By Plane: TAP Portugal offers three flights per day between Lisbon and Faro. The flight itself is quick, around 45 minutes, but considering airport commute and procedures, the total travel time could be around 4 hours. Tickets start at €70 one way

By Car: Driving from Lisbon to Faro is another option, taking at least 3 hours for the nearly 300 kilometers journey. This allows for flexibility and the opportunity to explore the Alentejo region's attractions along the way. Car rental prices start at €10/day, but additional fees may apply for different drop-off locations. There is free street parking in Olhão. However, our residence is in the historical area where most of the streets are narrow and cobbled.

The luxury boutique hotel chosen for the retreat by PhiNutriomics is in the historical centre of Olhão, a traditional coastal fishing town.

Located within the maze of narrow cobbled back alleys lined by picturesque whitewashed houses inspired by Moroccan architecture, it is just a short stroll from the lively waterfront, busy habour and famous market attributed to Gustave Eiffel who built the Eiffel tower.

The beautifully restored 1870 boutique hotel is built around a light-filled white patio made up of its original arches and vaults. In the centre stands a century-old olive tree from which emanates a sense of calm that only age can give.

It is a place where tradition meets modernity and first-class modern comforts and luxury sit comfortably within thick antique walls and age-old vaults.

Facilities include:

A rooftop terrace with a view over the white cubic city, the lagoons of the Ria Formosa Nature Reserve, the string of sandbar islands to the south and Mount Saint Miguel to the north.

A chlorine-free pool, a yoga area and cosy sections for lounging are located on the spacious rooftop terrace.

An art gallery, dining room and living room ideal for spending quiet time to relax, commune with yourself or connect with each other.

Rooms:

Every strikingly attractive room is uniquely designed to the finest aesthetics and crafts standards. All rooms have spacious en-suite bathrooms.

Rooms vary in size and have Juliet balconies or terraces. All rooms also have:

 High-end bedding

 Internet access – high speed

 In-room temperature control

 Marshall Bluetooth speakers

 Nespresso machine, kettle, coffee, tea & filtered water

 Minibar

 In-room safe

 Hairdryer

 Bathrobes

 Pool and beach towels, sun umbrella

 Daily housekeeping

Nourishment:

The talented owners will delight your senses with colourful and delicious brunches.

Human evolutionary history involved periods of feast and famine. We developed genes switched on by hunger and physical stress which made our bodies work more efficiently.

This means old and malfunctioning cells and organelles are cleaned out or recycled and our metabolism is streamlined to run effectively.  It’s a bit like giving your body a spring clean and regaining that bounce in your step, that vitality and alertness of the mind and that joie-de-vivre.

16/8 time-restricted fasting, means during an 8-hour window you eat to your heart’s content, but healthily of course! The remaining 16 hours of the day will involve no food or drink intake except for teas, herbals and water.

12 to 14 hours of no food consumption is enough to switch those health-promoting genes on and the extra 2 hours gives them enough time to have set the spring-cleaning action in motion.

At least half of the 16 hours would be spent asleep making it easier to adjust to the pattern.

However, we are all bio-individuals and there is not a one-size-fits all way of fasting or eating. Although it is worth giving the fast a try during the retreat, it is more important to remain in-tune with yourself.

You may choose not to do a 16/8 time-restricted fast or it may be contra-indicated in your situation. The choice is entirely yours.

Brunch buffet breakfast is included.

Dinner will be arranged, but paid for on site. It will be plant-based. Fish and shellfish will also be served. Meals will take place communally fostering a sense of community.

Seasonal, local and when possible, organic ingredients will be used.

Unlimited herbal teas.

There is no alcohol.

Smoking is not allowed anywhere on the premises.

All included activities as outlined above.

Plenty of love, ears to listen and hearts to feel.

“Friends are those rare people who ask how we are, and then wait to hear the answer.” – Ed Cunningham

What to bring • A glass or stainless steel water bottle

• Comfortable walking shoes/trainers for the walks

• Comfortable sandals or flip flops to use by the pool

• 2 sets of comfortable stretchy clothes for yoga classes, to avoid the need to wash them.

• The weather in Olhão is generally warm and sunny in October but do bring a warm shawl and/or fleece and waterproofs just in case

• Casual relaxed clothes – pack with comfort in mind

• Your journal, books and whatever else you’ve been wanting to indulge in

• Hat, Sunglasses, high-factor organic sun screen and insect repellent (just in case)

• 10 euros in cash to pay for the City Tourist Tax

• Swimwear is needed for the outdoor pool and swimming in the sea

• Plug sockets in Olhão are standard European 2-pin plugs. For any other style, please bring an adaptor.

What  not to bring/wear

• Smoking is not allowed anywhere on site. You must go off-site if you wish to do so.

The yoga classes are adapted to your skill and level.

The longest walk will be 3 to 4 hours maximum on easy/medium easy terrain and beaches. The Algarvian Mediterranean Walk goes uphill through a karst landscape on Cerro da Cabeça located east of the mythical Mount Saint Miguel (serra de Monte Figo).

There is the possibility to arrange for a personal trainer.