The Algarve, Portugal
July 7-13, 2026
Welcome to the wild Portuguese coast, where golden cliffs blaze at sunset, ocean breezes caress your skin, and meandering days shimmer with adventure, laughter, warmth, and connection. Here, you’re invited to move at the pace of your own breath and rediscover the quiet magic of being fully present.
This is more than a getaway — it’s a homecoming for your soul, a long-awaited return to the parts of you that feel vibrantly alive and deeply at ease.
Portugal’s Algarve coast is a gorgeous, sunlit secret — where ochre cliffs meet turquoise sea, and every breeze carries the scent of salt and citrus. In Olhão, life moves with an easy rhythm: morning markets burst with color, tiled alleyways glow in the afternoon light, and quiet courtyards invite you to linger. The days stretch wide and golden, inviting you to slow down, breathe deeply, and rediscover the joy and wonder of simply being.
Say yes to the quiet luxury of being fully present.
“If you're considering joining QCYF on a retreat, DO IT. You won't regret it. I didn’t realize how much I needed it until I was there. It’s fun, it’s grounding, it’s inspiring and it’s honestly one of the best decisions I’ve made. This isn’t just a trip or a break from routine. It’s the kind of experience that stays with you long after it’s over.”
-Jackie, Cuba Retreat, April 2025
If you feel called to savor each sunrise and every small, breathtaking moment, this retreat is for you. If you’re ready to trade busy for wonder, and crave the kind of rest that re-energizes you from the inside out, this retreat is for you.
Discover Olhão & the Algarve
There’s a slow, steady heartbeat here — a rhythm that invites you to move softer, breathe deeper, and savor each moment fully. Whitewashed homes and intricate Moorish tiles catch your eye, each corner holding a story of connection, community, and quiet beauty.
Mornings begin gently and unhurried, bathed in a golden glow. Afternoons invite you into long, lingering meals under blooming bougainvillea.
As evening arrives, the sky softens into watercolor layers of pink, purple, and shimmering gold — a gentle reminder of the magic that unfolds when you slow down enough to witness it. Here, you find space to return to yourself. In this timeless corner of Portugal, there is no rush — only the quiet joy of coming home to who you really are.
If you believe true luxury is the freedom to settle in and really experience the world around you — knowing the details have been handled — this retreat is for you. If you dream of reconnecting with what truly matters, this retreat is for you.
Let slow mornings and watercolor sunsets revitalize you.
“I felt relaxed and cared for. I loved not having to worry and plan. I also loved getting to know the other people on our trip. I had so many interesting and enriching conversations—the kind of talks you can only share when there is time and space to do so.”
-Stacey, Morocco Retreat 2024
Step into ease of Casa Fuzetta
This lovingly restored 16th-century private villa is tucked among winding cobbled streets and sun-washed rooftops, just steps from the shimmering sea. Here, history breathes through original stone arches and hand-laid tiles, while modern touches create an atmosphere of elegant, effortless comfort. Each light-filled room is a personal haven, featuring airy, minimalist design, soft linen textures, and details that invite you to fully exhale — from deep soaking tubs to serene private terraces perfect for morning journaling or quiet contemplation.
The rooftop pool offers sweeping views across Olhão’s historic skyline and the sparkling Ria Formosa lagoon, inviting you to float beneath the endless blue or watch the sunset blush the town in gold and rose hues. Thoughtfully curated communal spaces encourage authentic connection, whether you’re sharing stories over a locally inspired meal or sinking into a cozy nook with a book and a glass of vinho verde.
Beyond Casa Fuzetta’s doors, Olhão’s gentle spirit invites you to wander — savoring fresh seafood at the vibrant market, exploring hidden courtyards, or taking a slow boat out to the wild, untouched islands nearby.
Every detail at Casa Fuzetta is designed to nourish and inspire, offering you the rare gift of feeling both held and free. Here, you’re invited not just to rest, but to rediscover your own natural rhythm — to remember what it’s like to be awash with your own light. Casa Fuzetta is more than a venue — it’s a soulful sanctuary where quiet luxury meets authentic Portuguese charm.
If you’re drawn to explore not only new places, but new depths within yourself, this retreat is for you. If you’re ready to move beyond routine and choose wonder, this retreat is for you.
Trust yourself to choose rest, joy, and deep connection.
“There were a number of moments where I paused, looked around, and felt so content and happy.”
-Evan, Cuba Retreat 2025
Our Private Chef
An enthusiastic chef with over 20 years of experience, Chef Ricardo is endlessly inspired by flavor and the power of food to bring people together. From a young age, he discovered that few things in life unify us as deeply as a shared meal. He began cooking alongside his mother, later refining his craft through culinary school, extensive travel, and at his own restaurant, Amore Vero.
