MNT In Residence — Portugal Logistics & Travel Guide

Casas na Ferraria · Sesimbra, Portugal · September 23–27, 2026

Are you already dreaming of your week with us in Portugal? We are, and we cannot wait to practice alongside you at Casas na Ferraria. Below you will find everything you need to feel ready and at ease before you travel. We hope it answers your questions, and if anything is still on your mind, reach out any time. We are here for you all along the way!

Passport & Entry Requirements

US citizens travel to Portugal on a valid passport. Aim for a passport that stays valid for at least three months beyond your departure date, with two blank pages for any stamps. A visa applies only for stays longer than 90 days, so a standard retreat trip is simply passport and go.

Take a photo or make a copy of your passport and email it to yourself, so you always have one on file.

European Entry/Exit System (EES)

Portugal and the rest of the Schengen area now use a digital border system called EES. On your first arrival into Lisbon, border officers record a quick photo and your fingerprints in place of the old passport stamp. This adds a few minutes at passport control, so give yourself a comfortable time buffer after you land. Keep your passport and the retreat address handy, and you will move through smoothly.

A separate travel authorization called ETIAS is expected to arrive later. For this retreat, your valid passport is all you need. If you come across any website asking you to pay for ETIAS right now, please skip it, since official applications are not yet open.

Arrival & Ground Transportation

Transportation between Casas na Ferraria and Lisbon Airport is included on the first and last day of the retreat. We arrange group transfers from and to Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS), the main international airport about 7 km from Lisbon and roughly a 40 minute drive to the venue.

For a smooth start, plan to land in Lisbon in the morning, and by 2pm at the latest on arrival day. On departure day, please book your flight to leave Lisbon from 2pm onward, so you have time to travel back to the airport.

Check in on Day 1 begins at 4pm, and we open the retreat together with our welcome circle after dinner. On the final morning we close after breakfast, with checkout at 11am.

Arriving a few days early or staying on afterward sounds wonderful. Lisbon is full of boutique hotels and lovely apartments to extend your trip.

If travel day brings surprises

Flights shift and bags occasionally wander. If anything comes up on your travel day, reach out to us as soon as you can and we will help you sort it.

Email: hello@revampretreats.com

Getting Ready for Your Trip

Packing your bags

Pack light and keep it simple. A smaller bag keeps you mobile and relaxed through travel days. Bring only what you treasure, and leave anything irreplaceable safely at home. Think less is more. A few tips:

Choose a sturdy bag that is easy to roll, push, or carry. Rolling your clothes instead of folding saves real space.

Carry a daypack with you as your personal item on travel day. Keep your essentials inside: passport, cards, cash, journal, and one change of clothes in case your suitcase takes the scenic route.

Packing suggestions

  • Reformer and movement wear, form-fitting and comfortable for class

  • Grip socks for the reformer (a guest favorite, bring a couple of pairs)

  • Light casual pants and shorts

  • Long sleeve layering shirts and t-shirts

  • A sweater or warm pullover for the plane and cooler evenings

  • A windbreaker and a light rain jacket

  • Underwear and socks

  • Comfortable walking or hiking shoes

  • Flip flops or house shoes

  • Pajamas

  • Swimsuits

  • Casual day wear, a day dress, or a swim wrap

  • One outfit for our closing celebration

  • A small daypack for walks and excursions

  • Insect repellent

  • Toiletries (sunblock, toothbrush, toothpaste, face wash, floss, and personal care). Travel sizes and biodegradable options where you can

  • A journal, a good book, and a pen

  • Sunglasses

  • Eye mask, ear plugs, small mirror

  • Visor, hat, or cap

  • Reusable water bottle

  • Any medications you need, plus allergy relief

  • Hair ties or a bandana to keep hair out of your face

  • A travel mat if you love your own (the venue provides mats and props as well)

  • Passport and a copy, photo ID, a card, and some cash

  • Power adapter. Portugal uses type C and F plugs, with standard voltage of 230 V and frequency of 50 Hz

Above all, keep it light.

Your reformers are ready

Studio-quality reformers and props are set up and waiting for you at the venue, so you can travel with just your movement wear and grip socks. Everything you practice on is provided.

Wellness

Your health and wellbeing matter deeply to us. Travel and shifting time zones ask a lot of the body, so a happy immune system and a settled stomach go a long way. A few things that help:

Supplements

  • Probiotics, to support your immune system

  • Activated charcoal, a gentle option if your stomach needs a reset

  • Magnesium, for rest and easy sleep

  • Elderberry, for an immunity boost

Rest gear

  • Eye mask

  • Ear plugs

Snacks If you love a snack, have food sensitivities, or like to keep your blood sugar steady, pack a few healthy favorites for the journey.

