A Glimpse Into the Experience
Workshops are thoughtfully guided, not overwhelming. Through journaling, deep discussions, and reflective prompts, you’ll explore who you are beneath the expectations you’ve been carrying. There is room for silence. There is room for laughter. There is room for truth.
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Afternoons hold space, sometimes for cultural exploration, sometimes for the sea, sometimes simply for rest. There is no pressure to perform. You are allowed to move at your own rhythm.
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Evenings gather around shared meals and where conversation lingers and time stretches. You exhale. This isn’t about escaping your life. It’s about remembering who you are within it.
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Imagine waking up in a quiet coastal villa as soft light pours through the windows. The air is warm. The pace is slow. There is nowhere you need to be except exactly where you are. Each day unfolds gently.
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Mornings begin with simple grounding exercises to help you reconnect with your body. Breakfast is unhurried. Conversations feel meaningful, not surface-level. You feel yourself opening, not because you’re forced to, but because it finally feels safe.
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What Becomes Possible in the Pause
Reconnect With Yourself.
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In the pause, you begin to hear your own voice again. Through guided reflection, intentional journaling, and meaningful conversation, the layers of expectation slowly begin to fall away. Clarity begins to emerge around what you’ve outgrown, what truly matters, what no longer fits, and what is quietly waiting to be chosen. This is not about reinventing yourself. It is about returning to the woman who has been there all along.
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Restore Your Nervous System.
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In the pause, your body softens. Through gentle breathwork, guided meditation, and unhurried mornings, your nervous system begins to regulate and settle. The constant hum of pressure gradually quiets. Calm stops being something you chase and becomes something you naturally inhabit. From that steadiness, everything else begins to feel clearer.
​Practice Presence.
In the pause, your attention returns to what is right in front of you. Through intentional breathwork and guided meditation, you learn to slow your thoughts and settle into the moment. The constant mental chatter begins to quiet, stress softens, and a steady sense of inner calm takes its place. Presence becomes something that feels natural, not something you have to work at.
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Cultivate Self-Awareness.
In the pause, awareness gently pulls you out of autopilot, helping you see what you’ve been carrying and what no longer belongs to you, so you can finally release it. Through reflective journaling and honest, supportive conversations, you will begin noticing the patterns, beliefs, and habits that have shaped your life. With compassion, you’ll recognize what no longer serves you and make space for what does. This awareness creates real freedom, allowing you to step out of reaction and move forward with intention and clarity.​​
​Restore Your Energy.
In the pause, you refill what has quietly been running on empty. Through nourishing rituals, intentional rest, and space free from daily demands, you begin to restore what has been worn down over time. Instead of operating from exhaustion, you reconnect with a steady, sustainable energy that supports your life rather than drains it.
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Embrace Genuine Self-Love.
In the pause, you learn to treat yourself with the same tenderness you give everyone else. Through self-compassion practices and honest, empowering conversations, you begin offering yourself the same care and grace you so freely extend to others. You cultivate a sense of worthiness that feels real in your body, not just something you understand in your head. From that place, self-love stops being something you strive for and becomes natural and something you simply live.
Your Sanctuary by the Sea
There are places that simply house you. And then there are places that hold you. Villa Bonita Brenda is the latter.
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Tucked into the quiet charm of Armação de Pêra (Silves), along Portugal’s breathtaking Algarve coastline, this villa is more than a setting, it is a soft landing. Nestled in a peaceful neighborhood just minutes from the sea, it offers the kind of stillness that gently asks nothing of you. From the moment you arrive, something begins to shift. The air feels lighter. The pace slows. The noise you’ve been carrying begins to loosen its grip.
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Inside, there are six serene bedrooms, most with private en-suite baths, offer personal space to rest deeply and fully. Calming tones and natural light pouring through wide windows invite uninterrupted sleep and quiet reflection. Sliding doors open to the terrace and pool that blurs the line between indoors and out. Each room is thoughtfully designed for comfort, privacy, and ease with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, modern finishes and everything you need, nothing you don’t.
