Art & Soul in Olhão

Create. Calm the mind and awaken the soul. Find your passion. Reclaim your purpose.

Escape the hustle of everyday life and immerse yourself in a world where time moves at its own perfect pace. Take a leisurely stroll through charming city streets and discover a store brimming with exquisite pottery and hand-painted tiles. In the back of the store, the celebrated local artist, Celia, awaits you, eager to impart her wisdom and expertise as you spend a morning learning the revered Portuguese tradition of creating beautiful ceramic tiles.

After this unforgettable experience, allow yourself to get lost in the magic of this charming city. Stop in at the quaint boutiques and studios filled with handcrafted art, clothing, and other treasures, and make your way towards the harbor. Follow the water's edge, savoring the enticing aromas of the local cuisine, and indulge in a must-try delicacy – the melt-in-your-mouth Pastel de Nata, Portugal's national dessert – at one of the charming outdoor cafes. As the sun warms your skin and the ocean breeze soothes your soul, take in the sights and sounds of the city, joining locals before they break for "sesta" – a cherished tradition of self-care and rest. Embrace the spirit of tranquility and relaxation that infuses every aspect of this timeless city, and return to your luxurious accommodations for a refreshing dip in the rooftop pool or a peaceful moment of self-reflection on a comfortable chaise lounge.

Join your fellow travelers for a guided meditation, followed by some gentle yin yoga, with Sanne and then prepare for an unforgettable culinary experience. Dine on a breathtaking terrace as the golden hour illuminates the sky, and allow your senses to revel in the culinary delights presented by Chef Ricardo.

As you take a deep breath and bask in the warm glow of the sunset, you feel a sense of profound gratitude for the time and space to relax, explore, create, laugh, connect, and simply be.

Gather with your sisters on the cozy couches in the library for a reflection circle or group coaching session and feel how easy it is to share. It is as if you have known them forever and vice versa.

This is your time, your moment, your adventure – and you know that you belong here, among kindred spirits, in this magical corner of the world.

The Venue: Casa Fuzetta

Nestled in the heart of Portugal’s Algarve, Casa Fuzetta is a historic gem that has been transformed into a modern oasis of beauty and comfort. The three-year restoration project, completed in 2016, brought together local craftsmen and artisans to honor the both architectural heritage of the house and the contemporary designs and amenities - including a spectacular rooftop pool!

The house is a treat for the senses, with natural elements of white, stone, wood and linens creating a soothing and elegant atmosphere. The first level invites you to relax in the limestone courtyard with a fountain and lush greenery, or in the stunning library space where yoga & meditation classes will be held. The second level is the heart of the house, featuring a state-of-the-art kitchen for communal gatherings, and a magnificent stained-glass meditation space. The third level offers another outdoor yoga space and the rooftop pool with breathtaking views. Each guest room is a haven of luxury and comfort, with sumptuous bathrobes, high-quality toiletries, fine sheets and pillows, velvet chaise lounges, claw-footed bathtubs, chandeliers and antique wooden furniture.

Casa Fuzetta is designed to make you feel at home in a paradise of relaxation and wellness. Come and enjoy this exquisite experience!

A Culinary Paradise

Portugal is a culinary wonderland, where a multitude of flavors and ingredients come together to create a unique and diverse cuisine. Influenced by its rich cultural and colonial history, Portuguese food is deeply rooted in fresh, local ingredients and offers a wide range of delicious dishes. From savory seafood stews to sweet pastries and rich wines, Portuguese cuisine has something for every palate.



If you're a foodie looking for an unforgettable experience, the Algarve region of Portugal is the place to be. Here, you can savor some of the freshest seafood in the world, thanks to the region's strong fishing traditions. Olhao’s waterfront market, which dates back to 1912, is a must-visit destination for seafood lovers, as it's known throughout the world for its fresh catches and is the largest and with the most diverse choices in the area.

Portuguese cuisine isn't just about seafood and olive oil. The Algarve is also known for its amazing variety of fruits. A lunch of honey, almonds, oranges, and handmade bread is a delicious and healthy way to indulge in the flavors of this region.

Finally, Portugal is going through a culinary renaissance, with Michelin-starred chefs and innovative young talents reinventing traditional recipes. From food festivals to gourmet restaurants, the Algarve is at the forefront of this exciting new wave of Portuguese cuisine. So come and explore the flavors of Portugal, and experience the gastronomic delights of the Algarve.

Those of you that know me and have worked with me, know that I am a foodie. You can trust me when I say, you will be elated with the private chef I have reserved for you.

Now, for those that need to know me more...

Food can nourish our souls, and awaken our senses. It provides a vehicle for exploration into the new and unfamiliar. It assists in moving us towards the idea of change, it allows for transformation and new beginnings. Food provides, healing, sustenance, and comfort. A smell or flavor can take you back in time as if you never left, creating an evocative experience. (Those are my favorite.)

I have grown up around cooks from cultures all over the world and soaked up whatever they had to teach. Running my local wellness program allows me to create and share a meal with the women physicians I work with. Together we share meals, I've lovingly created from regions across the globe and delight our palates with a myriad of flavors. Running a retreat and doing the cooking myself continuously for days at that same level of quality would take me away from my main priority, which is focusing on you.

