How Relaxscape evolved into the nature sanctuary it is today
About Belinda Raitt, creator of Relaxscape
You can find out more about me and my work here on my personal website: belindaraitt.space
My aim here at Relaxscape is to live a simpler and yet more abundant life, and share with others how it’s possible to live in harmony and respect with Nature and the environment.
All the restoration work on the house was carried out with sustainability in mind. We re-used materials from the house where we could, and otherwise found recycled alternatives or natural, eco-friendly resources wherever possible. So if some things look a little used round here, it’s because they are! My mantra is reuse, recycle, repurpose. I don’t believe in buying new and contributing to the growing waste and landfill problem unless it’s really necessary. And when it is, then wherever possible I choose environmentally friendly and socially conscious products and do my best to support local and small enterprises. I also try not to consume so much in the first place! My first question always is: “do I really need this?”
It’s possible to do this and still live in comfort, as I hope you will realise from your time here.
In the rooms, I only provide soap (handmade from natural ingredients), so as to cut down on the packaging waste of individual toiletries. However, there is a basket full of various half-used toiletries, shampoos, moisturizers, etc, that guests leave behind and that are available for anyone to use during their stay. I only change towels and sheets after 5 days (if the stay is for 8 days or longer). Guests are encouraged to recycle their own rubbish and to be mindful of the water and electricity (and unnecessary plastic like bottled water) they consume. Water is heated with solar panels (and wood fire boiler in winter). Electricity is from the grid, but wind and solar power. Cleaning products are eco-friendly made from natural ingredients that don’t damage the environment.
It goes without saying that the olives and fruit and any vegetables I grow on the land are completely organic too, and I leave the seasonal mandatory grass-cutting as last-minute as possible so that the bees and insects and butterflies (and guests!) can enjoy the wildflowers for longer.
In June 2015, while I was still living in the UK, I wrote in my journal:
“I want to train as a mindfulness coach and go away somewhere and help people to be happy and reconnect with the real world”.
In 2018, my path led me to Portugal, and the minute I stepped off the plane, I felt a deep recognition in my soul. I was drawn to the special energy and natural beauty of the area around Tomar, the slower pace of life in this more traditional part of Central Portugal, and in April 2019, I opened Relaxscape, a sanctuary where people can be happy and reconnect with nature - in other words, the real world! Here in the centre of rural Portugal, I have found my home among the olive trees and day by day, find deeper meaning as I sit and listen to the songs that nature sings to me.
I can personally vouch for the healing and inspiring effects of spending time immersed in nature and mindful meditation here at Relaxscape! It’s inspired me to expand from coaching into holistic energy healing and sound frequency therapy, write and publish three books of poetry (so far!), start painting and sketching, and play and produce music and songs, as well as becoming a fado singer! I think it is no coincidence that Tio Armindo, whose energy still permeates every tree that surrounds this old house of his, was also a writer and poet, with a love of arts and serving his local community. I am grateful for the gift he left behind, this land that inspires me. And in return, I have transformed it into Relaxscape, and offer it as a place where others can come to be inspired.
Sustainability and eco tourism at Relaxscape
Check out the Relaxscape Eco Loja range of repurposed, recycled, natural, or organic inspired by nature products which are available to buy online here.