A 6 day 5 night dance experience that immerses participants in nature and the healing mountain waters of Monchique, Portugal. 

ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE

Hidden in the remote hills of Monchique, our retreat unfolds in a landscape shaped by one of Portugal’s most treasured natural wonders — the alkaline mineral springs of the Algarve. Celebrated since Roman times for their high pH (around 9.5) and rich mineral composition, these waters are revered for their restorative and antioxidant properties.

Here, water is more than something we drink — it becomes a living element we'll explore in dance and all forms of life and movement. You’ll bathe in it. Swim in it. Be inspired by it in your dance. Let its minerals nourish your body, soften your nervous system, and renew your spirit.

Our dance sessions will be focused on embodying the sensuality of nature - a practice of awakening the senses, connecting to the elements, deepening your personal connection with your physical practice, and moving from presence rather than performance.

Our dancing takes place in a shaded open-air movement space — framed by flowing white linen, tall grasses, and rolling hills. Here, the land holds you. The wind moves with you. The body tunes inward, authentically sourcing your innate wellspring of energy, inspiration, and flow.

This retreat is intentionally curated to be small and intimate in size, ensuring a focused, supportive, and personalized learning environment. The intimate size allows your facilitator, Abagail, to provide individualized feedback, thoughtful guidance, and meaningful engagement with each participant. Consider this a semi-private learning environment where you will get more focused learning! 

Our private retreat villa set in a quiet mountain location embraces a minimalist, soulful design — a simple yet beautiful cocoon that removes excess and distraction while providing comfort in the essential. The space invites stillness, grounding, and integration, supporting you both in movement and in moments of deep rest so your nervous-system may recalibrate.  As expressed in the words of Hans Hofmann: “The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” Our minimalist mountain villa supports just that! 

You will be lovingly nourished by Amy, our private local chef, who crafts each meal family style with intention and care, catered to your dietary needs: vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, or a light meat option (served at dinners only). Enjoy some complimentary local wines at dinner too! 

Please note:

• The villa does not include a bar or in-house spa, however on-call massage may be arranged with a local professional therapist who can provide services on-site at our retreat villa.
• This is a drug-free retreat and environment.

This experience is an invitation to unwind, expand, and reconnect — through movement, nature, sensual energy, and the quiet magic of the mountains. We encourage participants to come with a friend or loved one so you may share in an unforgettable experience! 

ABOUT THE DANCE CLASSES

Abagail has been dancing since the age of three and brings well over 2 decades of embodied experience as a professional dancer, educator, and cultural researcher. With a BA in Cultural Studies, her work is deeply informed by global study—traveling internationally to learn from diverse dance traditions and cultural lineages, which she transmits through performance, teaching, and leading immersive retreats.

Her method is a distinctive fusion of West African dance traditions, club culture, social dance themes, sensual movement exploration, and somatic practices including Pilates, mobility, and strength training. Classes are thoughtfully structured with thorough warm-ups and cool-downs, progressing from mobility and conditioning into foundational drills, technique, choreographic development, and freestyle exploration.

Rooted in foundations, conditioning, technique, freestyle flow, and cultural awareness, Abagail’s classes are high-energy, informative, and deeply accessible. She welcomes all levels, offering clear breakdowns and modifications for beginners while challenging more experienced dancers—creating a space that is both supportive and expansive.

While this retreat is open to all levels, it encourages folks with at least some prior dance experience and a movement practice.  It is designed for those who want to deepen their relationship to dance — to refine foundation, expand movement quality, and engage with culture, community, and nature in an intimate and supportive setting. 

The pace of the retreat will emphasize embodiment, technique, and exploration rather than long or complex choreography. Advanced dancers are welcome if they are interested in revisiting fundamentals or expanding into new movement vocabularies outside their primary style. Just keep in mind, with a mixed level group the pace may be slower for advanced dancers. This will be a highly participatory and movement-rich experience, if you have any questions or concerns about your level, don’t hesitate to reach out to us to discuss!  

Nourishment by our own Private Chef

Fresh, Seasonal Cuisine Infused with Local Flavor

All meals are lovingly prepared fresh on-site by our private chef, Amy, using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Dishes are served family-style, inviting a sense of connection and shared ritual around the table.

