maravilhoso! A quinta é linda, a paisagem e toda a envolvente são revigorantes, a sala de yoga tem uma energia incrível, a comida é top, o pessoal é super simpático e atencioso fazendo-nos sentir em casa. Adorámos o tempo que passámos em Vale de Moses. Foi uma experiência que esperamos repetir!

Experiência positiva: Um lugar Paradiziaco! Recomendo!

Experiência fantástica: One of the most amazing experiences I have ever had the privilege to be a part of. Location, food, hospitality, the VdM team, surroundings. Just everything. I am so privileged to have been able to be a part of this.

Experiência fantástica: Beautiful retreat space in the mountains. A healing space. Amazing vegan food. Jo is an absolute gem! Perfect to rest and get away from urban life

Experiência fantástica: the best place on earth

Experiência fantástica: Vale de Moses and its staff are a tiny Shangri-la in the portuguese valleys. It is my 3rd time enjoying the yoga retreats and it feels that a nest of love and most inspired yoga value coexist in the presence of an amazing cook Sonia, the exotic and delightful host Ansuya, the master teachings of Vonnie, the caressing hands of therapist Peter, master mindfulness of Andrew and of course the ever loving and protective existance of the dogs Sophie, Moksha, Lucy and Theo. What else?

Experiência fantástica: Amazing yoga retreat! Highly recommended!

Experiência fantástica: Just spent an amazing week in Vale de Moses. As a committed carnivore with a deep scepticism of anything that whiffs of New Age mysticism I had some qualms before arriving, but I needn't have worried. The food was so delicious I took 2nd helpings at every meal, breakfast, lunch and dinner (to be clear, this wasn't a reflection of small portion sizes- it's all self-serve buffet- this was unadulterated gluttony). The meditation walks were a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with nature while Andrew provided nuggets of food for thought. The various treatments on offer (I had thai massage, aromatherapy massage, deep tissue oil massage and acupuncture) were of a very high standard of professionalism. The yoga instructor, Tashi Dawa, was hands-down the best I have come across, balancing jaw-dropping athleticism with a very fine understanding of (and a clear love for) the spiritual underpinnings of yoga, while regularly having us in stitches of laughter. This is not a 5 star hotel, the facilities are clean and comfortable but rather basic, so if you are looking for a pampering spa experience with waiters on hand to fetch and carry then this is not the location for you. If on the other hand you are looking for a very warm welcome from a lovely team, in a beautiful location with world class yoga and massage, and delicious food (and decent wifi) then I cannot recommend this place highly enough.

Experiência fantástica: Vale de Moses is a beautiful escape from everyday hassle. In a minute you enter this beautifully located farmhouse your mind turns into a slower pace. The yoga retreat is located on a hill of Vale de Moses with a spectacle sunrise and sunset viewpoint to other hills, forest ,and the river below. It’s not another hotel-style yoga retreat with drinks served at the pool bar 24h but it creates a space for you to reconnect with your body and mind and with nature as well. The space and free time is arranged the way you can both find yourself hanging out with other co-participant dipping into one of the cold pools or you can easily hide in hammock at the river or benches that are spread all around the land. Many hiking paths welcome for wondering through hills and the forest and Vale deMoses dogs are always read to be petted. :) The hosts (Andrew, Oliver and rest of the team) are the most welcoming people I’ve ever met and let you feel like home right away. They invite amazing chefs who do magic with plant based food that convinced and filled many regular meat eaters and. And last but not least - yoga teachers. I was lucky to attend training with Tashi Dawa, the teacher I was waiting for 15 years. With 20y of experience in teaching yoga, and her perfect balance between physical and mental elements, her always positive approach to teaching and life she made the yoga training not only a set of exercises but a really yoga journey.

