Where will we be staying?

This particular self-love retreat will be located in Olhão, Portugal, a charming fishing town in the southern Algarve region. The calm town is the perfect place to safely get lost in the streets, indulge in fresh local food, wander the artesinal market, and find yourself in a hidden gem of Europe. Our 3-story, 22-bedroom retreat mansion is a renovated historic home right in the old town centre. It has a (heated) rooftop pool, ensuite bathrooms in every room, stunning decor and stylish amenities. 

Let’s cover a few FAQ’s

If I have an eating disorder, can I come to the self-love retreat?

Self-love retreats are not intended for anyone with an eating disorder or actively in recovery. With that being said, you and/ or your retreat sisters may have past struggles with food and body-image and thus, giving us more to connect on. All attendees must be aware of where they’re at in their journeys and effectively deal with any feelings/ emotions that might come up. Thought we aim to create an empowering, positive experience for all, we encourage mental maturity and emotional intelligence. Part of what we'll be working on at the retreat too. :)

How do the payment plans work?

We offer 3-part payment plans to help break up the investment. We use a secure payment processor called Stripe that will reserve your spot and deduct the first payment once you register. From there, the second payment will be automatically deducted 30 days after and the final payment will be deducted 30 days after that. Please note that the payment plans result in a slightly higher total cost (~7%).

What is the retreat application for? What if mine doesn't get approved? 

Due to the intimate nature of retreats, we require an application to make sure that our values, expectations, and attitudes are aligned. The retreat application helps Mary get to know you and what you’re looking to gain from a self-love retreat. A retreat is not for mental health treatment of any sort, though some parts will inevitably be emotionally-charged. We want to make sure that everyone can hold a safe space for each other and effectively deal with any feelings that might come up. If we don’t think our retreats would be a good fit for you, we want to be 100% honest about that from the beginning.

What if I something comes up and i can't make it?

If your application has been approved, but you don't sign up, then the application fee is non-refundable. If you’ve already registered for the retreat, then the cancellation policy will apply.

What is the cancellation policy?

If the cancellation is made at least 60 days before the start of the retreat, then you will receive the difference between the amount you paid and a non-refundable $950 deposit. If the cancellation is made less than 60 days before the retreat, then the entire amount is non-refundable.

Please carefully review the retreat terms and conditions found here.

Do I need a visa or vaccines to travel to portugal?

U.S. and Canadian passport holders do not need a visa to visit Portugal, just a passport valid for 3 months beyond intended departure. EU passport holders may freely travel to Portugal. If you are traveling from elsewhere, please consult your government’s website to confirm the visa requirements.

All COVID precautions have been lifted by the Portuguese government, so you no longer need a test/ vaccine to enter. We still prefer our retreat attendees to be up to date on their vaccines and monitor any symptoms.

what's the best way to get to there?

Though airport transfer is not included in the retreat, transportation is easy in Portugal, both public and private. Here are 2 options:
(1) Fly directly into Faro International Airport (FAO) and take an Uber/ Bolt to Olhão which takes 15 minutes and costs ~ €15
(2) Fly to Lisbon Airport (LIS) and take a direct bus to Olhão which takes ~3.5 hours and costs ~ €20. Note: the bus station in Lisbon is 5 minutes from the airport and the drop-off point in Olhão is a 10-minute walk from the retreat.

why is there an application fee? is it refundable?

Due to the high-demand of our self-love retreats, the application fee helps us consider those who are serious about wanting to join. However, the application fee gets deducted from your total retreat cost upon sign-up.

If your application is not approved by us, then we will let you know and the application fee will be immediately refunded to you.

will i need travel insurance?

TRAVEL INSURANCE IS REQUIRED to cover any potential medical emergencies. It's up to you if you want to insure the cost of the retreat or your flights, but a minimum medical policy is necessary. Bare minimum insurance for a 7-day trip can be as low as $10, depending on what/ how much you choose to cover. Click here to explore your travel insurance options.

We will ask for proof of insurance before you come on the retreat.

do you accommodate for dietary restrictions?

Our chefs can accommodate for most dietary restrictions. Most of the local food is naturally gluten-free  and dairy-free (besides the obvious stuff like bread and cheese ;). We prioritize an organic vegetarian cuisine, though there might be some omnivorous depending on the group preference. If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, please let us know far in advance so we can modify your meals.