A FLOWER AND GARDEN RETREAT

2nd Edition

Lisbon, Sintra, and Mafra

Portugal

May 2023 (dates to be announced)

SOLD OUT

We are hoping to open a second set of retreat dates in 2023, please contact for details.

Immerse yourself in the springtime abundance of Portugal in May.


Jacaranda. Wisteria. Wild roses.


Join me for a seven day creative and cultural retreat in Portugal, learning all-natural flower arranging and foraging, walking formal and country Portuguese gardens , and tasting locally-made cheeses, breads, and jams.

Our original retreat is sold out, so we are happy to open a second retreat! Read the itinerary below for details on this second edition.


Our Itinerary

(subject to change)

We will begin our stay at Aldeia da Mata Pequena, a family village, restored to historical accuracy, where we will forage for wildflowers and enjoy meals and wildflower arranging together and stay in private countryside cottages.

After three nights at the village, we will venture to the idyllic village of Sintra, for free time exploring this magical town or the option to explore the back streets of Sintra alongside, Chelsea.

That evening we will transfer to a charming neighborhood, Praça das Flores, "the flower square" in Lisbon. In this cozy, authentic, and central neighborhood, we will devote time to get creative with local flowers, visit flower shops and gardens in Lisbon (like my favorite walled garden, Tapada das Necessidades), learn the language, food, and streets with locals, and simply relax with a "bica" at the purple quiosque!



Day One

 Meet at the  Aldeia da Mata Pequena village for an opening, outdoor lunch.

Introduction to Portuguese language and to the village.

Petiscos (Portuguese tapas) at a local tasca.

Day Two

Breakfast of local bread, cheese, jam, and eggs.

 A workshop with Chelsea where we will forage for seasonal wildflowers and make arrangements in Portuguese ceramic containers. and flower crowns.

A light lunch after the workshop.

 Table styling workshop

A styled dinner decorated with our foraged flowers.

Day Three

 Breakfast of local bread, cheese, jam, and eggs.

A visit to a local flower farm to learn about flower growing.

Lunch

Field trip to Mafra.

Dinner on your own.






Day Four

Breakfast.

Transfer to Sintra.

Free time to explore Sintra or take a secret Sintra tour with Chelsea.

After lunch, we will be centrally located so that you can start to explore the village of Sintra on your own, including Castelo dos Mouros, Quinta Regaleria, and Pena Palace.

Dinner on your own.

Transfer to Lisbon


Day Five

Breakfast of local bread, cheese, jam, and eggs.

Shop for flowers at the Lisbon market. Flower arranging vase workshop.

A light lunch after the workshop.

Explore Lisbon gardens with a guide.

Petiscoes for dinner.

Day Six

Breakfast of local bread, cheese, jam, and eggs.

Flower shop tour.

Botanical drawing workshop.

Creative sessions.

Dinner at home.

Day Seven

Farewell breakfast!

Transport provided to Lisbon or airport.

A note about free time

In my experience, and in my own preferences for travel, I value time and space for discovery, that is why I have scheduled in free time in our itinerary.

Alternatively, if you wish to be more guided, I can arrange a local expert for you with any number of focus points from ateliers to tiles.

In addition, there will be time slotted for you to have a one- on-one session with me to talk through anything from launching a creative career, floral design, styling, moving abroad, social media, book writing or more.


More Details

Below, you can view the details of some of the specific locations we will be visiting and staying.


Praça das Flores

Casa C'alma

Parque Botânico do Monteiro-Mor

Aldeia da Mata Pequena

Aldeia da Mata Pequena

Foraging trail in Sintra

Book Your Spot Here!


We open 8 spots only for our retreat in order to keep it small, personable, and sustainable for local culture.


If you have questions before booking, reach out to Chelsea at hello@frolic-blog.com!


See booking form for terms. We can accommodate dietary restrictions. Upon booking you will receive some information and a quiz about what you are looking for from this retreat and with this we will cusomize the itinerary to meet the needs of the group. A signed travel waiver upon booking will be required. We follow all COVID regulations for the ultimate safety. We prefer all guests are vaccinated and can require vaccination or negative test.


More Questions?


Why travel with me?

Hello! I am Chelsea! A floral designer (for 20 years!), a prop stylist (I´ve styled shoots for Williams-Sonoma, Bon Appetit, New Balance, Kinfolk, and more!), photographer, writer, social media maven of all things floral, an author, and an American abroad. After traveling solo for 10 months with a very small backpack, I re-located to Lisbon, Portugal and it is where I´ve made my home for six years. I believe in travel that is culturally and environmentally sustainable. That means: small groups, meeting locals, wandering away from the guidebook, trying new things, and respecting the pace of your location. Everywhere I travel, I look for flower shops, meadows, and wildflowers.

Why am I hosting the Flower and Garden Retreat in Lisbon?

In my six years in Lisbon I´ve met an astounding number of women, usually traveling solo, landing in Lisbon, looking for creativity, inspiration, and a fresh perspective on life. I´ve been involved with numerous retreats by now and hosted dozens of workshops, tours, and events. The connections, ideas, and inspiration I´ve taken from these conversations, classes, and encounters, have been life-changing and empowering. I love creating uplifting events with flowers, food, and groups of inspiring women.

Is this retreat right for you?

If you are looking to travel deeper, travel slower, and connect with a creative group of women this is the right experience for you! If you are looking to learn a new, meditative, way of working with fresh flowers for your own wellness or eventually your own new career, this retreat is right for you! If you love gardens, green spaces, alongside city discoveries, this is the right experience for you. If you are looking to reach out of your comfort zone and infuse your life with a new, European experience and learn a bit about the Portuguese slower way of life, this is the right retreat for you! Introverts welcome!

This retreat is probably not for you, if you are looking to hit every historical spot in your guidebook (you can schedule that in before or after!). It is probably not for you if you don´t have an open mind toward new cultures, people, and being in a group dynamic. This is probably not for you if you are looking to have six days of intense floral design school (instead, check out our floral career retreat!), instead it will be a slow travel retreat with a focus on flowers and gardens.

What is included?

All flowers, tools, supplies, vases (you can take your vases and flowers (can be dried or pressed) home!

Transfers to Sintra, to the garden and most local transportation except during your free time.

All lodging

All meals except two dinners, Option for breakfast on your own two days, but can also be provided on those days.

All workshops, tours, lessons, guided walks and coaching.

A special travel guide with my recommendations for your down time.

What is not included?

Airport transfer.

Transport and meals during free time on your own

Airplane ticket

More questions?

Shoot me an email! hello@frolic-blog.com

8 spots available

Book here


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