MINDFULNESS & CREATIVITY

7-DAY RETREAT

In a world that moves fast, this retreat offers a pause.

Our Approach

We create spaces where you can open up and allow your creative energy to flow again. Places where you can hear yourself more clearly and reconnect with your gifts and talents.Through mindfulness, movement, and creative exploration, space opens for new perspectives, authentic expression, and fresh inspiration.

Seven days.

Nature as your guide.

Creativity as your language.

Presence as your foundation.

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A narrow dirt trail through a dense green forest with lush vegetation and trees on either side, leading toward a brighter area in the distance.

Purpose & Intention

Everyone carries a unique creative energy within.

Yet sometimes it fades into the background – especially when something that once brought joy becomes shaped by pressure or expectation.

Mindfulness and meditation open a space where you can become still inside.

A space where you can begin to hear yourself again – beyond your thoughts.

From this stillness, a new clarity emerges. You gain perspective, see connections more clearly, and begin to view your life differently.

This retreat is for you if you want to reconnect with or rediscover your creativity.

Not only in artistic expression – but in the way you think, feel, and move through everyday life.

Close-up of green clover leaves with water droplets on them.

Because creativity doesn’t complicate life – it simplifies it.

Rather than providing answers, the retreat supports a process of listening — to what asks for attention, to what wants to be lived, and to what can bring more color, joy, and authenticity into everyday life.

The retreat follows a gentle structure, while remaining highly individual. Each participant arrives with their own intentions, experiences, talents, and need.

This retreat does not promise healing and is not a substitute for medical, psychological, or therapeutic treatment. It is a space for self-reflection, creative exploration, and reconnection — offering inspiration, clarity, and new perspectives that may support personal decisions and life direction.

7-Day Group-Retreat - Itinerary

  • A coastal residential area with houses, trees, and a garden, overlooking the ocean on a clear day.

    Arrival & Opening.

    Arrival | Landing | Setting an intention

    DAY 1

    You’ll arrive on the lush Island of Faial, where a short drive brings you to the peaceful PÁTIO-Ecolodge. Take your time setting in. Soak in the warmth of the saltwater pool, unwind in the sauna, or simply breathe in the fresh Atlantic air.

    In the evening, we’ll gather for a relaxed welcome dinner. It’s a chance to meet fellow retreat guests, connect, and receive a gentle introduction to the flow of the week ahead.

  • A woman in a blue jacket walking along a rocky beach at sunset with the ocean and a distant mountain in the background.

    Grounding in nature.

    Slow down | Arrive in your own body

    DAY 2

    After breakfast we will have a gentle walk to the coast. Here we’ll begin the day with a cleansing ritual by the ocean - using the rhythm of the waves to return fully to the present moment. It’s a beautiful invitation to arrive within yourself and open up to the experiences ahead.

    After lunch, enjoy free time to relax. In the late afternoon you’ll join a 90 minutes breath- coaching session. With mindful guidance, you’ll explore the power of your breath as a tool to restore balance. Find your strength and reconnect with your centre.

    In the evening, we’ll gather for a delicious dinner.

  • Close-up of black volcanic sand with small green plants, driftwood, and moss in the foreground, and ocean waves and blue sky in the background.

    Communicating with nature.

    Deep listening through nature | Creative expression

    DAY 3

    Before breakfast we will start the day with a gentle morning stretching and a short meditation.

    This morning, we immerse ourselves in the calming practice of Forest Bathing - inspired by the Japanese tradition of Shinrin- Yoku. On this mindful walk, we slow down and awaken all our senses, letting the forest guide us into a space of quiet presence and deep relaxation.

    After lunch, we shift from nature in nurturing creativity. You’ll craft your personal mood board, using a variety of natural and artistic materials. This is a powerful way to explore your deeper longings and give visual form to what’s emerging from within.

    You’ll have dinner at Pátio.

  • A rocky coastline with cliffs and a lighthouse on a hill under cloudy sky.

    New Beginnings.

