BU-Zone Madeira
A journey for experienced lifers who want it all
Madeira 1-7 May, 2026
Clifftop calm, Atlantic ocean air, mindful movement, and slow island culture in Portugal’s most enchanting place.
INCREDIBLE SCENERY
Mountains, forests, coastline.
Hospitality
Warm, gentle island culture.
FOOD & LOCAL FLAVOUR
Fresh, simple, seasonal dishes.
MADEIRA’S MOST ICONIC HOTEL
A Belmond stay at the historic Reid’s Palace.
FULLY INCLUSIVE
Everything handled for you.
Personally Guided
Hosted by Sam.
Welcome to BU Zone Madeira
This journey holds a very personal place in my life.
Africa will always be my foundation – the land that shaped me, taught me warmth, movement, and the power of community. It’s where BU Journeys began and where so much of my approach to wellbeing was formed.
Madeira is the second part of my story. It’s the island that became home to me through my husband’s family – a place defined by its genuinely warm people, its fresh Atlantic air, and a landscape unlike anywhere else in Europe. Madeira is known for its dramatic cliffs, terraced mountains, subtropical gardens, and coastal paths that sit high above the ocean. The island’s food is simple and honest, with seafood that is considered some of the best in the region.
What makes Madeira so unique is how naturally it calms the body. The combination of ocean breeze, laurel forests, cliffside viewpoints and gentle climate creates an environment that encourages you to slow down, soften, and breathe more deeply.
On this retreat, my intention is to share that experience with you – a journey that is nourishing, spacious, and grounded in movement, breath, rest, and connection.
I’m excited to welcome you here.
❤️ Sam
What makes this experience different?
Every experience is thoughtfully curated through the lens of balanced wellBE-ing, creating a journey that is immersive, intentional, and deeply personal.
A journey centred on rest and renewal
Daily movement for grounding and vitalityA community experience, not just a tour
Wellness with room for joy and indulgenceYour Madeira Home
(6 nights at Reid’s Palace, A Belmond Hotel, Madeira)
Reid’s Palace is one of Madeira’s most iconic hotels — a historic clifftop landmark known for its exceptional service, subtropical gardens, and uninterrupted Atlantic views. For more than 130 years, it has welcomed guests from around the world who come here specifically for its privacy, tranquillity, and timeless sense of ease.
Your home for the week sits within 10 acres of lush gardens, with pathways that lead to three heated pools, including a seawater pool carved directly into the rocks. The hotel is also home to Michelin-starred dining, the island’s most celebrated afternoon tea ritual, and an ocean-view spa offering treatments designed to restore and rebalance.
Bedrooms are quiet, bright, and designed with rest in mind — a calm base between daily movement, gentle exploration, and moments of stillness. And with Funchal’s old town just a short walk away, you’re perfectly positioned to experience both the island’s culture and its coastline.
Your stay includes:
Your home for the week sits within 10 acres of lush gardens, with pathways that lead to three heated pools, including a seawater pool carved directly into the rocks. The hotel is also home to Michelin-starred dining, the island’s most celebrated afternoon tea ritual, and an ocean-view spa offering treatments designed to restore and rebalance.
Bedrooms are quiet, bright, and designed with rest in mind — a calm base between daily movement, gentle exploration, and moments of stillness. And with Funchal’s old town just a short walk away, you’re perfectly positioned to experience both the island’s culture and its coastline.
Your stay includes:
- Historic Belmond hospitality
- Subtropical gardens
- Freshwater & seawater pools
- Afternoon tea on the terrace
- Michelin-starred dining
- Ocean-view spa and sauna
- Easy access to Funchal
Your first two days in Madeira are designed to help you arrive fully — in your body, in your breath, and in the slower island rhythm that defines this journey. After checking in at Reid’s Palace, you’ll have time to explore the hotel’s gardens, unwind in the spa, or simply rest after travel. The seawater pool and clifftop terraces offer easy places to settle before you come together as a group for a welcome dinner featuring Madeiran flavours.
Movement begins lightly, with sunrise Pilates and stretching to release travel tension and to ground the body. A relaxed visit into Funchal gives a first taste of the island’s culture, colours, and pace, including a scenic cable car journey above the city to Monte and time spent wandering the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens.
Evenings are unhurried, with the option to enjoy sunset breathwork or a quiet drink in town.
Your first two days include:
Movement begins lightly, with sunrise Pilates and stretching to release travel tension and to ground the body. A relaxed visit into Funchal gives a first taste of the island’s culture, colours, and pace, including a scenic cable car journey above the city to Monte and time spent wandering the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens.
Evenings are unhurried, with the option to enjoy sunset breathwork or a quiet drink in town.
