Activity holidays in the Algarve, Portugal 

Pilates holiday packages at Estrela da Luz in the Western Algarve from only £325pp

Get away from it all with our Pilates break at the luxury Oceanico Estrela da Luz resort in Praia da Luz, Portugal.  Our Pilates Institute trained instructor will undertake a pre-assessment before you embark on your Pilates classes, as well as yoga, relaxation and aerobic classes.

But it is not all hard work: indulge yourself with Elemis treatments at the Estrela Health & Beauty facility and meet other like-minded individuals at the drinks reception and meals in the resort's fabulous Calabaza restaurant and Hugo Beaty Bar & Cafe.

All packages include

Accommodation for 4 nights

Variety of Pilates and exercise classes

Meals as below

Elemis treatments as below

          Dates

1-5^th May 2008, 5-9^th June 2008, 11-15^th September 2008, 2-6^th October 2008

Extra dates may be arranged for groups of 6+ subject to availability. Please enquire.

Numbers

Maximum number = 9 people.

Timetable

Day 1 - Thursday

Tbc Pilates pre-screen to assess individual level, 19h00 Drinks reception outside Calabaza Restaurant (overlooking outdoor swimming pool), 19h30 Dinner at Calabaza Restaurant

Day 2 - Friday

09h00 Breakfast at Hugo Beaty Bar & Café, 11h00 Pilates class, 12h30 Relaxation /Yoga session, 14h00 Lunch at Hugo Beaty Bar & Café, free afternoon, 17h00 early evening Pilates class, Dinner - guests make own arrangements

Day 3 - Saturday

09h00 Breakfast at Hugo Beaty Bar & Café, 11h00 Pilates class, 13h30 Lunch at Hugo Beaty Bar & Café, Free afternoon, 17h00 Early evening Pilates class, Dinner - guests make own arrangements

Day 4 - Sunday

09h00 Breakfast at Hugo Beaty Bar & Café, 11h00 Pilates class, 12h00 Aqua aerobics class, 13h30 Lunch at Hugo Beaty Bar & Café, free afternoon, 19h30 Farewell dinner at Calabaza Restaurant (Feedback/ questions)

Day 5 - Monday -Departure day

09h00 Breakfast at Hugo Beaty Bar & Café, depart to airport

Prices

All accommodation is at Estrela da Luz resort.

Prices are in Pounds and per person sharing.

Prices are subject to alteration without prior notice. Taxes and service are included.

Flights and airport transfers are not included.

About Pilates

Pilates works by re-balancing the body, altering the way in which you recruit muscles to produce movements. It changes the way you use your body, the way you move - restoring natural, normal movement.

Pilates works on strengthening the stabilizing muscles which lie close to and support the spine. Transverse abdominus is the deepest of the abdominal muscles, wrapping around the trunk horizontally, acting like a corset when engaged. Two other muscles are important in providing good stability in the trunk - the multifidus muscle in the low back, and the pelvic floor. This creates the solid cylinder around the central spine, helping to prevent shearing forces being applied to the vertebra, ligaments and discs.

Pilates exercises are gentle, progressive and performed slowly with good postural alignment at all times. These controlled movements are therefore unlikely to lead to injury. Regular Pilates practice typically leads to a stronger, leaner body whilst developing body awareness and having an overall de-stressing effect on most people.

What level do I need to be at to do the classes on this holiday?

The classes are for beginners and mixed ability (someone who may have attended classes in the past but not yet progressed to the intermediate level).

The pre-screen on the arrival day will include a lifestyle assessment and postural analysis followed by a small test to measure your current ability to engage your pelvic stabilizing muscles (Transverse Abdominus). From the pre-screens the classes can then be designed to tailor for all participants.

The Instructor

The Pilates instructor has been teaching for nearly 7 years and has just recently updated her training with the Pilates Institute. For further information about the content of the classes please contact us.

Menus

Breakfast menu

Freshly squeezed orange juice

Cereals with milk or Muesli topped with fresh fruit, yoghurt & honey or Fresh seasonal fruit

Toast served with a selection of preserves or Hot bacon roll

Tea or coffee

Lunch menu

Daily Special or Pasta of the Day or Quiche & Salad

Dessert

Water and tea or coffee

Dinner on day 1

Soup of the day or Tomato bruschetta with fresh basil and shaved parmesan

Thai spiced chicken curry served with fragrant rice and prawn crackers or Grilled monkfish & prawn kebab served with mixed leaf salad and saut£ed new potatoes or Filo parcel stuffed with grilled vegetables, pesto and goats' cheese

Baked cheesecake with raspberry coulis or Fresh fruit platter

Water

Farewell dinner

Soup of the day or Breaded coconut prawns with sweet chili dipping sauce

Seared fillet of salmon with a soy & ginger glaze served on stir fried rice noodles or Grilled rump of lamb, grilled vegetables and sautéed new potatoes or Spinach & ricotta tortellini, Napoli sauce, shaved parmesan and rocket

Warm chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream or Fresh fruit platter

Water and tea or coffee

Elemis Treatments

Elemis Skin Specific Facial

The perfect skin maintenance facial, combining exceptional skin conditioning plant actives with unique Eastern massage techniques to deeply cleanse the face, whilst renewing radiance of the skin.

Elemis Fruit Active Glow - For dull, lifeless skin

Elemis Exotic Moisture Dew - For dry skin

Elemis Herbal Lavender Repair - For combination and oily skin

Elemis Full body massage

Relieving specific stress and muscle tension, this deep and rhythmic pressure massage gives the whole body a vigorous workout, combined with specially blended massage oils.

Other information

Alcohol is only provided during the Drinks Reception on Day 1. All other alcoholic drinks to be paid directly by guest.

Elemis beauty treatments will be scheduled before arrival. Any alterations to the schedule times can be made on arrival, subject to availability of therapists.

Estrela da Luz Resort

Estrela da Luz Resort is located just 200m from the beach in the heart of the traditional town of Praia da Luz. Accommodation ranges from studios to three bedroom apartments, all individually furnished with high quality fittings, private balconies, satellite TV and stylish furnishings: many apartments have sea views.
Guests are also able to enjoy the state-of-the-art gymnasium, indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, Jacuzzi, exercise studio, tennis courts and children's playground. For dining out or relaxing with friends over a glass of wine, the Hugo Beaty Bar & Café is one of the most chic venues in Praia da Luz, and is open until 1am daily.

For more details and bookings please ring Algarve Retreats 01283 821072

or email enquiries@algarve-retreats.com