LISBON, PORTUGAL

Sacred Space Retreats

A Christian Women’s Retreat near Lisbon, Portugal

Sacred space is where heaven and earth draw close.

A retreat for women, tucked away in the hills of Sintra · May 31 – June 5, 2027

02 · THE INVITATION

Sacred space is where heaven and earth draw close. It is a place where the holy can be felt, where the beauty and wonder of our Creator are revealed, and where your heart finds deep connection with God. My hope for you during this retreat is that in these sacred spaces, you will encounter God in deeper, more intimate ways and discover true rest for your soul.

You give so much all year long. For five days in Sintra, it's your turn to be poured into.

“And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.’” (Mark 6:31, ESV)

This will be a time of renewal, community, and experiencing God in a fresh way.

Pena Palace above Sintra and the glass conservatory at Casa do Valle

03

THE PLACE

Sintra, just outside Lisbon

Tucked into the green, misty hills just 30–40 minutes outside Lisbon, Sintra is a UNESCO World Heritage town of palaces, gardens, and winding cobblestone streets. We’ll have a quiet guesthouse all to ourselves, a short walk from the old town, with its cafés, little shops, and pastry windows. With only 12 spots, it’s an intimate circle, and most of you will have a private room. Forest paths and palace gardens are close by for walking and prayer, and the Atlantic coast is just down the road.

See more of Casa do Valle on Instagram

“Stay awhile.”

Mary Oliver, When I Am Among the Trees

A woman writing at a small table beneath a tall arched window

04

The Days

Each day moves gently, with room to rest, pray, and wander.

MORNING

the Suscipe Prayer of Ignatius, then we “rise in silence” until breakfast together.

MID-MORNING

worship and a guided prayer practice, such as Gospel Contemplation, Lectio Divina, or the Names of God, plus time to journal and reflect.

AFTERNOON

free time, a walk and prayer practice of “Awe & Wonder” through Sintra's gardens and forest paths, or a wander through the old town's shops.

EVENING

dinner and discussion around the table, prayer over one another, and the Prayer of Examen to close the day.

OUR LAST MORNING

a “Final Discussion and Send-off.”

Move gently — the Holy Spirit may redirect you at any point.

05

What’s Included

Your retreat includes:

5 nights in a Sintra guesthouse that’s all ours
Daily breakfast and shared meals around the table
Airport and ground transfers in Portugal
All sessions, guided prayer practices, and quiet time
Your Sacred Space curriculum journal

Each woman books her own flight to Lisbon (LIS). We'll share flight suggestions to make booking easy.

$500.00

$1,000.00

Custom Amount

Support us by covering the fees we have to pay

3% Cover the Fee

Sacred Space isn't a nonprofit, so gifts aren't tax-deductible. Thank you for giving simply from the heart. If gifts ever add up to more than is needed, the extra goes to the sponsor fund for a future Sacred Space retreat.

Sponsor a Sister

Some women long to come away and rest but can’t quite stretch to it this year. If your heart is stirred, you can give any amount toward another woman’s spot. I’ll quietly and privately choose who it blesses, and every gift goes toward one of our 12 spots.

“Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” (Romans 12:13, ESV)

Give the gift of rest this Christmas 🎄 You can give a retreat spot, or part of one, as a Christmas gift to a friend, sister, or mom you’d love to see there. Have someone special in mind? Reach out to me and we’ll set it up together. Or give toward Sponsor a Sister, and I’ll quietly choose who it blesses.

Want to sponsor a sister’s entire trip? Reach out to Elizabeth.

06

About Elizabeth

Pastor Elizabeth Demarest is an author, preacher, and pastor who calls the DFW area of Texas home with her husband, Aley, their three kids, Nathanael, Benjamin, and Gisele, and their King Charles Cavalier, Mr. Bingley. She holds a Master's in Practical Theology with a concentration in Women in Ministry Leadership and is pursuing her Doctor of Ministry at The King's University with a concentration in Spiritual Formation. Travel is one of her great loves, and she's always up for an adventure and the strangest dish on the menu. Through Sacred Space, her heart is to create room for women to slow down, rest, and encounter God in deeper, more intimate ways.

“I can't wait to see how God moves through this trip—and through each of you.”

With love and expectation, Elizabeth ♥

07

Join the Interest List

I'm so grateful you're thinking of being part of this sacred circle of women.

Leave your name, email, and phone, and you'll be the first to hear when registration opens.

Questions? Email elizabethdemarest26@gmail.com

08

Participant Checklist

Once registration opens, here’s what you’ll need and when. We’ll send gentle reminders along the way.

Retreat dates (May 31 – June 5, 2027) have been requested and will be confirmed with the interest list.

At registration

Registration form
Signed participant release
Emergency contact
Dietary needs and allergies
Roommate preference (if sharing)

By Jan 15, 2027

Passport check: valid at least 3 months past June 5, 2027 (through at least Sept 5, 2027), and issued within the last 10 years
A short health and mobility note (Sintra has hills and steps)

By Feb 1, 2027

Flight booked and itinerary sent (plan to fly out of Dallas on Sunday, May 30, arriving in Lisbon on Monday, May 31)

By May 1, 2027

ETIAS travel authorization, only if it’s in operation by then
Read the packing list
Pre-retreat prayer and reading prep

Travel insurance is up to you. Some women like the peace of mind, but it’s completely your choice. Once all 12 spots are taken, you’re welcome to join the waitlist, and I’ll reach out if a spot opens.

09

FAQ

Women who long for rest and deeper time with God.
We’ll have the whole house to ourselves, and with only 12 spots, most women will have a private room with a private bath. A couple of friends can share by choice. Private rooms go first come, first served, so if you’d love one, register early. Want to room with a friend? Just tell us when you register.
No. Mornings begin in silence (“Rise in silence (no talking until breakfast)”), and the rest of the day has plenty of laughter, good food, and conversation.
Take a few minutes each day to simply be still before the Lord. Ask Him: “Jesus, how are You drawing me by love in this season?” Write down any words, Scriptures, or images He brings to mind.
Yes. We'll gather on Zoom ahead of time to connect and pray together.
Plan to fly out of Dallas on Sunday, May 30, arriving in Lisbon Monday morning, May 31, and head home Saturday, June 5. We'll share flight suggestions once the dates are confirmed. These dates have been requested from our guesthouse and will be confirmed with the interest list.
Yes, you'll need a passport valid for at least 3 months past your return date. US citizens don't need a visa for a short visit. The EU is launching ETIAS, a simple online travel authorization (similar to the UK's ETA), and it may be required by May 2027. If it is, we'll send you the official link and a reminder to apply well before we go. Please only use the official site, travel-europe.europa.eu.
Sintra is hilly, with cobblestones, so bring comfortable walking shoes. Every activity beyond the sessions is optional.
Yes! You can join anytime while spots are left. Your first payment simply catches you up, and everyone is paid in full by Apr 15.
Registration stays open as long as spots are left. Once all 12 spots are taken, you’re welcome to join the waitlist, and I’ll reach out if a spot opens.
Yes, and thank you! Tap Sponsor a Sister and give any amount you like. I’ll quietly and privately choose who it helps, and it goes toward one of our 12 spots. It doesn’t add an extra spot. Since Sacred Space isn’t a nonprofit, gifts aren’t tax-deductible. Any extra goes to the sponsor fund for a future retreat.