You only pay 10,00% deposit now

3-Day Retreat: Movement, Embodiment & Collective Art

Vila Franca de Xira, Portugal
Valentina
  • Activities

    Art & Music

    Hiking & trekking

    Writing

  • Minimum no. of participants

    4

  • Suitable for

    All levels

  • Accommodation

    Hotel, B&B

  • Length of retreat

    3 nights

  • Meals included

    Dinner, Breakfast, Snacks / Fruit, Lunch

  • Capacity

    up to 9 persons

  • Main instructor language

    English

    Instructors also speak

    Spanish

About retreat

This is not your typical wellness weekend. This is a creative lab.

Over 3 days, we’ll guide you through a full-bodied creative process — starting with movement and somatics to reconnect with your instincts, then flowing into writing and visual storytelling.

We begin with the individual — your truth, your rhythm, your voice —and gradually weave it into the collective.

Together, we’ll co-create a collaborative art piece that captures what we became. It will be photographed and edited on-site, so you walk away with a visual memory of your transformation — raw, real, and uniquely yours.

Facilitated by movement artist Stephanie Lowe and visual storyteller Valentina Álvarez, this retreat blends bodywork, creativity, and community — from the studio to the sea.

This retreat is for you if:

  • You feel creatively blocked or stuck in your head
  • You want to reconnect with your body as a source of expression
  • You crave real, creative community — not just performance
  • You long to feel seen — by yourself and by others
  • You want to create something that feels meaningful and alive
  • You’re curious about what happens when art starts in the body

✨ No experience needed — just your body, your voice, and your curiosity.

Retreat activity

Art & Music

Our collaborative art sessions invite you to explore intuitive movement and collective creative rituals. Music is woven into the experience, from sound exploration to improvised jams. No technical skills needed—just openness and curiosity.

view more
Suitable for activity
Art & Music

Our collaborative art sessions invite you to explore intuitive movement and collective creative rituals. Music is woven into the experience, from sound exploration to improvised jams. No technical skills needed—just openness and curiosity.

Hiking & trekking

One of the highlights of the retreat is a special guided walk to the coast, where we’ll spend a slow day immersed in nature. Along the way, we’ll pause for grounding, silence, and gentle reflection. At the beach, you’ll have time to swim, write, or simply rest. The journey back will be supported with shared insights and creative prompts inspired by the landscape.

view more
Suitable for activity
Hiking & trekking

One of the highlights of the retreat is a special guided walk to the coast, where we’ll spend a slow day immersed in nature. Along the way, we’ll pause for grounding, silence, and gentle reflection. At the beach, you’ll have time to swim, write, or simply rest. The journey back will be supported with shared insights and creative prompts inspired by the landscape.

Writing

Throughout the retreat, writing will be a daily thread—a gentle companion to help you integrate your experience, explore your inner world, and connect with the present moment. Each day we’ll offer guided writing prompts and time for personal reflection through journaling. These sessions are not about technique or performance, but about using words as a mirror, as a soft landing, and sometimes as a spark for creativity. You’re welcome to write as much or as little as you feel. This is your space to notice, feel, remember—and simply be.

view more
Suitable for activity
Writing

Throughout the retreat, writing will be a daily thread—a gentle companion to help you integrate your experience, explore your inner world, and connect with the present moment.

Each day we’ll offer guided writing prompts and time for personal reflection through journaling. These sessions are not about technique or performance, but about using words as a mirror, as a soft landing, and sometimes as a spark for creativity.

You’re welcome to write as much or as little as you feel. This is your space to notice, feel, remember—and simply be.

Program

Day 1 – Arrival & Welcome

  • Check-in starts at 3 PM. Early arrivals are welcome to drop off their luggage and relax in the shared lounges, on the terrace, or by the river as you settle in.
  • Join us for a warm welcome circle and gentle movement session to ease into the retreat’s rhythm.
  • Enjoy a nourishing dinner prepared by our local chef, followed by setting intentions for your journey ahead.
  • Optional airport transfers available to ensure a smooth arrival.

Day 2 – Body & Creative Expression

  • Begin your morning with a yoga or mindful movement session designed to awaken your body and senses.
  • Dive into creative workshops blending writing, art, and embodied expression, offering space to connect deeply with yourself and the group.
  • A wholesome lunch will be served, followed by free time to rest or explore the surroundings.
  • In the afternoon, gather for a group activity or nature excursion to refresh your mind and inspire your creativity.
  • Dinner is on your own to discover local culinary delights at your own pace.

Day 3 – Coastal Immersion & Co-Creation

  • Start the day with yoga and meditation, set against the serene backdrop of the ocean or nature.
  • Experience a full day by the coast with walks, journaling by the sea, and an optional surfing session to connect with nature’s flow.
  • Enjoy a picnic lunch by the shore, soaking in the fresh air and stunning views.
  • In the evening, gather for a closing circle and shared farewell dinner to celebrate the journey and new connections.

Day 4 – Reflection & Departure

  • Begin with a gentle morning reflection and light breakfast.
  • Check-out is at 11 AM, with the option to linger in the common areas before you depart.
  • Optional airport transfers can be arranged for your convenience.

