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Discover Portuguese World Cuisine – Riverside Cooking Holiday

Highlights

  • Stunning accommodation with meals and airport transfers included
  • Daily cooking classes. Learn new recipes, techniques and flavours!
  • Learn to cook seafood, vegetarian and iconic Portuguese dishes
  • Dive into the rich blend of Indian-Portuguese and Mozambican flavours
From £873 pp*
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4 nights

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What you'll do

Overview

Discover new flavours and recipes from around the world on this unique 4 night cooking holiday set in a stunning riverside villa with outdoor pool, amazing views and cosy elegant rooms

2026 Dates:
10th - 14th April
22nd - 26th May
9th - 13th October

2027 Dates:
9th - 13th April
15th - 19th October

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Discover new flavours and recipes from around the world on this unique 4 night cooking holiday set in a stunning riverside villa with outdoor pool, amazing views and cosy elegant rooms

2026 Dates:
10th - 14th April
22nd - 26th May
9th - 13th October

2027 Dates:
9th - 13th April
15th - 19th October

Join us at this luxury riverside retreat in the stunning Algarve, Winner of the LuxLife Hospitality Award: Best Culinary Boutique Retreats 2024 -Portugal

Embark on an extraordinary culinary odyssey, ‘Portugal’s Spice Route and Beyond,’ where you’ll travel through time and continents, immersing yourself in a fusion of history, culture, and gastronomy that shaped Portugal’s remarkable legacy.

Inspired by the  renowned Spice Route, where precious Asian spices ignited a global trade revolution. The Portuguese Discoveries of the 15th and 16th centuries expanded Portugal’s influence across Africa, the Americas and Asia, and introduced exotic spices to Europe.

Discover and learn to cook delicious seafood and vegetarian recipes, alongside savouring fine Portuguese wines.

You will enjoy iconic Portuguese dishes like Bacalhau, Cataplana, and Cod Fish Cakes, but also delve into the melding of Indian, African, South American  and Portuguese flavours, with indulgent curries and seafood delicacies, giving you the opportunity to taste new flavours and learn recipes to incorporate into your cooking at home. 

This host also offers Vegetarian Ottolenghi Inspired Cooking Break in the Algarve with different dates.

*From price based on two people sharing a Glamping tent with a shared bathroom

Arrival

Settle into the river house and your room before enjoying a group welcome dinner.

Accommodation

Nestled in a nature reserve in the hills of Messines, the river house is the perfect place for those looking to relax and enjoy their holiday. There are large decks and terraces for outdoor dining, an infinity pool, and spectacular views of the countryside and river dam.

The villa boasts spectacular sunsets, sunrises and walking trails all around, and the town of Messines is a 15 minute drive and Silves is a 30 minute drive away.

The villa features 5 spacious and fully air-conditioned double/twin bedrooms; 2 bedrooms downstairs with ensuite bathrooms and 3 bedrooms upstairs with a large communal bathroom. The comfortable rooms are stylishly decorated, maintaining many traditional features such as wooden beams. The upstairs rooms are flooded with natural light thanks to the skylights, and the downstairs rooms have double doors leading out onto the garden.

The villa also boasts light and airy social spaces; a high-ceiling lounge and kitchen with a center island and a cherry wood dining table. The lovely outdoor terrace is perfect for alfresco dining by the water.

Located on the property there are also 3 eco-friendly glamping tents each with twin or double beds, electricity, decking with chairs outside the entrance. For any guests staying within the tents there is a shared bathroom with power plus a large shower and a separate toilet.

Market Visit & African Inspired cuisine

Prepare for a day that will electrify your senses and ignite your passion for Portuguese international cuisine!

After breakfast we will visit the local market in Messines where we will collect ingredients for our African creations such as Goan curries and Macoun delights which are a true symphony of flavours.

Our evening dinner is a flavourful reunion with the dishes we’ve passionately crafted during our cooking class. This experience is a heartfelt celebration of Portuguese International flavours—an adventure you’ll cherish long after the sun dips below the horizon. Get ready for a day that will tantalize, inspire, and warm your heart!

 

Winery Visit and Culinary Adventure

Begin your day with a typical Portuguese brunch.

Our journey starts as we head to a local vineyard, where you will take a tour and have the opportunity to try some award winning wines accompanied by local tapas.

In the late afternoon, immerse yourself in our engaging cooking lessons and demonstrations, where we’ll explore the art of crafting Portuguese spice route inspired recipes. The kitchen becomes a canvas as we prepare these delectable dishes.

As the sun sets, we gather to enjoy the fruits of our labour—a sumptuous dinner thoughtfully paired with exquisite Portuguese wines, a fitting culmination to a day filled with culinary exploration and delightful flavours.

Delicious Portuguese Recipes

Get ready for a day that kick-starts with a burst of vitality! We’ll greet the morning with a refreshing breakfast, complete with freshly squeezed oranges—nature’s energy in a glass.

Lunchtime join us for a fun Pastéis de Bacalhau com Queijo – Codfish Cakes with Cheese.

In the afternoon, we’ll embark on a leisurely countryside walk, where tranquillity meets inspiration, and your senses are set free, or simply unwind at our venue—a lazy afternoon, tailor-made for you.

Late afternoon brings a culinary spectacle. We’ll learn to make the authentic Algarve Cataplana dish alongside some vegetarian accompaniments. And when the sun dips below the horizon, we’ll come together for a memorable dinner paired with fine wines. It’s a grand finale you won’t want to miss!

Departure Day

After our final wholesome breakfast, we will pack up and say our goodbyes before returning home with a repertoire of new recipes and new cooking skills to enjoy with friends and family at home. 

