Babymoon Retreats
Feel nourished, prepared & empowered
Upcoming dates:
25 - 28 March | 30 June - 3 July | 28 September - 2 October
in Ericeira - Portugal
Hi Mama,
Are you yearning for a relaxing and nourishing experience, while starting to feel prepared & empowered for the transformative journey of parenthood ahead? If yes, than this retreat is designed for you. I would love to welcome you to our beautiful romantic quinta in Ericeira - Portugal for a few days of prenatal yoga, birth & postpartum preparation with our doula, a mama blessing ceremony, prenatal massages & oh so nourishing food!
EVERYTHING THATS INCLUDED:
✔ ACCOMMODATION
In a private or shared room/house of your choice at our romantic & unique quinta.
✔ ALL MEALS
Breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack & dinner tailored to our pregnant mama's + dried fruits, nuts, fruits, filtered water, coffee, & herbal tea all day.
✔ DAILY PRENATAL YOGA CLASSES
Movement, breathing & visualisations. Bringing presence, flexibility and relaxation to the pelvic area and the ability to let go. Every class leads you into your own bubble, where you learn to focus completely on yourself, your breath and the subtle sensations within you.
✔ BIRTH & POSTPARTUM PREPARATION
Our expert doula, Sara, ensuring you feel empowered and informed every step of the way. Each session lasts 2 to 3 hours, giving you the space to ask anything on your mind. We talk about understanding the stages of labor and how birth can unfold in different ways, techniques for managing discomfort during contractions and labor. How to create a birth plan that aligns with your preferences. What to expect in the first days and weeks after birth, insights into placenta health, healing, and recovery. Guidance on breastfeeding, postpartum care, and newborn needs. Navigating the emotional shifts of postpartum and feeling supported in your journey. & everything else that might come up.
✔ PRENATAL MASSAGE
As a gift you will receive a pelvic fysio massage or relaxing full body massage. You can add more massages & treatments to your retreat off course, if you wish.
✔ MAMA BLESSING CEREMONY
A special ceremony with rituals to honour each mama on her journey & transition into motherhood.
✔ PACK OF MY RECORDED PRENATAL YOGA CLASSES
Start incorporating yoga into your routine today.
& extra’s to add to your retreat like a pregnancy photoshoot, acupuncture & more massages/therapies.
ALL INCLUDED FROM €975
SHARED ROOM from €975
PRIVATE ROOM from €1325
Upcoming dates this year:
25 - 28 March
30 June - 3 July
28 September - 2 October
Feel nourished, prepared & empowered
Our Retreat Home
Nestled in the valley of Ericeira, Portugal, our Babymoon & Mama Baby Retreats are hosted at the enchanting Casa Paco d’Ilhas—a place where tranquility and charm embrace you from the moment you arrive. It’s hard not to fall in love with the charming vibe that this quinta carries, from the cozy & thoughtfully designed accommodations to the romantic garden. All houses with comfortable beds, mosquito nets, and heating, each space has a restful and inviting atmosphere.
Perched on a hilltop overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, you can immerse yourself in the peaceful countryside while being just a few minutes drive away from golden beaches, dramatic clifftops, and the picturesque fishermen’s village of Ericeira. With its romantic cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses, and breathtaking coastal views, Ericeira will captivate your heart—a place where time slows down, and every moment feels magical.
Oh so delicious & nourishing food
Just like we give our care and love to every little detail of the retreat, the food you will be served is one of the most important of all.
Our chef, Mama Elizabeth, will treat you each day of the pregnancy retreat to a delicious breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack and dinner, served buffet-style in the charismatic main house, complete with a bar and fireplace.
The food is extremely nourishing for mama’s (to-be) and off course she adjusts to any dietary requirements you might have.
The food she serves is diverse and always has vegetarian as well as vegan options but also sometimes chicken or fish as an option.
Meet our loving team
Our team is made up of incredible human beings who bring their unique gifts to every retreat—expert doulas, skilled & specialised therapists, a passionate mama chef, we are all dedicated to creating a space of healing and deep care.
I find immense joy in bringing together the right experts & therapists to curate a deeply healing experience for you. Each of us is here to support you on your journey, offering a blend of expertise, warmth and heartwarming care. I hope you feel that already through the website.
We can’t wait to welcome you!
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Founder, your host & yoga teacherMy name is Lisanne, 38 years, and I am living since 9 years in Ericeira, Portugal, but born in the Netherlands. After teaching yoga for a few years, I had the desire to go much deeper into my 'home base', the root, our sacred pelvis. I had the feeling that I always felt a constant holding or bracing in my root and pelvic area. Dedicated to feel more relaxed in my root, I deepened my training in Pelvic yoga, as fascinated as I was later also Pre- and Postnatal yoga.
