A Self-Directed Month is a dedicated, month-long opportunity for families to live, learn, and grow alongside one another. Everybody does things on their own terms. Each family follows their own rhythm. This is a time dive into personal projects, share interests & travel stories with other families, or just relax and soak in the mountain air and vast open surroundings.

We provide a curated list of places to visit to inspire your explorations, and families share a WhatsApp group to coordinate trips and days out together.

It’s a chance to learn by living — sharing skills, swapping ideas, and connecting through the natural flow of daily life. There’s no fixed curriculum or schedule — just a supportive, like-minded community and a month full of freedom and connection.

Back by popular demand, Month in the Mountains is our signature gathering— and it just keeps getting better. We’ve run this event three times now, and October 2026 promises to be our most exciting edition yet!

Up to 10 families will join us for a month of connection, creativity, community, and confidence-building in the Andalucian mountain village of Oria. Designed for tweens and teens aged 11–18, this month blends real-world learning with outdoor adventures, meaningful friendships, and personal growth.

⸻

Weekly Schedule

Weekdays | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Our core activities take place each morning, Monday to Friday. Every week has a unique theme led by experienced mentors who know how to engage and inspire young people.

Fridays | Family Excursions (Optional)

Each Friday afternoon, we host a local family-friendly trip to explore the beauty and culture of the region.

Sundays | Community Potluck Dinner

Join all families for our weekly shared meal—an informal way to bond and feel part of the community from the very beginning.

Afternoons | Free Time

Afternoons are for rest, creativity, or hanging out with friends. Most teens bring a packed lunch and spend the day outdoors or exploring the village together.

What’s Included:

Week 1: Rock Band - Creating a Band, Learning Instruments, Singing and how to use professional equipment


Week 2: Art & Creativity Week

Week 3: Drama / Clowning / Circus


Week 4: Magic Learning with a Professional Magician

• Accommodation in family apartments

• Weekday activities for children: 10am – 1pm

• Family trips for local culture immersion (adult tickets extra)

• Weekly community meal

• Gym pass with 10 sessions for each child

• Two Spanish classes per week (beginner & intermediate)

• Plenty of time outdoors

• Confidence-building activities and fun with like-minded families

Pricing:

Cortijo Serendipia:

• €2,995 – 1 child + family accommodation (1 month)

• €3,995 – 2 children + family accommodation (1 month)

Shepherd’s Rest:

• €3,295 – 1 child + family accommodation (1 month)

• €4,295 – 2 children + family accommodation (1 month)

Extras:

• Parents’ Spanish classes: €20 per hour

• Parents’ activities: paid separately (children’s calls covered by us)

Limited to 10 families — Payment plans available!

📩 Message us at info@shepherdsrest.org to reserve your spot.

Inclusivity & Wellbeing

We are an inclusive, neurodiversity-affirming space. All team members are experienced in working with children and teens with additional needs. While no formal diagnosis is needed, we kindly ask that you share any sensitivities or challenges your child experiences, so we can best support them.

⸻

What Makes This Month Special?

• Teens get real freedom in a safe, structured environment.

• Our mentors are warm, fun, and professionally experienced with teens.

• The program is designed to boost confidence, creativity, and connection.

• There’s space for everyone—whether your child thrives in music, magic, nature, or just being with others.

This includes:

• 3 x 90 minute family workshops per week

• All materials

• Working with a professional artist

Price per family staying at Cortijo Serendipia:

* €1,695

Price per family staying at Shepherd’s Rest:

* €1,845

📩 Message us now or email info@shepherdsrest.org to reserve your spot.

This is an event for 8–12 yrs held in April and September 2026

An event great for confidence building, making friends, and learning new things together, while parents enjoy time to focus, recharge, or simply relax knowing their kids are happy, engaged, and cared for.

What’s Included:

* Family accommodation in private apartment

* Weekday activities for children: 10am – 1pm

* Family trips for local cultural immersion every Friday (adult tickets extra)

* Weekly bring & share communal meal

* Two Spanish classes per week (beginner & intermediate)

* Two group sports sessions per week

* Confidence-building activities and fun with like-minded families


Week 1: Rock Band - Learning musical instruments and singing with Professionals


Week 2: Den Building / Nature School / Art


Week 3: Drama / Clowning / Circus


Week 4: Magic Learning with a Professional Magician

At the end of each week there is an hour for parents to come and see what the children have been learning.

The children tend to hang out together in the playrooms or at the little park next to Shepherd’s Rest, which allows them to grow in independence and confidence.

Price when staying at Cortijo Serendipia:

* 2,995€ for 1 child taking part in activities

* 3,995€ for 2 children taking part in activities

Price when staying at Shepherd’s Rest:

* €3,295 with 1 child taking part in activities

* €4,295 with 2 children taking part in activities

Payment plans are available and flexible

Get in touch and tell us a bit about your children and the things they love.

A restorative month for Mums who want to start or grow their business.

📍 Hosted at Shepherd’s Rest & Cortijo Serendipia, Andalucía, Spain

🗓 May 2026

💶 Early Bird price: €2895 (if deposit paid by November 30th) 

Regular price: €3295

(Payment plans available)

Mums in the Mountains is a month-long retreat, designed especially for single mums seeking rest, community, and meaningful experiences.

It’s a gentle blend of downtime and inspiration, with space for creativity, friendship, and personal growth.

⸻

⸻

🌞 Accommodation — a peaceful family apartment surrounded by olive trees and open sky.

🧘 Self-care — one relaxing treatment each week (choose from head, neck & back massage, or reflexology).

🖋️ Weekly journaling circle — guided reflection and shared conversation with other mums.

👧 Child drop-off care (10–2 pm  3days a week days tbc) 

🌍 One weekly excursion — examples include cheese-making, hot springs, a castle tour, or a guided mountain walk. 

