5 Days of Real Food, Real Farming, and Real Rest in Portugal on our Regenerative Farm
From €1,870 p.p. all inclusive
Hands on Cooking Workshops
Learn to cook from scratch using freshly harvested ingredients straight from our regenerative farm. Over the course of three in-depth workshops, you’ll master simple but delicious recipes using whole, nutrient-dense foods — no chemicals, no shortcuts.
Learn about Regenerative Principles and Nutrient Density
Discover how your food is grown. You’ll get your hands in the soil, harvest your own ingredients, and learn to recognize regenerative agricultural practices that heal the land and nourish the body.
Relax and unwind in the middle of nature
Relax in a beautifully restored old mill house turned boutique holiday villa — complete with private pool, tennis court, and elegant, modern rooms with a warm Portuguese touch. The perfect balance between rustic and refined.
Here is What Previous Retreatees have to Say:
Photogallery
Day 1: Arrival & Connection
1
14:00 – Check-in at the hotel
Guests arrive and are warmly welcomed by Sophie. Settle into your room, stretch your legs, or sip something refreshing.
16:00 – Unwind & relax
Take a stroll, read a book, enjoy the swimming pool, or have a coffee in the garden.
19:00 – Bonfire Welcome Dinner
A tasting menu prepared by The Farming Chefs using fresh farm ingredients. Includes an introduction to the retreat schedule and a relaxed talk on regenerative farming and how it connects to the meals we’ll create.
21:30 – Wind Down
Return to your room to rest and recharge.
Day 2: From Soil to Harvest
08:30 – Breakfast with local ingredients
09:00 – Depart for the farm
A scenic 25-minute drive.
09:30 – Farm Experience: Soil, Seeds & Stories
Tour the garden and explore composting, soil health and companion planting. Get a short lecture on the benefits of regenerative farming and how it relates to flavour.
13:00 – Long Table Lunch on the Farm
A fresh and simple meal with just-harvested ingredients, eaten outdoors in the shade. Savour the flavours and chat about how the land shapes the food.
14:30 – Gardening Workshop & Seed Sharing
A hands-on seasonal gardening session led by Filipe. We finish with the opportunity to take home a selection of seeds, chosen from our local seed bank.
16:00 – Back to the hotel
Rest, swim, journal, or explore the local area at your own pace.
19:30 – Dinner at the hotel
A family-style dinner at the villa under the stars.
Day 3: Harvest & Cook
08:30 – Breakfast with local ingredients
09:00 – Depart for the farm
A scenic 25-minute drive.
09:30 – Cooking Workshop: Garden to Plate
Begin with a harvest walk, then prepare seasonal dishes together using what you’ve picked. Learn techniques like vegetable butchery, natural flavour building and plating with flair.
14:00 – 4-Course Farm-to-Table Lunch made by the group
Sit down together to enjoy the vibrant dishes you’ve created. Local wines and relaxed conversation complete the afternoon.
The rest of the afternoon is free to relax and enjoy the villa.
20:00 – Simple salad and soup at the villa
Day 4: Fermentation & Flavour
08:30 – Breakfast with local ingredients
10:00 – Fermentation & Condiment Making
Learn how to craft gut-friendly ferments and additive-free condiments. Everyone takes home jars of their own creations.
14:00 – BBQ with homemade condiments
19:30 – Final Feast: Flavour Pairing Workshop
A flavour pairing session with an array of local and homemade ingredients. Together, the group creates festive bites to enjoy during our last evening feast.
Day 5: Reflection & Farewell
10:00 – Slow Breakfast
Farm-made jams, herbal teas and fresh bread served in a relaxed setting.
11:30 – Sharing Circle & Goodbye Gifts
Reflect together on your journey. You’ll receive a small recipe book with dishes from the retreat and access to an online community to stay in touch.
12:30 – Departure
Nestled in the serene Beira Baixa region of Portugal, Villa Maneio is a beautifully restored water mill offering a unique blend of rustic charm and modern comfort. Located approximately 8 km from Penamacor, near the pristine landscapes of the Serra da Malcata Natural Reserve, this exclusive holiday villa provides an idyllic retreat for those seeking tranquility and a deep connection with nature.
Villa Maneio boasts a private pool and a tennis court, inviting guests to relax and engage in leisurely activities amidst the natural beauty of the Portuguese countryside. The villa’s warm and elegantly appointed rooms offer a cozy sanctuary, seamlessly blending traditional architecture with contemporary amenities.
