We’ve forgotten how to stop. How to unwind. How to relax.
Relaxscape is an organic olive farm and relaxation retreat, founded on sustainable principles and with a focus on nature and natural products. Nestled in the tree-lined banks of the river Zêzere, in a secluded rural village in the heart of central Portugal, it’s a place of tranquillity and beauty, with its own special energy flow. I grow and harvest all produce organically, using traditional methods and no chemicals.
Relaxscape is about reconnecting with nature, a place where you can press pause on your busy life and escape for a while. It’s a place to enjoy a slower pace, savour simple pleasures. A place to relax and reconnect with yourself.
Relaxscape, the concept
Relaxscape has been conceived by me, Belinda Raitt. For the past 10+ years I've been coaching clients through life, career and business change. During that time, I began to see a common wish among many of my clients - to make time for themselves again, so they could enjoy their life more. Inspired by the Japanese philosophies of ikigai (your “reason for being”) and shinrin yoku (“forest bathing”), Relaxscape has been created as a calming retreat surrounded by trees, with activities designed to help you rediscover what makes you happy.
Relaxscape opened in 2019, offering coaching retreats based around nature for people who want to work through changes in their life, or a difficult decision. Using the nature around us to help to stimulate your creativity and problem-solving brain, I've created an environment specially designed to support you through your decision-making, goal-setting and self-discovery.
Nature retreats designed to help you find your way
I also host relaxation based activity holidays, for people who find it hard to unwind by lying on a beach doing nothing. Set around a weekly activity such as grape or olive picking, art or writing workshops, cookery courses, wellbeing weeks, walking tours, yoga, or gardening you’ll be able to find your purpose while learning a new skill or honing an existing one. It’s up to you to decide how much relaxing you’d like to do in between! Great for solo travellers who enjoy meeting others while still being able to enjoy time alone, or for couples looking for a different sort of holiday.
Relaxscape is located in the perfect spot to explore the rural charms of central Portugal, water sports on the River Zêzere, the medieval Templar city of Tomar with its UNESCO World Heritage Convento do Cristo, and the pilgrim shrine at Fátima, which is on the Caminho de Santiago trail. As it’s mid-way between Lisbon and Porto, you could easily extend your holiday to take in one or other of these amazing cities too.
What is a nature coaching retreat?
It's a well-known fact that it's easier to reflect, make decisions and be receptive to change when you're in a relaxed state away from the normal stresses and strains of your daily life. It's been proven that creative problem-solving happens when your brain is engaged on other relaxing activities in nature. Relaxscape provides the perfect environment to explore changes you'd like to make in your life or work. The retreats are all based around a specific activity in nature, and facilitated by qualified and experienced coaches and alternative therapists. There will also be some group discussions with the other guests on the retreat, as it's often from these shared experiences that we benefit the most, as well as having plenty of time to unwind and enjoy some quiet time for reflection.