We would like to get to know you! We're going to be spend a week or more together so we want to be sure our goals for the retreat are aligned. Just click here to apply.

And because this "fit check" goes both ways, feel free to schedule a call with us to check and make sure you're absolutely sure this is the retreat of your dreams.

Truth be told, we hate leveling and prerequisites. We'd do away with them entirely. But you seem to prefer them and I get it... you want to be sure you're in the right place and have your expectations set accordingly. So with reluctance, here are the prerequisites:

• Ability to invert in the air

We also recommend:

• Comfort with spinning (or a willingness to embrace it!)
• Familiarity with flares (not your first rodeo, but not perfection)
• Familiarity with basic beats (front-back and bell)
• Strength and endurance to improvise for 3 minutes in the air

You will be asked to provide a short video in the application of <3 minutes of aerial hoop or dance trapeze that you think is a good representation of your current level.

You will have the option to share a room with another retreater or stay solo in a room. You will be assigned a room based on availability when booking.

If you and your friend both booked a spot separately, please make sure to chat to us with the name of your friend so we can make sure you are assigned the same room.

We do have rates for travel partners who want the experience of travel and touring but not the aerial. Just ask!

For this retreat, we have booked Quinta do Verao, Villa Quatro Ventos, and Casa de Campo. You can read more about them HERE.

You are welcome to stay off campus to save money, but our off-campus spots are limited. Please reach out to inquire about this option. You will be responsible for getting to class each morning. 

For those joining a circus lover, we have a few spots just for you! Your retreat includes everything except aerial and open training time. So, your partner would be able to stay on campus with you (or off campus with you, obvs!), would be joining us for meals, tours, trips, fun, all the things except the circus.

We only have a few of these spots available so be sure to get yours quickly.

Of course, but not at House of Honey. Check in is the first scheduled day at 3pm local time. The retreat begins at 5pm. Check out is at 10am local time. Feel free to store your bags and stay a little longer until your transport arrives, but House of Honey needs to prepare for the next week of guests.

There are tons of local accommodations if you'd like to stay early or leave later. Stay and explore!

Hey Early Birdie, glad you asked!

Save $250 (NOT available for the “experience only” folks) for putting your deposit down before February 2nd.

Once you are accepted, you will still place your deposit of $750 (per week) just like anyone else, but if you place your deposit inside the dates of the Early Bird Special you will get a coupon for ($250 off per week), which will be applied to your balance payment due 90 days prior to the first day of your retreat.

Balance Payment is due 90 days prior to your retreat start date. We’ll be emailing you a link to pay 120 days prior, as well as reminders at 100 days, 95 days, and 90 days before your retreat. If you want to make your payment earlier that would be amazing, just send Jessica a note at ([email protected]) and she'll send you an invoice.

All deposits ($750 USD) and balances will be invoiced through Stripe and can be paid via all major credit cards. If you would prefer to pay via bank transfer, we accept transfers through Wise. Details will be provided upon acceptance.

We're happy to refund you the cost minus the deposit if you (or we) are able to fill your spot. Otherwise, we're unable to provide full refunds for last-minute cancellations due to work, travel, etc. (Get the travel insurance!)

Your balance payment is due 90 days prior to retreat start date.

SOLO ROOM COST: The cost is $2997 per person with a non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $750 to reserve your spot (unless the retreat is cancelled altogether).

SHARED COST: The cost is $2497 per person with a non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $750 to reserve your spot (unless the retreat is canceled altogether).

EXPERIENCE ONLY: We have a few spots available for partners or friends sharing a bed! Your retreat includes everything except the aerial and movement sessions. We only have a few of these spots available so be sure to get yours quickly. The cost is $1597 per person with a non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $750 to reserve your spot (unless the retreat is canceled altogether).

The remaining (balance) payment will be due 90 days prior to the start of the retreat.

We greatly appreciate any referrals. If you refer someone to Alchemy and you attend as well, you'll both receive a special gift at the retreat as our thank you.

No. It is expected that you will be at the intermediate/advanced level on either aerial hoop or dance trapeze. It is not expected that everyone has the same amount of practice on both apparatuses. In fact, that's the fun of it... to try what you know on the other apparatus and embracing a beginner mindset. It’s amazing what can happen in a week! That being said, if you absolutely want to focus on one apparatus, you can absolutely do that.

This retreat is designed for intermediate-advanced aerialists. Just send me an email at [email protected] if you have any questions whether you meet these requirements.

Yes! Jessica and Brit will have very limited availability for private lessons during the retreat. We will open our books and finalize our schedules before arrival. Stay tuned!

Yes! You can download an example retreat schedule here for a previous retreat at House of Honey. Our schedule will be similar, but it has not yet been finalized.

