5-Day Art of Swimming Holiday in Portugal
Held at the stunning Holmes Place Health Clubs in Portugal, our week-long swimming holidays offer the most comprehensive and intensive Art of Swimming experience available. You’ll benefit from personalised coaching, daily swim sessions, and access to premium spa and wellness facilities. Whether you’re returning to swimming or looking to refine your technique, this retreat is designed to transform your relationship with the water.
Next retreat:
Monday, 16th March to Friday, 20th March, 2026
Holmes Place Quinta da Beloura, Portugal
Transform Your Swimming in One of Portugal’s Most Inspiring Settings
Join Steven Shaw and a team of highly experienced Shaw Method teachers for a life-changing 5-day retreat at the exclusive Holmes Place health club in Sintra. Whether you’re looking to refine your technique, build confidence, or reconnect with the water in a mindful and joyful way, this immersive residential offers the ideal environment for deep transformation.
You’ll benefit from a balance of personalised attention, small group coaching, and holistic practices—all designed to support your physical and emotional wellbeing.
What's Included
- Daily Personalised Instruction: A mix of one-to-one coaching and small group sessions tailored to your needs and goals.
- Shaw Method Expertise: Learn from the founder Steven Shaw and a team of trusted teachers trained in the Shaw Method and the Alexander Technique.
- Warm, Quiet Pool Environment: The tranquil setting at Holmes Place is ideal for focused learning and gentle, supported movement.
- Holistic Practices: Complement your swim sessions with daily classes such as yoga, breathwork, and Pilates.
- Video Analysis: Visual feedback to deepen awareness and enhance technique.
- Morning Schedule: All swim sessions take place in the mornings, giving you afternoons free to explore the beautiful historic town of Sintra or unwind on the beaches of nearby Cascais.
- Supportive Atmosphere: Learn at your own pace in a calm, non-competitive space. Non-swimming partners welcome!
Holiday Details and Schedule
Daily Schedule
Each day there will be 120-minute group classes in the water, followed by private coaching in the afternoons.
Daily Schedule subject to change
Starts 9.00 – 13.00/14.00 (1x30min private lesson included) (4/5hrs a day)
Each day you will have:
1 x 60 min groundwork
1 x 120min in the pool
1 x Holmes Place class
1 x 60min Supervised swimming
Fees and Registration
- Course registration through Art of Swimming only
- Fee: £950 for the 5 day experience
- Hotel is additional. See Hotels.
Price also includes
- Each day you can also take part in yoga, pilates and fitness classes with Holmes Place for free.
Payment
A deposit of £500 is required on booking.
Flights and Accommodation to be booked independently.
We highly recommend reserving flights at the time of paying a deposit at www.ryanair.com to secure the lowest prices
The price does not include hotels. (See Hotels)
Hotels
Please check booking.com for hotels in the area.
Who It's For
This retreat is suitable for confident swimmers looking to explore a new, mindful way of moving in the water. Whether you want to improve your technique, increase ease and efficiency, or simply reconnect with your body and breath, this is your opportunity to experience the transformative power of the Shaw Method in depth.