Review from a Wellness guest: Karlijn's Ayurveda retreat in Alpino Atlântico, Madeira

A warm welcome in Madeira

From the moment I arrive at the hotel, I am welcomed with a soothing foot massage—an incredibly relaxing way to start my stay. Afterward, it is time for lunch, where I enjoy my first taste of the Ayurvedic buffet. The meals are entirely vegetarian, meaning no meat or fish for the week, but with so many flavorful dishes to choose from, I hardly miss it. Since no treatments are scheduled on the day of arrival, I have some rest in the afternoon to unwind. I take my time relaxing in the peaceful garden and later join a meditation class, gazing at the setting sun as the day gently came to an end.

Authentic ayurveda retreats in-house

Alpino Atlântico specializes in Ayurveda, with consultations and treatments conducted by professionally trained doctors and therapists at the resort’s dedicated Ayurveda center. You can comfortably walk from your room to the treatment area in your bathrobe and slippers. Additionally, there is a separate space for yoga and meditation classes.

Yoga classes

The next day starts with yoga. Whereas the morning yoga classes in Sri Lanka started at 6am, here in Madeira, they start at 7am. For me, this is an ideal time – I make sure I get to bed at a decent time in the evening, so I naturally wake-up at 6.30am.

Tailored Ayurveda treatments

After the morning yoga class—where I watch the sun rise—and a nourishing breakfast, I have my initial consultation with the warm and welcoming Ayurveda doctor, Gopal, from India. He assesses my Ayurvedic constitution (Dosha) and designs a personalized treatment plan for the week ahead. The plan? Massages, massages, and more massages—all with generous amounts of warm oil. Each massage type and the specific oils used are carefully selected to suit my dosha. As the week progresses, I feel myself unwinding more and more each day. Every massage begins with a warm welcome from the kind and highly professional team at the Ayurveda center. An hour and a half later, I float back to my room, completely at ease, savoring this deep sense of relaxation.

Nutrition advice

In addition to the massages, daily yoga and meditation sessions help restore a sense of balance. There are also various workshops to explore, offering deeper insights into Ayurveda and well-being. One of the highlights is a personal nutrition consultation with the equally warm and knowledgeable Doctor Subha. Originally from India, she shares valuable insights tailored to my Dosha. While I was already familiar with the basics of an Ayurvedic diet for my constitution, she helps me refine my approach with expert guidance. For instance, I knew which nuts suited my Dosha and how to combine them, but I hadn’t realized that soaking them overnight would make them even more beneficial. These practical tips are easy to implement at home, making the experience even more valuable beyond the retreat.

What’s on the menu

If you are following an Ayurveda programme, you will eat special Ayurveda meals from the buffet, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Bread, bread toppings and eggs are also available at breakfast in addition to the Ayurveda dishes. At lunch and dinner, the buffet includes hot dishes, including curries and other primarily vegetarian dishes (no meat or fish). You will receive dietary advice based on your initial consultation with the doctor who will determine your Dosha/constitution. This will help guide your choices from the buffet.

Ayurveda Retreat in Sri Lanka versus an Ayurveda Retreat in Madeira

Besides the fact that yoga classes in Madeira start an hour later than in Sri Lanka, there are a few key differences to highlight. In Sri Lanka, the program tends to be more intensive, whereas in Madeira, the focus leans more toward Ayurvedic wellness. In practice, this means:

• Treatments: In Sri Lanka, you receive two treatments per day, often with a four-hand massage. In Madeira, treatments are once a day and performed by one therapist (two hands).
  
• Daily schedule: Since Madeira offers fewer treatments, you have more free time to explore the surroundings.
  
• Food: The Sri Lankan venues are larger, which means bigger buffets with a wider selection. Coffee is not served, and nutritionists on-site can be quite strict. In Madeira, you have more flexibility to choose from the Ayurvedic buffet and even enjoy a cup of coffee at breakfast if you wish.
  
• Herbal medicine: In Sri Lanka, in addition to your massages and treatments, you receive daily herbal medicines tailored to your health goals. In Madeira, this is not included.
  
• Weather: Sri Lanka is consistently warm, while Madeira can be cooler in winter. However, Madeira is just a short flight away—less than four hours.
  

Both destinations offer a blissful experience. It all depends on what suits you best.

Interested to learn more about Alpino Atlantico

After a week, I return home feeling completely refreshed, having not only enjoyed my stay but also gained valuable insights into Ayurveda. Would you like to experience an Ayurveda retreat in this stunning coastal setting in Madeira? Alpino Atlântico offers authentic programs of varying lengths, guided by a dedicated team of experienced Ayurvedic doctors and therapists. Meals are served buffet-style, with a selection of Ayurvedic dishes that are mostly vegetarian. As a guest at Alpino Atlântico, you also have access to the facilities of its two sister hotels—the newly renovated Galosol and the adults-only Galomar.