I am ecstatic to share that when I visited Casa Fuzetta myself to confirm the tabloids -YES!, it is as exquisite as they say - that I got to meet and taste the food prepared by our own private chef. Chef Ricardo's food is DIVINE! Growing up with a Moroccan mother, there were some dishes that he created, that felt like home for my sisters and I. We were sold. He was the one for this retreat. Like me, he is obsessed with flavor and he is a gastronomic genius. I can't wait for you to savour all the freshness of the region and the abundance of delightful dishes he will prepare for us. The value as we gather together for meals and share food, stories, enjoy each other, and all that we have around us will be immeasurable.

Loulé Criativo Arts

We will travel to the nearby town of Loulé  where you will tap into your inner artist with immersive pottery experiences at the Loulé Creativo.

Loulé Criativo is a sacred space established by the town to preserve the skills of local artisans, passing them down to both the community and visitors for generations to come.

We are being honored by this community with use of this wonderful studio to create our art. Your host (I) will share techniques to guide you through various mindful ways to facilitate enjoyment no matter what level of experience you have.

As you explore the city and surrounding area, we will collect items with textures that call to you to incorporate into your work and bring a touch of organic and personal charm to your creations. Adding nature brings inspiration to the process and can be grounding when used once the piece is finished.

Your Host

Randie Schacter, DO, DFAACAP

I am a psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience treating women & children with a special passion in caring for women physicians. I am an advocate for our profession and our patients, holding local and national positions in professional societies, a best-selling author, professional speaker on managing stress & burnout and on starting a private practice - empowering other physicians. I remain a perpetual student, learning and practicing varied approaches to enhance wellness, joy, creativity and fulfillment to best suit the needs of those I care for.

In 2019, I merged my years of professional and personal experiences to create an interactive CME program, called Mindfulness Based Arts & Stress Reduction (MBASR). A program for Women Medical Professionals to manage stress & burnout using pottery making, mindfulness, meditation, yoga, cognitive behavioral therapy exercises, coaching and peer support, (accompanied by Farm-to-Table homemade-gourmet food) in the Charlotte Area. It has served my peers by significantly reducing symptoms of stress & burnout in an atmosphere of warmth, creativity, care,  laughter and kindness.  The data supports its benefits and the testimonials make it worth every minute of effort involved. Learn more

Ricardo Santos

Our Chef

I'm an enthusiastic chef with 20 years of experience and obsessed with flavor. Since very young I was aware that little things in life, were so unifying as food. I started to cook with my mother at a young age, then learned quite a lot in culinary school and by traveling as well as at my restaurant, Amore Vero. Even the simplest meal serves as a pretext to be with family and friends and sometimes even strangers that cross our lives. For me it is the perfect way to give love, by changing the process and the final result (for the better) for hardly any good comes out of it without a pinch of salt or lots of love.

I describe my kind of cooking as an endless love for middle eastern flavors, Mediterranean and Asian cuisine. I specialize in vegetarian and vegan food. I cater for fitness and yoga retreats. I also work as a private chef (holiday cooking, special events, etc). I see cooking as a global experience. I love mixing spices and influences from around the world to achieve bold flavors. Instagram @chef_ricardosantos

Sanne Theben Terville

Yoga Instructor

I am a massage therapist, yoga teacher, spiritual energy healer and transformative bodyworker. My roots lie in the Netherlands, but Portugal is my chosen home country. The energy feels so good in this corner of the earth. The Algarve is a wonderful place for yoga & meditation and healing therapy!

For more than 15 years I have supported people in finding their inner strength back again and regaining ownership of their life, feelings and body. I am familiar with several yoga styles but always approach my teachings in a loving way. 

Yoga is, after all, a spiritual practice that can be performed physically, to get back to the core of your existence. By releasing, relaxing, connecting body, soul and breath, they form one balanced and harmonic entity. My purpose is to share everything I’ve observed, explored and experienced from what I know and feel with as many people as possible and to help them transform their lives by shifting the awareness from the mind to the body with Silent Attention & Love and to connect with their soul. www.silentattention.com 

Finding your Flow - Pottery

The enjoyable sensation of your hands in clay is like nothing else.

Exposure to these various styles will allow you to get a feel for what fascinates you and what makes your heart feel more alive. Through these experiences a passion for art and creativity will be nourished.

Fond memories will flow when you return home and share the pieces you created.

Flow is the secret to happiness



A rough sketch of the day:

• Optional morning rooftop twilight meditation as the sunrises, to awaken your soul and start your day.
• A light snack/breakfast of local fresh fruits, breads, jams, coffee and tea.
• Sun Salutations and morning yoga on the rooftop.
• Then after a short break, we meet in the transcendent meditation room (wait till you experience it) for a guided meditation and intention setting for the day. 
• Enjoy an abundant spread of exquisite mouthwatering delights for brunch served outside on the kitchen terrace.
• You will then visit the town of Loulé for an immersive-mindful pottery experience lead by your host.
• Free time in the afternoon to reflect on the morning's experiences and enjoy your surroundings. Take a dip in the pool, or journal on a chaise lounge. Read a book in the library on a comfy couch. Stroll through the streets and explore the shops or rent a bike and ride along the harbor. Enjoy some cheese & olives with a cup of iced tea in the courtyard. Get that massage you have been pining for. The choices are yours to make.
• Another locally-sourced gastronomic exploration of the senses prepared by Chef Ricardo; dinner served by candlelight.
• Gather together for a reflection circle. Process the experiences. Share at your pace. Listen. Offer. Open yourself up to new possibilities and prepare for what tomorrow brings. Plan for the next days adventures.
• End the day with some breath-work to still the busy mind and prepare for a good night of sleep.