🐾Some places here in the Portugal get all the limelight. On our bike rides, we prefer to take you to the hidden gems, whitewashed villages tucked away in the hills, tumbledown forts, trails the real locals wander (shot 3) and cafes where its impossible to spend 5 euros no matter how many coffees you buy. ☀️All our rides have routes to suit your group whether you want to amble along country lanes, try the tricky sunset loop or meander valleys out to the west coast. Message for more details #portugal #algarve #bike #activeholidays #burgau #active #fitness #explore #postcard #wanderlust #travel #ridemtb ...

☀️And to conclude on yesterdays post, a few outtakes: an arm sequence with rocks, running with new friends, tremendous cooking & hospitality from the ladies who’s land they shared, wine in the rocking chair and the legendary magic circle… picture 3 - this one was in the syllabus - although my comments were certainly not 😳

I’m excited about continuing my journey and being part of a group, supported by @ourlifeinmovement and @basipilates with a lifelong passion for teaching Pilates and the tremendous group of girls I was fortunate enough to train with. If we don't have our own struggles, how can we relate to our clients?

Everyone brings something to the table, even if you’re not the cook, we all have our part to play

#retreat #portugal #algarve #basi #training #fun
@caro_lates
@ourlifeinmovement ...

Last week I was on a BASI pilates teacher training retreat with a group of 5 girls.

Our venue was a gorgeous quinta, perched on a hillside with mind-blowing views across the serras of the central Algarve. Everyday we’d climb the cobbled paths to the octagonal yoga studio where we were taught by the lovely @caro_lates and hosted by @ourlifeinmovement

Learning new skills is difficult. We make assumptions about ourselves and compare ourselves to others. And for me, the stark realisation that strength & endurance can carry you a fair way but it was clear that this body doesn’t lend itself to flexibility, precision & control shown by the supple bodies of the others.
Fear is in us all and is the root for not trying. Fear of being laughed at, frustration at not being good enough, fear at being last, getting it wrong, fear of falling, going downhill on a bike, jumping into deep water, fear of being seen in a wetsuit. Many apprehensions we see in our guests on our morning adventures.

Most of all, fear of failing, being vulnerable and being seen.

I can’t do this, I won’t do this, I’m not designed to do this. I’ve failed. We become overwhelmed and it's impossible to see a way forward.

Then there is something wonderful about the realisation that you only truly fail when you give up and its ok to show your vulnerabilities.

Reset your expectations of yourself. Acknowledge that learning new concepts and rerouting a life time of movement patterns is difficult. Break down the maelstrom into little fluffy clouds.

Maybe we need the frustration and hopelessness before we can really progress our journey - whatever it may be.

Back to pilates, it’s not going to be easy to mould this body into those poses. I’m never going to have an elegant body like my dancer peers. But with time, improvements can be made, skills can be practiced and maybe then I'll become better.

Strangely practicing back at home with the bootcamp girls and already, it's not so daunting.
#pilates #basi #learning #algarve #portugal #basi ...

Happy or hating it☀️
This week we 💙 running. Any activity that’s gets you outside with nature is a win win to feeling better..... even if it’s later😅
This is what we do here. Our adventures are designed with your specific requirements in mind, combined with places we know you’ll love to explore. Still space left for middle of May and June:)🌿 #run #portugal #algarve #activeholiday #explore #running #travel #runderful ...

What better place to curl up & watch the crazy skies⚡️
☀️heat, sleet, rays, repeat 🚿 We have three south facing apartments all with cosy underfloor heating, snuggly blankets, coffee machines and the most amazing views. #portugal #algarve #turismodeportugal #travel #wanderlust #activeholiday #burgau ...

💧☀️Super spring clean🌪⚡️
We’ve been sand blasted, pressure washed, rinsed & blown dry. The energy the last few days has been prodigious with sand clouds, equinox tides, huge waves, torrential downpours, hail, lightening and thunder. The trees are grateful🌿 and so am I. Check out our amazing new poolside shower 🚿in the trees. #algarve #portugal #holiday #vacation #activeholiday #sagres #storm #explore #travel #life #alive #ocean ...

