Widows' Retreat Spain
SOLD OUT
4th – 8th June 2026 – SOLD OUT
8th – 12th October 2026 – SOLD OUT
Andalusian Hills, Malaga
to be the first to know of any cancellations
Rest, Reflect, Reconnect
" It was a truly transformative experience and I’m still feeling blown away by it all - in the best way! "
" I gained so much , I felt immediate benefit and now I`m home I realise that I have learnt skills which I can continue to use throughout my grief journey. "
" I saw the view, I saw the horizon, and I saw that my word could be bigger again. I see possibilities. What an absolute gift. "
More Than a Retreat, A Place to Breathe Again
This isn’t just a retreat. It’s a full-body exhale.
A chance to step out of your life—the endless to-do lists, the loneliness, the heaviness — and land somewhere that feels like it was built to hold you.
From our hilltop sanctuary, you’ll catch glimpses of the Mediterranean glittering in the distance, while the Andalusian sun warms your skin. The land here smells of wild herbs, olive trees, and earth baked golden by centuries of summer.
It’s the kind of place where time stretches out and the noise of everyday life just… fades.
Where you can hear your own breath again.
Recover and Discover You
I know how hard it is to do something for yourself. To step into something unfamiliar. To even think about traveling alone. Because grief makes everything feel bigger, scarier, and exhausting before you’ve even started.
Even imagining stepping on a plane alone might feel impossible.
But here’s the thing—you’re already doing hard things every single day.
This retreat? This is the space where you finally get to set it down.
If there are tears, it is because they need to fall freely and without judgement. I can almost certainly guarantee that there will be laughter too – when we share this bond of loss and pain, everything feels easier.
This isn’t about forcing emotions or making you dig deep if you’re not ready. It’s about giving you the chance to breathe again —physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually.
” This was such an important moment in my timeline of healing. everything from location, to food, to balance of activities and the other women made this experience truly incredible. “
Oct 2025 Visitor
Why this retreat?
We’ll move each morning—gentle, grounding yoga and breathwork, designed to help you release what’s been stuck in your body for too long. We’ll sit in the sun with coffee, journaling through simple prompts that help you reconnect with the part of you that’s still dreaming. Days flow slow—sun on your skin, pool dips, siestas, shared meals full of fresh, local food. Evenings close with movement, sound, a delicious meal al fresco and perfect company, whilst watching the sky turn pink and gold.
True Connection
No one here will ask you “how are you doing?” with that pity face. Every woman here knows exactly what you’ve been through. No explanations needed.
Plenty of free time
To rest, to be, to feel the warmth of the sun
Movement
Mornings will start with gentle movement—yoga, stretching, breath-work — all designed to release tension, calm the mind, and bring you back into your body after everything it’s been through.
Meditation for the overwhelmed griefy mind
If your brain feels like it never stops, I get it. Guided meditations will help you slow down, breathe, and find some much-needed quiet inside the noise of grief. Even if you’ve never meditated before, you’ll be amazed at how grounding it can be.
Journaling for Clarity
Each morning, I’ll offer simple, guided journaling prompts—nothing overwhelming, just the right questions to help you reflect, gain clarity, and start thinking about what’s next for you when you return home.
The Beauty of Spain
We’ll be in the most peaceful place you can imagine—180 acres of olive and almond trees, fresh air, stunning sea views, and zero expectations.
No Decisions, No Stress
I take care of everything. You just book your flight. From the moment you arrive, you are looked after.
Laughter & Lightness
Yes, we talk about grief and we are all widowed. But we also laugh, move, and remember what it feels like to live fully.
Sun, soul food, and women who get it — the kind of meal that feeds your soul
Our shared meals will be home cooked by our on-site chef, fresh, nourishing, and taken outdoors whenever possible. The kind of food that fills you up but never weighs you down. Crusty bread, local olive oil, bright, ripe tomatoes, simple plates full of sunshine.
And when the day winds down, there’s always a spot to sit, glass of wine in hand, watching the hills turn gold as the sun dips low.
This is for you if...
👣 You hate the idea of taking a trip alone but need to get away
👣 You miss deep, real conversations with people who understand
👣 You’re exhausted from carrying it all and just want a break
👣 You’re ready to step outside your comfort zone, just a little
👣 You want to wake up in the Spanish sun and remember that life still holds joy
This is not about forcing yourself to be “better.” This is about giving yourself what you actually need
Location
Our home for this retreat is a 17th-century converted convent, tucked away in the hills above Malaga, surrounded by 180 acres of almond and olive trees that stretch as far as the eye can see. You can feel the history here—the walls that have stood for centuries, the land that’s soaked up sunshine and silence in equal measure.
