The Detox Barn - Portugal
castro marim, portugal
Transformative wellbeing breaks deep in Algarvian nature
Set in a nature reserve and surrounded by pink flamingos, The Espargosa is a country house in the charming Algarve village of Castro Marim near the Portuguese/Spanish border. The Detox Barn retreats here feature nutritious, detoxifying, vegan meals and a rejuvenating mix of yoga, walks, swimming, mindfulness, meditation and therapy. Your hosts – comedians Sharon and Lauretta Gavin - and their handpicked team will help you make you the best possible version of yourself.
Queen of Retreats says:
‘You’ll laugh a lot with Sharon and Lauretta – they poke fun at themselves and life, yet their message is loud, clear and serious. Sharon was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease and was wheelchair-bound before she discovered a diet high in plant-based foods made a massive difference to her health. Lauretta went along for the ride and trained as a natural vegan chef’
Experiences
Retreats focus on creating healthy new habits that stick and how to change the stories we tell ourselves. Each day builds on the previous day, with guided mindfulness and meditation, workshops in Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) and habit coaching, a massage and a sound bath.
Learn more about nutrition and gut health at a food workshop led by a natural vegan chef, who will give you the tools to continue your diet back home.
Expect daily yoga by the sea or in the villa, guided walks in the nature reserve and cold-water swimming. Visit natural, outdoor, mineral-rich spa salt ponds where you can relax in immune-boosting salt ponds and enjoy a full body, natural mud mask. This is also birdwatcher heaven.
Spaces
The Espargosa overlooks the salt marshes of Castro Marim, a picturesque village with cobbled streets, whitewashed walls and terracotta roofs. The house is set in extensive grounds and has an outdoor pool with sunbeds.
Chill out on the sun loungers by the pool and enjoy the harmonious sounds of local birdlife. There are eight beautifully designed rooms with private bathrooms, air conditioning and patios. All have an understated, simple elegance.
On your doorstep is the Reserva Natural do Sapal, a 2,000-hectare marshland, where flamingos stop off to feed. There are also salt ponds, a 13th century castle and a 17th century fortress nearby. Expansive beaches are a 10-minute drive away.
Sustenance
You’ll be served a delicious and filling wholefood, plant-based diet, with juices for extra nutrition. Organic, vegan meals are cooked by natural vegan chefs.
Breakfast might be overnight oats with fruit and chia seeds, lunch a large vibrant salad and for dinner you might have a zingy plant-based pad Thai.
Fresh leaf organic tea and the Gavin Sisters’ own organic Funki coffee are available and there will be fruit for snacking. The retreat is alcohol-free.
castro marim, algarve, portugal
The Detox Barn
The Detox Barn offers friendly, down-to-earth retreats on set dates to help you create new healthy lifestyle habits. An established comedy double act - Gavin and Gavin - Sharon and Lauretta Gavin are serious about plant-based, wholefoods eating without fasting or deprivation. They offer retreats at a converted barn near Stowmarket in Suffolk in the UK and at a country house in the village of Castro Marim in the Algarve in Portugal.