Ready to escape the ordinary? The Azores is your wild, off-the-radar paradise. Think lush volcanic trails, hidden waterfalls, black sand beaches, and natural hot springs. Join Catherine Gignac, Nicole Barley, and The Retreat community for 5 nights / 6 days of wellness, adventure, and restoration in the Azores, Portugal!

Just a 5-hour flight from Boston or New York, this 5 day retreat is just the right amount of time to both unplug and find adventure (think lush island excursions instead of lazy beachside vibes).

You'll take a red-eye flight from the U.S. on October 10, 2026 and land in the Azores early on October 11th. We make sure your room is already booked and ready for early check-in so you have a full day on October 11 to settle in, start to decompress and get to know the group.

Known as the Hawaii of the Atlantic, this island is made for those who crave adventure, connection, and epic views. We will be staying on the "Green Island" of São Miguel, the perfect home to hike crater lakes, dip into geothermal pools, and soak up the magic of a destination that feels like another world.

This beautiful location in the Azores will provide us a stunning backdrop to unplug and move your body through The Retreat's signature take on daily yoga and cardio (we call it Collective Move + Flow). At The Retreat, we believe in the power of community and collective movement and bring people together through curated travel experiences where adventure, social and wellness rituals make for a balanced, intentional way to spend your hard-earned time off.

Our included excursion days are two all-levels hikes to some of the most stunning vistas on the island, soaks in natural hot springs, and exploration of neighboring towns and beaches. There will also be plenty of time for relaxation and rejuvenation amongst the stunning grounds of our 4-star, beachfront resort. 

All meals (with the exception of 2 lunches) are included and can accommodate most dietary restrictions. The food is nourishing, locally sourced, and delicious, so that you can get a true taste of Azorean fare.

ALL PRICES LISTED ARE PER PERSON and a €500 per person non-refundable deposit is due to reserve your spot on the trip. Trip balances are due 120 days prior to departure, and a three installment payment plan will be set up for you upon registration. If you'd like to inquire about alternative payment plan options or have retreat related questions, please email the registrations team at info@solseedretreats.com. 

Please read on for important info on: What is Included, Not Included, Retreat Activity Level, Passport & Entry Requirements, Our Cancellation & Refund Policy, Required Travel Insurance, Flight Parameters, and info on Selecting your Room Type. 

*5 Nights / 6 Days lodging at Santa Barbara Eco-Beach Resort

*Daily Breakfast & Dinner (Arrival day no breakfast, departure day no lunch or dinner)

*Lunch on Arrival Day, and Picnic Lunch on Excursion Days (no lunch on free days)

*Early Check-in on the morning of your arrival to the resort

*Two group hiking, hot springs, and town visit excursions, including all guides and transportation

*Daily Collective Move + Flow programming with Catherine + Nicole

*Roundtrip airport transfers from Ponta Delgada Airport (PDL) to SBER and back (about a 20 minute ride each way).

*Base gratuities for the resort staff, taxi drivers and tour guides

*Airfare to Ponta Delgada (PDL)

*Lunch on your two free days

*Alcoholic beverages

*Additional excursions or cab rides 

*Massages & Spa Services (can be booked directly at the resort front desk)

*Required Travel Insurance

You will be flying into Ponta Delgada Airport (PDL). We’ve identified several flight options that match your travel dates. CLICK HERE to review the suggested itineraries. Catherine has put together a visual representation HERE.

For non-stop flight options from North America to Ponta Delgada, we recommend booking flights directly through Azores Air out of Boston (BOS), New York (JFK) or Toronto (YYZ). If you are originating from another US airport, you will probably need to connect through BOS, JFK or YYZ to take advantage of these direct flights to and from Sao Miguel island. We recommend allowing 2.5 hours minimum between your connecting flights. 

Feeling adventurous, and have some extra PTO? Look into "stop over" packages which would allow you to start your trip, or continue on, to Lisbon or Porto for very little extra money on Azores Air and TAP Air Portugal.

Retreat start date: Sunday, October 11th

The most convenient flights are overnight (red-eye) departures, which require leaving one calendar day before the retreat begins. Your rooms will be available for early check-in at approximately 7:00 AM on Sunday, allowing time to settle in and rest.

The first retreat event is lunch at the resort at 1:00 PM. If you are arriving on a flight other than the direct red-eye from BOS, please plan to arrive in Ponta Delgada by 11:30 AM to attend this meal and welcome meeting.

If you are adding a day to your trip and arriving one day early on flights from JFK or YYZ, please refer to this guide (linked) for Early Arrival- Santa Barbara Eco-Resort. 

Retreat end date: Friday, October 16th

Check out at the resort is at noon. The last programmed events are in the morning leading up to and including breakfast. We will offer multiple shuttles to Ponta Delgada airport, and/or hotels in Ponta Delgada, during the day according to your travel itineraries. The resort will safely store luggage, and you are welcome to enjoy the restaurant and grounds if you schedule an evening flight.

