For many, winter is the hardest season, but did you know winter retreats have a lasting transformation?
Across much of northern Europe and the UK, after the glow of Christmas fades, January arrives with short days, long nights, and grey skies. The “winter blues” are real, impacting mood, energy, and motivation just as people are expected to head back into their full working schedules after what can sometimes feel like not even having a proper break.
At the same time, the promise of New Year’s resolutions hover, often adding pressure without providing the clarity or structure to make lasting change.
It’s no wonder that by February, many people feel depleted, uninspired, and yearning for something more.
This is exactly why winter retreats, hosted anytime between January through March, are so potent. They meet people at the moment they most need support, offering not just a realignment with routine but a newfound energy that carries forward into the rest of the year.
Why Retreat in Portugal
For those coming from the UK and colder parts of Europe, Portugal’s winter is a mild. Just a few hours by plane, the climate here is mild, bright, and restorative. Days stretch longer, skies are clearer, and the landscape feels alive even in January.
Instead of battling darkness and drizzle, guests step into a season of light and possibility. They can walk the grounds, breathe fresh countryside air, and immerse themselves in a rhythm that naturally lifts the heaviness of northern winters.
Portugal doesn’t just offer a change of scenery; it offers an entire reset of energy.
Transformation for Retreat Leaders
The first three months of the year carry a unique potency, both for facilitators holding space and for the communities and teams they guide. It’s a season and time when people are stepping out of what has been and leaning into what is possible. Hosting during this window brings distinct advantages:
You meet people when they are most open.
The weeks after the year ends create a liminal space. Resolutions are fresh, daily routines are in flux, and there is a collective readiness for renewal. Guests arrive primed for change, making it the most natural season for transformation to take root.
You position yourself differently.
While many leaders default to spring or summer retreats, choosing to host in winter allows you to stand apart. It’s a rare offering that meets a very real need, support during the quieter, more introspective months, making your retreat both timely and deeply relevant.
You set the rhythm for the year ahead.
Beginning the year with a retreat does more than serve your clients; it shapes your own brand and business trajectory. It positions you as a leader attuned to cycles, and it creates momentum for both you and your community. Participants leave not only with clarity but with practical shifts they can carry into the months ahead, anchoring your retreat as the catalyst for their year.
Quinta Carvalhas: A Place for Winter Awakening
Set just one hour north of Lisbon, our 150-year-old farm is designed for exactly this kind of transformation.
- The Pine Hall holds space for workshops and leadership sessions filled with natural light.
- The Yoga Shala and outdoor decks invite movement and mindfulness in the crisp winter air.
- Our meditation gardens and quiet nooks allow for reflection and reset.
- Nourishing, farm-to-table meals from our organic orchards fuel the body with seasonal vibrancy.
- Healing therapies, from reiki to equine-assisted learning, open new pathways to clarity and resilience.
- Onsite host so that you can focus on what you do best while we take care of the logistics.
Every element of the land and venue supports a profound sense of renewal.
Common Questions About Hosting your Winter Retreat in Portugal
Is Portugal warm enough for a retreat in January to March?
Yes. Portugal enjoys one of the mildest winters in Europe. While mornings can be crisp, days are often sunny with temperatures ranging from 12–18°C. This makes it comfortable for outdoor sessions, mindful walks, and restorative time in nature.
How far is Quinta Carvalhas from Lisbon?
We’re just one hour north of Lisbon by car, making it effortless for international guests to travel. We can arrange private transfers or provide simple train routes for smooth arrivals.
What makes a winter retreat different from hosting later in the year?
Winter retreats align with the natural rhythm of renewal. Guests arrive at the start of the year seeking clarity, energy, and transformation, making them more open to the practices, teachings, and insights offered. The season itself creates the container for deeper reflection.
Why host a retreat in winter instead of spring or summer?
While spring and summer are beautiful, they’re also busier, both in life and in Portugal as a travel destination. Winter retreats stand out as rare and intentional, offering facilitators the chance to position themselves uniquely while meeting their clients exactly when they most need support.
Can a corporate team benefit from a winter retreat?
Absolutely. Q1 is when many organisations set strategies and culture for the year. A retreat in January to March helps teams align on vision, strengthen trust, and embed wellbeing into the foundation of their year.
Begin 2026 With Intention
Winter retreats are not just about escape. They are about awakening, taking the quiet potency of the season and using it to create lasting transformation.
For clients, it means leaving behind the heaviness of the winter blues and stepping into the year with lightness, purpose, and energy. For teams, it means aligning early, building culture with intention, and returning to work with momentum.
And for facilitators, it means holding space at the exact moment when it’s needed most, helping your community not only begin the year but truly reimagine it. At Quinta Carvalhas, we hold that space with you. Because winter isn’t a season to just let pass by, it’s a season to transform.