If you have any questions or want to book other excursions, just let us know. 

Also, once you get a feel for Lagos you will see that you can easily walk to many places.

There will also be plenty of time to spend time by yourself to explore the beauty of Lagos each day and at night after dinner, including horseback riding, wine tastings, hikes, surf lessons, and beach bumming. 

Here's a list of things to do in Lagos.

Get ready to enjoy delicious meals that are prepared especially with athletes in mind – high protein, plenty of carbohydrates, and low sugar. You'll be treated to wonderfully tasting dishes and healthy snacks throughout the day. We also cater to all dietary needs, including vegan, keto, carnivore, and everything between. No one ever goes hungry at the House of Honey. Here's a sample menu.

Please make sure you are communicating your allergies to us when you fill out your application.

The average high in October is 24°C (75°F) and the average low is 17°C (63°F). Sunny skies are the norm, with clouds and a few rain showers more likely at the end of the month than at the beginning.

Be sure to bring:

• Peanut (or other myofascial balls), a deflated Pilates ball, a long resistance band, & any other warmup things you need (buy here)
• Back warmer, elbow sleeves, ankle protection, knee pit protection, & anything else you need to keep the scrapes at bay (buy here)
• Tape, bandaids, & Tegaderm (if you are prone to blisters and scrapes or have particularly virgin hands)

• Passport (be sure to make a copy to carry with you and take a digital image)

• A visa if necessary (not needed from anywhere in the US, Canada, Europe, Israel and most other countries but China, Kuwait and a few others require a tourist visa before you enter Portugal)

• Cash and/or debit card for personal purchases (massages & alcohol need to be paid in cash, so we recommend getting some at the ATM at the airport. Depending on what you want to do while you’re here, 200 euro should be plenty!)

• Comfortable training clothes and at least one long-sleeved training shirt in case mornings are chilly

• Non-training clothes for your excursion days and evenings 

• One warm jacket or sweater (if can get chilly in the evenings)

• A water bottle you can refill 

• Ear plugs (if you’re a light sleeper and sharing a room)

• A bathing suit and sunglasses

• Sunblock and/or a sun hat

• Bug repellent if you’re sensitive to mosquitoes (the studio is partially open and sometimes at dusk we have a few mosquitoes around)

• Any medications you need from home, including Advil, Tylenol, or GI upset things

• Feminine supplies

• Comfortable walking shoes (especially if you plan to do any hiking or biking)

• An outfit you know photographs and moves well in the air (think flowing pants and button downs, not leotards)

• An adaptor for European outlets 

Things we supply:

• Sun umbrellas for the beach 

• Luxury bed linens and blankets

• Bath and pool towels

• Shampoo, conditioner, & soap

• Meals, drinks, & snacks

• Rosin/chalk, aerial equipment, & yoga mats 

If you need Personal Items:

You will find bank ATM’s, pharmacies, and shops in Lagos. We will be happy to call you a taxi for your personal errands. Taxis to town cost about 10 euros roundtrip in the daytime and 15 euros roundtrip at night.

It is best to bring all the items you need (especially for the first few days) so you don’t have to spend your retreat time searching for things in town.

There's always a tradeoff between traveling without equipment and then moving on your own. That being said, if you do not have your own equipment or do not want to travel with it, we've got you covered.

If you do want to bring your equipment, you are welcome to if pre-approved. Just send an email to [email protected]. Why do we need to approve it? Because we have a limited number of points and points will be shared. So the equipment needs to be not only safe for others but appropriate for the skills we'll be throwing at you.

We could use more (taped and untaped) solid hoops and dance trapezes with friendly ropes.

Please also bring a peanut (or other myofascial balls), a deflated Pilates ball, and a long resistance band. 

We will provide ample rosin, chalk, and yoga mats.

Located on the famous Algarvian coastline, the retreat center is called House of Honey and it is 2 kilometers from the city center of Lagos. A few minutes away are some of the region’s most beautiful beaches, gorgeous cliffside hiking, and internationally acclaimed surfing spots. 

Yes!

The closest airports are Lisbon (4 hour drive and Faro (50 minute drive). Both airports are easy to navigate and friendly to tourists. 

Please make sure you are set to arrive by 5pm on the first day of the retreat. Do not buy your flights until you have received an acceptance email.

House of Honey is happy to help you arrange transport! The closest airport is Faro (50 min drive) and if you arrive in groups, they will arrange pick up and drop off. This is NOT included in the price of your retreat.

From Lisbon, the best way to get to House of Honey is to take a taxi from the airport (about 10 euros, 15 min drive max) to the Oriente bus station. From there, express buses leave almost every hour to Lagos (approx 3 hours 45 min) and cost between 5-20 euros. House of Honey can arrange a pick up from the Lagos bus station for you if you send arrival times. They don’t recommend trains from Lisbon as you need to switch trains in Tunis and it can be confusing.

Car rentals are a good option if you plan to explore on your own. The roads are well maintained and it’s very safe to drive. Generally Portugal is a super safe country with friendly people who are always happy to help if you get lost. 

From Lisbon, the price is usually around 250 euros in a private car, one way, with up to 4 passengers. From Faro, it’s around 75 euros for up to 4 passengers one way. It does vary between seasons and times, but this gives you a general idea. Trains and buses are closer to 15 euros per person one way (and sometimes round-trip).

That depends on where you're traveling from. You will be responsible for your own airline booking and visas. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months if you are traveling from outside the EU.

Some countries (Kuwait, for example) DO require a tourist visa so please double check. US and Canadian passports do NOT require a tourist visa to enter Portugal at this time.

Please sign up for WhatsApp (you can download it to your phone) and let us know your WhatsApp number. WiFi is plentiful in Portugal, so you only have to find a coffee shop or restaurant to get online and make phone calls or send texts.

Before we leave for the trip we will contact you on WhatsApp so we’re already connected before you arrive. Once you’ve got it on your phone, please also send Meredith at House of Honey a message at +351-918-888-142 with your name and "Solid Gold" and/or "Secret Elixir;" then she will add you to our group. 

The retreat center has excellent fast wi-fi 24/7 as do all of the surrounding villas. If you’d like to set up an e-sim before you arrive so you can use your phone when you’re not at the retreat center, I highly recommend downloading the app called Airalo. You can pre-order e-sim cards and it’s super inexpensive. If you don’t own your phone, check with your current cell service before you leave to get a pre-paid plan. Vodaphone is the major carrier in Portugal.

We highly recommend travel insurance to protect your flights and the retreat as we cannot offer refunds once you’ve booked. If it’s more than 3 months away, we can try to rebook you for another retreat but we cannot refund the money unless we find someone to replace you. We will do our best, but we cannot guarantee it. 

No vaccines are required at the House of Honey for training. If you do feel ill, we ask that you let us know immediately and take precautions to protect the others in the group.

After you place your deposit, we will be emailing you a release form that you can e-sign. All attendees must sign this release form prior to arriving in Portugal.

Yes! Portugal is a SUPER safe country so you don’t need to worry about crime, especially violent crime. Keep an eye on your belongings as always, but there is absolutely no need to worry and personal safety. You can travel anywhere and feel secure.  

Most Portuguese speak English, so you should be able to get around without too much trouble if you decide to explore. 🙂

That said, the national language is Portuguese.

Here are some easy phrases to learn and say while you are in Lagos, Portugal:

• Olá: Hello 
• Adeus: Goodbye 
• Por favor: Please 
• Obrigado/a: Thank you 
• Sim: Yes 
• Não: No 
• Desculpe: Sorry or excuse me 
• Bom dia: Good morning 
• Boa tarde: Good afternoon 
• Boa noite: Good night 
• Tchau: Goodbye 
• Até mais/logo: See you later or soon 
• De nada: You're welcome 
• Com licença: Excuse me 
• Saúde: Cheers

Portuguese is a gendered language, so some words change depending on the gender of the noun. For example, "obrigado" is used by males, while "obrigada" is used by females. 

Ok, totally get you here. I’m happy to report that it’s not as difficult as it seems. The airlines have some great entertainment, lots of food and drinks, and they don’t mind if you are standing/stretching on the plane.

Anyway, traveling internationally is exciting, and not as intimidating as you may be thinking. Just hop on the wifi in whatever airport you land in and you can check in with me.

We recommend paying attention to your country’s travel advisories regarding countries that you may be traveling through just to be on the safe side.

Excited to have you join us in Lagos!

Hey there, solo traveler. We see you. Although Jessica has since travelled the globe solo a ton, Brit was recently a traveling newbie too. You've got this.

If you are worried about traveling by yourself, we'd would love to schedule a call with you to address your concerns. Just set up a 15-min call.

Can you ever really be sure? Here's what I can tell you. We both place a high value on:

• autonomy - giving you the permission you don't need to take ownership of your own retreat experience
• connection - creating brave spaces that foster true belonging
• boldness -  challenging prevailing training paradigms and shifting power dynamics
• impact - empowering with the knowledge and tools to be wildly successful

We have a zero tolerance policy for transphobia, racism, anti-Blackness, homophobia, classism, ableism, and body shaming.

No problem! Just send me an email at [email protected]. Or book a 15-min call!