THE FOODIE

Paraiso Escondido
APRIL 28 - MAY 2, 2027

We’re going back to Paraiso Escondido, this time with a bonus.

After devouring the delicious food Andy had prepared... we kept hearing: “I wish I knew how to make this for myself.”

So, we created The Foodie Retreat - designed for people who want to experience the restoration of retreat life while also building more confidence and inspiration in the kitchen.

Alongside your practice, you’ll have the chance to learn simple, nourishing recipes and techniques that you can realistically take home with you. Nothing too intensive - this isn’t culinary school - but enough to leave feeling inspired to cook, nourish yourself better, and reconnect with food in a more intentional way.

Food will always been a huge part of our retreats, but this experience goes one step further: giving you the tools, ideas, and confidence to bring a little of that feeling back into your everyday life.

Join the retreat

A small house with a white railing, illuminated by exterior lights, is set against a dark forest at dusk.

About Paraiso Escondido

Set in the hills of the Alentejo region, the venue compromises of a main house with 5 stunning bedrooms set around a swimming pool, 2 luxurious lake facing suites, and 3 unique cabins on stilts. The venue is so high up that the views are spectacular from every point.

When I first saw the Yin Yang Yoga Studio, I fell in love with the space! When I first saw the Yin Yang Yoga Studio, I fell in love with the space! Our retreat this year was one of the most special experiences, Andy and I are excited to our second edition of Paraiso Escondido retreat together.

Woman practicing yoga on a black mat in a dimly lit room with wooden floors, sitting cross-legged and stretching with yoga blocks around her.

A Typical Day On This Retreat

7.30am - Teas, Coffee, Fresh Fruit + Nut Bars
8am - 90 minute Energising Vinyasa Practise
9.30am - Meditation
10am - Brunch
11am - Relax, unwind, chill out in the space
1.30pm - Food Demo / intro to lunch
2pm - Light lunch
4pm - Afternoon foodie workshop on one afternoon, beach excursion on another, all optional!
5pm - 90 minute Restorative evening Yoga (Yin, Slow Flow)
7pm - Dinner

* All activities on this itinerary are optional. Should you prefer to skip a Yoga class, or opt out of any of the others mentioned here, this is a trip for you to decide what you need.

Sunlight filtering through tall pine trees on a hillside with a house partially visible among vegetation.

Additional Activities

Optional Massages and Treatments
Beautiful Hikes Surrounding the Venue
Beach Excursion Afternoon
Local Dinner Out on the last evening

Join the retreat

Meet Your Hosts

Two smiling people, a man and a woman, standing in a modern kitchen behind a stove, with pots and cooking utensils in front of them.

Christie Knight & Andy Frantzeskos

My partner Andy and I met years ago living in Australia working in the world of hospitality. We immediately clicked through our shared love of the same passions: food, deep conversation, and connection. We’ve been on a journey the last 7 years of sharing these passions with the world and retreats brings everything we love together.

For the last few years, Andy has been Head Chef at ROVI - one of Ottolenghi’s flagship restaurants in Fitzrovia. Working with seasonal produce, Andy’s food is all about big flavours.

I might be biased, but his cooking is the best, and I’m honoured to have him co-host with me.

YOUR BEDROOM OPTIONS

All bedrooms at Paraiso are luxuriously designed with comfort in mind, each with it’s own en-suite, and your bed freshly made daily.

Room prices begin from £1,095. Please reach out below for the full details on each room!

Give me the details

Modern bathroom with a white sink on a wooden vanity, a large mirror, a towel rack with towels, a walk-in shower with a rain showerhead, a window with wooden blinds, and a white robe hanging on a wall hook.

A bedroom with a canopy bed, two nightstands with lamps, and a patio door with white curtains.

Suite in Main House

These stunning bedrooms are ideal for couples or friends who don't mind sharing a bed, or solo occupants seeking a luxury experience. The suites are pool facing with four-poster bed, en-suite bathroom and patio.

Modern bedroom with a large bed, wooden nightstand, green armchair, sliding glass door with blue curtains, and a small seating area outside. There is a wooden dining table with four green chairs and a laptop inside.

Modern patio with two white wicker chairs and a small round table, overlooking a bedroom through large glass sliding doors, with illuminated interior including a bed and sitting area.

Lake Facing Suite

The Lake suites comprise of a double bed, chaise longue, en-suite bathroom, wood-burning stove and lake-view patio. Both suites are separate to the main house and nextdoor to each other. Ideal for those who want more privacy.

