The Dough House on tour!

Join The Dough House team for a unique 7-day experience in beautiful, sunny Algarve/Portugal. We have found the most amazing Quinta (country house) and farm to host our very first retreat and we can’t wait to share it with you!

Located in the quaint village of Alcaria, the farm grows much of its own produce, which we’ll be using to cook the most delicious meals – a true farm to plate experience. We’ll be cooking and baking Portuguese dishes, sourdough bread, pasta with a Portuguese twist and a Portuguese inspired afternoon tea to name but a few. You’ll also learn about Portuguese ingredients and enjoy lots of traditional Portuguese food and BBQs cooked by local chefs, which will be
enjoyed on the farm and for one night at a local seaside restaurant. The retreat includes lots of amazing local experiences from a boat trip to the famous Benagil caves (TBC), a pottery visit, a tour of a local market, wine tasting and an essential oil/ soap making workshop. Relaxation is also on the agenda with daily yoga/ meditation and some free time to enjoy by the farm’s luxurious pool, wander around the farm or go for a walk in the countryside or to a nearby town.

This retreat is more than just a culinary experience. It’s a weeklong immersion in Portuguese life and a wonderful exploration of the area and it’s tantalising delights.

The Quinta
The Quinta covers 9 acres of beautiful Portuguese countryside which you can explore at your leisure. There’s a large organic vegetable garden, herb garden, tea garden and bountiful fruit trees. Gorgeous red pomegranates will be in season while we are there, so we will be using these flavour packed seeds in our cooking and baking. There is also a botanic garden where imagination runs wild, with VW beetles sprouting native plants and bed head sculptures. And for the animal lovers there are chickens, geese, ducks, sheep, two friendly dogs and the inherited farm cat. The original farmhouse and farm buildings have been lovingly restored and appointed with modern amenities. One of the farm buildings contains the cooking school with everything we’ll need to cook the most amazing food, including a 200 years old wood fire oven! There’s a vine covered patio, where we’ll eat most of our meals, as well as some pretty indoor spaces for the chillier days and evenings. There’s also a luxurious outdoor pool, should you want to take a dip.

Accommodation
There is shared accommodation (rooms of 2, 3, or 4) so perfect for couples and friends. Private rooms are also available for solo travellers. The rooms are spread across the beautiful main homestead (most with ensuite) and a group of well-appointed apartments in some of the old farm buildings (all with ensuite).

Dates
26th May - 1st June, 2025

Cost
£3190pp

Includes:
Transfers to & from Faro airport
Accommodation for 6 nights
6 breakfasts, 5 lunches (including 1 at the local market), 6 dinners (including 1 beachside restaurant dinner)
Limited drinks with meals (Extra drinks can be purchased from the bar)
Daily yoga/ meditation
Wreath making workshop (wreath to take home)
Pottery shop visit
Wine tasting
Benagil boat tour (TBC)
Local market tour and food tasting
Soap making workshop (soap to take home)
Salsa class & closing party
A limited-edition gift bag including a Dough House & Quinta Vermelha de Alcaria apron, cooking/ baking tools, ingredients, and a jar of Piri Piri marinade – so leave room in your suitcase!

Please note:

*We need a minimum of 10 people for the retreat to go ahead.
*The cooking/ baking classes are mandatory, but all other activities are optional.
*Flights are not included in the cost of the retreat. Please do not book your flights until we confirm that the retreat is going ahead (around mid-August)
*The Dough House & Quinta Vermelha de Alcaria have business insurance, but we highly recommend that you get your own travel insurance.
*Vegetarians are welcome.

Booking Details
Spaces are limited for this unique Portuguese Dough House experience, so secure your spot by signing up for the pre-list!