The main house
Casa Travessia
The main house, the shala and the pool. Up to 14 guests.
- 14 guests
- 6 bedrooms
- 60 m² shala
Gemieira · Ponte de Lima · Portugal
Where the sun crosses
the Lima valley
Two houses in one garden in northern Portugal, made for retreats, gatherings and slow days.
Sunset today in Ponte de Lima · --:--
The name
Travessia do Sol means “the sun’s crossing”. Every day it rises on the mountain side of the valley and sets toward the Atlantic, and our two houses share the whole journey.
The houses
Two houses, one garden
Casa Travessia, the main house, and Casa Pôr do Sol, just across the garden. Book one for a smaller group, or both for up to 27.
Across the garden
Casa Pôr do Sol
The sister house, with a jacuzzi and a wooden deck. Up to 13 guests.
- 13 guests
- 5 + 1 bedrooms
- 1 outdoor jacuzzi
The whole Quinta
Both houses
Two houses, one garden, all to yourselves. Up to 27 guests.
- 27 guests
- 12 bedrooms
- 60 m² shala
For organisers
You bring the practice
We take care of the rest: the house, the food, the logistics and the valley.
The shala
A shala for your practice
60 m² with big windows onto the garden. Practice for up to 16, with mats, blocks, blankets and bolsters ready.
Explore Casa Travessia
The table
Food from the garden
A local chef cooks with the season, local and organic whenever possible: vegetarian, vegan or with meat. Long tables, no rush.
Plan your retreat
The valley
A river, a bridge, the mountains
The Lima river is a few minutes’ walk away and Ponte de Lima about 10 minutes by car. The Atlantic is 25 to 30 minutes off, the Peneda-Gerês mountains 30 to 40.
View the gallery
Breathe out. The valley is in no hurry.
The magnesium pool at Casa Travessia
Philosophy
A light touch on the valley
Travessia do Sol was born from a family dream: a place to rest and recharge that gives back to the land around it. Much of it was renovated by the family and local craftsmen, following permaculture from the start.
Powered by the sun
Solar panels heat the water and photovoltaic panels make electricity, with heat pumps for the colder months. LED lighting and efficient appliances throughout, and no air conditioning: the houses stay cool through natural air flow.
Rain, kept and reused
Rain from the roofs fills an underground tank in the garden. It is treated for use in the house and waters the garden.
7,500 Lrainwater tank
A gentler pool
The pool is treated with magnesium, which is natural and kind to skin and plants. Silky water whose edge seems to flow into the valley.
A living garden
Vegetables, fruit trees, medicinal plants and flowers grown with permaculture and regenerative practices. Guests pick what is ripe, and everything that can be composted goes back to the soil.
200+plants and trees
Local, natural, reused
Lime paint on the walls, reclaimed and upcycled furniture, organic soaps from small Portuguese makers, and local businesses wherever we can.
Retreats hosted here
Retreats that found a home here
Yoga, Pilates, qi-gong, somatic work, women’s circles and even a Portuguese language immersion: a few of the groups we hosted in 2026.
6–8 Nov 2026
Raiz Somática
A weekend of somatic and systemic release for twelve participants.
- Somatic work
- In Portuguese
9–17 Oct 2026
Portugal Women’s Retreat: Psychic Kindergarten
Workshops in the morning, play in the afternoon, meditations and healings in the evening.
- Women’s circle
- Meditation
- In English
20–26 Sept 2026
Return to Flow
With Sylvie Erb & Claude Chatelanat
A six-day immersion into the wisdom of the body, with two osteopaths and vegetarian food.
- Somatic work
- Osteopathy
- In English
10–12 Sept 2026
Play & Contemplation
A Circle of Trust® retreat on navigating life transitions, where spontaneity meets wisdom.
- Contemplation
- Meditation
- In English
20–26 Jun 2026
Her Spirit Retreat
Immersive workshops and guided exercises to reconnect with joy, strength and peace.
- Women’s circle
- In English
14–19 Jun 2026
Séjour bien-être : Pause joyeuse au cœur du Portugal
Culture, yoga, naturopathy, forest bathing, sophrology and cooking in one joyful week.
- Yoga
- Naturopathy
- In French
8–13 Jun 2026
Séjour Qi-Gong, Ostéobalance et activités créatrices
Slow qi-gong, gentle fascia work and creative activities for body and mind.
- Qi-gong
- Creative workshops
- In French
4–8 Jun 2026
Stage de Pilates au Portugal
“Pilates & more”: classes morning and evening, free days for optional activities.
- Pilates
- In French
24–30 May 2026
Stage « Équilibre extérieur et intérieur »
Qi-gong, yoga and Pilates adapted to each body, with workshops on the feet and the breath.
- Qi-gong
- Yoga
- Pilates
- In French
17–21 May 2026
Portuguese Language, Culture & Wellness Immersion
With Journey to Portuguese
Five days of speaking Portuguese with confidence, with culture and wellness around it.
- Language immersion
- In English
- Plan your retreat
Your retreat could be next
Tell us about your group, your practice and your dates. We will help you shape it from there.
Voices
In the words of those who stayed
Facilitators, participants and guests, as they wrote it.
FAQ
Good to know
Quick answers about the houses, the retreats and getting here.
Still curious?
A family-run eco retreat in the Lima valley, in northern Portugal: two houses in one garden, Casa Travessia and Casa Pôr do Sol. They host retreats, workshops, company offsites and family stays all year round.
Yes. Canto do Sol is the name we use for both houses booked together, Casa Travessia and Casa Pôr do Sol, as one venue for up to 27 guests. You may have seen it in our presentation or on retreat venue platforms.
No. A smaller group can book Casa Travessia on its own, or Casa Travessia plus some rooms in Casa Pôr do Sol. Tell us about your group and we will find the best fit together.
Up to 14 in Casa Travessia and up to 13 in Casa Pôr do Sol: 27 with both houses. For bigger groups, a renovated old mill two minutes’ walk away adds four bedrooms and four bathrooms.
A 60 m² shala in Casa Travessia, with large bay windows onto the garden. It holds up to 16 people for movement practice, or up to 35 seated at tables. Mats, blocks, blankets, straps, bolsters and a sound system are provided. Outside, there is the deck, the stone patio, the garden and the river.
Porto airport is about 55 minutes away by car. You can rent a car, take a taxi (about €120 for up to four people) or a shuttle for up to nine people (about €120 one way). We are happy to arrange a group pick-up.
For organisers
Planning a retreat?
Tell us about your group and your dates. We will help you shape the days.