New Year Madeira Yoga Retreat, Portugal: December 28th 2024 - January 4th 2025
Enjoy a new year adventure in this award-winning destination with jaw-dropping views of the rugged coastline and ocean. Enjoy culture, hikes, stunning scenery, new year fireworks and feast and blissful yoga.
Time to join us for a new year hiking yoga holiday in Madeira!
Escape the usual New Year and take time out to spend a whole week in this tropical paradise on this active winter sun yoga holiday in Madeira. Join us on this active new year break in Madeira with two daytime guided hikes with local guides, one in the Levadas and one along the dramatic coastline, and one sunrise hike, see the sunrise above the clouds. And with yoga, twice a day, feel energised, refreshed, and ready for 2025. We recommend having a good fitness level to enjoy the hikes in Madeira.
We have a full itinerary for you so that you can join us as much or as little as you like and be as active or relaxed as you like. For those of you who love an active yoga holiday, this one is for you; with the two free time days, you can fill your schedule with more hiking (we can arrange with our local guide), or you can try a boat trip, wine tasting, a visit to the botanical gardens and a cart ride downhill. There is plenty to do in Madeira. If you want to relax, this is fine too; enjoy the venue’s beautiful grounds and read a book or wander into Funchal and try a Pasteis de nata in a cafe.
It is a New Year’s yoga holiday with us, and as with all our New Year retreats, we share with you a setting intentions workshop to get clear on your goals for 2025 and a New Year’s Eve feast and ceremony to bring in the New Year with positivity, peace, and community.
Madeira is situated not far off the coast of North Africa. It is an island full of raw, natural beauty and adventures. Madeira may be small, but it makes up for it by everything else being on a grand scale. To begin with, it boasts Europe’s highest sea cliffs and over 1300 hiking trails, and it even hosts the world’s largest fireworks display annually. This volcanic island is a sight to behold.
Pioneers of slow tourism, Madeira is an island that protects and conserves its natural assets with care both on land and at sea. Two-thirds of Madeira’s 741 km2 is classified as a nature reserve. Furthermore, the natural heritage of the Madeira archipelago makes it a prime ecological destination.
For our New Year yoga hiking holiday in Madeira this December, you will be staying in one of the oldest Quintas on the island. Perched high above the bay of Funchal, with sweeping views across the city and out to sea, it feels like home from when you arrive.
A vast estate, the property is a working farm with a vineyard and a long, fascinating history! There are beautiful gardens and a swimming pool—anyone for a cold water dip?! This is not a remote location; it is only a 15-minute walk into the city, even though it feels like an entirely secluded estate.
Honestly, there are so many adventures to be had in Madeira that we struggled to create an itinerary that squeezes it all in! However, we have created a New Year’s yoga adventure in Madeira that blends the best this incredible island offers.
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Location
Funchal -
Season
winter -
Duration
7 nights -
Group size
12 -
Accommodation
Traditional PortugueseQuinta -
Meeting Point
The venue -
Yoga level
All levels -
Activity level
Good fitness level for hikes -
Food
Veggie/plant-based -
Carbon Footprint
315Kgs
The days of your New Year hiking yoga holiday in Madeira will be the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation.
Arrival is from 4pm. If you fly into Funchal earlier, there is a baggage drop in the city, where you can leave your bags to explore. Transfers are not included in this holiday as the venue is only 20 minutes from the airport, so you can arrive and depart on flights that work best for you. Departure is from 10.00am. The venue has strict check-in and check-out times, so we ask that these times be honoured.
Typical yoga Holiday Schedule in Madeira
7 am
Tea and pre-yoga snacks served in the terrace
7.30 am
Energising morning yoga
9 am
Delicious vegan/veggie brunch to fuel the days adventures
Day 1
28th December: Arrival day from 4pm: evening yoga, dinner
10 am - Day 2
29th December: Walk into Funchal to explore the local area
10 am - Day 3
30th December: Guided hike through the Levada trails - setting intentions workshop, new year!
10 - am Day 4
31st December: Guided hike along the coastal paths, taking in the incredible views
10 am - Day 5
1st January: Wake up a bit later, relaxed morning, enjoy Funchal
10 am Day 6
2nd Januar: Sunrise hike
10 am Day 7
3rd January: A day to yourself to do as you please
Day 8
Departure at 10.00am
4 pm
Back home to relax and unwind
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All activities are weather depenedent
See what is included in your new year hiking yoga holiday Madeira with us!
