Holistic Reflection Retreats Arvostelua 23

It was ok, but a bit poorly organised. The medicine didn't work on me, both shrooms and aya. I went on other retreats before - everything was ok. So not sure where they source their drugs from.

I met Fatima and Stefan a few years back for a 3 day retreat and it was my first ever retreat with the work they were doing at the time, I was quite nervous but after meeting them and the other participants i felt at ease. The experience of the work (self work) with them was the reason why i felt, if i needed to do the work again, there was a safe place i could go. And that was the case, i went again the year after.

Fatima and Stef work really well together, and their work with their participants is genuinely dynamic, they are here to support while you do the work you need to do. If you feel stuck they are always there if you need them.

They gave me the opportunity to work with them as i am a mental health professional and seeing the preparation, due diligence and care that goes into their retreats helped me see the work that goes into providing a safe space for people.

I attended this retreat under their previous brand name which was Friends of the Vine, but they changed their brand name, and here's why:

I attended a 5-day retreat, but left on day 1 with the police & filing a court claim.

It all started well. We were taken to a villa 2 hrs from Lisbon.

Strangely, there was no effort made to let participants meet one another or build trust with the facilitators. We changed, spoke with the orgs, and went straight into the medicine.

Despite people being of different age, weight, composition, there is a one-size-fits-all approach where everyone is given the same dosage, with no adjustment.

In such cases I think it's essential to have a medical practitioner on-site to address any complications. And it makes sense also because there was no thorough medical examination of the participants, just a questionnaire where one could easily be dishonest or unaware.

What didn't work for me is that the experience felt more conveyor belt than tailored:
Apart from the same dosage, there was loud music that couldn't be adjusted. If you complained, they said it's "what you need to heal."
When I shared that I wasn't finding the experience useful but rather had heavy sensory overload — partly because of the music, dosage, and setting — I was told I'm "too analytical" and "can't let the control go." Which I would have gladly done if I'd known how, or if they'd offered actual support instead of gaslighting me & saying I was messing up my own experience. "Let the control go" is a pseudo-instruction — like telling someone in pain to stop feeling pain.

The thing is, there's a toxic culture in psychedelic circles when if you don't have insights, you get blamed for "not surrendering" or "not being open enough." But the reality is that sometimes a cigarette is just a cigarette, & sometimes a trip not working out is just a bad trip— a neurochemical overload that needs to be recognized and handled accordingly. The organizers failed to do this. Instead of "let's eliminate the trigger," they say "let's find what's wrong with you" — a manipulation called spiritual bypassing.

I wasn't comfortable spending the remaining 4 days, or even 1 night, at a place that didn't provide professional service & had blamed me for supposedly resisting enlightenment.
However, we were told we couldn't leave "for safety" and "business safety" (to be fair, it was 9pm and dark). There's no Uber in that remote area. I texted friends who contacted the police & I was retrieved from the place.

I also want to mention that when the police arrived, Fatima asked me to tell them we were friends rather than acknowledge this was a paid retreat.

Another thing I’ll flag: minutes after police arrived, they disabled their website. One month later they re-enabled it claiming they "don't do psychedelics anymore" & also rebranded as Holistic Reflection Retreats.
A legitimate retreat wouldn't remove their website & change the narrative if they had nothing to hide.

Back home, I experienced panic attacks, derealization, depersonalization, and suicidal thoughts after the incident. I've managed to recover fully and am glad I didn't stay under that roof for a longer period, as it could have affected me more. I'd never had mental health episodes, so this was frightening.

The organizers, Fatima and Stefan, deleted their online presence, wouldn't return msgs, and didn't reply to my formal refund request for the unused days (the retreat wasn't full, so I wasn't taking someone's place, as if it mattered).

My main point: If you're not used to being treated like a conveyor belt & expect proper care — these people won't be able to deliver. They're mediocre amateurs, not professionals or shamans.
It’s not my first psychedelic experience. Aya isn't magic — it's a neurochemical tool that requires care and proper support.

What a professional retreat should have:
-Proper physical and mental health screening
-Benzodiazepines
-Medical emergency kit and personnel on-site
-A professional psychologist, not a tarot reader (to distinguish trauma from "healing crisis")
-Documentation on substance sourcing
-Sound control: earphones, earplugs, or quiet rooms to reduce stimuli
-Individualized dosage
-Address&photos publicly available (they added this after my incident — before, their stance was "anyone who needs to see facilities beforehand isn't our client." Quote!)
-Time for participants to meet each other & organizers before ceremony (setting)
- Signed service agreement

I wondered why all other reviews were so positive — made me think there was smth wrong with me for not liking such a "cool place." But I've decided to share my experience anyway.

I know other retreats in Portugal learnt of this case and are changing their policies. Hope my review will be useful to people

So, I am not able to say how their new place is as I encountered Fátima, Stefan & Quintinho in their previous location....however, I can talk of my retreat with them and the profound experience that I still carry....whilst the vehicle may have changed the work has not...whilst everyone may hold their own intentions when going on such a retreat, in essence the journeys are similar as is the need for a safe place, space, sanctuary in which to allow yourself to surrender, let go...for this you need good people holding that space and I can assure you they do this very well, with care, with love and with heart...the modern word we have for such work is facilitation but that just doesn't do it justice...I see it more in the role of midwives and in the words of old Mr Watts...the birth of responsibilty is the task in hand....

I wish them and all that choose to journey with them well, attend with an open heart and an open mind, park your ego at the door and allow yourself the luxury of exploration....xx

Holistic Reflections, it turns out, was exactly what I needed exactly when I needed it. I didn't know that going into the experience, but thanks to expert and kind facilitation, along with phenomenal food and peer support I came out of this retreat feeling much more myself - the me I like the most - than I'd felt for a long time. The experience showed me not only how run down and distracted I had become, but also some of the reasons why, and it gave me the space and a platform from which to start letting go of so much stress that I wasn't even aware I was holding on to. I am so grateful to the entire team and to the others who joined me, and I would highly recommend this experience for anyone struggling with stress and mental health like I was.

