Cuisine
Breakfast is included each morning along with light afternoon snacks – a Portuguese tradition.
We cater to your desires in preparing the freshest, local ingredients. We are happy to accommodate any flavor or dietary requests with prior notice.
Lunches and dinners are available for your group at competitive pricing. Both are available to be catered on our site, as a picnic at the beach, or on the way to your next destination.
Reservations at local restaurants are possible including pre-ordering meals to save time and hassle. We can help arrange anything you would like to create for your group.
A simple outdoor kitchen is available for guests to make quick meals (e.g.: sandwiches, salad, snacks) including a refrigerator for guest use.
Cooking + Co-cooking Classes
Also available are cooking classes or co-cooking opportunities. We are happy to share our local cuisine and food traditions with you so that you can recreate them in your own home. Simply ask and we’ll share the different ways that cooking instruction can happen for all or part of your group.
Relaxation
What’s a holiday without some pampering? After a few days in the sun and surf let’s soothe your skin and tired muscles. Massage, pedicure, manicure, and Natural Skin Treatment Experiences are available upon prior arrangement at our site.
Natural Skin Treatment Experiences are available for small groups. Alicia will come to the Mermaid Retreat and teach you how to prepare, and apply, completely natural skin care treatments. You’ll receive a notebook with all of her secret recipes for an Avocado Face Mask, Cucumber Tonic – the works! along with all of the laughs and silliness you’d imagine in this customized workshop. Photos optional. Wine is available.
Appointments are also available at local salons and spas. Beware that they fill-up quickly so please plan at least 2-weeks in advance.
Sao Luis
Music, Art, Dance, Photography
What’s your medium? All of them? Something else? Our community partners include musicians and artists of all kinds. We can create workshops and experiences for whatever expression you choose.
Want an all-night drumming circle? Let’s do it!
Is your band of creatives looking to escape the routine to come up with something new – uninterrupted? That’s us!
What do you want to do? Hit us up and together we’ll explore and create the most amazing experience EVAH!
Sports
We got sports! Want to learn to surf or improve your skills? Hiking or trekking, rafting, SUP, kayaking, canoeing, horseback riding – whatever you want to do, we can help you make it happen.
Summer is super busy around here so let us know your interest as soon as possible.
Let the FUN begin!
Beaches
The most important thing to know about the beaches in the Alentejo – and throughout Portugal – is that there are no bad beaches. None. Some have cliffs while with others the sand goes on for miles… And all are beautiful. Whatever you’re looking for in a beach experience, it’s available. There are family-friendly beaches with gentle waters and those with surf waves just a few minutes apart. If you’re looking for a more isolated beach experience, or simply a viewpoint for a picnic, we’re happy to make recommendations. And we’ll pack your picnic for you.
Here’s a link to view many of the beaches near the Mermaid Retreat:
Yoga + Movement
Imagine greeting the day with salutations in a virgin forest or winding down with a sunset meditation at the beach. We can arrange group or individual sessions with experienced, loving, local professionals for all ages and skill levels. Let’s discuss the experience you’re imagining to energize and soothe your collective souls. Thai Chi, Capoeira and Yoga are some of the movements available.
Tours
Castles, ruins, aqueducts, and walled cities are cool, but do you want to know who built them and how they were used?
Want to know who conquered the Moors and the Spanish?
What about the latest dictator of Portugal?
Want to know who started the Carnation Revolution of 1974? (Hint: this was not a flower power movement.)
Towns throughout our region have tour guides available. Just let us know your interest and we’ll help you make arrangements.
Wine + Distilleries
The Alentejo region is famous the world over for fabulous vineyards and wineries. Not far from the Mermaid Retreat is the Black Pig Distillery where they make award winning Gin, Rum and Medronho – a brandy made from the fruit of the Medronho tree. While the alcohol portion of a visit to the distillery may not appeal to everyone, it’s a wonderful place to meet and hangout with some very cool black pigs – or Porco Preto as they are famously known in Portugal.
You can drop in for a visit at most wineries or arrange for a tour depending upon your interest level. Wineries have advertised hours for tours and it’s best to check before you go. We are happy to make recommendations:
Festivals + Events
Portugal is famous for soooo many festivals – music, art, cheese, mushrooms, history, culture, religion – the list goes on. The World Music Festival is held locally in Porto Covo and Sines for 12 days in August. There is no admission fee for most of the music. Tickets to enter into the castle in Sines to see the bands live is 50 euro per person for 4 nights. And there are bands playing around the town and along the beach. It’s amazing!
Here’s a link to the festivals throughout the Alentejo: