The Soul of The Azores
An Immersive Journey on the island of São Miguel
September 26 – October 3, 2026
Exploring the world and discovering places where my soul feels at home is one of the greatest joys of my life. These journeys have shaped my perspective and work as a photographer, and inspired me to share beautiful corners of the world with other women.
I am drawn to places where nature still sets the pace and people pour their hearts into what they create in harmony with their surroundings. Travel becomes richer when it gives back to the communities we visit. Partnering with locals and supporting the small businesses they have lovingly built is something I deeply care about when creating these retreats.
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.
I would love for you to join me.
The Experience
We will get to know São Miguel slowly and intentionally. Together, we will share meals prepared with fresh local ingredients, explore breathtaking volcanic landscapes, soak in naturally heated thermal springs, spend quiet moments with horses and other gentle animals, and meet the local people whose warmth and hospitality make this island so special.
There will be time to simply breathe and enjoy a quiet morning with a cup of tea by the pool. Time to read, journal, or simply sit beneath a canopy of green listening to birdsong. Time to embrace the gentler rhythm of island life. Or simply do absolutely nothing.
I intentionally keep my retreats intimate, welcoming only four to six women. A smaller group allows us to move gently through the week, leave room for spontaneity, and build genuine, lasting friendships along the way.
What is included
ACCOMMODATION
Your home for the week will be a beautiful retreat nestled within the peaceful landscapes of São Miguel. Carefully selected for its warmth, comfort, and unique character, it offers the perfect setting to relax, reconnect, and embrace the gentler rhythm of island life. Private single or shared rooms will provide a comfortable space to unwind and recharge.
MEALS
Sharing good food has always been one of my favourite ways to connect with people. Throughout the week, we will enjoy delicious meals prepared with fresh local ingredients, while discovering the flavours and culinary traditions that make São Miguel so special. Some of the best conversations often happen around the dinner table.
TRANSPORTATION
All transportation throughout the retreat is included, from airport transfers to every excursion we enjoy together during the week. Once you arrive, you can simply relax and allow us to take care of the rest.
TIME WITH THE ANIMALS
Spending time with animals has always been an essential part of my retreats. Throughout the week, we will enjoy quiet moments with horses and other gentle animals, allowing ourselves to slow down, observe, connect, and simply be present. These encounters often become some of the most memorable moments of the journey.
NOT INCLUDED
– Flights
– Travel Insurance (highly recommended)
A-la-carte offerings
Enhance your retreat with optional offerings designed to deepen your journey and create lasting memories.
1) Private Half-Hour Portraits Session – $250 USD
Capture your unique moments during the retreat at a carefully selected location.
Includes:
– A 30-minute personalized session with guidance from Manuela, as your private professional photographer
– Approximately 15–20 carefully edited digital images delivered to you
– The option do add two personalized double-page spreads (four pages total) in your retreat photobook, featuring your favorite images
– A keepsake that preserves your experience, creativity, and connection to the retreat in a meaningful, artistic way
2) A two hr horseback ride through the countryside – price tbd
Enjoy approximately 2 hours of horseback riding and enjoy São Miguel’s breathtaking scenery.
3) Pre-Retreat Mini Astrology Consultation with Manuela – $100 USD
Gain deeper insight into your personal life’s journey before the retreat begins.
This session is specially available for retreat participants to enrich your experience.
Includes:
– A focused, 30-minute consultation via video call
– Exploration of your personal patterns, strengths, and potential growth areas through your North Node, South Node, and key astrological highlights
– Practical guidance on how to approach the retreat in alignment with your energy and intentions
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.
Your home away from home
Beautifully restored with great respect for its history, this unique property combines timeless character with the comforts of modern living. Lush gardens, sweeping ocean views, and a saltwater swimming pool create an atmosphere of peace that invites you to slow down and savour every moment.
Whether gathering over breakfast, wandering through the gardens, resting by the pool or returning after a day of exploring the island, this special place offers a wonderful sense of calm and belonging, while quietly becoming a part of the journey itself.
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.
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 but meaningful ways. Time spent in nature, meaningful conversations, and quiet moments with animals have taught me that slowing down often allows 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
Special Inaugural Rate
USD 3,400
(shared room, available only to women traveling together)
USD 3,800
(single room)
These introductory 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
Questions or ready to join us?
Manuela Stefan
[email protected]
+1.416.624.9459 Whatsapp