Villa Bonita Brenda offers more than beautiful accommodation and exclusive amenities. It offers a transformative environment that allows you to disconnect from constant demands and reconnect with yourself in a way that feels grounded and real.
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When you leave, you won’t just remember the villa. You’ll remember how you felt inside which is peaceful, refreshed, inspired, and deeply connected. And that feeling is what you’ll carry home.
Step outside and you’ll find the heart of the villa. The private pool glistens beneath the Algarve sun. The jacuzzi offers warmth and release. The outdoor dining space becomes a gathering place for long, lingering meals, unhurried conversation, morning coffee and breakfast, and some laughter. The gentle breeze and warm light create the perfect backdrop for both connection and solitude. These communal spaces are designed not just for socializing, but for remembering. Remember how it feels to be unguarded, to speak honestly and to sit quietly without needing to fill the space.
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And just beyond the villa walls, the beach waits only minutes away. The ocean becomes your friend which is calming and expansive. Charming coastal restaurants and local culture are close enough to explore, yet the villa remains a private sanctuary to return to the end of the day. This is not just a hotel. This is not just a resort. This is an intimate retreat space chosen intentionally to be a container for rest, reflection, and renewal. Here, your shoulders drop, your breath deepens and you no longer have to hold everything together.
A Taste of Portugal
There’s something about food in Portugal that naturally slows you down.
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At Welcoming the Pause, meals aren’t rushed or squeezed in between things. They become part of the rhythm of your day, something to settle into, and something to enjoy without thinking about what’s next.
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Picture yourself sitting outside as the sun begins to lower. The air is warm, the light soft. There’s a quiet hum of conversation, the kind that doesn’t need effort. Plates are passed, glasses gently clink, and the scent of garlic, olive oil, and fresh herbs lingers in the air.
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At the villa, many of your meals will be thoughtfully prepared by our private chef, Chef Pedro. His approach is simple and intentional, and drawing from the flavors of Portugal while creating meals that feel nourishing, satisfying, and meant to be shared.
Mornings begin gently with fresh fruit, eggs, warm pastries, coffee, and tea. The kind of breakfast that allows you to wake up slowly. No rush, no pressure, just ease.
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Some evenings, we’ll stay in and gather around the table together. Other nights, we’ll step into the charm of restaurants of Armação de Pêra which are relaxed, welcoming, and full of life. You’ll experience traditional Portuguese dishes, fresh seafood, and local wines in places that feel both simple and special. Food here isn’t something you rush through. It’s something you sit with and something you actually taste.
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And dinner becomes something you linger in with long tables and shared plates. Conversations that stretch into the evening without anyone checking the time. Everything is thoughtfully prepared, and any dietary needs are fully taken care of, so you can relax and enjoy what’s in front of you.
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By the end of the week, it won’t just be the meals you remember. It will be how it felt to slow down enough to enjoy them, to sit a little longer, to breathe a little deeper and to feel nourished in a way that goes beyond food.
The Rhythm of the Week
There’s a natural rhythm to this week and it’s about a balance of slowing down and stepping out.
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Some mornings begin quietly, with guided meditation or breathwork to help you settle into yourself before the day unfolds.
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Our workshops create space for honest reflection and real conversation. Through journaling and guided prompts, you’ll explore what you’ve been carrying, what you’re ready to release, and what you want moving forward without pressure to have it all figured out.
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You’ll also have time that’s completely your own.
Time to sit by the pool. Time to walk to the beach. Time to rest, journal, or simply do nothing at all.
During the week, we’ll step beyond the villa to experience more of the Algarve. We’ll spend a day exploring some towns of Algarve, Silves and Monchique, and this will be a mix of history, mountain views, and a relaxed wine tasting along the way.
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Another day, we’ll head out on the water for a boat cruise along the coastline. Open air, ocean views, and a chance to just take it all in.
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You’ll also have the opportunity for one-on-one coaching. It will be a space to talk things through, gain clarity, and look at what may be holding you back.
