Find Your Pause Portugal Retreat Â
Saturday, October 17th to Thursday, October 22nd, 2026.
Discover Your Inner Peace: A 6-Day Journey of Meditation, Yoga, and Self-Love in the Duoro Valley area of Portugal
 Hosted by: Miranda Lee
Certified Meditation teacher and Mindset coachÂ
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Join meditation & yoga teacher + mindset coach, Miranda Lee for a transformative 6 day / 5 night retreat that nourishes mind, body & soul.Â
This retreat is for anyone seeking to rediscover clarity, and calm, while releasing stress and embracing a life with less overwhelm. Throughout this retreat, we’ll be exploring and practicing meditation, self-compassion, and emotional regulation, empowering you to cultivate inner peace and resilience. After this retreat, you'll return home with a toolkit of skills to help you feel calmer, more in control, and empowered to create the life you desire now and for the future. We'll also have time to explore this gorgeous area of Portugal both with free time and community activities. Retreat is only for adults.
 WHERE?
The retreat is hosted in a luxurious holiday home, rich with history—over 400 years old yet thoughtfully updated to blend traditional character with modern 21st-century comfort. Nestled amidst rolling hills and lush valleys, this charming home is situated in a quaint village just an hour and a half from Porto Airport, making it the perfect base to explore the breathtaking Douro Valley.
“Virile root, deeply planted in mother earth serving tender seeds to grow
as through leafy groves, I flow.”Â
 - The Douro River by anon
Our Find Your Pause Retreat includes the following:
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Daily Morning Meditation, Yoga & Qi-Gong
Begin each day with mindful awareness and gentle movement to awaken your body and center your mind. These morning sessions weave together meditation, yoga, and qi-gong to set a peaceful, grounded tone for the day ahead.
Teaching Session 1: The Power of Mindset
Discover how becoming aware of your thoughts can transform how you experience life. We’ll explore what may be holding you back from feeling clear, balanced, and at peace, and introduce grounding practices to build inner strength throughout the retreat.
Mindful Storytelling Practice
In a supportive circle, you’ll have the opportunity to share your story and deeply listen to others. Rooted in ancient indigenous traditions and adapted for modern times, this practice fosters connection, empathy, and a sense of belonging.
Practice Session: Meditation, Breathwork & Yoga Nidra
Experience deep relaxation through guided meditation, breathwork, and yoga nidra. These powerful practices help release stress, tension, and stored emotions, reconnecting you with inner calm and clarity.
Forest Bathing Meditation
Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature through mindful walking and sensory awareness. This “green mind” practice invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and experience the present moment with all your senses.
Guided Hike with Local Guide
Explore the surrounding landscape while learning about the region’s centuries-old winemaking traditions and the stories of those who have lived here across the ages.
Teaching Session 2: Mindfulness for Stress Reduction, Emotional Regulation & Self-Compassion
Understand how the mind’s patterns can activate stress and overwhelm—and learn how mindfulness, meditation, and body-based practices can shift those patterns. This session includes journaling, group discussion, and inspiration from the natural setting around us.
Practice Session: Cultivating Emotional Balance & Self-Compassion
Learn practical, body-based techniques to self-regulate, soothe your nervous system, and tap into your inner carer for comfort, resilience, and healing.
Letting go ritual to release emotional weight that no longer serves you—creating space for clarity, calm, and the life you truly want. Then, unwind with guided breathwork and a soothing fire meditation leaving you deeply relaxed and renewed.
Boat Trip Along the Douro
Glide along the river with a local guide, taking in the breathtaking scenery while learning about the geography, culture, and history of this remarkable valley.
Dinner at a Local Restaurant
Savor regional flavors and enjoy a relaxed evening sampling traditional dishes from the area.
Teaching Session 3: Practical Tools & Strategies for Daily Life
Take home a toolkit of simple yet powerful techniques to calm and soothe your nervous system. Learn how to create and sustain a mindfulness practice that fits into your everyday life.
Closing Circle
Gather together one last time to reflect on your experience, share insights, and close the retreat with a sense of gratitude and connection.
Date: Friday, Oct 17th to Thursday, Oct 22th, 2025
Location: Exact location given on booking
A typical day on retreatÂ
7:00–8:00 AM – Gentle Start
Ease into your morning with fresh coffee, herbal tea, and seasonal fruit available in the kitchen. Step outside to take in the valley view and soft morning light.
8:00–9:30 AM – Morning Meditation & Yoga
Gather outside on the terrace overlooking the valley (weather permitting) for a mindful blend of meditation, gentle yoga, and qi-gong.Â
10:00–11:00 AM – Nourishing Brunch
Enjoy a relaxed brunch featuring continental favorites and local specialties—think warm bread from the village bakery, fresh cheeses, eggs, salads, seasonal fruit, and rich Portuguese coffee.
