
Southern Portugal Creative Retreat
February 14-19, 2025 (5 nights)
5-Star Villa with Heated Pool, Orchard, Gardens
Countryside between Praia de Luz & Lagos

* Yoga * Hiking * Swimming * Dining * Music *





Double Occupancy $1,000-$1,275 per person
Single Occupancy $1,350-$1,900
Includes brunch, dinner & transport for day hikes
Contact Carey at: careymck@gmail.com
Surround yourself with immense natural beauty, soak in healing waters, explore magnificent terrain, recharge your creative spirit and connect with shared minds. We will balance exertion and recuperation as well as time together and on your own. The countryside villa offers 5 comfortable bedrooms, 4.5 baths, 2 indoor living rooms, kitchen, dining room, and ample outdoor space and terraces for swimming, lounging, dining and walking. The villa is perfectly situated between Luz and Lagos in the Algarve Region of Southern Portugal and features contemporary fine art throughout the beautifully appointed spaces.
Daily Schedule (all activities are optional)
7 AM Coffee, Tea, Fruit
8 AM All Levels Yoga (stretch, strengthen, activate)
9 AM Free Time (write, sketch, swim)
10 AM Brunch
11 AM Day Hikes (easy to moderate - beaches, cliffs)
4 PM Free Time (read, paint, swim)
7 PM Dinner
8 PM Music (circle singing, open mic, dance party)





Led by Teaching Artist, Carey McKinley, MFA
Carey will offer morning yoga to stretch, strengthen and active the mind followed by free time with an optional journal prompt and sketching materials, allowing you to turn inward or bathe in the heated swimming pool. Day hikes will explore terrain around Lagos & Luz including beaches, cliffs and natural reserves. Afternoon free time for reading, painting, relaxing, swimming (watercolor materials provided). Dinner will be a mix of fresh whole foods (salads, grain, fish or poultry) and a selection of local wine. Wind down with herbal teas and musical activities in the evening including alternating song selection, circle singing, open mic and a dance party. Saturday night we will visit Lagos for dinner and nightlife. Quiet time between 10:00 pm and 7:00 am.



5-Night Pricing Per Person (pp) for Double Occupancy
(single occ. rate)
Bedroom 1 (King, ensuite bath): $1,250 pp ($1,825)
Bedroom 2 (King, ensuite soaking bath): $1,275 pp ($1,900)
Bedroom 3 (Queen, ensuite bath): $1,175 pp ($1,700)
Bedroom 4 (2 Singles or King, shared bath): $1,100 pp ($1,550)
Bedroom 5 (Single & Bunk, shared bath): $1,000 pp ($1,350)


Bedroom 1
w/ ensuite bath


Bedroom 2
w/ ensuite bath


Bedroom 3
w/ ensuite bath
Provided:
Brunch provided daily
Dinner provided 4 nights (not Saturday)
Transport for day hikes & to town on Saturday evening
Not Provided:
Alcohol not provided; but wine available at cost
Dinner in town Saturday night not provided
Transportation to/from villa not provided