Your first two days include:
- Check-in and hotel orientation
- Time in the gardens, spa, or seawater pool
- Gentle sunrise Pilates and stretching
- Slow exploration of Funchal’s old town
- Visit to the Monte Cable Car and Palace Gardens
- Welcome dinner at Reid’s Palace
- Traditional dinner at a Madeiran winery
- Optional sunset breathwork
Days 1 & 2: Arrival and Gentle Immersion
(Settle into the island and establish your daily rhythm)
Days 3, 4 & 5: Nature, Movement & Exploration
(Flowers, levadas, forests and coastal villages)
These days invite you deeper into Madeira’s natural rhythms, expressed through colour, movement, landscape, and the slower pace of island life.
A highlight is a full day immersed in Madeira’s Flower Festival, where the island’s love of nature comes alive through vibrant floral displays, music, and celebration in the streets of Funchal.
The rhythm then softens, with time to rest, enjoy the spa, move gently, or explore independently, before gathering for the timeless ritual of afternoon tea at Reid’s Palace.
Exploration deepens as the journey moves into the landscape beyond the city. A guided levada walk leads through laurel forests and shaded pathways, followed by a scenic drive along the coast, taking in Seixal, the ancient Fanal Forest, and a relaxed evening in Calheta.
Movement continues to gently frame each day, supporting strength, ease, and presence.
Your days include:
A highlight is a full day immersed in Madeira’s Flower Festival, where the island’s love of nature comes alive through vibrant floral displays, music, and celebration in the streets of Funchal.
The rhythm then softens, with time to rest, enjoy the spa, move gently, or explore independently, before gathering for the timeless ritual of afternoon tea at Reid’s Palace.
Exploration deepens as the journey moves into the landscape beyond the city. A guided levada walk leads through laurel forests and shaded pathways, followed by a scenic drive along the coast, taking in Seixal, the ancient Fanal Forest, and a relaxed evening in Calheta.
Movement continues to gently frame each day, supporting strength, ease, and presence.
Your days include:
- Morning movement and breathwork
- Full day immersion at the Madeiran Flower Festival
- Guided levada walk through laurel forest
- Seaside lunch and coastal village stops
- Restorative stretching or Qi Gong
- Relaxed evenings back at Reid’s Palace
The journey culminates with an early morning ascent above the clouds, where sunrise unfolds across one of Madeira’s most breathtaking viewpoints. Weather permitting, this quiet moment offers space for reflection, perspective, and a sense of completion before returning for breakfast.
The remainder of the day is intentionally unstructured. Time is yours to rest, enjoy the gardens or spa, swim in the seawater pool, wander into town, or simply be still — allowing the experiences of the week to settle and integrate.
As evening falls, we’ll come together for a celebratory closing dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant, marking the journey with exceptional food and good company.
Day 7 begins gently with breakfast, followed by departures, carrying the island’s rhythm home.
Your final days include:
The remainder of the day is intentionally unstructured. Time is yours to rest, enjoy the gardens or spa, swim in the seawater pool, wander into town, or simply be still — allowing the experiences of the week to settle and integrate.
As evening falls, we’ll come together for a celebratory closing dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant, marking the journey with exceptional food and good company.
Day 7 begins gently with breakfast, followed by departures, carrying the island’s rhythm home.
Your final days include:
- Sunrise outing above the clouds
- Restorative stretching or breathwork
- Visit to Funchal Fish Market
- Afternoon tea at Reid’s Palace
- Free time for spa, gardens or ocean swims
- Celebratory winery dinner and traditional dancing
- Closing movement and reflections before departure
Days 6 & 7: Integration, Celebration & Farewell
(A gentle close to your journey through rest, reflection and island culture)
What you need to know to book your next adventure.
This journey is about remembering your strength, reclaiming your joy, and choosing a life that feels as good as it looks. It blends daily movement, luxury boutique hotels & lodges, meaningful connection, and the pure joy of living fully — all within a small group of like-minded souls.
You’ll move, breathe, rest, laugh, stretch, taste, explore and reconnect with the strongest, most vital version of yourself.
You’ll move, breathe, rest, laugh, stretch, taste, explore and reconnect with the strongest, most vital version of yourself.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- 6 nights of luxury accommodation
- All meals and non-alcoholic beverages
- Daily Pilates and Gyrokinesis sessions
- Transfers within Madeira
- Curated excursions, workshops, and wellness experiences
- Full travel coordination — simply arrive and be
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
HOW TO BOOK
Take the journey of your life
A trip like no other,
in a place like no other.
Places are limited so if this journey is the food your soul needs, I can’t wait to hear from you.