The villa’s rich history as a former water mill adds to its unique character, allowing guests to experience a piece of Portugal’s heritage while enjoying modern comforts. The meticulous restoration preserves the mill’s original charm, providing an authentic and memorable stay.
The package includes
- 5 days / 4 nights accommodation at Villa Maneio
- Fully catered (all meals are included, with drinks during meals)
- 3 immersive cooking workshops guided by professional chefs
- Every day Farm visits and hands-on harvesting
- Daily meals prepared with local and seasonal ingredients by professional chefs (most from our own farm)
- Regenerative farming lectures and kitchen conversations
- Group transport between the villa and farm
- 3 hours per day to enjoy Free time to swim, rest, read, play tennis and explore
- Staff present during workshops and meal moments to assist wherever needed.
- Access to the swimming pool and tennis court
Book your spot Here!
Where is the Retreat Venue?
How to get from the airport to the retreat venue?
Option 1: fly to the airport and then take flix bus from there to the closest big town Castelo Branco: then take the taxi (60 euro) to the farm
Option 2: fly to the airport, and rent a car there and drive to the farm
Option 3: fly to the airport and then take the taxi from there (this is expensive, as it is a 2.40 hour drive and comes to 280 euro)
Costs and Room availabilities 2027
Price & Accommodation Options 2027 (5 DAY RETREAT)
Shared Ensuite Room* (2 people): €1870 p.p.
Private Ensuite Room*: €2155 p.p.
*You will have an ensuite room with a double bed, unless you are sharing and prefer two single (in which case you need to notify us in advance about that preference)
Nearest Airports:
Lisbon or Porto
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely none. The retreat is designed for anyone who loves good food and wants to understand where it comes from — whether you've never held a knife in a kitchen or you cook every day. Our workshops are hands-on and guided step by step by professional chefs. You'll leave with real skills, not just recipes.
Solo travellers are very welcome — in fact, many of our guests come alone and say that connecting with like-minded people around food and farming is one of the highlights of the retreat. The group is small (typically around 8 people), so you'll feel at home quickly. We offer both shared and private room options.
Everything except your flights and travel to the venue. The price covers 4 nights accommodation at Vila Maneio, all meals and drinks during meals, 3 cooking workshops, daily farm visits and harvesting, group transport between the villa and farm, and all materials. You arrive, and we take care of the rest.
The shared room option (€1,870 p.p.) means you share a room with one other guest of the same gender — all beds are singles unless you request otherwise. The private room (€2,155 p.p.) gives you your own space. Both options include the same retreat experience, meals, and activities. If you're booking with a friend or partner, just let us know and we'll arrange accordingly.
Yes. We cater for most dietary needs. If you are vegan, please reach out to us before booking, as this can be a challenge in our setup. Because we cook everything from scratch using whole, seasonal ingredients, adapting dishes is something we do naturally, but we do use animal products on our farm. Just let us know your requirements when you book and we'll make sure every meal works for you.
Drinks during meals are included — local wines, water, and non-alcoholic options. Drinks outside of meal times from the villa bar during your free time are at your own cost.
The nearest airports are Lisbon and Porto. From Lisbon, the most affordable option is a FlixBus to Castelo Branco followed by a taxi to the villa (approx. €60). You can also rent a car at the airport — it's a 2.5 hour drive through beautiful countryside. A direct taxi from Lisbon airport is possible but expensive (approx. €280). We're happy to help you plan your journey once you've booked.
You'll be staying at Vila Maneio, a beautifully restored water mill in the Beira Baixa region of Portugal, near Penamacor and the Serra da Malcata Natural Reserve — about 2.5 hours from Lisbon. It's genuinely off the beaten track: think private pool, tennis court, ancient olive trees, and total quiet.
We understand that plans change. Our full cancellation policy is available on our website. We strongly recommend taking out travel insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances — this is standard practice for retreat bookings.
We keep our retreats deliberately small — typically 8 to 12 guests. This means you get real attention during the workshops, genuine connection with the group, and a relaxed atmosphere rather than a crowded class. It also means spots go fast.
Both. Each day has morning activities (farm visits, cooking workshops) and around 3 hours of free time in the afternoon — perfect for swimming in the pool, reading, playing tennis, exploring the area, or simply doing nothing. The retreat is designed to nourish, not exhaust.
Just email us at thefarmingchefs@gmail.com or send us a message on Instagram @the_farming_chefs. We reply within 24 hours and are happy to jump on a quick call if that's easier.