Insurance

We recommend travel insurance for peace of mind, and we suggest confirming with your carrier that personal belongings are covered while you travel. Bring a copy of your insurance documents with you. Keeping valuables minimal and well looked after lets you relax fully into the week.

Money & Tipping

The local currency is the Euro. The venue and many places in Portugal welcome Euro in cash, so bring some along for personal items, snacks, tipping, and souvenirs. Exchanging cash or withdrawing from an ATM in the arrivals terminal is the easiest way to land with Euro in hand. Check current exchange rates and any fees at exchange centers or ATMs during your stay.

Tipping in Portugal is relaxed and up to you. In restaurants, around 10 percent is a kind gesture for good service, and the choice is always yours.

Excursions & Massages

Your week includes time to explore, and there will be opportunities for excursions and massages along the way, plus free time to wander the area at your own pace. Comfortable walking shoes will serve you well.

Welcome to Casas na Ferraria

Welcome to your home for the week. Casas na Ferraria is a beautifully renovated farm and retreat venue, about half an hour south of Lisbon, where the air carries the scent of eucalyptus. Strolls through the native forest make it easy to forget the city is only minutes away.

The property is made up of three separate houses, each with thoughtfully designed bedrooms and quiet, restful details. Everything here invites you to slow down and reset into a more natural rhythm. The homes fill with natural light and open onto space to spend outside between sessions. There are two swimming pools and two hot tubs, an infrared sauna, a permaculture garden, and walking paths leading in every direction. Each meal is prepared by a private chef, built around fresh, local ingredients that nourish body and mind.

You will practice surrounded by tranquil landscapes. A 100 square meter outdoor deck nestled in nature looks out over the surrounding field, and a 250 square meter indoor space holds room to move, alongside a dedicated massage room and natural, handmade amenities in every house. From the moment you arrive, the warmth of the place settles in: the renovated wood, the soft colors, the light, the food, the calm.

The venue sits close to Lagoa de Albufeira, a stunning nature reserve known for blue lagoons, white-sand beaches, and beautiful trails. The Atlantic coast, with its cliffs and sandy coves, is a short bike ride away. It is pure magic.

Good to Know

Time zone

In late September, Portugal observes Western European Summer Time, which is 8 hours ahead of Los Angeles while both regions are on daylight time.

Weather

Late September in this part of Portugal is warm and gentle, with daytime highs often in the mid 70s to low 80s Fahrenheit, and cooler evenings in the low 60s. A light layer for the evenings keeps you comfortable.

Internet and phone

Once we arrive, we warmly encourage you to disconnect. If you would like calling, texting, or data, many carriers now include Portugal in their plans, so a quick call to yours before you travel is worthwhile. The venue has internet in some areas if you need to check in.

Critters

You may meet a few of nature's locals during the week, including the occasional mosquito in greener, humid spots. Most are harmless. Closed-toe shoes, a light layer, and bug spray keep you comfortable, and a natural salve soothes any bites. Switching off lights when you leave your room at night keeps the bugs away and saves energy too.

Food

We believe in delicious, local, healthy meals, freshly prepared throughout your stay. Share any dietary needs with us ahead of time, so we can let our chef know and take good care of you.

Safety

As with travel anywhere, a little awareness goes a long way. Keep an eye on your belongings in busy public places, and bring only what you truly need. Leaving the rest at home keeps your trip easy and light.

Being a Conscious Traveler

Go with the flow. Travel has its surprises. Flights shift, bags wander, words get lost in translation. Embrace it all as part of the adventure, practice patience, and find the humor in the unexpected.

Respect the culture. A little research before you arrive goes far. Honor local life, the wildlife, and the land. A few words of Portuguese, like please, thank you, and hello, are warmly received.

Keep an open mind. There is so much to learn from people who live differently than we do. Try new things, savor the local food and customs, slow down, and take it in.

Have fun. This trip is for you. To rest, to reconnect, to know yourself a little better, and to share it with others. Notice what rises for you during the week, whether it feels joyful, tender, or surprising, and let yourself be in it. The days are full, and there is also room to rest, read, nap, or simply be. We are here to support you every step of the way.

We cannot wait to welcome you to Portugal!