Detox Escape: Algarve, Portugal – A Couple’s Quest for Wellness

There is something magical that happens when you slow down, just enough, and give yourself a real break.

I’m not talking about leaving early from the office to see a movie on a Tuesday or even dropping off the kids with your parents for the weekend. What I propose is a true pause on life… a whole week of nourishment for your mind, body and soul. Possible? 

Introducing Vilalara Longevity Thalassa & Medical Spa in the Algarve, Portugal.

A 50-minute drive from Faro Airport, past rolling green hills, palm trees and pristine golf courses, Vilalara sits on a beautiful property of interconnected buildings overlooking the ocean and includes a progressive spa and wellness centre, swimming pools and gourmet dining for those who don’t elect to do the liquid diet.

With a variety of packaged programs and an extensive, differentiated and rich a-la carte treatment menu, there is no need to worry about choosing the right thing. Vilalara Longevity’s helpful staff can personalize your stay to suit your needs.

Regardless if you’re focused on nutrition, mindfulness or fitness, the Vilalara Longevity Thalassa & Medical Spa customizes the perfect plan for you.

Having just spent three nights at Longevity’s other location, Longevity Cegonha Country Club, we elected for an additional three-day detox program at Vilalara Longevity Thalassa & Medical Spa, which included a medical and lifestyle assessment, treatment plan, a Healthy & Tasty Low Calorie Meal Plan, and lots and lots of much needed rest.

Arriving at the 5 star facilities, set among eleven hectares of manicured gardens, swan filled ponds and direct access to a private beach, you get the sense that you have just accessed a little slice of heaven.

Our junior suite, overlooking one of the facility’s several pools, was spacious and impeccably decorated with a fresh and serene palate that invited relaxation.

Feeling already at peace, one might say ‘mission accomplished’ but to our delight, there was much more to come.

Before you know where you’re going, you’ve got to know from where you start.

Vilalara Longevity Thalassa & Medical Spa is home to many top-rated professionals who combine state of the art scientific treatments with a holistic approach.

The personal health check aims to identify and understand your lifestyle. Examining your day-to-day habits is a great way to determine what elements contribute or disrupt your overall wellbeing.  We were confronted with some pretty eye opening information…

Conclusion – a change of ways was needed.

We were given a biophysical evaluation, which reveals your muscle/fat distribution and throws out some scary numbers with regards to your ''metabolic age”. Several more examinations uncovered deficiencies in minerals and toxic levels of heavy metals.

Dr. Joana Santos sat down with us for a consultation to discuss the results – basically acting like the warning light that goes off in your car, miles before it actually breaks down on the motorway.

She also recommended many therapies and supplements which help us in reducing our inflammation states, in detoxifying, in regenerating health and wellbeing.

Nutrition expert, Ana Horta came next, giving us tips and a personalised dietary menu to optimise our efforts for ideal health.  By identifying our imbalances, Ana pointed out the areas that might lead to illness.

We were coached on a variety of issues such as food combination, portion size, and the steps to take for better quality of life. Amazingly, the longevity nutrition concept is functional, detoxifying and anti-inflammatory.

Next we met with osteopath and physiotherapist, Ricardo Rosa.

Osteopathy focuses on total body health by rebalancing the musculoskeletal framework and remove blockages allowing the body to heal itself, as well as rebalancing our visceral systems, thereby reducing inflammation.

Personal trainers and fitness classes were also available including yoga, pilates, and boxing. 

By the end, you’ll be clear just how much they follow an integrated concept to help people to rebalance, detoxify, reduce chronic inflammation (the mother of all diseases) and boost our immune system, health and wellbeing.

After our stay, we felt refreshed and renewed. Spa treatments, pampering bubble baths, and plenty of Portuguese sun ensured that the detox process was not only easy but also very enjoyable. If getting healthy is this easy, please sign me up for the rest of my life!

- Karyn Gorman and Olav Adami

Check out the Try Somewhere New podcast to discover more things to do in the Algarve