    Self-Awareness | Integration

    DAY 4


    After breakfast, you’ll meet Angélique in the studio for a vocal empowerment session. Her unique coaching method helps you strengthen your voice, deepen your presence, and improve your ability to express yourself with clarity and confidence.

    After lunch, we journey to the Capelinhos volcano. In 1957/1958 a marine volcano erupted off the coast of Faial. We take a look at this mystical and raw landscape. We’ll visit the impressive Interpretation Center.

    After dinner, another great day will finish by sitting together at the fire, listening to our inspirational stories.

  • Person in a yellow jacket hiking on a mountain trail with clouds covering the mountain peaks in the background.

    Intuition.

    Creativity and Intuition

    DAY 5

    This morning begins with a scenic drive to the top of the island, where we arrive at the breathtaking Caldeira of Faial. Here we’ll begin our meditative walk along the crater rim. Surrounded by panoramic views, we’ll enjoy a peaceful picnic in the wild.

    After a short rest back at the Ecolodge, the afternoon invites you into creative exploration. Try or reconnect with something you love - be it painting, dancing, singing, crafts, or even improv-theatre. No pressure, just playful expression and joyful curiosity.

    Before dinner, we gather for a relaxed apéritif at the bar.

  • A large red heart sculpture situated outdoors on a hill with a scenic view of a coastal town, water, and hills under a partly cloudy sky.

    History.

    Find new paths.

    DAY 6

    Let’s start the day with ecstatic dance. This is a free-form, intuitive movement practice where you are invited to express yourself through dance with without judgment, cheogrfy, or spoken words.

    After breakfast, your guide takes you on a relaxed tour of Horta, the islands colorful harbor town. We’ll explore its charming streets before heading to the historic heart of Horta. The Marina buzzes with people from all over the world - a place where new adventures begin and fond farewells are made. You’ll hear fascinating stories about whalers, Pico wine, and undersea cable companies.

    We will have lunch in town.

    After lunch you’ll have some free time, to explore, shop for , or simply soak in the atmosphere. Later in the afternoon, we’ll gather at the iconic sailing pub, Peter café sport, known around the world.

    In the evening we’ll come together one last time for a farewell Dinner at Pátio, where we’ll share highlight and memories from the week.

  • Person in outdoor gear sitting on volcanic rocks near the ocean, with cliffs and blue water in the background.

    Departure.

    The inner journey reaches its destination.

    DAY 7

    After this seven-days retreat, you‘ll return home feeling renewed, re-energized, and refreshed in spirit.If you’d like, you can also choose to extend your stay for a few more days - either to explore the nearby island of Pico or to continue relaxing with us.

What is Creative Journaling?

Creative journaling is a gentle practice that combines writing, drawing, collage, and intuitive expression. Rather than focusing on „ good writing“ or artistic skill, it invites you to explore your inner world freely and playfully.

Using simple prompts and creative materials, journaling becomes a space for reflection, discovery, and self expression. It allows thoughts, feelings, and insights to take shape visually and in words - supporting deeper connection with yourself throughout the retreat.

There is no right or wrong way. Only curiosity, presence, and creativity.

A woman with blonde, wavy hair wearing sunglasses on her head, smiling and looking to the side.

Meet your Host.

Angélique Verdel

Angelique Verdel has been working with people for over 30 years as a therapist, teacher, and creative guide. With a background in psychotherapy (licensed as a Holistic Practitioner), bioenergetic therapy, and creative body-based work, she bridges both worlds: conventional therapeutic knowledge and intuitive, holistic, and spiritual approaches.

Alongside her therapeutic work, Angelique is a trained actress and singer. Through decades of working with breath, voice, emotion, movement, and the psyche, she has supported people in understanding and gently releasing inner blocks — not by force, but through awareness, expression, and embodied experience.

As a drama and singing teacher, Angelique observed how deeply creativity can reveal where energy is blocked and where true potential lies. This led her to deepen her therapeutic training, integrating approaches that address both the analytical and intuitive sides of the human being — mind and body, structure and intuition, left and right brain.