Guiding expecting moms in the last years through yoga classes and bringing them together in an intimate group, has been the most profound feeling. There is a magical energy that is shared and felt.
In the beginning of 2022 I was lucky enough to be pregnant of my first. Somewhere in this journey of pregnancy, I dreamed of a pregnancy retreat where I could go to while being pregnant, to have a relaxing time among other parents, and have the time to prepare ourselves for what is to come, including my partner. This pregnancy retreat is my creation after one year of motherhood.
Read more about my journey here.
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Pelvic fysio & massage therapistMarta, our warm and experienced pelvic physiotherapist who brings a deep passion for women's health to her practice. With over a decade of specialised expertise in this field, Marta has been dedicated to helping women and couples during one of the most transformative phases of their lives – pregnancy and postpartum.
In our retreat, Marta offers a unique one-on-one treatment that includes a soothing massage of key areas such as the belly, hips, gluteus, buttocks, and lower back. This therapeutic touch serves not only to alleviate pain or discomfort during pregnancy but also to create space for the growing belly.
Optionally, her expertise extends to performing an internal massage of the pelvic floor muscles, targeting pain and tension in this important area. Through this practice, she can also assess and screen the pelvic floor muscles, evaluating your ability to relax and engage them, thus enhancing your bodies awareness and control during birth as well.
At our Mama Baby retreat, her treatment consists of a check of your pelvic floor and abdominal muscles. She will teach you how to strengthen your pelvic floor and core again. Includes a soothing massage of key areas such as the belly, hips, gluteus, buttocks, and lower back. Marta will also lead the postpartum strengthening work out at the retreat.
“Marta’s pelvic floor massage is special and I would recommend any pregnant woman to do at least one such pelvic floor massage during her pregnancy. In a short time, I learned so much about my pelvic floor and how to support it for smoother and easier labor. Also, the massage itself was effective and relaxing. Truly recommend her!“
My personal experience can only support this, after birth the doctor could not believe I only needed 1 stitch, when she would have expected me to have a lot more. My recovery therefore was super fast and smooth. I am forever grateful to have found Marta on my path during pregnancy.
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Doula
Our doula Sara, a loved and respected doula who has made a significant impact on the realm of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care.
She loves how Motherhood can be sacred and transforming. The paths it makes us take, the adventures we encounter along the way, and the unexpected twists and turns. She recognises how the journey of motherhood acts as a vehicle for self-discovery and a powerful means of forging connections with others.
She is passionate about breathwork, and bodywork connected to pregnancy, birth and postpartum. She trained as a Doula in the UK with Nurturing Birth, and has the honour of witnessing babies being born in varied contexts, choices and situations. Her experiences have also sensitised her to the disparities in birth options available to women in different countries, prompting her to take action in Portugal. This led her to found the Portuguese Birthrights Association where she puts her energy into every day so that human rights in pregnancy and birth become reality in Portugal. More about her work here.
During the retreat, Sara's presence will be invaluable in supporting you on your journey. Her expertise will shine through as she facilitates birth and postpartum preparation sessions, mama blessings, closing the bones ceremony’s & more.
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Meet Ava our holistic therapist and acupuncturist specialized in women's health. After she was trained in the artistic world, she managed to let her deepest passion come to the surface: providing people with well-being.It was after suffering from hormonal imbalances, in which conventional medicine was unable to help her effectively, that she started looking for answers in natural therapies. This holistic point of view has connected her more and more with her essence, becoming aware of her feelings, her dreams and especially her needs. The desire to heal physical imbalances led her to this safe place, which allows her day after day to have a very clear vision of how she want to channel her energy.
From this strength that was growing within, she began to feel a change on a physical and emotional level and in that moment she decided to start her training in Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2014 in Barcelona. Since 2016, she has been treating patients with various pathologies, which has allowed her to place herself at her center and lead her to a balance in her being, which has been fundamental to the healing results obtained over these years. She wants to work on her conscience, live from sincerity and create from love.
Prenatal acupuncture can help you because it allows your body to be balanced and some symptoms of pregnancy can be avoided:
From relieving nausea early in the first weeks of pregnancy.
To reducing anxiety and resetting your nervous system to help promote relaxation.
Acupuncture can also help turn breech babies and relieve pain in the back, pelvis or headaches.
Towards the end of the pregnancy acupuncture can help prepare the body for labor by promoting relaxation, balancing hormones and reducing the duration of labor.
You can book an individual session with Ava as an extra during the retreat.
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Doula & massage therapistMayra, our doula & specialised massage therapist. Mayra is a compassionate and dedicated birth doula who is committed to providing unwavering support to women and families throughout their transformative journey from pregnancy to postpartum. Her mission is deeply rooted in her belief in the power of connection, care, and the profound impact of touch during this remarkable time in a woman's life.