💬 Supportive community — a small group of like-minded mums and children living, learning, and laughing together.

🍴 🔥 Shared spaces - dining areas inside and out,  and easy conversation around the table, a great chance to connect with the others. Fire pits at both properties.

Every evening, you can enjoy wholesome, home-cooked meals. We happily cater for vegans and can accommodate other dietary preferences on request — everyone is welcome at the table.

⸻

Prices:

• Early Bird: €2,495 (book before October 31st)

• Standard: €2,795 Includes accommodation, childcare, all journaling sessions, treatments, and weekly trips.

⸻

Who It’s For:

Single mums or solo travelling mums who are ready for a softer rhythm — who want to share experiences with their children, recharge their energy, and be part of a warm & inclusive community

📩 Message us now at info@shepherdsrest.org to reserve your spot.

A Self-Directed Month is a dedicated, month-long opportunity for families to live, learn, and grow alongside one another. Everybody does things on their own terms. Each family follows their own rhythm. This is a time dive into personal projects, share interests & travel stories with other families, or just relax and soak in the mountain air and vast open surroundings.

We provide a curated list of places to visit to inspire your explorations, and families share a WhatsApp group to coordinate trips and days out together.

It’s a chance to learn by living — sharing skills, swapping ideas, and connecting through the natural flow of daily life. There’s no fixed curriculum or schedule — just a supportive, like-minded community and a month full of freedom and connection.

A Self-Directed Month is a dedicated, month-long opportunity for families to live, learn, and grow alongside one another. Everybody does things on their own terms. Each family follows their own rhythm. This is a time dive into personal projects, share interests & travel stories with other families, or just relax and soak in the mountain air and vast open surroundings.

We provide a curated list of places to visit to inspire your explorations, and families share a WhatsApp group to coordinate trips and days out together.

It’s a chance to learn by living — sharing skills, swapping ideas, and connecting through the natural flow of daily life. There’s no fixed curriculum or schedule — just a supportive, like-minded community and a month full of freedom and connection.

A Self-Directed Month is a dedicated, month-long opportunity for families to live, learn, and grow alongside one another. Everybody does things on their own terms. Each family follows their own rhythm. This is a time dive into personal projects, share interests & travel stories with other families, or just relax and soak in the mountain air and vast open surroundings.

We provide a curated list of places to visit to inspire your explorations, and families share a WhatsApp group to coordinate trips and days out together.

It’s a chance to learn by living — sharing skills, swapping ideas, and connecting through the natural flow of daily life. There’s no fixed curriculum or schedule — just a supportive, like-minded community and a month full of freedom and connection.

This is an event for 8–12 yrs held in April and September 2026

What’s Included:

* Accommodation in family apartments

* Weekday activities for children: 10am – 1pm

* Family trips for local culture immersion (adult tickets extra)

* Weekly bring & share communal meal

* Two Spanish classes per week (beginner & intermediate)

* Plenty of time outdoors

* Confidence-building activities and fun with like-minded families

Hosted at Shepherd’s Rest & Cortijo Serendipia in Oria Andalucía Spain.


The month will include:


Week 1: Rock Band - Learning musical instruments and singing with Professionals


Week 2: Den Building / Nature School / Art


Week 3: Drama / Clowning / Circus


Week 4: Magic Learning with a Professional Magician

Groups run from 10–1, Monday to Friday, and at the end of each week there is an hour for parents to come and see what the children have been learning.

* 2 x Spanish lessons a week

* 2 x Sport sessions a week

* 1 family trip a week to a castle, lake, beach, or caves

* Community meal every Sunday afternoon

The children tend to hang out together in the playrooms or at the little park next to Shepherd’s Rest, which allows them to grow in independence and confidence.

Price when staying at Cortijo Serendipia:

* €2,995 for 1 child taking part in activities

* €3,995 for 2 children taking part in activities

Price when staying at Shepherd’s Rest:

* €3,295 with 1 child taking part in activities

* €4,295 with 2 children taking part in activities

There is a €300 discount on the overall price if the deposit is paid by October 31st 2025

Get in touch and tell us a bit about your children and the things they love.

Spend a month in the Andalucían mountains

filled with music, art, drama, and adventure.

Families will enjoy connection, creativity, and quality time in nature.

What’s Included:

• Accommodation in family apartments

• Weekday activities for children: 10am – 1pm

• Family trips for local culture immersion (adult tickets extra)

• Weekly community meal

• Gym pass with 10 sessions for each child

• Two Spanish classes per week (beginner & intermediate)

• Plenty of time outdoors

• Confidence-building activities and fun with like-minded families

Pricing:

Cortijo Serendipia:

• €2,995 – 1 child + family accommodation (1 month)

• €3,995 – 2 children + family accommodation (1 month)

Shepherd’s Rest:

• €3,295 – 1 child + family accommodation (1 month)

• €4,295 – 2 children + family accommodation (1 month)

Extras:

• Parents’ Spanish classes: €20 per hour

• Parents’ activities: paid separately (children’s calls covered by us)

Limited to 10 families — Payment plans available!

📩 Message us now or email info@shepherdsrest.org to reserve your spot.

A Self-Directed Month is a dedicated, month-long opportunity for families to live, learn, and grow alongside one another. Everybody does things on their own terms. Each family follows their own rhythm. This is a time dive into personal projects, share interests & travel stories with other families, or just relax and soak in the mountain air and vast open surroundings.

We provide a curated list of places to visit to inspire your explorations, and families share a WhatsApp group to coordinate trips and days out together.

It’s a chance to learn by living — sharing skills, swapping ideas, and connecting through the natural flow of daily life. There’s no fixed curriculum or schedule — just a supportive, like-minded community and a month full of freedom and connection.