Motto of Angélique:

„Everyone has all the knowledge within them, I just help people to remember it again.”

Her passion lies in accompanying people back to their unique gifts, talents, and life direction. Angelique believes that every person is fundamentally unique, and that the world becomes richer, more colorful, and more connected when individuals live and express their true nature.

This retreat is the place where all her paths come together. Held on a powerful volcanic island in the Atlantic Ocean — surrounded by nature, sea, and silence — Angelique has created a space where creativity, mindfulness, therapy, and nature merge into one holistic experience.

Here, she brings together everything she loves: creativity, movement, voice, stillness, nature, and deep human connection — supporting participants in reconnecting with themselves in an authentic and grounded way.

Angelique was born in the Netherlands, lived and worked in Germany and Portugal for many years, and now offers her retreats in English, German, and Dutch.

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A neighborhood with houses overlooking the ocean, featuring a grassy yard with trees and shrubs, and clear blue skies.

Your Retreat Location
PÁTIO Ecolodge

Faial Island | Azores | Portugal

Nestled in the unspoiled nature of Faial Island in the Azores, surrounded by volcanic landscapes, lush forests, and the vast Atlantic Ocean, the 4-star PÁTIO Ecolodge is a place of calm, openness, and inspiration.

Here, a natural space unfolds where you can slow down, find stillness, and reconnect more deeply with yourself.

PÁTIO is not a resort — it’s a nature-connected ecolodge where modern comfort meets simplicity and the rhythms of island life. Here, guests feel grounded, inspired, and at home in one of the most beautiful corners of the Atlantic.

The harmonious blend of nature, comfort, and sustainable design creates an atmosphere where mindfulness, self-reflection, and creative expression can emerge effortlessly.

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Our Accommodations

What to expect:

  • Cozy private rooms, apartments & tiny houses featuring carefully selected natural materials, warm textiles, and thoughtful details

  • Apartments & tiny houses with private terraces or garden seating overlooking ocean horizons, volcanic hills, or our მშვიდ horse pastures

  • Bright, airy interiors filled with natural light and fresh Atlantic breezes

  • Comfortable beds & high-quality linens for deep, restorative sleep

  • Modern bathrooms with walk-in showers and eco-friendly amenities

  • Slow-living design — calm, minimal, and shaped by natural tones and textures

  • Heated saltwater pool, yoga deck, farm patio, and lush gardens for relaxing between activities

  • Communal lounge, fireplace & honesty bar encouraging connection and easygoing evenings

  • Farm-to-table dining space where seasonal, sustainable meals are shared and enjoyed together

A house with a tiled roof, stone walls, adjacent sliding glass doors, and a small outdoor seating area with chairs and a table on a grassy lawn with a tree in the foreground, under a partly cloudy sky.
A bedroom with a bed, decorative pillows, a wooden shelving unit with clothes, a small side table with a flower vase, a wall with leaf art, and a rug.

Private Garden & View to the Atlantic

Apartment

Bedroom with a king-size bed, a cozy living kitchen with a sofa and kitchenette including a dining area. Bathroom with a walk-in shower. Private entrance and a private garden area with seating and sun loungers. Free Wi-Fi and minibar. View of the blue Atlantic Ocean.

  • Splendid space on 38 sqm

  • Private Garden & View to the Atlantic

  • Living & Bed Room

A backyard with green grass, trees, and bushes, with a building featuring wooden siding and a gray roof. There is an outdoor seating area with tables, chairs, and red umbrellas, and a glass extension attached to the building.
A hotel room with a bed and a painting of a horse on the wall. There is a small bedside table with a flower vase, a window with a curtain, and a glass shower with a towel hanging outside.

Room

Bedroom with a king-size bed and desk. Bathroom with a walk-in shower. Free Wi-Fi and minibar. View of the Atlantic Ocean.

  • Lovely room of 18 sqm

  • View to the Atlantic

  • Working Desk

Book Hike & Soul
A modern wooden house with large windows, surrounded by trees and greenery, with a tree in the foreground and lounge chairs on a patio.
Interior of a wooden cabin room with a bed, a gray sofa with striped pillows, a dining table with bottles and glasses, and a window with a roller shade.