Experiência fantástica: My stay at VDM was magical and this was made possible by the vision of Andrew and Vonetta and their amazing team. Employing local village residents Sonia, Fernando and Victor, together with their nomadic "family" of volunteers, yogis, therapists and chefs, they have created a little piece of heaven on earth that pulses with love...every brick and stucture has its own story. My soul pad in the forest was delightful and a little fairy appeared to have come each morning during my yoga class to make my bed. Mountain views from the nearby hammock were breathtaking and the eco facilities were an added bonus for me. I loved showering in the VDM pure spring water amongst nature. The eco toilet took me a day to get accustomed to but I was in it for the whole back to basics experience. TBH I loved it wish I had one at home!! There was another 'bathroom' fairy who refreshed the facilities daily .There are also regular toilet and shower facilities available for those who require them. I just wanted to submerge into the whole experience VDM offers Our yoga teacher Mars is a beautiful soul...catering for all levels she bought such joy and energy to the Shala. From breathing to fine tuning each pose, I left feeling stronger and with more knowledge to bring to my home practice. Miias cooking was absolutely incredible. Beautiful flavours and textures. We were all healthy, happy satiated yogis!! Our therapists Anna, Elsa, Brandon and Vonetta are very talented human beings.... and our hosts Ollie and Ansuya made us feel like family staright away....Andrew joined us frequently at meal times....we really were made to genuinly feel very welcome and to explore and receive from VDM all the beauty and healing it has to offer You can hike, rest, submerge in the natural spring pools, get your toes nibbled by tiny fish at the little pond in the valley, laugh, cry, sing....an incredible oasis to refresh your soul!! My heartfelt thanks for creating and sharing such a peaceful and serene 'nomadic home' The experience will remain in my heart always....now to ground myself

Experiência fantástica: I thank Andrew and Vonetta for bringing to life this absolutely magical place and sharing with us. The kindness and love in which we were received is outstanding. Everything fit into place so perfectly, from Fleur's beautiful yoga, meditation and chanting, to Miia's phenomenal food which is an absolute gift. Olly and Ansuya the perfect hosts and the treatments available just exceptional. Such a beautiful and special place, I could not recommend more spending some time at Vale de Moses.

Experiência fantástica: My second visit to Vale de Moses was as excellent as the first. I fully recommend this retreat to anyone who needs space to relax and re-connect with themselves.

Experiência fantástica: I spent a week here for a yoga retreat with Vonetta and I couldn't have been happier. The atmosphere is completely relaxing. The nature is beautiful and offers various hiking options for each level of difficulty. The yoga is amazing, not too challenging so perfect also for a beginner like me. The food was always great and fresh from the garden. I slept in a Soulpad and even if it was the last week of October it was warm enough with the provided heating, plus the atmosphere from sleeping surrounded by nature was priceless. I would totally recommend!

Experiência fantástica: If Carling did Yoga -The best yoga teachers -The tastiest food -The most relaxing massages -The most incredible scenery -The most luxurious tents and stunning stone cottages -The coolest volunteers -The most fabulous cleaning team -The greatest management Probably the best yoga retreat in the world

Experiência fantástica: Fantastic. Lovely people. Excellent time had.

Experiência fantástica: The most warm gentle and inspiring yoga place I can imagine

Experiência fantástica: Just perfect - all of it

Experiência positiva: This is a lovely place to go. The week there is calm, refreshing, healing, relaxed, and comfortable. The yoga instruction is world-class, as is the food. It's actually worth it just for the food. The hosts and other staff make a special effort to learn everyone's names and to be engaged and attentive but also sensitive to people who want to just zone out for the week or who need more privacy. The groups are pretty small, about 15 people, so you will chat to everyone at meals a bit but you are not expected to hang out together the whole time. For me it was really good to be on dirt trails and in a tent and showering outdoors, to soak up sun and fresh air. Some things to consider in making a decision: It is a four-hour bus ride to and from Lisbon on mountain roads, somewhat challenging at least on the way up even for those who normally don't get car sick. Facilities at Val de Moses are very basic. The "soul pads" are tents with two twin beds in them. Most toilets are outhouses but perfectly sanitary. So if you are looking for luxury, you would probably prefer something else. Specially relevant to yoga retreats: the overall fruitiness level is not too bad, so if you are less inclined to talk about energies or chakras or what have you, you will be fine. In sum, I highly recommend it and hope to be able to go every year.

Experiência fantástica: Looking to be nurtured and energized, surrounded by beautiful people and nature? This is the place.