If you book flights outside of October 11th and October 16th, you may be responsible for paying for your own taxi (budget about 35 Euro for this each way), but we can still help to coordinate a taxi for you.

Once you have secured your flights, please forward your flight confirmation email itinerary to travel@solseedretreats.com

We rank this itinerary as Activity Level 3 - Moderate. Group hikes will be offered as part of the included retreat programming, however, there will always be an easy, all levels option offered.

Activity Level 1 - Easy: Expect only short walks, and short flights of stairs.

Activity Level 2 - Relaxed: Expect short walks, slight inclines, and sustained activity for only a few hours.

Activity Level 3 - Moderate: Expect slightly longer walks, and activities that correlate to a semi-active lifestyle. Participants should be comfortable with half days of touring, and walking up and down steeper inclines.

Activity Level 4 - Active: Expect longer walks, steeper inclines, and 4 - 6 hours of sustained activities, with appropriate rests. To take advantage of all the offerings, folks should lead an active life style.

Activity Level 5 - Challenging: Expect vigorous walks, hikes, kayaking, etc. Participants should be experienced in outdoor activities, and know how to prepare for, and endeavor upon full day adventures in the wild!

If you have any questions or concerns about this itinerary's Activity Level, please contact info@solseedretreats.com for more details prior to registering. 

You must have a valid passport to travel to the Azores. Please check your passport expiration date and make sure it is valid for at least 3 months after the end date of your retreat.

All retreats include a €500 non-refundable / non-transferable deposit, which is required to hold your spot on the trip. 

Additional balance payments made are refundable up to 120 days prior to the retreat start date. SolSeed must receive an email at info@solseedretreats.com requesting cancellation prior to 12:00AM on this date in order to secure a refund of additional balances paid. The initial €500 deposit remains non-refundable and non-transferable. All balances paid are non-refundable and non-transferable within 120 days of the retreat start date. 

SolSeed Retreats can only make an exception to these terms if:

1. The host government forbids us to visit as tourists.

2. The host government forbids our vendors from hosting us as tourists.

3. The US government forbids us to travel to the host country as tourists.

If SolSeed must further postpone or cancel the trip for any of the above reasons, all registrants will receive a refund of all deposits paid less €200.

The purchase of travel insurance is required for this trip.

Most policies protect you against potential trip delays or cancellations due to airline issues, family emergencies, illness, injury, etc. The travel insurance will also demonstrate to the host country that you are able to pay for any emergency services which may be necessary during your stay.

SolSeed is not authorized to sell travel insurance. Any offer to purchase travel insurance that you encounter during the checkout process are third party offers. You are free to select your own policy provider. If you would like to review options in a convenient online marketplace, we like what www.insuremytrip.com has put together. We have also had great experience with Trawick International and their customer service, and heard very good things from AAA and AMEX Members who have purchased their travel insurance through those respective agencies.

We strongly encourage you to speak with a travel insurance agent to discuss your specific coverage needs, and to clear up any questions you may have relative to travel insurance coverage.

If you'd like to read more about Travel Insurance and our suggestions, please visit this blog post: https://solseedretreats.com/travel-insurance-faqs/

Below you'll find all of our available accommodation packages. If you're wondering which is the best type for you, and possibly your travel buddy or group of friends, please follow this link to our handy ROOM SELECTION FLOW CHART. 

By selecting a single occupancy room type you will have a private bedroom and bathroom, while selecting a double occupancy room type you will have a shared bedroom and bathroom with your travel buddy.

All Villas and Studios are equipped with: LCD TV | Independent air conditioning | Wi-Fi | Hair dryer | Bathrobes | Electronic safe | Kitchenette equipped with microwave, fridge and utensils | Coffee machine with capsules 

DAY 1 | ARRIVAL + SETTLE IN

Early morning arrival post red-eye & check into rooms

1pm Lunch & Orientation

4:30pm - 6:30pm Opening Class 

7:30pm Welcome dinner at the resort

DAY 2 | EXCURSION DAY

8 - 9:30am Morning Class

9:30am Breakfast Buffet

10:30am Depart for excursion with hike, picnic lunch + hot springs

7:30pm Dinner at resort

DAY 3 | FREE DAY

9:30am Breakfast Buffet

FREE TIME / optional excursions / massage*

4 - 6pm Afternoon Class

7pm Dinner out at a local restaurant 

DAY 4 | EXCURSION DAY

8 - 9:30am Morning Class

9:30am Breakfast Buffet

10:30am Depart for excursion with hike, picnic lunch + hot springs

7:30pm Dinner at resort

DAY 5 | FREE DAY

9:30am Breakfast Buffet

FREE TIME / optional excursions / massage*

4 - 6pm Afternoon Class

7pm Dinner out at a local restaurant 

DAY 6 | DEPARTURE

8:30 - 9:30am Peace Out Flow

9:30am Breakfast Buffet

12pm Check Out 

Shuttle to Airport or Ponta Delgada for those spending more time on the island

*Optional excursions, massages not included in your cost; info at resort reception