Return to each other:
Portugal Couples Retreat
For monogamous couples wanting to prioritise quality time and re-ignite the spark
18–23 September | 5 nights off-grid in Portugal
Space to breathe. Adventures to share. Time to soften, play, reconnect, and remember what brought you together..
Space to breathe. Adventures to share. Time to soften, play, reconnect, and remember what brought you together.
This retreat is for couples who know that love needs time.
Not just passing each other in the kitchen.
Not just coordinating diaries, responsibilities, or the next thing on the list. But real time. Intentional time. The kind that lets you exhale, look at each other properly again, and remember who you are underneath the busyness of life.
A Taste of the Wild
“Sometimes you need to leave the familiar, to remember who you are.”
– Wild with Clare
Winter Iceland, Curated for Comfort. Experience North Iceland at its most dramatic — snow-dusted landscapes, steaming geothermal areas, and fewer crowds — without the stress of winter driving or planning. The highlights….
Whale Watching in Arctic Waters. Set sail from Akureyri on a guided whale-watching adventure, spotting humpbacks and other marine life against a backdrop of icy fjords.
Winter Diamond Circle. A day visiting:
Goðafoss waterfall
Hverir bubbling geothermal fields
Hverfjall volcano (conditions permitting)
Soak Under the Stars. Unwind in the of North Iceland’s most beautiful geothermal baths; hot water, cold air, and pure winter magic.:
Forest Lagoon (Akureyri) - with two geothermal pools, a cold plunge, sauna, and swim-up bars — nestled in woodland above the fjord
Plus we have our very own hot tub at our accommodation - heated by natural geothermal waters
Northern Lights Potential. With dark November skies and minimal light pollution, you’ll have multiple opportunities to witness the Aurora Borealis dancing overhead (weather dependent, always magical).
Intimate Group Experience. Limited to just 9 guests, ensuring a calm, personal atmosphere with plenty of space, attention, and flexibility.
Location
Set in the mountainous Tröllaskagi Peninsula (literally “Troll Peninsula”), this region is steeped in folklore and old myths. Surrounded by glaciers, fjords, and dramatic coastline, it is one of the most breathtaking corners of Iceland. Here, nature still sets the pace — whales in the fjord, northern lights above, snow crunching underfoot.
The Venue
Our home for the week is a restored Icelandic farmhouse, warm and welcoming, with sweeping views of Eyjafjörður — the longest fjord in the north. After days spent exploring, you’ll sink into the sauna, hot tub, or curl up by the fire for evenings of deep rest. It’s simple, soulful, and perfectly placed to let the land hold us.
The farmhouse was bought in 2013 by Pétur Einarsson and Svanfríður Ingvadottir, who lovingly restored it and, since 2016, have welcomed intrepid travellers and artists seeking inspiration. They’ve kept the old soul of the farm alive by carefully upcycling and restoring, creating a space full of warmth, creativity, and connection.
Here, tranquillity comes naturally — a peaceful escape from the bustle of everyday life.
The bedrooms are simple, soulful spaces designed for rest.
Each room balances rustic charm with quiet comfort — warm, unfussy, and intentionally uncluttered. After days spent outdoors and evenings in shared ritual, these rooms offer a place to retreat, soften, and sleep deeply.
There are six double bedrooms for single occupancy, ideal for those wanting privacy and personal space, and one shared bedroom with two single beds for guests who are happy to share.
quality Portuguese-made mattresses with memory-foam toppers, good pillows, duvets, and cotton sheets.
🌿 A Note on Flow & Flexibility
This retreat is guided by the rhythm of the season.
November in Iceland is wild, beautiful, and ever-changing — and our days are designed to meet that, rather than push against it. While the outline below offers a sense of our shared journey, the exact timing and order of experiences may shift in response to weather, road conditions, and the natural flow of the group.
I’ll be holding the wider container throughout — weaving the days with care, adapting plans as needed, and choosing the options that feel safest, most spacious, and most aligned in each moment.
This flexibility isn’t a compromise — it’s part of the magic. It allows us to move with the land, make the most of clear skies and quiet moments, and trust that what unfolds will be exactly what’s needed.