The old stables have been lovingly transformed into five charming apartments, each one simple, spacious, and steeped in character. The floors are cool terracotta tiles, the rooms are furnished with a nod to the convent’s past—nothing flashy, just honest, thoughtful touches that remind you of the lives lived here before us.
Inside, you’ll find shared lounges and small kitchens—places to curl up with a book, sip your morning coffee, or chat quietly with a new friend. But honestly? It’s the outdoors that calls you.
Because in Spain, it’s always about the outside—the light, the sky, the land itself.
And that’s where we’ll spend our days:
Stretching out under wide open skies
Eating together, laughing together
Soaking up the sun, the stillness, the space
The experience
✔ 5 days / 4 nights at our private Andalusian retreat — converted convent and stables steeped in history and Spanish charm
✔ Daily movement & meditation — designed to ease the tension of grief that we hold in our bodies, and to enable the para-sympathetic nervous system to do it’s work. This is not performance, it’s somatic and soul healing – joining in is optional (but of course, highly recommended)
✔ All meals included — nourishing, fresh, locally-sourced, and served outdoors whenever possible
✔ Morning journaling prompts — simple, guided, no-pressure reflections
✔ Plenty of free time — pool, naps, walks, tennis, or quiet conversations in the sunshine. Or take yourself down to the beach or visit the Nerja Caves.
✔ Mindfulness hikes — in the Andulusian Hills
✔ Mealtime drinks (soft drinks, teas, coffees, limited wine available – you are welcome to bring your own tipple of choice)
✈ All you need to do is book your flight to Malaga Airport and make your way to our retreat.
faq
Let me answer what's probably on your mind
I’ve never traveled alone before… what if I feel nervous?
I get it—truly. But the second you arrive, you won’t be alone. I’ll be there, and so will a small group of women who know exactly what this feels like. We’re in this together from the moment you land.
I will ensure you have all the information you need on the run up to the retreat. I am always available if there is anything I didn’t cover.
What’s the accommodation like? Will I have my own space?
The retreat is made up of five beautiful converted stables and 2 further apartments that are attached to the stunning converted convent —all are simple, full of character, and designed to give you space without feeling isolated.
Each apartment has 2 or 3 bedrooms, a shared lounge area, and a kitchen—perfect for relaxing or making a cuppa in your pajamas.
✔ Solo occupancy rooms with ensuite
✔ Solo occupancy rooms with a shared bathroom between just 2 of you
What’s included—and what else should I budget for?
✔ 5 days / 4 nights accommodation
✔ All meals, drinks (teas, coffee, water, 2 glasses of wine at dinner – feel free to bring your own wine if you wish), snacks
✔ Daily yoga, meditation, and journaling sessions
✔ Space to rest, connect, and just be
💸 Extras to budget for:
- Only if you want to bring some duty free! Otherwise, you really won’t need any cash once you are here.
Is this retreat just for women?
Yes. This is a women-only retreat—designed for the comfort, connection, and safety that comes from being with other women who truly understand this grief journey.
I don’t do yoga, I've never meditated. Is this retreat still for me?
Absolutely. The movement is about nervous system restoration, not flexibility or performance. You’ll move as much or as little as feels right for you. Or you can choose to side step all the woo-woo (I promise, it’s not woo-woo – it’s heartfelt, soothing, healing and so beneficial to your wellbeing)
What if I’m worried about the cost?
I know how hard it is to spend money on yourself, especially now. But this is an investment in your heart, your body, your healing, your current and future self—and you deserve that.
Secure your spot with a deposit for now, then split the balance into two payments in February and May.
If you would rather pay in full, drop me an email at hello@orlablackburn.com and I will send you a link to pay.
Meet Orla, Holistic Widow Guide and your retreat leader
I’m widowed too. I know exactly how heavy and isolating this road can feel. The desire to get away… to be taken care of, cooked for, surrounded by adults who truly understand — and yet feeling too scared to do it alone.
In those early days, I desperately wanted space like this — somewhere I could just be. Not a singles holiday, not a family trip — but a place where I wasn’t the only one carrying grief. A place where it was safe to laugh, cry, or sit quietly without feeling like the odd one out.
That’s why I created this retreat.