☀️Big blue horizons before the sky turned to sand.... swipe to last photo, can’t wait to sweep up after this one🧹😅 #algarve #portugal #postcardsfromtheworld #travel #wanderlust ...

🌱☀️Settling into spring. We’ve welcomed lovely guests the last few weeks from all over; Holland, Germany, France, USA and even the UK💪 We’re back on the bikes, guests have been out and about on the self guided explore tours, walking, surfing with heaps of sun, and stacks of Vino Verdi-ing 🍷🍾 #burgau #portugal #algarve #activeholiday #portugal #sagres ...

Great ride out to the west coast today. 25km country & coast..... flat.... even managed to find some mud before we hit Portuguese Sahara and couldn’t ride any further. @paula_schieder and Erica absolute legends.☀️☀️ #algarve #travel #active #activeholiday #burgau #liveagreatstory ...

Where are you winter? ☀️☀️
We’re back to welcoming guests, heading out on morning adventures and enjoying fabulous February🍍🍍 #portugal #run #active #activeholiday #algarve #beach #burgau #winter ...

Flying into the blue....
🌈Colours disappear underwater in the same order as they appear in the rainbow. First, red in the top couple of metres then orange & yellow submerging you into a world of greens and blues. #underwater #dive #freediving #freedivingphotography #ocean #gopro @oceanbluekid ...

Where do we spend our holidays? 🐟🐡🐠🐢
Under the sea:)
#dive #turtle #underthesea #divingholiday @oceandimensions @oceanbluekid ...

October mornings on the lazy lagoon... (not so lazy)
#algarve #sup #lagos #paddleboard #activeholiday #travel #oceanblue #holiday #postcardsfromtheworld ...

☀️Between rock and a watery place. More Autumn Adventures aboard SeaSophia💦#burgau #algarve #salema #portugal #explore #october #wanderlust #travel #activeholiday #holiday #active #postcardsfromtheworld #europe_vacations #europe #oceanblueactive #sup #standuppaddle #paddleboard ...

I swear this land is like jarlsberg 🧡 #lagosportugal #ocean #oceanblueactive #portugal #travel #algarve #explore ...

☀️Open all hours winter bar🍍
Shout out for anyone dreaming of winter sun who can work remotely and is keen for adventures in SW Portugal. 3 apartments at our hilltop retreat are available for short to mid term stays from the 1st November. Tap like and send me a DM for more details. Photos here were taken between January and March.... bet you can’t guess the January 13th shot..... #algarve #wintersun #activeholiday #activebreak #postcard #darlingescapes #wanderlust #remotework #digitalnomadlife #digitalnomads #lovetravel #burgau ...

@ryancj91 and his budgy smugglers are back on tour. With @kyetrev00 we’ve been biking in the hills, paddleboarding through caves, diving from the boat, swimming with starfish and lots of cliff jumping.

Third trip and it must be time for a redesign ...... we’re thinking pink watermelons & lime green lobsters on an oceanblue background..... 🦜 #portugal #burgau #lagoswhat2do #sup #bike #boatlife #beach #explore #lagos #budgysmuggler #longtimeintheair #travel #standuppaddle #paddleboard #algarve ...

a few new adventures ☀️🍍🐟#portugal #algarve #wanderlust #postcardsfromtheworld #travel #paddleboard #burgau #lagoswhat2do #lagos #activeholiday #oceanblueactive #boatlife #ocean #sup ...

📸So easy to take amazing photos on our SeaSafari, paddling, swimming and snorkelling from our catamaran whilst anchored up somewhere completely gorgeous☀️🌿#portugal #algarve #lagoswhat2do #burgau #oceanblueactive #boat #sup #travel #activeholiday #ocean #oceanlife #saltyhair #wanderlust #adventureseeker #adventure #doyoutravel #trip #igersportugal #travelgram ...

Eye to the sky ☀️
See our SeaSafaris 🐠
#activeholiday #boatday #oceanblueactive #boat #lagoswhat2do #burgau #portugal #algarve ...

Best thing about our morning adventures is seeing big SMILES ..... even if a few are a little scared 💦 #portugal #algarve #oceanblueactive #activeholiday #lagos #lagoswhat2do #boat #beach #wanderlust #postcardsfromtheworld ...