The Journey
3–7 November | Sample Itinerary (weather-led & lovingly held)
Day One — Arrival & Landing
Arrive in North Iceland and settle into our farmhouse
Hot tub dip, grounding into the space
Opening circle + gentle yoga and sound bath
Dinner at home
Fire-side evening, hot tub dips, and (if the skies allow) our first Northern Lights watch
Day Two — Whale watching + Forest Lagoon
(Whale watching is planned for today to give us flexibility to move it if sea conditions ask us to.)
Candlelit dawn practice (gentle yoga + meditation)
Breakfast at home
Whale watching from Akureyri (2–3 hours, timing set by weather + operator schedule)
Lunch out
Forest Lagoon (3–5pm approx — final time confirmed closer to the date)
Dinner at home
Yoga Nidra + sound bath to close the day
Day Three — Winter Diamond Circle
Dawn practice (gentle movement + Yoga Nidra)
Breakfast at home
Guided Winter Diamond Circle (route shaped by conditions, lunch out):
Goðafoss waterfall
Hverir geothermal area (bubbling earth + steam)
Dimmuborgir lava formations
Hverfjall volcano (conditions permitting)
Dinner at home (depending on energy + conditions)
Hot Tub, Northern Light Gazing, Fire-side chill
Day Four — Integration & Slow Flow Day
Morning yoga (slow, warming, grounding)
Late breakfast
A spacious day to integrate: choose what you need most
Local winter walk: horses, coastline, wide skies — and often whales visible from shore
Rest / journaling / hot tub
Lunch at home
Optional horse riding (extra, not included)
Sharing circle (gentle, held, open to the flow of the groups needs may have some movement here too!)
Dinner at home
Evening stretch + sound bath
Day Five — Closing Morning & Departure
Short morning practice + closing circle
Breakfast at home
Depart for the airport with winter travel buffer built in
Who This Retreat is For?
This retreat is for you if you’re craving:
* A deeper connection with nature’s rhythms 🌍
* Time away from the noise to rest and replenish 🌙
* Adventure and wonder in a land of mountains, fjords, and northern skies 🏔️
* A blend of cosy stillness and expansive exploration 🔥❄️
If you like the sound of — no cooking, no decisions, just arrive and be thoroughly looked after by our amazing private chef 🍽️
* The intimacy of a small, like-hearted group (9 guests) 💫
Your Hosts
Clare is an experienced yoga teacher, wellness and empowerment mentor with a wealth of knowledge, a fun, dynamic energy, and a warm, open heart. A full-time yoga teacher since 2009, Clare has hosted numerous yoga classes, retreats, and workshops.
She founded The Quaives Retreat centre in 2016. Her expertise lies in women's wellness; her sessions are all-inclusive, non-judgemental, and welcoming to people of all levels and life stages. Clare is qualified in Sunpower Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Women's Wellness Yoga Therapy, Yoga Nidra, sound healing, and Ayurvedic massage. Her mission is to support you in finding inner peace, joy, and self-confidence, offering a safe, compassionate, and supportive space for personal growth and increased confidence in your body and life choices.
CLASS STYLES
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Mornings
Gentle Yoga + Sound Bath
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A wonderful escape from everyday life. I received a warm welcome and the cottage was lovely; clean, cosy and beautifully decorated. The classes were great; excellent instruction, loads of guidance and new learning. Clare was a brilliant instructor for yogis of all levels. Adaptions were made for those of us with injuries and there was no judgement. The food was fantastic and there was plenty of it! I will certainly be booking to come back. Keep up the good work!
- Suzie T
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My experience with Clare and her team were utterly phenomenal. Right from the moment I arrived, Clare was welcoming and thoughtful. This was my first ever yoga retreat so I was unsure of what to expect for the weekend. The quality of the healing, nourishment, workshops and lasting tools was exceptional. Clare was also extremely respectful when I needed solitude versus group activity over the weekend and I didn’t ever feel pressure to participate if it wasn’t right for me. Two weeks after returning home, I still feel the radiant glow that I left the weekend with, which is indicative of the quality of the retreat
- Erin H
Seasonal Soul Food
At Wild with Clare Retreats, food is more than fuel — it’s part of your healing, grounding, and pleasure. Each day, you’ll be served three nourishing meals made from seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, designed to support your energy, digestion, and overall sense of wellbeing.
The menu is mostly vegetarian, with a few locally caught fish dishes thoughtfully woven in. From warming soups and roasted vegetables to fresh salads, wholesome grains, and gently sweet desserts, every plate is a celebration of nourishment.
