The Location
We found a hidden paradise for this unique silence retreat in the Alentejo region in Portugal. Paraiso Escondido has everything you need to fully embrace the silence. Berny and Glenn have made their dream come true and have created the perfect location to slow down and recharge. Quality and luxury are the key words to describe this venue.
With just 10 rooms, the atmosphere is personal and relaxed. The invitation is there to completely feel at home. And believe me, you will not want to leave after a week.
Berny has an incredible eye for detail and art which clearly reflects on the interior design of the rooms. All rooms are different and allocation is on a first come, first serve basis.
Flights and Transfers
The airport to fly into is Faro.
Faro is about 1 hour and 20 minutes drive from Paraiso Escondido.
Prices are about 100 Euro.
Alternatively, you can fly into Lisbon.
Lisbon is about 2,5 hour drive.
Prices are about 200-250 Euro.
Transfers are NOT included in your retreat package. We can make the arrangements for you and/or link you with other participants to share the costs.
If you have any further questions about transfers, please don’t hesitate asking.
The Food
Chef Yuki will spoil us with incredibly delicious meals! Joining just for the food is an idea 🙂
Yuki is a plant-based chef and a certified nutritionist from the Plant-Based Institute for Culinary Arts in Berlin.
Her origins are from Bavaria and as a kid from the „Alpes“ – her connection to nature has always been profound and source of life energy.
She’s a former audio-visual designer, based in Portugal and she works as a Private Chef for seminaries, events and yoga retreats.
She believes in the ethical & energetically quality and the positive effects of pure, plant-based, wholesome food. When carefully prepared with creativity & love & joy, foods are directly connected to our inner and outer health and well-being.
“With food we can share and communicate our emotions. It´s that mind-set of sharing that is really what you are eating.” – Buddhist chef Jeong Kwan
All meals will be balanced and, support you in every step of your journey this week.
Our diet will be vegan and Yuki can cater for all allergies and intolerances. Just let us know in advance.
One day, we will go out to a local restaurant for lunch (or dinner), depending on weather and regulations.
To find out more or book your place...
Please contact Rachel at rb@revealingvajra.com if you would like to ask any questions about this retreat or how to book and pay for your place, she will be more than happy to get back to you!
You can also book and pay securely online here. Payments via Paypal, Credit Card or Bank Transfer
Your Host during this silence retreat
Rachel Bonkink
Before I founded Revealing Vajra, I built on a strong corporate career. At a certain point, managing huge international teams in three different continents. This unique combination – a deep understanding of corporate life alongside a vast experience of mind-body trainings and retreats – gives my holidays a very POWERFUL edge.
In the past ten years, I have followed loads of teacher trainings and (silence) retreats, usually 2 to 3 per year. Ranging from Ashtanga to Iyengar inspired teachers. My very first training was in India, in Rishikesh, a simple standard 200 hours on Hatha and Ashtanga. 20 years ago, I studied Traditional Chinese Medecine in the Netherlands.
I am grateful for studying with truly amazing teachers such as Paul Grilley, Sarah Powers, Bernie Clark, Alan Wallace, Jack Kornfield, Tony Robbins and many more. Even during lockdown time, I managed to follow further training online on meditation, pranayama and human behaviour.
You can read a little more about me here….
Booking and Cancellation Policy
As these are such challenging and insecure times, we are all taking a bit of a risk when booking this retreat. With these conditions in place, we can go forward with the retreat bookings, book our flights and, I can be responsible in managing my small business.
You can secure your booking with a 500 Euro deposit.
The remaining amount is due 3 weeks before the start date of the retreat.
In the event Revealing Vajra needs to cancel this retreat because of government regulations, not enough participants or simply not being able to have the retreat in Portugal at this venue for whatever reason, in this case, there are 3 options:
1. Revealing Vajra refunds everything you have paid within 3 weeks.
2. You agree with moving your booking to a new date in 2022-2023.
3. You accept a voucher that can be used for any of the retreats till 31/12/2024.
In the event that you need to cancel the retreat, less than 3 weeks before the start date of the retreat, Revealing Vajra can not refund. I wish I could but costs where made by now and in this time span it will be difficult to find a replacement. No exceptions, sorry.
I strongly encourage you to take a travel insurance to cover the costs of possible cancellation or illness.
There are no refunds for arriving late, leaving the retreat early, flight cancellations, travel delays or illness.
Any refunds allowed will incur a 3% processing fee.
Flights are not covered and not included in your retreat price.
At any time you can provide a replacement participant.
Just do it.
Whatever is telling you 'no', just ignore that. Book this retreat instead.
Silence Retreat Portugal, October 2021
Kat Mereigh, USA
Rachel is the most wonderful person regarding respect, leaving you free to do what you want to do and making a retreat into an amazing experience. This silent retreat at Paraiso Escondido was my 10th(!) retreat with Rachel. Yes, I have tried other retreats with other organisers and teachers but I keep coming back to hers. Rachel's retreats just seem to get better every single time.
Silence Retreat Portugal, October 2021
Korine den Blanken, NL
Book this retreat
Please contact us if you would like to make your booking.
Online payment can be made by credit card, PayPal or bank transfer.
OUR PROMISE TO YOU
This is not a meditation nor a silence boot camp. We will guide you every step of the way with advice, guidelines and a schedule to hold on to.
Familiarise yourself with silence and learning how to “sit and meditate”.
You will get more insight in your mental landscape and guidelines on how to get a grip on your thoughts.
You will learn how to meditate.
The meals will support our practise every step of the way.
After one week, you will feel fully recharged to step back into the world.
You came to the right place if you are looking for some quiet time in a world full of noise.