A bedroom with a white four-poster bed, striped pillows, a small side table with stacked stones, a pink armchair, and a balcony with outdoor chairs and a scenic view.

A small elevated house with a white railing and blue roof, surrounded by trees, with lighting on the outside, and a person standing on the balcony.

Wooden Cabin on Stilts

Private stilted cabin with double bed, en-suite bathroom, private patio and wraparound deck. There are only 2 wooden cabins, and the views from your balcony are unmatched.

A bedroom with a four-poster bed featuring a wooden frame and white canopy, black and white pillows, wooden nightstands with lamps, a gray sofa with patterned pillows, wall art of a zebra, and wood flooring with a patterned area rug.

A modern house with beige walls, a red-tiled roof, a front porch with chairs, and a white wooden slatted privacy screen.

Independent Marula Suite

The Marula Suite Suite is a standalone mini-villa with a four-poster bed, sofa, en-suite bathroom, wood-burning stove and wooden patio - the ultimate comfort. It’s also the closest room to the Yoga shala, very handy for morning/evening practise.

A modern bathroom with a white vessel sink on a white countertop, a green wall, a mirror, a window, and a towel rack with two white towels.

Hotel room with a bed, green headboard, two pillows, two bedside lamps, wall art, air conditioner, and wooden furniture.

Twin Room

These double bedrooms are in the main house, and are best suited to friends who prefer not to share a bed. The room pictured will be setup as 2 singles. There are only 2 of this room option.

*A £500 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your booking for all rooms.
The final balance is due 6 weeks before retreat begins (March 17th 2027)

*10% discount on all bookings of 2

Notes From Our Guests

Jacqueline, London

My time at the retreat in Portugal was truly life-changing. Christie is an incredibly inspiring yoga teacher — so knowledgeable, kind, and endlessly patient. She created such a supportive and welcoming environment, and I learned so much from her during the retreat. Since returning home last month, I’ve continued my yoga practice almost daily, which is something I never expected. I feel calmer, more in control of my thoughts, and genuinely happier in myself.
The whole experience was made even more special by the beautiful, peaceful location, which allowed me to completely switch off and recharge. Andy, the head chef at Rovi, prepared most of the meals, and every dish was nourishing, healthy, and absolutely delicious.
I left feeling refreshed in every sense, both mentally and physically, and I’m already looking forward to returning again next year. I can’t recommend this retreat highly enough.
Beth, Somerset

This was my first experience of a yoga retreat and truly my first experience where I’ve felt so fully immersed in a yoga practice, so thank you! Christie is SUCH an incredible teacher and the way she guided the sessions and created space, both physically but also beyond that, was truly incredible. The way both Christie and Andy have crafted an experience combining their skills soooo perfectly is just such a joy to see and be part of.
I found it so interesting to reflect upon when I arrived vs when I left - initially I thought that I wasn’t super clued up on yoga compared to everyone else, but actually I’ve left with the realisation that yoga is so much more than just holding a pose and I’m really grateful that Christie opened my eyes to this. I’ll be recommending to everyone I know!!
Sophie, Amsterdam

For my first ever yoga retreat, I attended Christie and Andy's retreat in Paraiso Escondido and wow I was completely blown away.
I joined alone, but immediately felt welcome as Christie nurtured an open, comfortable community. Beyond that, Christie is an incredible yoga teacher, her classes are very diverse, creative and inspirational and my mouth is still watering for Andy's food weeks after the retreat. I left feeling transformed - I felt lighter and more confident - ready to take on the next chapter of my life. Thank you so much 🩷

Frequently Asked Questions

- 4 Nights luxury accommodation
- 2 extended daily Yoga practices
- Delicious, Nourishing Meals (3/day)
- Hands on food workshops x 2
- Drinks (Tea, Coffee, Juices, Filtered Water)
- Yoga Mats + Props
- Activities (group hikes / runs)
- Flights
Flights to Faro are usually around £100 return on these dates.
- Transfers (UK + Portugal)
Options for transport on the Portugal side: we can assist in arranging group cars to collect you from Faro airport, which is a 1.5 hour drive to the venue. Otherwise, you are welcome to rent a car from the airport which is usually extremely cheap!
- Alcohol
There is a bar at Paraiso Escondido, should you want to enjoy extra beverages - which will be at your discretion.
- Massages (€80 / 60 mins)
- Art Afternoon Workshop (€50)
- Local dinner — Estimated €30 maximum per head