Breakfasts, lunches, and snacks are vegetarian-forward, vibrant, and deeply nourishing, with a meat option offered at dinner for those who prefer. Every menu is thoughtfully curated to support the needs of the group, with vegan, vegetarian, carnivore (at dinners only), gluten-free options available upon request in advance.

Please note that fish is not permitted at the retreat site. Above all, meals are crafted to be wholesome, satisfying, and full of flavor—food that truly supports your body, energy, and experience.

THE ORANGERY

THE ORANGERY - Double or Single occupancy options, choose one:

Early-Bird Double Occupancy (booked by January 31): $2325 per person

Regular Rate Double Occupancy (after January 31): $2,450 per person

Early-Bird SINGLE Occupancy (booked by January 31): $2900

Regular Rate Double Occupancy (booked after January 31): $3000

The Orangery is the largest and most spacious room available with a private ensuite bathroom. For double occupancy the beds can be separated into two twin beds, or combined as one larger queen bed for a single. 

THE STUDIO

THE STUDIO - Single or double occupancy options, choose one:

Early-Bird Double Occupancy (booked by January 31): $ 2150 per person

Regular Rate Double Occupancy (booked after January 31): $2350 per person

Early-Bird Single Occupancy (booked by January 31): $2750

Regular Rate Single Occupancy (booked after January 31): $2900

The Studio room can be arranged as two separate twin beds or combine them together. Ensuite bathroom with standing shower. Has French doors that open up to one of the garden patio sitting areas. 

THE SHED

THE SHED - Double occupancy:

Early-Bird Double Occupancy (booked by January 31): $2090 per person

Regular Double Occupancy (booked after January 31): $2,150 per person

One double with two separate twin beds. Beds may also be put together if this is for a couple. Private detached bathroom with standing shower. 

THE MILL GRAND

THE MILL GRAND - Double room with single or double occupancy options, choose one:

Early-Bird Double Occupancy (when booked by January 31): $1925 per person

Regular Rate Double Occupancy (when booked after January 31): $2050 per person

Early-Bird Single Occupancy (booked after January 31): $2350

Regular Rate Single Occupancy (booked after January 31): $2450

The Mill Grand is located inside the main house downstairs, and shares a private detached bathroom with the Mill Petit Single, and the with our private female chef, Amy, who will have access during daylight hours when she is working in the kithen. The kitchen is also located in the main house, along with a small salon common area and sundeck. Retreat guests will have access to these shared common areas, so this room is not recommended for light sleepers. Please NOTE: This room has private access, but has an exposed stairwell entrance without a closing door. Retreat participant must be comfortable with this open private entrance. If any questions about this room, don't hesitate to inquire within. 

THE MILL PETIT

THE MILL PETIT - Single room occupancy option:

Early-Bird Single (booked by January 31): $1950

Regular Rate Single (booked after January 31): $2075

The Mill Petit is located inside the main house with a detached private bathroom shared with the Mill Double and our private, female chef, Amy, who will have access to the bathroom only during daylight hours when she is working in the kitchen. The room is next to a small salon common area, and the kitchen. Though the rooms and bathroom are private, the retreat group will have access to the common space outside the room. 

THE BARN - Triple occupancy with single beds:

Early-Bird discount (registered by January 31st): $1850 per person

Regular rate (after January 1st):  $1950 per person

Shared room for three people with three separate single canopy beds, and a private detached bathroom. Only one of these triple rooms available so this option is limited! First come first serve.

Meet Your Host

DANCE 

Abagail Fritz is a Los Angeles-based choreographer, performer, and educator specializing in African-based traditional, street, and popular dance forms. With over 35 years of dance experience and two decades of study across West African dance—including Senegal, Guinea, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast—she brings deep cultural knowledge and artistic versatility to every space she leads. Abagail is a Dance Professor at Pomona College, and teaches around the USA and worldwide.

As an acclaimed performer, she has presented on some of the worlds great stages and arenas spanning over thirteen countries and four continents. She has shared stages with artists like Youssou N’Dour and Gala Rizzatto at iconic venues including Paris’ Bercy Arena, the 2024 Olympic Games, 2022 Fifa Worldcup events,  Hong Kong Kai Tak Stadium for Hong Kong Sevens, and the historic Arena di Verona, Italy.  Abagail’s retreats reflect her passion for movement, culture, and connection—inviting dancers of all levels to move with joy, depth, and authenticity.