Breakfasts might include spiced porridge, cottage cheese pancakes, or herby eggs with homemade rye toast. Dinners may feature baked salmon with dill and roasted roots, or buckwheat with lemon-tahini and sauerkraut slaw — always colourful, balanced, and prepared with love.
Please let us know in advance about any allergies or intolerances so we can make sure you feel fully supported at every meal.
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I had the most wonderful time on retreat with Clare. It was my first yoga retreat and it has set a high standard. Clare was a warm and inspiring host. The food was amazing. I was nervous about trying a retreat on my own. But the whole experience was wonderful and felt very natural. The yoga, sound baths, and cocoa and fire ceremonies were all authentically delivered, the whole group were made to feel safe and all experiences were inclusive as well as immersive. It was a real healing experience
- Samantha L
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A wonderful escape from everyday life. I received a warm welcome and the cottage was lovely; clean, cosy and beautifully decorated. The classes were great; excellent instruction, loads of guidance and new learning. Clare was a brilliant instructor for yogis of all levels. Adaptions were made for those of us with injuries and there was no judgement. The food was fantastic and there was plenty of it! I will certainly be booking to come back. Keep up the good work!
- Suzie T
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My experience with Clare and her team were utterly phenomenal. Right from the moment I arrived, Clare was welcoming and thoughtful. This was my first ever yoga retreat so I was unsure of what to expect for the weekend. The quality of the healing, nourishment, workshops and lasting tools was exceptional. Clare was also extremely respectful when I needed solitude versus group activity over the weekend and I didn’t ever feel pressure to participate if it wasn’t right for me. Two weeks after returning home, I still feel the radiant glow that I left the weekend with, which is indicative of the quality of the retreat
- Erin H
Nourishment by Vanessa
Vanessa Jaich is a Retreat Chef and Naturopathic Nutritionist whose cooking is rooted in deep nourishment. Her food is designed to support gut health, hormonal balance, and the nervous system, creating meals that feel both comforting and intelligently crafted. Drawing on her background in functional nutrition and nervous-system-informed healing, Vanessa’s kitchen becomes a space of restoration, regulation and magic.
The Details
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✔ 4 nights accommodation in a beautifully restored Icelandic farmhouse
✔ Daily yoga, meditation & sound practices
✔ Workshops (journaling, ritual, community circles)
✔ Private geothermal hot tub at the farmhouse
✔ Group excursions: forest bath, lava, geothermal wonders, and waterfall visit
✔ A guided 2-3hr whale-watching boat trip
✔ Time for rest, reflection, and connection
✔ Nourishing, seasonal meals (vegetarian + fish dishes, with dietary needs catered for) when we are in the farmhouse for meal time - breakfast, lunch, dinner. For half day or full day tours away, breakfast will be included but lunch and/or dinner will be excluded when eating out.
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✘ International flights to/from Iceland
✘ Airport transfers (Clare will co-ordinate to keep costs down)
✘ Optional excursions (e.g. horseback riding or extra adventures)
✘ Meals out when on one of our tours (3 meals max won’t be included)
✘ Alcohol, snacks, or additional drinks
✘ Travel insurance (required)
✘ Massages or other personal treatments
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Prices are per person:
Main House
• ♛ MAIN 1: 1 King & Sofa bed (reserved for hosts)
♛ MAIN 2 - 2 single beds - £1,400pp
♛ MAIN3: 1 x single bed £1,525
Stables (all with fjord views) connected with the main house
♛ STABLES 1: standard double room £1,675
♛ STABLES 2 : standard double room£1,675
♛ STABLES 3 : standard double room £1,675
♛ STABLES 4 : cosy double room £1,600
♛ STABLES 5 : cosy double room £1,600
♛ STABLES 6 - Bedroom 6 premium: 1 double bed £1,750
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Payment Plans
To make the retreat more accessible, payment can be spread out:
💫 Deposit: £500 to secure your place
💫 Remaining Balance: Split into monthly instalments (flexible to suit you, to be completed by Oct 2026)
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Fly Direct into Akureyri Airport (AEY) via Gatwick London with easyJet. Direct Flights operate only on Tuesdays & Saturdays.
We’ll provide a simple travel guide with suggested flights and co-ordinate airport transfers to keep it economical.
We suggest booking your flights in advance. Please to contact us before booking so we can see about getting everyone on the same flight where possible. We can help you with travel arrangements.