Fátima and Stefan have created a very safe and caring place that enables life affirming experiences. I am so glad to have been able to undertake one their retreats. I wish I lived a little closer so I could do another one!

I joined a 5-day retreat in August and it turned out to be one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. Honestly, it was completely out of my comfort zone — leaving my usual environment and stepping into a space with people I had never met before. But from the very first moment, it felt natural, light, and safe. The group was small, which made it so easy to connect. Despite our very different backgrounds, we blended so well, sharing openly and learning deeply from each other’s experiences. It felt rare and special to witness such genuine connection.

The hosts, Fátima and Stef, are beyond amazing. You can truly feel how much love, dedication, and knowledge they bring to their work. They were there at every step of the process — answering every question, holding space with patience and clarity, and making sure everything flowed in the most supportive way. Their presence allowed me to relax, trust, and really go through the journey with ease.

The place itself is quiet and peaceful, the perfect setting to step away from daily noise and reconnect with yourself. It was not just a retreat; it was a life-changing experience that gave me clarity, softness, and strength in ways I hadn’t expected.

I’m deeply grateful for the whole experience, and I’m already looking forward to repeating it. If you are considering a retreat, I can only say: do it. It’s worth it on every level.

Stefan and Fatima made me feel very welcomed from the moment I met them.

I felt enormous empathy from them, and was able to address some issues I have been dealing with. I left feeling 10x lighter in the heart and mind!

I particularly enjoyed the breath work exercises, was pleasantly surprised by how effective they were!

I highly recommend anyone looking for a retreat to consider Holistic Reflection as their next destination!

They truly care for every person as an individual. You can sense that they are deeply invested in your whole being - mind, body and soul. It's an awesome retreat and one you'll be so glad you experience!!

Fatima and Stefan provide a truly beautiful and supportive space for healing. I felt welcomed the moment Fatima picked me up from the airport. Their guidance and wisdom combined with doing the practices with other like-minded people made for an unforgettable experience. I wholeheartedly recommend their retreat to anyone on the path to self-discovery or even just to escape the hustle and get the rest you deserve.

Fátima and stefan are brilliant hosts. Everything from the food to the activities and surroundings were brilliant and excellently implemented. The environment was so peaceful and the perfect detox from my busy city life.

I joined a Holistic Reflections Retreat in May and my life has changed ever since. Get the chance to truly reflect on your life. Get rid of harmful coping mechanisms and fall back in love with life and yourself.

Fatima and Stefan are of the purest of hearts and will make sure you will get to the core of your being with their warmth and therapeutic skills.

Can highly recommend this retreat to anyone looking for answers!

Such a lovely retreat. Fatima and Stefan were so supportive and welcoming, which made all the difference. It gave me the reset I needed and I came away feeling lighter and refreshed. I would 100% recommend.

My experience at Holistic Reflections Retreat was so expansive and transformative, I am so grateful that I had the opportunity to heal parts of myself and rediscover my essence and truth. I have a whole different perspective on life and a clear path forward to continue to expand my consciousness and embrace who I truly am. All thanks to Stefan, Fatima & Quintinho (the best cook/food to top it off 🤤). Thank you, thank you, thank you! 100% recommend this experience to everyone.

I had such a wonderful time at Holistic Reflections Retreats. Fatima and Stefan made me feel completely at ease – their guidance and the way they held the space was really special. Each practice felt meaningful and gave me the chance to properly slow down and reconnect.

The food was honestly out of this world. Soooooo great. Quintinho put so much care into every meal, and you could taste it – fresh, nourishing and absolutely delicious.

The whole experience left me feeling lighter, clearer and really grateful. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a supportive, grounding and uplifting retreat.

I experience 4 days of retreat with Fatima and Stefan and it was a deep experience. The peace you will experiment from the first moment you step in their home, and their company makes you feel like its also your home. Thank you guys and wish you all the best

I had the most wonderful experience at Holistic Reflections Retreats. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed and completely at ease. The setting is beautiful, peaceful, and perfect for slowing down and reconnecting. Each day was so thoughtfully structured, balancing relaxation, reflection, and activities that left me feeling lighter, calmer, and more grounded.

The hosts are warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely care about your well-being — they create an environment where you can truly let go and just be yourself. The food was nourishing and delicious, and the atmosphere throughout the retreat was calm, supportive, and restorative.

I left feeling recharged, inspired, and grateful. I couldn’t recommend Holistic Reflections Retreats more highly — it’s an experience that stays with you long after you’ve gone home.

Fatima and Stefan are experienced guides, full of compassion and understanding of human nature and spirit, you can rely on them.
Trust, support and loving surroundings are so important when it comes to personal growth and changes, all of that is abundant at Holistic Reflections retreat.

Stefan and Fatima provide an incredible space where deep insights and self reflection are truly able to come to the forefront of your being. They are masters of their craft and to anyone looking for guidance at a cross road in their lives i recommend them without a shadow of a doubt. They helped me through one of the most difficult moments in my life and i wouldn't be where i am today if it were not for the effort and love they put into their retreats.

I had the joy of attending this retreat hosted by the most wonderful people. My intention was to reconnect with myself and nature, and to take a much-needed pause from daily life. What I found was not only a beautiful place in the heart of Portugal, but also an inspiring journey led by Fatima and Stefan. They bring such wisdom and warmth, and have a true gift for guiding others. They see the potential in people and uplift you in a way that feels both supportive and empowering.