11:00 AM–3:00 PM – Spacious Midday
This is your time to do as you please. Rest by the pool, nap in the shade, journal, use the gym, explore nearby villages, or take a self-guided hike into the surrounding hills and vineyards.Â
4:00–5:30 PM – Teaching & Practice Session
Come together for an afternoon of learning and self-discovery. These sessions weave together mindset teachings, mindfulness, breathwork, and guided practices to help you feel more grounded, centered, and resilient.
7:00–8:00 PM – Dinner
Gather at the table for a nourishing meal prepared with local ingredients. Expect a mix of comforting flavors and regional dishes that bring a taste of Portugal to your plate. We will have vegetarian options available at each meal.
Evening –  Nighttime Magic
End your day with a gentle evening activity: a fire meditation under the stars, gentle yoga nidra, or simply enjoying the stars in this beautiful spot. Let the stillness of the night settle over you before retreating to rest.
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“ It was the best retreat I ever attended. Her attention to detail was flawless, and she found the perfect mix of planning activities yet also giving us a much needed rest"
- Diane, retreat participantÂ
What’s Included:
Accommodation
Enjoy ensuite bedroom suites or private bedrooms with stunning views. We offer 4 spacious en-suite rooms and 5 comfortable private rooms with shared bathrooms.  Prices reflect the different accommodation options (see details below). If you’re sharing a double bed, a reduced rate is available.
Meals
Fresh fruit, coffee, tea, water, soft beverages, and snacks are available 24/7. Two nourishing meals are provided daily, with ingredients sourced locally whenever possible.
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Morning brunches feature continental classics, local cheeses, salads, fresh bread, eggs, and regional delicacies.
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Dinners are three-course meals served at the house, with favorites including traditional Portuguese BBQ, shellfish rice, duck rice, and creamed codfish—accompanied by fresh salads and a variety of desserts.
Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be offered when available locally. While our meals are designed to be wholesome and satisfying, guests with additional dietary needs are welcome to bring supplemental items, and a full kitchen is available for your use.Â
Activities: As described above, daily meditation and yoga, 3 workshops on mindset coaching, mindful storytelling practice, a letting go ritual, a guided hike, forest bathing, a boat trip on the Douro with an evening out at a local restaurant, as well as evenings sessions including yoga nidra, fire meditation, and more.
Ongoing suppport:
A take-home PDF booklet of the skills & practices covered is provided to help equip you with review & resources for continued use at home.
Booking: To book a spot please pay via the links below. A non-refundable deposit of $750 is required to hold your spot. Then arrangements to pay via 2 other payments will be made with the retreat leader. All payments must be received by July 17th, 2026. Â
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What’s not Included:
Travel Insurance – Travel insurance is required for this trip and can be easily arranged through your preferred insurance provider.
Flights to the destination - There are many direct flights to Porto, which is the suggested airport closest to this retreat center.
Transport from Porto Airport – Options for sharing a car to the retreat or taking public transport will be shared closer to the date. We recommend renting a car if possible, as it will give you the freedom to explore this beautiful region at your own pace.
Visiting Porto – If time allows, we recommend spending a night or two in beautiful Porto. We’re happy to share our suggestions for places to stay and eat if you’d like.
The setting...Â
A non-refundable deposit of $750 will be required per person to hold your spot. The final payment will be required by July 20th, 2026.Â
What others are saying....
Miranda Lee
Hi! I’m Miranda, a certified meditation teacher, resilience coach, and yoga therapist with over 25 years of experience. I work as a wellness facilitator for both Englewood Hospital and Optum, supporting Goldman Sachs employees. Specializing in stress management and resilience training, I also lead retreats, workshops, and online programs designed to help people live more balanced, content lives. Having studied with world-renowned teachers, I’m passionate about guiding others to find strength, joy, and peace. My two young sons, however, remain my greatest 'Zen Masters.'
Some of my certifications and training:
- ICF ACC-certified coach - OptimusÂ
- Certified Meditation Facilitator – Mindful Schools (1-year certification)
- Mindfulness Self-Compassion with Kristin Neff and Mindful Schools
- Certified Mindfulness Facilitator with a Neuroscience Speciality - Mastermind
- Breathwork 40-Hour training with Jennifer Patterson at Soundstrue
- Mindfulness Fundamentals and Mindfulness for the Classroom with Mindful Schools
- 500-Hour PLUS RYT Yoga Alliance Certified Teacher with Specialties in Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Yoga Therapy, and Restorative Yoga
- Month-long trainings at the Ashtanga Shala in Mysore, India with the Jois family 2005-2008
- Prenatal Yoga Teacher Certification – Prenatal Yoga Center, NYC
- Multiple workshops and classes with esteemed teachers: Susan Salzberg, Jack Kornfield, Kristin Neff, Jon Kabat Zinn, Guta Hedewig, Paul Dallaghan, Pattabi, Saraswathi and Sharath Jois, and many more. 🙏
- MA in Social Anthropology – Edinburgh University
- MS in Multimedia Systems – Trinity College, Dublin
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