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:
From 23 to 27 September, I attended a course called “Regenerative Preservation Techniques and Flavor Enhancers” with The Farming Chefs in Portugal.
It was a thorough and inspiring course.
Each day focused on one preservation technique, which we also applied in practice — everything was done on site:
Bread baking; preserving grain
Cheesemaking; preserving milk
Preserving vegetables and fruit
Final day: the responsible creation of flavor enhancers
Each course day, we followed the entire process from beginning to end.
The instructor (Sophie de Jong) is a true professional who clearly knows her craft. She is not only an excellent cook herself, but also highly skilled in conveying the teaching material.
Every evening we enjoyed a delicious meal, prepared and served by Filipe, Sophie’s partner and the other half of The Farming Chefs.
The course went far beyond simply providing a collection of recipes; it delved deeply into the background and principles of regenerative farming and cooking.
Sophie helped me understand the dilemma of today’s food industry (both production and the food supply chain).
The Western world currently succeeds in producing enough food for everyone. However, in order to make that food sufficiently shelf-stable for supermarkets, the industry is forced to process it in such a way that all “vital, restorative factors” are removed.
As a result, we may have an abundance of food — but essentially dead food.
The Farming Chefs do not pretend that they can overturn the entire system overnight, but they clearly demonstrate where each individual can make small changes.
In this way, everyone can — at least for themselves — produce and preserve healthy food and begin a new way of relating to and experiencing food.
Thank you Sophie and Filipe for one of the best vacation experiences of my life! I was part of the April 2026 cooking/farm retreat and loved every minute of it.
Sophie and Filipe were very welcoming, opened their home to us and shared their vast knowledge; not to mention the delicious meals they prepared for us. Super Yummy! I learned so much and had an active part in all cooking, planting & harvesting.
Our retreat group was diverse, friendly, sharing and fun. Their farming operation was well explained, opened to roaming, in a beautiful setting, and interesting. The whole experience left me motivated towards better eating, to expand my herb garden and to start a small veggie garden again. I felt refreshed and renewed with a huge smile on my face.
The accommodations at the villa were relaxing, warmly welcoming, served delicious breakfast, beautiful river/woods setting with modern conveniences. I loved everything about the retreat. I would recommend it to anyone interested in food or farming, regardless experience or where you live as you are going to learn a lot! Thank you Sophie, Filipe and family for your hospitality, for an unforgettable experience and for your YouTube channel which introduced me to you all.
We had an amazing five-day retreat! Sophie and Filipe radiate positive energy and are incredibly professional and passionate, both on the farm and in the kitchen. Their unique combination of skills made the retreat fun and enriching on every level.
The program was wonderfully varied, with a perfect balance between workshops, enjoying their delicious farm-to-table creations, inspiring information, outings, connection, and free time. We learned so much, especially about regenerative farming practices and soil health; real eye-openers that made us appreciate food and farming even more.
They are flexible and intuitive, easily adapting the program to the needs and energy of the group, creating a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere.
The accommodation was fantastic too. We alternated between the farm and our nature-filled base, but the distance was easy and the change of scenery added to the experience. The place itself is stunning, surrounded by nature with plenty to enjoy during free hours: a swimming pool, sauna, river, tennis court, hiking trails right out the door, and more.
A truly unforgettable experience for anyone who loves real food, nature, and learning about the beauty and importance of regenerative farming.
Day 1: Arrival & Connection
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.
Savor the flavors and chat about how the land shapes the food.
14:30 – Gardening workshop and Seed Sharing
Workshop doing some seasonal gardening with explanation by Filipe. Closing with an opportunity to take home a selection of seeds you can choose 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
Family style dinner at the vila 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 flavor 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.
rest of the afternoon free to rest and enjoy the vila
20:00 – Simple salad and soup at the Vila
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 own made condiments
19:30 – Final Feast: Flavour pairing workshop
Flavour pairing session with an array of local and home made ingredients. The group creates their own festive bites to enjoy during out 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, Vila 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.
Vila 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 Vila 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
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
Ready to Recharge and Enjoy Real Food in Nature?
Cook, connect, and grow in the heart of our regenerative farm.
Real food. Deep rest. Lifelong memories.
JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER!
GREAT!
You will be hearing from us