Bedrooms 4 & 5
shared bath



Living Room 1

Living Room 2

Dining Area

Terrace

Kitchen

Half Bath
Day Hikes:
We'll alternate between easy and moderate hikes for 4 days.
All activities are optional. Here are some of the area hikes.
Benagil Caves Trail - 2.0 miles - out and back - 305 ft. elevation gain
This wonderful route will take you to one of the natural gems hidden along the stunning Algarve coast: the famous caves and sinkholes of Benagil. It is an easy and pleasant route that follows the picturesque paths of the cliffs.
Ponta de Piedade Lighthouse via beaches and cliff paths- 4.4 miles - out and back - 1,010 ft. elevation gain
Discover this 4.4-mile out-and-back trail. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 19 min to complete. This is a stunning route to three unmissable spots along the Lagos coast. Start at the famous Camilo Beach, with its crystal-clear waters and unique rock formations. Follow the meandering path to the majestic Ponta da Piedade Lighthouse, where you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the sea and the golden cliffs. Finish at the tranquil Praia do Canavial, a serene haven with golden sands and calm waters, perfect for relaxing and soaking up the natural beauty of this remarkable place.
Fortress S. Vicente, Rochas das Gaivotas - 7.4 miles - loop - 698 ft. elevation gain
The route starts at Fortaleza de São Vicente, a historical fort built in the 17th century to protect the coast from foreign invasions. From here, you'll head towards Rocha das Gaivotas, an impressive rock formation jutting out over the ocean. Along the way, you'll see a series of lookout points that offer stunning panoramic views of the sea and coastline. Several trails lead down to the beach, where you can enjoy a refreshing Atlantic break. The route's highlight is Praia da Ponta Ruiva, a secluded and stunning beach perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing on the sand. Here, you can enjoy the coast and sea views before returning to the starting point at Fortaleza de São Vicente.
Burgau, Almadena Fort - Boca de Rio Beach - 5.1 miles - out and back - 1,260 ft. elevation gain
Discover this 5.1-mile out-and-back trail near Luz, Faro District. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 48 min to complete. It is a charming linear route that starts in the picturesque fishing village of Burgau, which today is a popular tourist destination and an important source of income for the region. The trail follows along the Atlantic coast, crossing the paths of the cliffs, and offers breathtaking ocean views, culminating in the beautiful beach at the mouth of the river, close to the charming village of Salema.
Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano, Pontal de Carrapateira - 6.6 miles - loop - 528 ft. elevation gain
About 10 km long, this trail offers incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Algarve coast, passing through cliffs, golden sandy beaches, and dunes covered with undergrowth. Along the way, you can appreciate the natural beauty of this region and observe the local fauna and flora, including seabirds such as storks and seagulls and plants typical of the coastal area.




Carey McKinley is a multimedia artist based in Gloucester, MA. Her career spans from performing with prominent dance companies to designing dynamic curricula and programming at Boston area schools and universities to working with start-ups on the environmental forefront and in technology. In 2023, she moved to Gloucester to focus on visual art, dance and music. She is excited to offer a creative retreat where you can unwind, recharge and find clarity and connection. Join us for this adventure!
Yoga Teaching Credentials:
Carey received a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where she studied Iyengar Yoga philosophy and practice with Janet Lilly, Laban Movement Analysis, Alexander Technique, Anatomy & Kinesiology, Bartenieff Fundamentals and Dance Pedagogy, among other dance techniques. Carey first practiced yoga as a child with her mother in the 70s in Southern California, and she practiced yoga sporadically over 30 years as an adult, as a supplement to dance training and performing.
First introduced to Pilates in the late 90s, Carey trained with Martha Mason, was certified by Kathy Van Patten in Power Pilates Mat in 2008, and in 2023 trained in Stott Pilates Reformer. Her reformer practice has been a prominent part of her wellness regime, enabling her to continue her dance training and performing into her 50s. Additional somatic training that influences Carey's teaching includes studying with Irene Dowd and practicing "Dowd Sequencing"; studying pedagogy with Bill Evans and Lynn Simonson; practicing dynamic movement with Sara Rudner, Bebe Miller, Reggie Wilson, Dance Education Laboratory, Trisha Brown's company, Jonathan Wolken of Pilobolus, and so many others! Over the past 25 years, Carey has taught movement and dance at prominent Boston schools and universities: The Winsor School, Cambridge School of Weston, Boston University, Tufts University, Babson College, as a guest with Harvard-Radcliffe Modern Dance Ensemble, among other schools.
All of this influences Carey's style of teaching morning movement - a blend of yoga stretches, pilates strengthening, Bartenieff's Fundamental patterns, and more. It feels delightful and activates your mind, body and soul.

What questions do you have? Contact me at careymck@gmail.com