Madeira is known as the “island of eternal spring” or “the paradise garden of the Atlantic,” famous for its beautiful mountains, high cliffs, lava pools, dramatic landscape, greenery, exotic flowers, waterfalls and dark pebble beaches. It’s said to be like a floating botanical garden in the Atlantic, or Europe’s “Hawaii”.
Located off of the coast of Morocco, just north of Spain’s Canary Islands, Madeira is lush and offers steady, spring-like temperatures year round.
Madeira's geographical location, subtropical climate and rugged orography allow for the existence of a great diversity of habitats and, consequently, of great richness. Madeira’s flora brings together plant communities and species that are unique in the world.
Our retreat there will allow us to experience the many unique landscapes and activities that this area has to offer, and our program will celebrate the flora of the island with a theme of “LIFE OF A FLOWER”. We will explore the elements of earth (planting), water (nourishing), sun (growing), and air (drying) in a creative way throughout our day trips and classes.
Madeira Island has the particularity of being very green: the primary forest covers a large part of the island with its lush vegetation and numerous springs and waterfalls. This Portuguese archipelago was discovered in 1420 by the navigator and explorer João Gonçalves Zarco da Câmara.
Madeira is famous for the wine that bears its name and, today, it is produced in a number of varieties. Madeira can be a dry table wine, a sweet dessert wine, or rich after-dinner drink.
We’ll take a boat ride around the rocky cliffs to a property founded by a Jesuit priest which is now a winery. (Vineyards on the island were once managed by Jesuit priests!) We’ll enjoy an exclusive guided tour of the organic farm, a luscious wine tasting in the cellar and lunch and return on one of Madeira’s famous cable cars.
We are so excited to partner with the Belmond Reid’s Palace, Madeira’s most exclusive hotel for this retreat! Set in lush subtropical gardens, this luxury five-star hotel overlooks and offers direct access to the beautiful deep blue sea of the Atlantic Ocean. Over the years, this luxury hideaway has honed the art of pampering, earning a reputation as the island’s most iconic hotel. Nestled on a secluded promontory by the Atlantic Ocean with unparalleled views, the hotel features heated pools overlooking the sea, a seawater pool carved into the cliff, a panoramic fitness centre and spa, tennis courts, and 3 restaurants, including the Award-winning William Restaurant, one of the two Michelin-starred restaurants in Madeira with the only starred Madeiran-born Chef, Luís Pestana.
We are thrilled to continue to learn more about this incredibly unique and gorgeous island in February 2024. This was our fastest selling retreat ever selling out the first day we announced! We hope to make this a regular destination on our yearly itinerary. Click HERE to learn more about the time we have planned and make sure you sign up for our NEWSLETTER to find out about new locations as soon as they are announced.
XO, EPM Team