Tiny House

Alcove-style sleeping area with a queen-size bed, a small kitchenette, sofa, and dining nook. Bathroom with a walk-in shower. Free Wi-Fi and minibar. Views of the small village and the endless ocean.

  • Tiny House of 18 sqm

  • Located in Garden Area

  • Everything you need

Great Organic Food.

Grilled vegetable salad with red, yellow, and orange bell peppers and onions in a green bowl.

At our on-site Azorean bistro, Sella's, a traditional local breakfast buffet is served in the morning. For lunch, participants enjoy a light two-course meal, and in the evening, a dinner featuring creative Azorean cuisine is offered. The bistro is happy to accommodate different dietary preferences and needs. Drinks during lunch and dinner are not included, but mineral water and a selection of teas are available free of charge throughout the retreat.

A woman wearing glasses and a white shirt is smiling and holding a glass of wine alongside a man with dark hair and a beard, wearing a white shirt and brown apron, who is opening a bottle of wine in a bar or restaurant. Behind them, there are shelves with wine bottles and a decorative wall display with glassware.
A man with dark hair and a beard, wearing a white t-shirt and a brown apron labeled "Sella's Bistro," holding a bottle of white wine and speaking to diners at a restaurant table. The table has plates of food, wine glasses, a lit candle, and a small decorative item. Three people are visible, including a woman with dark hair and tattoos on her arm, sitting at the table.
Assorted cheeses, bread, croquettes, and desserts on a wooden table at Sella's Bistro Açoriano.

Content.

Including:

  • 6x nights Ecolodge accommodation (apartment or room/Tiny house)

  • 6x local breakfast

  • 6x dinner

  • 4x lunch

  • 1x lunch in Horta Town

  • 1x backpack picnic

  • 1x 2.5h Breath/Vocal Coaching

  • 1x 2.5h Vision Board

  • 1× 2h Cliff Hiking Tour

  • 1× 3h Forest Bathing

  • 1x Estatic Dancing

Including:

  • 1× 3h Capelinhos Volcano

  • 1x 3h Hiking Tour Caldeira

  • 1x Creativity Afternoon

  • 1x 2h Town Visit Horta

  • 1x Peter Café Sport visit incl. Gin Tonic

  • all entrance tickets and transfers according to the program

  • English / Dutch spoken tour guide

  • all hiking briefings

  • free WIFI in the Ecolodge

  • tea and mineral water during retreat sessions

Non including:

  • incoming flights

  • drinks at the meals

  • extra Drinks and meals

  • Tips (recommendation / week: 50 € lodge team)

  • Other personal expenses

  • Travel insurance

Small group-size starting from 2-9 participants. The trip is suitable for accompanying non-program mates. In this case, we will charge the proportional accommodation and services used by the accompanying person.

Important note:
The itinerary is a guideline. We reserve the right to make occasional changes to ensure the flow of a high-quality retreat. Depending on the season, weather, national holidays, local activities and possibly simultaneous activities, there may be short-term deviations in the schedule. All changes are up to our discretion. If there are changes, we guarantee compliance with our high quality standards.

A lighthouse on a hill with a pathway leading up to it, set against a blue sky with clouds, near a body of water.

Retreat Dates.

Price

Ready? Book Now

04.11.-10.11.2026 | 25.11.-01.12.2026 | 03.02.-09.02.27 | 24.03.-30.03.2027 | 27.10.-02.11.2027 | 24.11. - 30.11. 2027

Double Lodge Room or Tiny House: 2.199 €

Single Room-Extra: 130 €

Double Apartment: 2.599 €

Single Apartment-Extra: 220 €

Due and Cancelation Deadline Retreat:

The cancellation deadline is 42 days before the start of the retreat. Cancellations made by this date are free of charge. After this period, 100% of the retreat price is payable. All prices include applicable VAT.

We recommend obtaining travel and cancellation insurance..