Silks Aerial Retreat

With Sarah Bebe Holmes

September 11–18, 2027 | Lagos, Portugal

Public Registration Opens Wednesday July 29th 12noon EST

Early Access Registration opens Tuesday July 28th 12noon EST

Only 12 spaces available for our FIRST EVER Portugal Retreat.

Love Paper Doll Militia Retreats?

Ready for a new destination?

This is it.

Designed for aerialists who want more than just a vacation.

This is a chance to immerse yourself in your practice, refine your technique, deepen your artistry, and spend a week surrounded other weirdos and adventure seekers like you!

And did we say?

Algarve Cave photoshoot!

Travel to one of the Algarve’s hidden gems, a remote wild beach with stunning caves. Guided by a professional team, including a rigger, boat captain, photographer and retreat coordinator. This unique experience allows you to capture your best pose suspended above the crystalline waters of the Atlantic.

Aerial Training

Our goal isn’t simply to teach you more tricks. It’s to help you understand your movement more deeply so that everything you do in the air becomes stronger, cleaner, and more expressive.

Afternoon Classes: Vertical Theatre Method

Vertical Theatre Method (VTM) is Paper Doll Militia’s signature approach to theatrical aerial arts.

These sessions help you develop:

• Creativity
• Choreographic tools
• Character and performance skills
• Ensemble awareness
• Authentic artistic expression

Whether you perform professionally or simply want to feel more connected to your movement, VTM opens new possibilities for what aerial arts can become.

“The best thing I brought home was was a reconnection with myself and a deep desire to keep tapping into my own creativity. ”

– Margaret Migas

“Sarah gave us so many useful tips and creative exercises that really helped me think about my choreography and performance from a new angle.”

– Kara Le, Santa Barbara, CA

“I loved Sarah’s approach to teaching creativity; she created a really safe environment to explore, play and build. I’m constantly questioning my ability and worth as an artist, but Sarah’s workshops made me feel so validated and really boosted my confidence to just get on the trapeze and be as weird as I wanted!”

– Laura Daniell

“The vertical theater classes are so amazing! So beautifully crafted and taught to make even non drama/theater folks, like myself, really enjoy tapping into that side of things.”

-Amanda Lee, Portland OR, USA

Excursions

Excursion 1: Vivo Mercado Organic Farmers’ Market

Every Wednesday evening the market hall gets filled again for Vivo Mercado. This market is not just a place to shop, it’s a community gathering where locals come together to catch up with their friends. There are food trucks, a beer stand and often music and dancing.

In addition to fresh produce from local organic farms, you can find other goodies including handmade cosmetics, Craft beer, small batch organic Kombucha, fermented goods and more.

Excursion 2: Cave Boat Photoshoot

Travel to one of the Algarve’s hidden gems, a remote wild beach with stunning caves. Guided by a professional team, including a rigger, boat captain, photographer and retreat coordinator. This unique experience allows you to capture your best pose suspended above the crystalline waters of the Atlantic

You’ll leave Portugal with incredible memories and photographs that truly capture the magic of the week.

Studio Photoshoot

In addition to the cave photoshoot, we will also have one at the studio. You can focus a little more on getting that perfect angle. Choose between a white silhouette background or greenery.

Aerial Level

This retreat is designed for intermediate and advanced aerialists.

Prerequisites

• Minimum 2 years of consistent Silks training
• Strong understanding of foundational skills
• Comfortable aerial invert
• Desire to explore sequencing and artistry in greater depth
• Sufficient endurance for a week of daily aerial training

If you’re unsure whether you’re a good fit, simply send us a video and we’ll happily provide guidance. Send to retreatsaerial@gmail.com

Food

All meals are thoughtfully prepared using fresh, local ingredients. The House of Honey philosophy centers around simple, nourishing food that supports both physical performance and overall wellbeing. Meals emphasize whole foods, fresh produce, grains, nuts, beans, and quality protein sources while accommodating dietary restrictions whenever possible.

Breakfast is self-serve and includes fresh breads, yogurt, eggs, fruit, oatmeal, granola, and more. Catered lunches and dinners are served around the training schedule, along with daily snacks and most evenings a delicious dessert.

Your Instructor

Sarah Bebe Holmes

Sarah has spent more than two decades teaching, performing, directing, and developing innovative aerial education programs around the world. Her passion lies in helping students move beyond simply collecting tricks and instead develop a deeper understanding of technique, artistry, creativity, and performance.

Whether you’re refining advanced skills, exploring choreography, or discovering new creative possibilities, Sarah’s teaching style combines technical precision with curiosity, playfulness, and genuine care for every student’s journey.