What's included
Traditional Madeira Quinta with views of Funchal, lots of outdoor space, room options
Outdoor pool and dining area, games room and tennis court
Exclusive access to the Quinta
Energising morning yoga classes
Restorative evening yoga classes
Delicious plant based/veggie brunch after yoga with our AY chef
Delicious plant based evening meal after yoga with our AY chef
Plant-based lunch if staying at the Quinta
2 guided hikes with qualified guides and packed lunches
1 guided sunrise hike
Transport included for 2 hikes included in the price
Setting intentions workshop
New years eve feast
Yoga mats
Amazing AY team to look after your every need
What's not included
- Flights, airport transfers, travel insurance
- Lunches out
- Extra taxis outside of arranged trips
- Any other yoga equipment you like to use
- Boat trip
- Massage treatments
- €2 per person per day tourist tax to be paid to venue on arrival (€14 in total)
Accommodation in Madeira
Your home for our Madeira yoga holidays is a stunning traditional Quinta full of history, charm and plenty of space!
Perched high on the hills overlooking Funchal and out to sea, it is the perfect base to be able to explore everything that this diverse island has to offer. The relaxed but bustling city of Funchal is only a 15-minute walk and the infamous Botanical Gardens are a 7-minute taxi ride away.
The vast property has all manner of rooms to relax in. Alongside sitting rooms, there is a library and terrace with stunning views across Funchal. Outside you can enjoy the large pool, pool room with billiards, table tennis and a piano to play on.
Madeira is famous for its flowers and our expansive gardens are a prime example. Filled with perfect spots to escape to with a book or, head to the pool to relax on a lounger.
There are 9 unique bedrooms within the Quinta boasting plenty of space and character. With a traditional feel, they are simple but exceptionally clean and comfortable each with views across the gardens or out to sea. Each room has a private bathroom with showers.
There is a mix of private doubles and twin rooms available, mostly en-suite with two single rooms with a shared bathroom with each other.
Madeira is easily accessible from a number of UK airports and various airlines. The flight time is roughly 4 hours.
Flights
Please book any flight which arrives after 13:30.
Arriving in the city of Funchal. Please be aware that there is no group transfer included in the cost of this retreat however we are very happy to assist with taxis and taxi shares. We set up a WhatsApp group prior to the start of the retreat which will allow you to organise taxi shares to and from the airport.
For departure, you will be required to leave the property no later than 10:00. Please book any return flight after 12:30.
Please be aware that entry to the property will not be possible until 16:00 at the earliest.
There are a variety of room options and prices for you – see below:
Spacious master suite single en-suite room with sea views: £1899
Single en-suite with terrace and sea views: £1899
Single en-suite with garden views: £1749
Single room with a double bed and a shared bathroom with 1 other person: £1699
Single room with a single bed and a shared bathroom with 1 other person: £1649
Twin room with en-suite and sea views: £1599pp
small twin en-suite: £1449pp
A twin room is two single beds for two people sharing
- Hat, suncream, back pack, water bottle, sunglasses
- Warmer layers for the cooler early mornings and evenings
- Comfy clothes for yoga and lounging around the gardens and pool!
- swim suit for pool or sea swimming
- A good book
This New Year hiking yoga holiday Madeira is suitable for anyone that is looking for a fun, activity-based yoga adventure in a community environment. We recommend having a good level of fitness before you come to be able to enjoy the hikes to their fullest. The hikes can be challenging on this New year yoga holiday so if you are a beginner to hiking or you don't usually do much exercise, we recommend some training beforehand to get prepared so you can enjoy the whole experience. The yoga will be suitable for all levels - our yoga teachers are experienced and can modify the class to the yoga level and general energy of the group, with variations for more advanced postures as the week goes on.
Suitability : Level
- All ages
- Beginners
- Intermediate
- Men & Women
Sustainability
We are working towards reducing our carbon footprint, and here are some ways we, as a company, are doing this.
- We are an 88% vegan company, 10% vegetarian, and 2% fish or meat (only when staying in boutique hotels that offer these options). This makes up a huge percentage of carbon emissions that we avoid so easily because our food is still delicious, balanced, and even more creative. So, thanks to you all for enjoying our healthy (mostly) plant-based meals.
The difference: Most travel companies struggle to reduce their travellers’ meat and dairy consumption, which accounts for a large portion of their carbon emissions.
- We stay primarily in one location for the duration of the retreat. We have started staying in a few locations on our long haul, but it is limited to 2 or 3 locations over an 8 – 10 night period. Staying in one place means low carbon emissions because we aren’t burning fuel to get around.
The difference: Other adventure travel companies move around every two days, using alot of petrol in vehicles for sometimes only 1 or 2 people.
- Our activities are low-impact—yoga, hiking, surfing, skiing/boarding, whitewater rafting, SUP, and kayaking are all very low-carbon activities, in fact, zero-carbon (except skiing/snowboarding due to the ski lifts, which is also low). These activities are included in the price we measure. The carbon may increase with travel to and from these activities in vehicles.
The difference: Other travel companies can include high-carbon activities in the price, such as jet skiing, quad biking, and jeep driving, which increases their carbon footprint.
