Tucked away on the lush, wild island of Flores in the Azores, a dream is quietly blooming into reality. It’s not a resort or a tourist hotspot—it’s something far more sacred. Welcome to Margaça, a living sanctuary lovingly cultivated over the past decade by Casey and Andrea, a visionary couple who have chosen to live in deep alignment with a life rooted in purpose, regeneration and devotion.

Casey, who was fortunate to spend part of his childhood amid the natural beauty and community of the Cayman Islands before relocating to Colorado to pursue his studies, had always carried a quiet interest for remote islands and wild landscapes. That early connection now finds full expression as the caretaker of this 16,000-square-meter Eden. “I once chased opportunities in international commodity markets,” he reflects. “Now, all I want is to be in the wonder of the garden.”

For the last 10 years, that’s exactly what he’s done; rising from 5 a.m. to dig, build, clear, plant and nourish the soil. When the pair first arrived, the land was abandoned for over six decades, choked with invasive species and wild growth. But underneath the overgrowth, these steadfast stewards of this enchanted property, uncovered massive boulders integrated into the dilapidated dry-stone walls forming the framework of a forgotten historical layout, ancient aqueducts, and stunning points of interest within the garden; features that reveal a deeper meaning waiting to be rediscovered. “We’re not building something new,” Casey says. “We’re remembering what was already here,” preserving and reestablishing the rightful character with as much integrity as possible of the land’s cultural and environmental heritage, honoring its past while carefully shaping its future.

What started as a private labor of love is now opening its gates; gently, intentionally and to those who feel truly called to visit. “We never intended to open,” Casey shares. “But we keep getting the message that we need to.”

Margaça is not about mass tourism or Instagram moments, it’s about sacred connection. For artists seeking refuge to rediscover their song, poem or painting within. For solo travelers looking to reconnect with the Earth intimately. For seekers craving a reset from the noise and distractions of modern life. “It’s a place for people who feel the call,” Casey says. “The garden is the gatekeeper.”

The couple believes Margaça will resonate with musicians, retreat leaders, homeschool groups, and spiritual pilgrims. Every experience is curated in harmony with the land and guided by a deep respect for the cultural and ecological characteristics of Flores. They also envision welcoming cultural historians and spiritual teachers to deepen the garden’s offerings, and eventually hope to protect the area as a heritage site.

Those who feel the call find their way. There are no big signs, no overzealous marketing campaigns—just a sacred pull that leads them here. The land speaks for itself; with views of 20 waterfalls, over 40 terraces across seven levels, fruit trees, roses, resident wildlife and a sense of timeless magic that leaves visitors changed. “When we first arrived, it felt like a land lost in time, dark,” he recalls. “Now, it’s becoming something else entirely, something special.” 

While Margaça opens formally in late summer 2025, inquiries are already flowing in. Access to the garden is by invitation or special request only, held as a space for those seeking a more thoughtful connection to land, spirit and time. The couple also offers a private residence, separate from the garden that offers cozy lodging and a chance to unplug and be enchanted by the island’s rhythms.

Often likened to Kauai, Hawaii, for its towering cliffs, waterfalls and lush, volcanic beauty, Flores carries something deeper; an untouched energy that feels worlds away from anything familiar. Direct flights from New York City to São Miguel place the Azores within easy reach, with Flores remaining as one of Europe’s last truly unspoiled sanctuaries; remote, reverent and steeped in mystery.

 We’re excited for the right people to find it,” Casey says. “People who are in alignment with the spirit and this oasis of Heaven on Earth.”

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