Itinerary
Instructors and Staff

Valentina

Instructor

Hello, I'm Valentina! I am a visual artist born in Caracas, Venezuela, shaped by a childhood of wandering through diverse and awe-inspiring landscapes. These early explorations became an enduring source of inspiration, infusing my creative vision with nature's untamed beauty.

Experiences

Art and music

My work seeks to unveil strength and grace, reflecting the profound diversity and intricate identities of humanity. Through photography and design, I explore the organic language of the human form, tracing its movement across ancestral echoes, contemporary rhythms, and symbolic narratives.

Stephanie

Instructor

Hello I'm Stephanie! I’m a movement artist and somatic guide passionate about the intersection of presence, creativity, and play. My path began through dance, but quickly evolved into something wilder, softer, and more intuitive — a lifelong exploration of the body as a site of intelligence, imagination, and healing.

Experiences

Self-development

I founded Playful Labs as an experiential global collective — a living laboratory where embodiment meets experimentation. Through improvisation, somatic practices, and collective rituals, I invite others into spaces where movement becomes a language, presence becomes art, and play becomes powerI founded Playful Labs as an experiential global collective — a living laboratory where embodiment meets experimentation. Through improvisation, somatic practices, and collective rituals, I invite others into spaces where movement becomes a language, presence becomes art, and play becomes power

Location

SoulColiving is located in the heart of Vila Franca de Xira, a charming riverside town just 25 minutes north of Lisbon. While urban, the house is surrounded by green hills and walking trails, offering a peaceful retreat setting with direct access to nature and local culture. The space is both a coliving house and an artistic residency, ideal for creative rest and cultural exploration.

Vila Franca de Xira, Portugal

How to get there

Nearest Airport:
Lisbon International Airport (LIS) – approx. 25 minutes by car or 35 minutes by direct train.

How to get here:

By train: Direct trains run from Lisbon’s Santa Apolónia or Oriente stations to Vila Franca de Xira every 30 minutes. From the train station, it’s a short 10-minute walk to SoulColiving.

By car: 25–30 minutes from central Lisbon via A1 highway.

Airport transfer: We can arrange transfers upon request.

Airport

Lisbon International Airport (LIS) - 26 km

Accomodation
SoulColiving – Artistic Guesthouse in Vila Franca de Xira

Hotel, B&B

SoulColiving is a cozy and thoughtfully curated artistic guesthouse located in the historic center of Vila Franca de Xira, just 30 minutes from Lisbon. Our space blends comfort, creativity, and community. We offer private and shared rooms in a restored townhouse filled with natural light, colorful details, and warm design.

Each room is uniquely styled and guests share access to creative communal spaces such as the living room, kitchen, and garden. The atmosphere is intimate and inspiring—perfect for rest, reflection, and connection during your retreat. The accommodation is within walking distance to the train station, local cafes, and the riverside park, offering easy access to nature and culture alike.

Whether you're here for movement, art, or stillness, SoulColiving welcomes you into a home designed to support your personal and collective journey.

Amenities and services
  • Fully equipped kitchen
  • Free wifi
  • Tours and daytrips
  • Retreat planning services
  • Airport transfer
  • Outdoor terrace
  • Linen & towels provided
  • Catering services
  • Outdoor yoga deck
  • Washing machine
  • Surfboard and SUP rental
  • Transport services
  • Restaurant nearby
Food

At SoulColiving, we believe that food is a central part of nourishment—both for the body and the creative spirit. During the retreat, guests will enjoy three delicious, vegetarian meals per day, thoughtfully prepared using fresh, seasonal, and mostly local ingredients.

Our menus are colorful, balanced, and lovingly made to support your well-being throughout the experience. Expect comforting breakfasts, vibrant lunches, and grounding dinners. We happily cater to dietary needs such as vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free, upon request.

Shared mealtimes are moments of community and connection, enjoyed either in our cozy indoor dining space or in the garden when the weather allows. It’s always one of our guests’ favorite parts of the retreat.

Included meals
  • Dinner
  • Breakfast
  • Snacks / Fruit
  • Lunch
Included drinks
  • Coffee
  • Water
  • Juice
  • Tea
Special dietary requirements
  • Vegetarian
  • Organic
  • Glutan free
  • Vegan
  • Dairy free
What is included in the price
  • 4 days / 3 nights accommodation in private or shared creative rooms
  • All meals prepared with fresh, local ingredients
  • Daily creative movement sessions
  • Excursion to nature walks and hiking to the nearby coast
  • Collective art workshops and daily writing practice
  • Use of common areas and creative spaces
  • WiFi and basic amenities
What is not included in the price
  • Transportation to and from the retreat center
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Extra activities outside the retreat program
  • Alcoholic beverages and snacks outside meal times
  • Airport transfers (available upon request for an additional fee)
Cancelation policy

Canceled bookings will not receive a refund

Organiser

Member since 2024

Portugal

Speaks

English, Spanish, Portuguese

View profile