What You’ll Take Home

• New silks sequences and skills
• Personalized technical feedback
• Creative tools from Vertical Theatre Method
• Stronger movement efficiency and aerial confidence
• Two unforgettable photoshoot experiences
• Lifelong friendships with fellow aerial adventurers
• A week of memories from one of Europe’s most beautiful coastlines

Sometimes the most meaningful progress happens when we step away from our everyday lives and give ourselves permission to focus completely on what we love.

Pricing and Accommodation

Please note prices are listed in EUROS

You have 2 bed options to from

Early Bird Pricing Runs from July 28 – October 28, 2026

EARLY BIRD PRICE

Private Room with Private Ensuite bathroom €3000

Shared Double Occupancy €2400

FULL PRICE

Private Room with Private Ensuite bathroom €3300

Shared Double Occupancy €2700

How to Reserve Your Spot!

Full payment or a deposit is required to confirm your place. We accept payment forms from all over the world.

Payment Options Include: Credit Card, EU bank transfer, ACH transfer

We also offer 3 and 5 month payment plans.

We will keep in close communication with you once you have registered to answer any more questions, provide you with a full packing list and let you know of any essentials you should know or bring.

Sample Schedule

(Subject to small changes)

This schedule makes sure you get the MOST out of your training holiday. We find that you will get the most out of the classes if you also honor your downtime.

Chillax in the pool or salt water jacuzzi.

Getting There

Airport & Transportation

Closest Airport

Faro Airport (FAO) is approximately 50 minutes from the retreat center and is the recommended airport for most travelers.

Included Airport Shuttle Service

Your retreat includes one airport transfer on arrival day and one airport transfer on departure day.

Arrival Day Shuttle Times

• 11:00 AM
• 1:00 PM
• 4:00 PM
• 7:00 PM

Please book a flight that lands with enough time to clear immigration and collect your luggage before your selected shuttle departs.

Departure Day Shuttle Times

• 8:00 AM
• 11:00 AM
• 3:00 PM
• 6:00 PM

Please choose a shuttle that allows plenty of time before your flight. The journey to Faro Airport takes approximately 50 minutes.

We’ll Do Our Best to Coordinate

About one month before the retreat, we’ll contact everyone to collect flight details. If several participants are arriving or departing around the same time, we’ll adjust the shuttle schedule whenever possible to better accommodate the group.

---

Flying into Lisbon

Lisbon Airport (LIS) is another option and offers a wider selection of international flights.

From Lisbon, you’ll need to make your own way to Lagos, which is approximately 3.5–4 hours away by direct bus or train. From Lagos, the retreat center is just a short taxi ride (around €5).

We’re happy to provide recommendations for buses, trains, and local taxis if you choose to arrive via Lisbon.

---

What if my flight arrives outside the shuttle times?
We recommend booking flights that fit within the shuttle schedule whenever possible. If that’s not possible, you can arrange a private taxi from Faro Airport (approximately 50 minutes). We can recommend a reliable local transfer company.

We are here for you

Got Questions about the classes? Email Sarah at retreatsaerial@gmail.com

Got questions about the food, accommodation, excursions et cetera? Email Meredith@houseofhoneyportugal.com

Come on this unforgettable trip with us to Portugal. 🌊✨

Safety

We know that incredible retreats are built on a foundation of trust and safety.

Our commitment includes:

• Professional aerial equipment and rigging
• Crash mats for aerial classes
• First Aid and CPR trained staff
• A welcoming, supportive community culture
• Carefully vetted retreat facilities and excursion providers

Portugal is also consistently ranked among the safest countries in the world, making it an ideal destination for solo travelers.

Cancellation Policy

The House of Honey retreat involves third party service providers and significant advanced planning. As such, we have a tiered refund policy, reflecting the costs incurred on our side:

50% refund up to 60 days before the 1st day of retreat

25% refund up to 30 days before the 1st day of the retreat.

We will not be responsible for cancellations by guests, and will not be refunding/discounting for being late, leaving early, flight cancellation, travel delays, personal illness, family illness/problems, natural disaster events, epidemics, COVID pandemic or political unrest. If you cancel your attendance to a retreat for any reason, the cancellation policy will apply. We strongly encourage you to have adequate travel insurance in place at the time of booking, to protect yourself against possible cancellation risks. Make sure your policy covers the full cost of the retreat fee, as well as unexpected cancellation, trip delay, losses and other risks.

Please bring the policy with you in case of emergency.