Over the years, I’ve guided multiple widows’ retreats in the UK, always with that same mission — to create a space where you don’t have to explain yourself. Where you can simply show up, be held, and feel deeply understood.
Alongside that, I bring my professional experience to this space:
Certified Hatha, Yin, and Yoga Nidra Teacher — with a deep understanding of movement and rest for grief
Certified Grief Educator — trained in the unique methodology of world-renowned grief expert, David Kessler
Co-leader of a grief support membership for widows – RE-MEMBER – alongside Karen Sutton (AKA The Widow Coach)
Guest speaker and facilitator at bereavement and widowhood events and retreats
Volunteer for WAY (Widowed And Young) — supporting others through the messiness of this life none of us chose
I know the courage it takes to say yes to something like this.
The mental gymnastics of “Can I really do this?” and “What if I don’t know anyone?”
That’s why I’ll be there — not just as your guide, but as someone who truly gets it. Ready to welcome you, support you, and remind you that you belong here.
Once you arrive, it will feel like exactly where you’re meant to be.
I know it's scary
I know how hard it is to say yes to yourself — especially after everything you’ve been through.
But you don’t have to do this alone. Not anymore.
This retreat is your chance to breathe, rest, laugh, move, and feel understood — all in the warmth of the Spanish sunshine, surrounded by women who truly get it.
You are so welcome here. And I’d love nothing more than to share this experience with you.
choose your room
All rooms are tucked inside sun-filled traditional shared Spanish apartments — the kind with wide terraces, warm stone floors, simple décor and views that make your shoulders drop the second you arrive.
Each apartment has its own kitchen (you won’t need it), large communal space, and beautiful views.
Every apartment (with either 2 or 3 bedrooms) has lots of space to breathe, rest and quietly potter.
But honestly? In October we were outside almost the entire time — gathering on the terraces, sitting under the sky, or drifting between the pools.
Choose the room that feels like your place for the week.
Luxe Escape
£2220
(only 2 rooms)
Payment: £275 deposit today, then two instalments of £972.50 on 23rd March & 21st August 2026.
Quiet, expansive, deeply peaceful
(our most sought-after space)
Set in the prime hillside position, these ensuite rooms have the views that make you stop, breathe, and feel something shift.
Light, quiet, private — they offer the softest landing spot in the whole venue.
Quietly elegant, spacious, and held by nature.
If you want space, calm, and the feeling of being wrapped in beauty, this is your room.
Private ensuite | Beautiful hillside views
Spacious, serene
Serenity Suite
£1995
(only 2 rooms)
Payment: £275 deposit today, then two instalments of £860 on 23rd March & 21st August 2026.
Calm, comforting, a gentle retreat
These suites sit within the same tranquil apartment as the Luxe Escape — sharing the same peaceful terrace, the same quiet surroundings, and the same soft atmosphere that makes this part of the venue feel like a sanctuary.
The rooms themselves feel restful and grounding — a peaceful cocoon to return to after a day of movement, stillness and connection.
Private ensuite | Beautiful hillside views
Quiet, soothing, grounding atmosphere
Restful Escape
£1875
(3 rooms)
Payment: £275 deposit today, then two instalments of £800 on 23rd March & 21st August 2026.
Nature-wrapped, warm, softly restorative
These ensuite rooms sit in the lovely Stables building — a space embraced by trees, hills and gentle natural light.
There’s a beautiful sense of calm here, with a smaller pool tucked just outside and a view that stretches towards the sea in the distance.
Surrounded by nature and soft light | Beautiful views
Private ensuite
Peaceful, warm, restorative
Solo Sanctuary
£1700
(5 rooms) – ONLY 1 ROOM LEFT
Payment: £275 deposit today, then two instalments of £712.50 on 23rd March & 21st August 2026.
Quiet, soothing atmosphere
A quiet, grounding space to return to whenever you need rest, stillness or a moment to yourself. It feels calm, simple and comforting… the kind of room that welcomes you exactly as you are.
You’ll be in a spacious apartment with a beautiful sun terrace, soft natural light and plenty of room to stretch out, journal, breathe or simply be.
Beautiful views
Bathroom shared with 1 other woman
It’s space, beauty, connection, and the deep comfort of being somewhere that asks nothing of you except that you show up exactly as you are.
You deserve this space. You deserve this break.
Got questions? Email me directly — hello@orlablackburn.com — I’m happy to chat through anything, no pressure