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And throughout it all, there’s connection between shared meals, easy conversation and moments where you don’t have to be “on.”
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This isn’t about packing your schedule. It’s about creating space to slow down, to reset, and to feel like yourself again.
This trip is for you if:
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You’re ready to let go of negative inner chatter, false narratives, and limiting beliefs that hold you back.​
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You’re ready to start living life on your terms.​
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You want to wake up feeling alive, refreshed and positive.
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You’re ready to start seeing results of your hard work and effort.
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You want to feel confident and secure in your decision making.
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You’re ready to honor your desires and follow your dreams.
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You’re ready to transform your life into one of peace, growth and deeply fulfilling relationships.
On this retreat, through group discussions and one-on-one, personalized coaching sessions, you’ll focus on what truly sets your heart on fire so you can begin taking steps to making your dreams a reality. You’ll quiet the negative inner chatter, reset daily, and feel alive, so you can embrace a new you and tackle the world. During our journey, through morning meditations, group discussions, daily activities and reflections, you'll become best friends with the endless possibilities that the world has to offer, so you can become the leader of your life.
This trip is NOT for you if:
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You aren’t ready to transform your life from one of negativity, limiting beliefs, stress and anxiety.​
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You want to keep making decisions based on fear and self-doubt.​
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You aren’t willing to disconnect to spend time with and on yourself.
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You’d rather make excuses about why you can’t change.
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Spending a week in Algarve doesn’t sound like a good idea to you.
Bonuses
Because Why Not!
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Clarity Call: One-on-one, 20-minute clarity call so I can get to know you a little better personally and understand how to best support you on your journey.
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Access to Private Retreat WhatsApp Group: Connect with me and retreat participants both pre-trip and post-trip; ask questions; stay connected with trip updates.
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Pre-Trip Group Call: Meet the like-minded women on the retreat and ask any questions you may have before we go (note: I am always available via email at sam@lovingthejourney.co).
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Post-Trip Group Call: Regroup with your new best friends when you get home to integrate your retreat learnings and share what it’s been like to get back to your new reality. ​
Reserve Your Spot!
What's Included:
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7 Magical Days and 6 Glorious Nights Accommodations At Villa Bonita Brenda, Armação de Pêra (Silves), Portugal
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Daily Breakfasts
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Welcome Reception at Villa Bonita Brenda
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Farewell Dinner at local restaurant
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Guided Meditations
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Group Workshops
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One on One Coaching Session
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Daily Group Sharing Circle
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Boat Cruise
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Wine Tasting and Town Tour
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​Entrance Fees to Any Sites We Visit Together
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All Tips and Taxes for Any Activities Done as a Group That Are Listed
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Transportation For Group Excursions That Are Planned for The Retreat
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Roundtrip Ground Transportation from Faro Airport to the Villa at Designated Times.
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Please be aware that I will arrange ground transportation from Faro Airport to Villa Bonita Brenda for those arriving by 2:00 PM on Friday, October 2, 2026. If you cannot coordinate your flight to arrive by this time frame, please let me know and I will provide information about how you can reserve your own ground transportation.​
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Ground transportation from Villa Bonita Brenda to Faro Airport will be arranged for Thursday, October 8th, 2026, at 9:30 AM. Please give yourself ample time to arrive at the airport and to get through check-in and security.
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What's NOT Included:
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Your Roundtrip Airfare from Your Home to Portugal
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Any Applicable Visas and Fees
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Personal, Medical or Travel / Trip Cancellation Insurance (Highly Recommended)
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Other Non-Included Items Include But Not Limited To:
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Souvenir Shopping
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Personal Phone Calls
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Transportation for Private Trip Excursions (Taxis/Uber Drivers)
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Meals, Beverages and Other Purchases During Your Free Time
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Your Host!
About Samanda:
I am a life coach and the founder of Loving The Journey! I'm also an attorney and owner of a chocolate business, Sam’s Delights, but my purpose in life is to help people become their best version. I believe that every individual has the power within themselves to manifest what they want in their life. I believe you have the power to change your trajectory.
