The Soul of the Azores
AN IMMERSIVE JOURNEY ON
The Island of São Miguel
SEPTEMBER 26 – OCTOBER 3, 2026
*Limited to 4 - 6 women*
Why São Miguel?
Exploring the world and discovering destinations where my soul feels at home has shaped both my life and my work as a photographer. It has also inspired me to share these beautiful corners of the world with other women.
I am drawn to places where nature sets the pace, and where people create with care and passion.
By partnering with local businesses, I strive to support meaningful ventures and give back to the communities who welcome us warmly each time.
The island of São Miguel generously offers something so many of us are quietly longing for: room to slow down, space to breathe deeply, and permission to simply be present.
Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, home to lush volcanic landscapes, thermal waters, and the warmth of its people, this gem of a place invites us to reconnect with the simple pleasures that are so easily lost in everyday life.
Taking place in late September, this retreat coincides with one of the loveliest times of the year to experience São Miguel. Summer lingers in the air, the Atlantic Ocean is still at its warmest and, with fewer visitors after the peak season, the island settles into a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere.
I would love to welcome you!
Who is this retreat for?
As women, we often become so busy caring for others, building careers, running businesses, nurturing families, or navigating new chapters in life that we forget to make time for ourselves. Before we know it, the seasons have passed without taking a moment to simply pause, breathe, and enjoy something just for us.
This journey is an invitation to step away from the everyday and reconnect with what truly nourishes the soul: nature, meaningful conversations, authentic experiences, beautiful surroundings, and the joy of discovering a place through fresh eyes.
By keeping the group intentionally small, I aim to create a warm, welcoming space where every guest can relax and feel cared for.
This experience may be especially meaningful if you:
• Enjoy authentic travel experiences that support local communities
• Long for a chance to slow down and reconnect with yourself
• Feel happiest surrounded by nature, horses, and beautiful landscapes
• Appreciate meaningful conversations and genuine connections
• Enjoy discovering local traditions, flavours, and hidden gems
• Want to return home feeling inspired, refreshed, and filled with wonderful memories
“After attending Manuela’s first retreat in Mexico, I did not hesitate to book her second retreat on the beautiful island of St Lucia. Manuela told me it was going to be special, so I expected a lot. Yet, she was still able to blow my mind!
Very nicely put together, with a great mix of activities, every day exceeded the previous one.
The retreat heals you, it refreshed and energizes you. Whatever your soul and body are needing, you will receive from, and experience with Manuela. Being around her positive and vibrant spirit, and sharing that energy around horses and nature, definitely has an impact on you.”
(Julie H, St Lucia 2018)
Included with the retreat
From the moment you arrive until the time we say goodbye, every detail has been thoughtfully considered so you can relax, reconnect, and fully enjoy this seven-night, eight-day all-inclusive journey.
Below is an overview of everything included, leaving you free to fully savour every moment spent on the island:
• Seven nights at a beautifully restored historic property
• Daily breakfast, lunches, and dinners.
• Airport transfers and transportation throughout the retreat
• Carefully curated cultural and equine experiences
• Admission to all planned activities
• Your own handcrafted coffee table book featuring memories from the journey
Not included:
∙ Flights to and from Ponta Delgada (PDL)
∙ Travel insurance (highly recommended)
∙ Optional activities outside the retreat itinerary
Your home away from home
Beautifully restored with great respect for its history, this charming Azorean estate blends timeless character with the comforts of modern living.
Surrounded by lush gardens, sweeping Atlantic views, and offering a peaceful saltwater pool oasis, it is a place that invites you to slow down, breathe deeply and embrace the gentle rhythm of island life.
More than simply a place to stay, this will become our home throughout the week.
It is where we will gather over leisurely breakfasts, share stories after each day’s adventures, wander through fragrant gardens, rest beside the pool, and watch the light change over the ocean.
By the end of the retreat, you may find that this house has quietly become one of the most treasured memories.
Azorean flavours
Food is an important part of discovering a place, and São Miguel is no exception. Throughout the week, all breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are included, allowing you to savour the island’s fresh ingredients and distinctive culinary traditions without having to think about the details.
Some of our dinners will be lovingly prepared by a local chef and enjoyed in the beautiful surroundings of our home away from home. Others will take us to a few carefully selected restaurants where we will experience the flavours and warm hospitality that make Azorean cuisine so memorable.
Before the retreat, I will ask each guest about dietary preferences and food restrictions, and I will do my very best to accommodate them whenever possible.
Your own coffee table book
Throughout the week, I will occasionally document glimpses of our journey together, capturing the landscapes, quiet details, animals, and shared moments that make each retreat unique.
One of the signature elements of my retreats and something my past guests have especially treasured is a beautifully designed coffee table book.
A few months after our retreat, you will receive a copy telling the story of our week together through a carefully curated collection of images that evoke the spirit and sense of place we experienced.
It is my favourite way of preserving the spirit of every journey and a keepsake I hope will bring you joy for years to come.
À-la-Carte
Should you wish to personalize your experience even further, a small selection of optional offerings will be available before and during the retreat.
∙ Private portrait session
∙ Horseback ride
∙ Mini astrology consultation
Details and pricing will be shared with confirmed guests.
Meet your hostess
I am Manuela Stefan, a Canadian-Romanian travel, lifestyle, and equine photographer based in Toronto. For nearly two decades, my work has taken me around the world in search of beautiful stories, remarkable people, and the extraordinary relationships that exist between horses, nature, and the human spirit.
Through my travels, I have come to believe that the places we choose to visit can change us in subtle, yet meaningful ways. Time spent in nature, engaging conversations, and quiet moments with animals have taught me that slowing down allow us to reconnect with the parts of ourselves that everyday life asks us to set aside.
For more than ten years, I have been bringing small groups of women together through thoughtfully curated retreats in Mexico, St. Lucia, Colombia, Canada, and now the Azores. I love creating experiences that feel both inspiring and deeply personal, where every guest feels welcomed, cared for, and free to simply be themselves.
My hope is that you will leave São Miguel with wonderful memories, new friendships, and a renewed appreciation for the simple things that bring us joy. If our paths are meant to cross, I would be delighted to welcome you.
Investment
USD 3,400
(shared room, available for women traveling together)
USD 3,800
(single room)
These rates apply exclusively to the first edition of The Soul of the Azores.
Future departures may be priced differently.
To reserve your place
• 50% deposit upon booking
• Remaining balance due by August 25, 2026
Do you have any questions? Let’s connect!
[email protected]
+1.416.624.9459
Yours,
Manuela