For Chef Ricardo, even the simplest dish is an invitation — a chance to gather with family, friends, and the occasional stranger who becomes part of the story. Cooking is his love language, a way to transform ingredients (and hearts) through thoughtful process and intention. After all, no dish is truly complete without a pinch of salt and plenty of love.
Chef Ricardo’s culinary style celebrates an endless love for Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Asian flavors. He views cooking as a global, sensory experience — a joyful exploration of spices and influences from around the world, woven together to create bold, unforgettable flavors.
Choose the ease your mind and body crave.
“DO IT! I had never been on a trip that was planned for me and it's my new favorite way of travel. Not only did I not have to think about logistics and making sure I saw everything one should see, but getting to meet new people and develop relationships was an added bonus.”
-Nina, Cuba Retreat 2025
Sample Day
8am~ Wake & help yourself to coffee or tea
8:30am~ Morning meditation & morning movement
9:30am~ Brunch together – prepared by our private chef
10am~ Free time – relax by the pool, wander through the markets, or grab your hand-woven basket bag & turkish towel from your room and hop on a ferry to a nearby island for some beach time
1pm~ Grab an afternoon snack at the villa or lunch on your own
2pm~ Head out for our Surf or SUP & oysters experience
6:30pm~ Return to the villa for a shower & a cat nap
7:30pm~ Dinner together on the terrace – prepared by our private chef
Say yes to your time, to your peace, to yourself.
“This retreat was everything I didn’t know I exactly needed. A week to rest, recharge, focus on my wellness goals and wellbeing…and all without having to plan a single thing was truly a rewarding, memorable, and meaningful experience!”
-Dana, Costa Rica Retreat 2024
What is included:
7 nights and 8 days at Casa Fuzetta
Daily brunch, dinner, and afternoon snacks prepared by our private chef
Daily QCYF yoga & HIIT classes
Daily morning meditation sessions
Yoga mats & blocks
Hand-woven baskets & Turkish towels for the beach
Bottomless self-serve coffee & tea
Welcome drink
Special gift
Tourist accommodation tax
Excursions & Workshops
Soundbath
Vineyard wine-tasting & 3-course dinner
Coastal bike tour
Surf or SUP & Oysters experience
Rio Formosa sunset catamaran tour
*please note in the event of unforeseen/unavoidable circumstances, excursions are subject to change
What is not included:
Flights
Airport transfer
Gratuities
Alcoholic drinks (unless included in an excursion)
Additional add-on excursions and related ground transportation
Visa fees
Travel insurance
Drinks and food purchased at local restaurants
Wine, drinks, or snacks from honor bar
Your Retreat Hosts and Retreat Leader
Retreat Hosts ~ Deshawn & Marla Thomas
Prior to knowing one another, Marla and Deshawn shared the same dream of helping people feel better. In their separate lives, they each sought exercise as a medium for healing – Marla as a dedicated yoga pracitioner and Deshawn as a semi-pro athlete and personal trainer. After they met, Marla shared with Deshawn her dream of owning a yoga and fitness studio. With his unwavering support and encouragement, Marla opened QCYF in March of 2016. In 2018, as the studio began to expand beyond yoga into strength-training and HIIT, Deshawn left his career in the restaurant industry to become co-owner and CFO of QCYF.
Retreat Leader ~ Autumn Spencer
Autumn first traveled as an exchange student to Germany in 1989, the year the Berlin Wall fell. Witnessing the reunification of two countries and countless families separated for decades was a transformative experience. In the years since, Autumn has traveled to 15 other countries (and counting!). She is absolutely delighted to be working alongside Deshawn & Marla to help people feel joy, embrace adventure, and make new connections in new places
FAQ
What airport do I fly into? Faro, Portugal
Are there dietary restriction options? Yes, of course!
Do I have to attend all classes and experiences? You don’t! (Please note: there are no refunds for included classes and excursions you choose not to attend.)
Can I invite someone who is not a member of QCYF? Yes, we love to meet your friends and they don't need to be members at all!
Can I bring a family member? Yes! See the answer above.👆
Will I have free time to enjoy the villa and explore on my own? Yes, there is plenty of down time for you to relax, rest, and explore.
How will my roommate be selected? We’ll match you with a roommate based on what we know about you, your age, and your interests!
Join us in Portugal and rediscover what it means to savor life.
“The logistics for lodging, transport in the country, meals, and all the really fun activities being taken care of took so much off my mind and allowed me to really relax and enjoy the experience. I felt so cared for and welcomed.”
-Emily, Cuba Retreat 2025