Her approach to touch goes beyond mere relaxation; it delves into the realm of connection, creating a bridge between a woman and her own body. Mayra understands that touch is not only a physical act but a means of fostering a deeper bond between a woman and her changed body, allowing her to fully embrace the experience of pregnancy & motherhood.
For our retreat, Mayra will offers her Prenatal & postnatal full body massages, based on Ayurvedic Yoga massage, the treatment she offers is not only restorative but also promotes essential elements of well-being, including enhanced blood circulation, relaxation, and the flow of prana (life force energy).
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Just like they we give our care and love to every little detail of the retreat, the food you will be served is one of the most important.
Our chef, Mama Elisabete pours her love into our meals. We could not be happier and more grateful having her in the kitchen during our retreats.
All our retreat mama’s rave about the food that is served. Such quality and quantity, many options to choose from, vegan, vegetarian but also fish and chicken.A delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner, served buffet-style in the charismatic main house, complete with a bar and fireplace. The food is extremely nourishing for mama’s and off course she pays close attention to any dietary requirements you might have.
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Soft tissue therapistLaurie is a movement practitioner and soft tissue therapist with over 25 years of teaching experience and a holistic approach to pain relief and mobility.
As a specialist in movement, mobility, and neuromuscular therapy, he combines deep tissue massage, fascial manipulation, breathwork, and corrective mobility programming to support the body’s natural healing process.
For pregnant and postnatal clients, Laurie’s work alleviates discomfort, supports structural changes during pregnancy, and aids in postnatal recovery—promoting better posture, increased strength, and balanced movement.
“I love his approach to massage. He found pains & aches that were long held in my body. Also as a mom of 2 little ones, he knew exactly where my body is compromising and working hard to carry them, I felt understood in my body on a whole new level.”
Answers to your questions
Can I bring my partner?
While our retreats are designed with mothers at heart and many mama’s come solo, it’s also so beautiful when dads come along to share this experience.
If you’re considering joining us, know that we welcome fathers with open arms, both in our Babymoon as on our Mama Baby Retreats. They can be fully present at the retreat joining all activities or joining in parts of it and for example work remotely from the retreat centre.
Because you will be able to share a room together, we offer the second person in your booking a reduced price of €725,-.
Can I arrive earlier on stay longer?
Yes, that’s sometimes possible! If you’d like to arrive a day or a few days earlier or extend your stay after the retreat, just let me know. I’ll be happy to check the availability of the retreat center for you and see what options are available.
If the retreat centre is fully booked for extra nights, I can also recommend nearby accommodations, so you can fully enjoy your time in Ericeira before or after the retreat.
Let me know what you need, and I’ll do my best to arrange a smooth and relaxing experience for you!
When is the check-in & check-out?
✔ Check-in: From 4:00 PM on the day of arrival
✔ Check-out: By 11:00 AM on the day of departure
How to get to the retreat centre from the airport?
Lisbon Airport is just 40 minutes away from Ericeira, and there are several easy ways to get to the retreat center:
✔ We order a Private Transfer: €70 one way
✔ Uber/Bolt: Approx. €40 one way
✔ Car Rental: Pick up from the airport or have it delivered to the retreat center
To make things even easier, we’ll create a WhatsApp group with the other mamas before the retreat starts, so you’ll have the option to coordinate and share a taxi with another mama arriving around the same time if you’d like.
When is the best time in my pregnancy to join this Babymoon Retreat?
You’re welcome to enjoy this retreat at any stage of your pregnancy—whether you’re in the early months or nearing the final stretch, this time is for you to rest, connect, and prepare for birth in a way that feels right for you.
If you’ll be flying to Portugal, we recommend checking with your airline, as regulations can vary. Some airlines allow travel up to 36 weeks, while others may require a medical certificate confirming that you're fit to fly. It’s always best to check in advance to ensure a smooth journey.
No matter where you are in your pregnancy, this retreat is a beautiful way to nurture yourself before your baby arrives.
What if I can’t travel anymore due to a pregnancy related medical reason?
If you are unable to attend the retreat due to a pregnancy-related medical reason, such as complications or being advised not to fly, we strongly recommend having Cancellation Insurance in place.
When purchasing cancellation insurance, make sure it:
✔ Covers pregnancy-related medical reasons (such as complications or doctor-advised travel restrictions)
✔ Covers trip cancellations within 30 days of departure
✔ Includes reimbursement for non-refundable costs, including retreat fees and flights
Having the right insurance ensures that you are financially protected in case your travel plans need to change. If you have any questions about booking or need assistance, feel free to reach out!