Super high tides and shifting sands have redesigned the coastline. For us, lots more beaches and sandy caves to explore by paddleboard from the boat. #sup #lagosportugal #lagoswhat2do #oceanblueactive #standuppaddle #boatlife #travel #explore #activeholiday. ...

Super adventures with this one and her wonderful family this week. Bike rides, paddleboarding, snorkelling & jumping from the boat, 7am boot camps, hill runs and yoga...... plus 6 hours a day in the pool. Happy travels and come back soon family☀️☀️☀️☀️ @deboradenekamp #portugal #algarve #activeholiday #bike #boatlife #travel #sup #villa #wanderlust #pool #burgau ...

✨Glide and seek🏝
Feeling like pioneers on our paddle out yesterday.
This epic coastline is truly undiscovered - the first time for us also.

The mellow south attempting the wildness of the west with dramatic sea cliffs, deep caves and giant strewn boulders.

A totally isolated paddle which we can't wait to explore again. #algarve #travel #explore #portugal #sup #standuppaddleboarding #wanderlust #instagram #postcardsfromtheworld #activeholiday #travelblogger #traveltheworld #activity #fitness ...

🌿The best things happen at sea☀️ Especially on our Sea Safari.... next trip Tuesday 15th at 9.30: cruise the cape and explore the yellow islands, arches and emerald inlets before seeking out a quiet little bay to drop anchor and explore by swim, sup or snorkel #portugal #lagos #sup #lagoswhat2do #oceanblueactive #activetravel #activeholiday #boatlife #burgau #oceanblueactive #travel #wanderlust #amazing #handstand by @ellawroathsoulcircus ...

🌿Shipping out for another OceanBlue Adventure on the high seas☀️ Possibly our most awesome adventure???
Cruising the cape and then anchoring up in this crystal clear little spot to sup or swim explore. Any takers for Mondays or Friday 9:15 Sea Safari. Private charter on request #portugal #algarve #sup #boatlife #burgau #oceanblueactive #lagosportugal #lagoswhat2do #postcardsfromtheworld #travel #activeholiday #activetravel #wanderlust #explore #supgirl #standuppaddle #sea @olibrennan_ @vonpinkhoffen @milly_wootton @seasupadventures ...

🌿Let’s get this summer rolling ☀️ Bikes, boards, boats and awesome accommodation from our little house on the hill 🌳 #portugal #burgau #bike #bikelife #activeholiday #travel #explore #algarve #mtb #postcardsfromtheworld #activetravel #lagoswhat2do #sup ...

Green and serene days on our Sea Safari.🌿
We’re running our half day adventures & private charters, cruising the caves before anchoring up in a quiet little bay to explore by paddleboard, swim, snorkel or just enjoy the views and let the others splash about 💦 #portugal #lagoswhat2do #lagosportugal #burgau #seasafari #sup #travel #wanderlust #postcardsfromtheworld #boat #boatlife #activeholiday #oceanblueactive @discoverlagos ...

☀️So good to be back on our Sea Safaris. 🛥
As the former main port during Portugal’s Age of Discoveries, no trip to Lagos is complete without an adventure on the high seas. Here we are cruising the caves before anchoring up in a quiet little bay to explore by paddleboard and jump off the cabin roof 💦 swipe to check out our special guest....

#lagos #sup #burgau #portugal #oceanblue #oceanblueactive #travel #wanderlust #postcardsfromtheworld #explore #activetravel #boatlife #activeholiday @discoverlagos @soulcircusfestival @ellawroathsoulcircus @nataliejasper ...

☀️Still our favourite paddle spot🌿 #portugal #standuppaddle #sup #beach #burgau #algarve #explore #active #holiday #activeholiday #travel @pamhoad @c.a.r.r.i.e.a.n.n.e @quintaflowers ...

Green flag 💚💚 for active holidays, boutique apartments and awesome adventures from our 🌿 hilltop retreat in the Wild Western Algarve. ☀️Check out our individually styled apartments overlooking the pool, valley and ocean beyond. #travel #activetravel #portugal #algarve #2021 #burgau #explore #postcard #darlingescapes #wanderlust #travelgram #lovetravel #travelbloggeritaliane ...