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My personal life experiences and training - combined with my positivity, empathy and ability to truly listen with respect, curiosity, and nonjudgment - will help you get where you want to go.
After embarking on my own personal journey in re-evaluating my life, I knew I needed to make some tough changes to start living for myself. I dug deep to rediscover the power within myself to go back to school, change career paths and transform my life – all while loving the journey, even during the hard parts.
I'm now committed and very passionate in helping others go from just surviving to thriving in their lives.
What The Retreat Participants Say ...
This retreat came at a point in my life where I needed it the most. A lot of the things I was struggling with during that time were unexpectedly addressed during the week. The lessons, the activities, listening to others and their experiences was so powerful and transformative. I am forever grateful for this experience, and I cherish everything I learned in every aspect of my life that it applies to.
Marly R.
My experience was amazing and peaceful. I enjoyed getting to meet everyone and getting to know everyone. Being able to share in a safe space and the energy the group was able to bring was unbeatable.
Anjolienah D.
I am so appreciative of Sam's care and facilitating skills in guiding the group through the workshops and activities on this magical retreat experience. I was able to reclaim the fullness of who I am and to share who I am with the wonderful women there. I came to the Greece Retreat after some personal upheaval and really needing the experience I received; one in which I was held with care, love, and support throughout the retreat journey.
Vicky B.
As someone who has now attended two retreats with Sam, I’m in awe with how much the retreat gets better and better. The retreat was really engaging, fun, and transformative. We shared a lot of laughs, hugs, and cries too that made the retreat healing. I’m so grateful for everyone there, for Sam and the things I’ve learned that I plan to apply to my life. Thank you for having me!
Marly R.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the investment in this retreat truly justified?
Yes, the investment in this retreat is fully justified. It offers a unique blend of personal growth, self-discovery, and cultural experiences in Algarve, Portugal. With expertly designed workshops, enriching activities like wine tastings, cultural tours and boat activities, and opportunities to connect with like-minded women, the value extends far beyond the retreat itself, leaving lasting benefits that make the cost worthwhile.
Q: What if I need a roommate?
You are more than welcome to bring a friend who is interested in joining this retreat and you two can room together. However, if you need a roommate, we’d be happy to match you with another retreat participant who is also interested in sharing a room. Please note your request for a roommate in the registration form.
Q: Can I bring my kids and/or partner?
This retreat is for adult women seeking to transform their life into one of peace, growth and deeply fulfilling relationships. To ensure you — and all participants — enjoy the best possible retreat experience, please leave your kids and partners who are not participating in the retreat at home.
Q: Where do I fly into?
Please fly into the Faro International Airport on or before October 2, 2026. Please arrive by 2:00PM so you can take advantage of the pre-arranged ground transportation (details to be provided). If you arrive outside of this time frame, please contact Samanda for information about ground transportation options.
Q: Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes, the villa’s private chef, Chef Pedro, can accommodate dietary restrictions. Please use the registration form to indicate any dietary restrictions.
Q: Will I have free time to explore?
Yes, you will have time to relax or explore between our scheduled activities. While we recommend you use some of your free time to rest and reflect, you are more than welcome to explore the area. Please note: Transportation will be provided for retreat activities only; we can help arrange transportation, if needed, but you are responsible for the cost.
Q: Should I purchase travel insurance?
We highly recommend you purchase travel insurance in the event you have a sudden change in plans or an unexpected emergency. Please make sure you review and agree to our cancellation policy.
Q: What is your cancellation policy?
Any cancellation will result in a total loss of the $500 USD registration deposit. Any cancellation made between July 2, 2026 and September 16, 2026 will result in a loss of 50% of the trip price. Any cancellation made between: September 17, 2026 and the trip departure will result in a total loss of funds. We reserve the right to cancel the trip if it is not meeting the trip minimum (if we do so your deposit is refunded in full). Trip cancellation insurance is always recommended whenever making travel plans. You can use our suggested Travel Guard Insurance online and choose from several policy options.
Have a question?