About Portugal

Portugal’s beauty is subtle and understated - the magic here is witnessed only when you slow down. Portugal's beauty is lived + experienced.

The area were heading to is called Coastal Alentejo, and you probably haven't heard of it (that's a good thing). It's far removed from the coastal tourist culture of the rest of Europe. The beaches are windswept and untouched. As you move inland, golden rolling hillsides give way to a rugged coastline, traditional whitewashed villages, and enchanting medieval towns.

Traditional farming here is a way of life. Cork production still continues. Even at our property, the eggs come from our chickens, the cheese from our neighbors sheep, and olives from an olive grower down the road. The birds here are magnificent, and the walking paths, like the Costa Vicentina, are world renowned.

The world is finally catching on to Alentejo. Get there before it does.

The retreat center

Cocoon is a 275 acre farm and dedicated retreat center on the Atlantic Coast of Portugal, offering inspiration + community for the modern traveller. It's also pure magic, where between the oversized hammocks and the freshwater lake, you'll start to lose track of time. The kind of place where each morning is a celebration, practicing under the canopy of old growth pines, but so is each evening, with incredible farm-to-table meals and elevated dinner conversation.

Cocoon is situated on the breathtaking Atlantic coast of Portugal, near the charming fishing village of Vila Nova de Milfontes, in the Alentejo region, which is known for its long stretches of untouched coastline and charming white-washed villages. From Lisbon, its roughly two hours drive south, entirely dependent on how many espressos you’ve had. (from Faro, we’re slightly closer) The ocean, with bluffs, trails, and sandy coves, is a 10 minute drive away.

Cocoon has 11 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. The maximum capacity for this program is 24 students.

There are two yoga shalas at Cocoon. The pine shala is nestled under the canopy of old growth pines, with the occasional sheep or goat roaming around nearby. The pine shala is especially dreamy in the later afternoons, as the sunlight sifts through the trees. The indoor shala is lightfilled and fresh, with high ceilings and traditional hand-made Santa Catarina tiles, which are a joy to practice on. We most often practice in the indoor shala. 

Expect three healthy, lovingly-prepared meals each day. Cocoon's home-roasted coffee and herbal teas are available throughout the day. For breakfast, expect homemade granola, greek yogurt, local honey, homemade jam, frittata, oats, fresh local fruit, and slow-rise breads. Lunch is typically lighter, like a bowl of ancient grains. Dinner is served family style, expect things like curry, beetroot hummus ancient grains, salads, and soups. Our menu is always changing, depending on what's available.

The rooms are clean, bright, and simple. There's different options for different budgets. You'll have your own bed in either a shared double or triple room, your preference. You can have a room with an en-suite bathroom, or share a bathroom between two rooms.

Check out this gorgeous 90 second video of Cocoon, which was filmed during one of our past trainings!