Minuvida Azores Immersion

Post by João

THE LOQUAT TREE is swollen with orange fruit. I scan the top for the ripest drupes. Just a few days ago we picked about 20 pounds, made a ridiculous amount of jam and jarred it using an assortment of reused vessels of different shapes and sizes. Today I'm just trying to present a nice collection of loquats for the arriving yoga group. They probably never saw the fruit before.

I've done this several times this year. Each group is greeted with the flavor of the month from our orchard. MINUVIDA has become a specialist with groups. We provide the space for small gatherings up to 14, organize the week, which includes a hike and a farewell tasting menu dinner cooked by us, as well as yoga classes, meditation, and even a chance to pick fruit, touch the soil and feel connection.

Each Wednesday we take the group on a guided hike through some of the island's volcanic valleys of wander, or waterfall-ladden cliffs, where we learn about the island's unique plant life, its ecology, and enter lengthy discussions on how to keep the Azores like this, crowd free, authentic and sustainable. We walk in medidative silence and then talk about what we saw, tasted, smelled and felt.

Everyone is electric with excitement and wonder.

At the quinta we're working hard on providing the freshest local products during our breakfast. Staff are busy planning every detail so the show runs smoothly. After almost 30 groups we should be able to pull this off. It always feels like the first time.

And it's already Friday! Minuvida Dinner day. This time I'm scouring local fish markets for the freshest fish or shopping our backyard for vegetables. I'm developing the menu around what is available and in-season, often focusing on just a couple of key ingredients to create a dinner theme. The food is to be Azorean-inspired but not traditional. I feel the pressure, get edgy. Once in the kitchen everything comes together. 

Dinner is over. We can now breathe.

Starting in November, MINUVIDA is opening its doors to groups beyond yoga-focused retreats. If you can organize a group of your friends and family and want to stay here for a week, partaking in these and other experiences, let us know. We'll organize every detail of your week and develp a plan that works for all. 

We are seeking travelers, not tourists, who want an immersive experience, to connect to the place and themselves. The Azores are the perfect place. You find more details in our groups page.

See you soon at MINUVIDA!

Starting in November, MINUVIDA is opening its doors to groups beyond yoga-focused retreats. If you can organize a group of your friends and family and want to stay here for a week, partaking in these and other experiences, let us know.