- We run more than half of our retreats and holidays in the UK; these are very low-carbon holidays.
We currently don’t measure our guests’ travel as part of our carbon output because our guests don’t only come from the UK, so it is hard for us to predict this. We also don’t include travel in the holiday price, which is not part of our calculations. We know that we provide these holidays, so we are looking to include this carbon measurement in the future to investigate how we can reduce this.
The carbon measurements at the top of the page with the icons are per person for the whole retreat.
Ultra-low-carbon holidays
These holidays are below 200 kg per person, and our UK retreats are below 100 or even 70 kg, so they are great adventures for low-carbon breaks.
Ski holidays are actually low in carbon!
In France, many ski resorts are turning to green energy to power the lifts. If you eat low in meat and dairy while you’re there and hire your ski equipment, this makes your trip as low-carbon as possible.
How can you help?
There are ways that you can help reduce your carbon when coming on our retreats and holidays:
- Travel by train, try slow travel across Europe and the UK.
- If travelling abroad to Europe or further afield, choose carbon capture schemes. Check out Ecologi. Offsetting is not the best thing to do these days, but try carbon capture, where you pay for carbon to be absorbed into the environment.
- Car share UK—We recommend that guests travel by train arrive and depart at the same time for taxi sharing, which helps keep costs and carbon emissions down. Why not consider car sharing, too? Most guests who drive come alone or with a friend; we have WhatsApp groups where you can see who is driving from your area, enjoy getting to know each other on the way to the retreats, and save on your carbon emissions at the same time!
We are by no means saints when it comes to producing carbon, as a travel company we know this is very difficult to reduce. We are working to reduce our carbon output each year by measuring it and then creating plans to reduce it. We are reviewing all our venues and asking them how they can improve their carbon reduction, as we don’t own any of our venues but would like to work with them to help in any way we can. We want to be transparent, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for more information. As we change things, we will update the website.
Beautiful Madeira
Madeira, a subtropical island located in the Atlantic off the coast of North-West Africa, offers a treasure trove of hidden gems waiting to be explored. With its breathtaking landscapes, this Portuguese territory is a dream destination for ocean and mountain enthusiasts. Whether you’re seeking adventure or relaxation, Madeira offers something for everyone, making it an ideal location for a wellness retreat or walking holiday.
For those seeking a yoga retreat, Madeira offers the perfect getaway. Immerse yourself in the island’s natural beauty and practice yoga amidst the stunning scenery. With numerous yoga retreats available, you can find the perfect program to suit your needs. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced yogi, Madeira is the ideal place to rejuvenate your mind and body.
Experience the ultimate in relaxation with a wellness retreat in Madeira. With its tranquil atmosphere and natural beauty, this island is the perfect place to unwind and rejuvenate. From luxurious spa treatments to meditation and yoga classes, there are plenty of options for those seeking a wellness escape. So why not treat yourself to a wellness retreat in Madeira and return home feeling refreshed and rejuvenated?
Here are our 9 top reasons to visit Madeira, Portugal
About the yoga
The yoga classes on your New Year’s yoga hiking holiday in Madeira are suitable for all levels and abilities; complete beginners are welcome.
There is a beautiful indoor yoga space perfect for your yoga classes.
Our morning yoga classes blend grounding Hatha, stronger vinyasa flows, and creative movements to energise you for the day ahead. Evening sessions are a blissful end to the day with restorative, yin, meditation, and yoga nidra.
We provide yoga mats on this yoga holiday, but we recommend bringing anything else you would like to use.
Highlights
Exclusive use of stunning Quinta with views of the whole of Funchal and beautiful gardens
Breakfast and dinner by our amazing AY chef
Twice daily yoga classes
Guided hikes with a local mountain guides
A new years eve feast and setting intentions workshop
Enjoy the new years eve fireworks display Madeira is known for
About the Food
The island is known for its wonderful fresh produce from nutrient-rich volcanic soils.
We will make the most of the subtropical climate and the abundant local produce to create our plant-based/vegetarian meals, which you can enjoy.
As you probably know, Madeira is also famed for two of life’s most beautiful gifts – wine and cake. Of course, it would be rude not to, especially as our Quinta is home to a vineyard, and you can experience everything from grape to glass in the garden!
Our post-yoga veggie brunch will fuel your days’ adventures, and evening meals will showcase the skills of our chefs and produce on the island.
As we will be out and about during the days, lunches will be from local cafes, markets and restaurants while we are out. We will provide you with a delicious packed lunch on hike days when this is impossible.
Your evening meal will have two plant-based courses, a main course and a dessert.
Please let us know about your dietary requirements, as we can usually cater for you.
For New Year, enjoy a four-course New Year celebratory veggie/plant-based feast and enjoy the fireworks displays from the balcony with views over the whole of Funchal.
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