Paint and plate up Portuguese style with these Algarvian retreats
Nowadays, holidays are about so much more than lounging on a beach or eating and drinking your body weight in all-inclusive food and drink (although those things are great in their own right, too).
From yoga retreats to hiking holidays surrounded by nature, today, modern tourists aim to get even more out of their travels with immersive and cultural experiences being at the forefront of most trips.
That’s why Cheryl and Graham Smith decided to set up Figs on the Funcho; an award-winning riverside retreat in the heart of Portugal.
Cheryl and Graham, met over thirty years ago whilst working together in South Africa and, after starting a family and going on their own holidays to the Algarve, they fell in love with the landscape and tranquility that this area of the Algarve had to offer.
Their villa started as a simple holiday home at the beginning, before being transformed into a warm, welcoming space for guests to learn a new skill or develop an existing one.
Set alongside the Funcho river near São Bartolomeu de Messines, the villa has its own private pool and outdoor space, and is surrounded by nature with plenty of picturesque walking routes nearby.
Here, the couple specialise in residential art retreats and vegetarian and pescatarian cooking holidays. It’s the ideal escape for those looking to slow down, expand their culinary or artistic skills, and experience a different side to the Algarve.
Figs on the Funcho operates a number of small-group programmes at various points throughout the year, bringing together like-minded travellers from every corner of the world. As well as their homely villa, there’s also eco-friendly riverside glamping available on site for those looking to get even closer to nature.
Sustainability is at the forefront of every element of the retreats, with eco-friendly practices woven quietly into daily activities, including painting, cooking, yoga, paddleboarding and more.
Culinary retreats at Figs on the Funcho celebrate Mediterranean flavours with fresh, seasonal, plant-based cooking, while art workshops explore a range of mediums and themes, often focused around nature such as the Botanical Watercolour Workshop.
If you’re looking for an alternative to your next typical holiday, be sure to check out upcoming retreats at Figs on the Funcho.
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