What Wants to Be Created

Creativity often begins in a quiet place. Not in effort or pressure, but in the space that opens when the noise of everyday life settles. This retreat is an invitation to step into that space. What Wants to Be Created is a week dedicated to creativity in its many forms — painting, writing, music, film, photography, or any other way expression may take shape. You are invited to bring a project, idea, or creative question that you would like to explore during the week. Guests bring their own tools and materials and use the time to focus on what calls to them. At Simply Happy, creativity is approached not only as a skill but as a natural expression of being. When the mind slows down and attention deepens, something new can begin to move. Old habits and patterns may loosen, and unexpected possibilities can appear where there once seemed to be no space. Throughout the week, participants will be hear from a small group of facilitators approaching creativity from different directions. Through meditation, storytelling, creative dialogue, and artistic practice, each offers a different way of exploring how ideas emerge and take shape. Creativity often grows in conversation. Throughout the week we'll gather to share ideas, inspiration, questions and works in progress. These sessions aren't about critique or performance, but about discovering what becomes possible when creative people spend time working alongside one another. Each day offers the option of meditation and yoga, as well as shared group moments that support reflection and connection. At the same time, there will be plenty of unstructured time to work on your creative project, wander, or simply rest. Nature is an important part of the experience. Simply Happy is surrounded by mountains, rivers, and the landscapes of Peneda-Gerês National Park, the beauty can be a source of inspiration and clarity. This week is an opportunity to step out of routine, reconnect with creativity, and discover what wants to be created when there is space for it to emerge.

Meals are prepared fresh each day and enjoyed together in our communal dining space. Your stay includes a continental breakfast, a hearty lunch, and a light evening meal. We offer meat, vegetarian, and vegan options, with dishes inspired by the seasons and made using locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Many of the herbs, vegetables, and fruits come directly from our own kitchen garden. There is also a shared kitchen available if you’d like to prepare something outside the scheduled meal times. Any additional groceries or ingredients are at your own expense.

Location: Simply Happy is located in the north of Portugal in the village of Oucias, a half-hour drive from the town of Arcos de Valdevez. Address: Lugar de Oucias, Carralcova, 4970-105 Arcos de Valdevez Google Maps: Simply Happy can be found by searching for "Oucias" or "Simply Happy (Arcos de Valdevez)" in Google Maps By bus & taxi: From Porto airport (OPO), there is a direct bus to Arcos de Valdevez (1:50 h) departing five times a day. Tickets can be bought online. For timings and booking, see: Bus from OPO Rede Expressos has several daily departures from Porto, mostly from Porto Campanhā station, but also from the airport. For timings and booking, see: Bus from Porto From Arcos de Valdevez, you can hire a taxi or Uber to Simply Happy (about €15). By car: It takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach Simply Happy by car from Porto airport. Use the above link for navigation or type "Oucias" or "Simply Happy (Arcos de Valdevez)" into Google Maps. There is free parking at the entrance of Simply Happy, right in front of the restaurant.