RETREAT IN THE AZORES

WELCOME TO THE AZORES. Your Journey Inside starts here.
We have loaded this page with all the information you need for your retreat, including itineraries, weather forecast, what to expect and what to bring, as well as a comprehensive FAQ section.

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SAMPLE RETREAT ITINERARY

day 1

Morning arrival
1 pm Lunch followed by orientation + property tour 
4 pm Yoga opening session
​7:30 pm Dinner at Quinta Minuvida
10 pm Quiet time

day 2

8-10 am Yoga 
10:15 am Breakfast
11 am Host-guided excursion in nature, incl. picnic lunch + transport
​​5-7 pm Yoga
7:30 pm Dinner at Quinta Minuvida
9 pm Evening meditation / discussion
10 pm Quiet time

day 3

8-10 am Yoga
10:15 am Breakfast
11 am Hot spring excursion with picnic lunch
7:30 pm Dinner at Quinta Minuvida
9 pm Evening meditation / discussion
10 pm Quiet time

​day 4

8-10 am Yoga 
10:15 am Breakfast 
FREE TIME
7:30 pm Dinner at Quinta Minuvida
9 pm Evening meditation / discussion
10 pm Quiet time

day 5

8-10 am Yoga
10:15 am Breakfast 
FREE TIME
5-7 pm Yoga 
7:30 pm Farewell Dinner at Quinta Minuvida
9 pm Evening meditation / discussion
10 pm Quiet time

day 6

8-10 am Closing session
10:15 am Breakfast
11 am Clear rooms
11:30 am Departure from center

* Times are approximate and subject to change

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WEATHER FORECAST
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PONTA DELGADA WEATHER

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QUICK GUIDE

your room

THIS IS OUR HOME and we try our best to make your room as comfortable as possible. You may be sharing a room. Please keep your area tidy and be courteous with your fellow retreat participants. If you need something or have a special request please let us know. Please let us know if something is not working.

• Housekeeping will service your room by request. Keep toiletries and personal items tidy. Additional storage space available in the cabinet under the stairs in the main corridor (shoes,etc.).
• Be mindful of showers.You may need to stagger shower times; be mindful of how long your shower and take our five-minute shower challenge!
• Reuse your towels. New ones offered every three days. Use appropriate electric towel racks to dry towels. Use only beach towels for hot springs.
• When heat is in operation, please do not hang clothes or lean on panels as they may crack or cause burns.
• Turn lights OFF. Be mindful of your energy use.
• No food or drink in the room. Please use common areas for meals.Store food in guest fridge.
• No smoking anywhere indoors. Dispose cigarette butts properly.

A WORD ABOUT HUMIDITY
We average over 80% humidity year-round in the Azores and that also means indoor spaces. Heck, our clothes gets moldy if not aerated! So, your best friend in your room during particularly humid spells is your in-room dehumidifier. To get the greatest benefit of this amazing, energy efficient tool, close all windows before turning the dehumidifier ON ( I ) during those rainy, humid and cooler days when it can feel raw. Just empty the water thank in the toilet when full and place back in dehumidifier. Again, please KEEP WINDOWS CLOSED when operating dehumidifier and we're sure your room will feel a lot cozier.

​Besides our trusty dehumidifiers, our heating system panels come programmed to turn on when temperatures drop below 20c or 68F. As the plaque in your room reads, please don't attempt to tamper with the radiator settings. We take great care in striking the balance between comfort and sustainability so please respect our requests and follow the instructions attached to our appliances.

yoga studio

THE MINUVIDA YOGA STUDIO is your sanctuary, respect it as a sacred space and the perfect refuge from craziness of daily life.

• No shoes, food or drink other than water bottles in the studio.
• Clean and put away mats and props after use.
• No animals in yoga studio.

our food

We celebrate food as an essential part of nourishing our body and soul and focus mainly on local and in-season ingredients connected to the energy of the source. We recognize that some participants may have food allergies or restrictions, but ask you to join us in a healing journey of discovery in REALFOOD. We prepare healthy and wholesome meals, often using ingredients we grow at Quinta Minuvida, that will provide true nourishment help you attain a sane and healthy body and mind. We also focus on experiences that will enhance your overall health, rather than focusing on quick fixes or fads, or numbing experiences such as alcohol.

common areas

Quinta Minuvida has several common areas for you to enjoy, which we will show you during the property tour. Please keep in mind that THIS IS OUR HOME, so please respect the property, abide by posted house rules and respect restricted/private areas, as marked.

• The staff kitchen is OFF LIMITS. We have a guest kitchen in the Pavilion for your use.
• Coffee and tea available in the morning and at brunch. Self-serve throughout the day.
• Paths and gardens are free for visitors to enjoy and explore. Feel free to pick fruit from the trees.

• Please do not use glassware by the pool. Please use plastic dishware provided in Pavilion.
• After 10 p.m. quiet group gatherings are ok in pavillion outside the yoga studio only.

• Please do not move or rearrange furniture anywhere in the house, including living and dinning rooms.

front desk

FRONT DESK is not staffed 24-7, so please make sure you see us with your needs during business hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Lock box available to store small valuables.
• Outlet adapters, chargers, umbrellas, and flashlights available by request.
• Local info, guides and our friendly staff can provide advice about the island's attractions. 
• Laundry service (15€ cash only) sign-in sheet available in reception; returned 24-48 hours later.
• Travelers Library. Take one, leave one.
• Phone for local calls available at reception. Please ask a team member how to use.

• National emergency number is 112.

TEA + COFFEE + WATER

TEA AND COFFEE Herbal tea, green and black tea available in reception area. Herbal tea, green and black tea available in reception area. Drip coffee will be available every morning. Ground will be in filter. Just turn power button ON. COFFEE MUGS In reception area wooden cabinet. ​Please leave dirty mugs in tray under cabinet in tray on dinning room counter. Do not leave mugs in rooms.
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TAP WATER Just fill your bottle or tea kettle right outside the reception door and any faucet in common areas, including outside kitchen.
If you need a water bottle just let us know. 

FRIDGE, DISHWARE, PLATES, ETC

FRIDGE, DISHWARE, PLATES, ETC. All in outdoor kitchen area, where you can cook a quick meal as well.
​ACCESS TO STAFF KITCHEN STRICTLY PROHIBITED

OTHER ESSENTIALS

INTERNET PASSWORD minuvida
SEASONAL HEAT Programmed, please do not touch the equipment.
HEATING PANELS Do not lean on them, hang clothes or towels.
EXTRA BLANKETS Inside chests or wardrobe lower levels.
LIGHTS Save energy and turn off when you leave room.
WINDOWS Close blackout panes if desired. Do not hang towels on blackout panes nor lift window nets.
TAP WATER Safe to drink. Mountain spring sourced.
SHOWER Be conscious of your water use.
TOILET Small button for #1, big button for #2. Toilet paper in basket.
​FOOD Not allowed in your room. Store in guest fridge

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OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

​​HOUSE MANUAL
RESOURCES PAGE
WHAT TO PACK 
FREE DAY SUGGESTIONS
CODE TO ENTER TROUGH FRONT GATE *
​(TO LEAVE PROPERTY use blue button on reception intercom labeled "front gate" to open front gate or this link on your phone)