 

What's included

Included

  • 4 nights accommodation
  • Airport transfers to and from Faro Airport (at a specified time)
  • Welcome drinks
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily and wine with evening meals
  • Daily cooking tuition and all ingredients
  • Local market visit
  • Local winery visit with wine tasting and tapas
  • Swimming pool

Accommodation

Glamping Tent with Shared Bathroom Purple Room Shared Bathroom Zebra Room Shared Bathroom Green Room Shared Bathroom Teal Room Ensuite Main Room Ensuite
Glamping Tent with Shared Bathroom
Glamping Tent with Shared Bathroom
Glamping Tent with Shared Bathroom

Glamping Tent with Shared Bathroom

These Glamping tents can be set up as a double or twin beds, included within the tent is, electricity, duvet, linens, towels, anti-allergy fibre pillows, mosquito net doors.

There is shared outside (covered) bathroom with a walk-in large shower, mirror and hairdryer plus a separate toilet.

Each tent has an outside seating area.

Facilities

Shared bathroom Double or twin beds Balcony or terrace
Purple Room Shared Bathroom
Purple Room Shared Bathroom
Purple Room Shared Bathroom

Purple Room Shared Bathroom

This room is located on the first floor (upstairs).

Spacious and characterful room with double skylights, perfect to take in the intense skies and star show at night.

It shares the large family bathroom, with walk-in power shower, double washbasin and complimentary toiletries.

Facilities

Shared bathroom Air conditioning and heating Double or twin beds
Zebra Room Shared Bathroom
Zebra Room Shared Bathroom
Zebra Room Shared Bathroom

Zebra Room Shared Bathroom

This room is located on the first floor (upstairs).

This bedroom with river views has a twin bed set-up, which can be made into a double on request.

Black out curtains allow for a longer lie-in.

A Juliet Balcony overlooks the Funcho Dam and panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

It shares a large family bathroom, with a walk-in power shower and double washbasins.

Facilities

Shared bathroom River View Air conditioning and heating Double or twin beds
Green Room Shared Bathroom
Green Room Shared Bathroom
Green Room Shared Bathroom

Green Room Shared Bathroom

This room is located on the first floor (upstairs).

This twin/double bedroom is full of character with rustic, wooden beams and a Juliet Balcony that overlooks the Pool and Funcho Dam below.

The most beautiful sunsets can be seen from this level and you can sleep in longer with the black out curtain.

It shares a large family bathroom, which has a walk-in power shower and double wash basins.

Facilities

Shared bathroom Air conditioning and heating River View Double or twin beds
Teal Room Ensuite
Teal Room Ensuite
Teal Room Ensuite

Teal Room Ensuite

This room is located on the ground floor with a large en-suite bathroom.

Shades of blue and teal give the room a calming and luxurious feel.

Double doors open out onto the lawn area and infinity pool with wonderful panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

The bathroom has a walk-in power shower fitted with grab handles.

Facilities

En suite bathroom Balcony or terrace Air conditioning and heating Hairdryer Double or twin beds
Main Room Ensuite
Main Room Ensuite
Main Room Ensuite

Main Room Ensuite

This room is located on the ground floor.

The largest bedroom in the house with its own beautiful en-suite bathroom.

This room has double doors leading onto the Sunset Terrace, lawn area and infinity pool beyond.

The bathroom has a walk-in power shower with grab handles and ‘his & hers’ washbasins.

Facilities

En suite bathroom Balcony or terrace Air conditioning and heating Hairdryer Double or twin beds
Your local host

Cheryl and Graham

Having always returned to the Algarve region in Portugal for many years, Cheryl and her husband Graham decided that this was where they wanted to set up home. With over 300 sunny days per year, fabulous beaches, good food and award-winning wine, combined with the friendly approach and relaxed style of the Portuguese, it’s not hard to imagine why.

Their inspiring journey and adventures in the Algarve are chronicled in Alyson Sheldrake’s book, “A New Life in the Algarve Portugal.” 
Featured on ‘A New Life in the Sun’ and ‘Where Are They Now,’ this dynamic duo brings over 25 years of expertise in unveiling the Algarve’s top beaches, eateries, and villages f... Read All

Having always returned to the Algarve region in Portugal for many years, Cheryl and her husband Graham decided that this was where they wanted to set up home. With over 300 sunny days per year, fabulous beaches, good food and award-winning wine, combined with the friendly approach and relaxed style of the Portuguese, it’s not hard to imagine why.

Their inspiring journey and adventures in the Algarve are chronicled in Alyson Sheldrake’s book, “A New Life in the Algarve Portugal.” 
Featured on ‘A New Life in the Sun’ and ‘Where Are They Now,’ this dynamic duo brings over 25 years of expertise in unveiling the Algarve’s top beaches, eateries, and villages for unforgettable experiences. Their story, intricately woven into the fabric of the Algarve, adds an extra layer of authenticity to your journey.

Enthusiastic about Mediterranean and Middle Eastern culinary cuisine, Cheryl and Graham derive inspiration not only from their favourite chefs like Ottolenghi, Belfrage, and Tamimi but also from the vibrant tapestry of the Mediterranean Diet and lifestyle. Their cooking style reflects bold flavours, a variety of spices, the use of fresh herbs, and a dedication to highlighting the inherent qualities of ingredients.

Welcome to a journey of discovery and flavour!

 

 

Cheryl and Graham image

Location

Stay in an exceptional villa tucked into the bend of a river in Portugal’s Algarve countryside, just 15 minutes from the town of Messines and Silves a 30 minute drive away. Lovingly known as ‘The River House’, it will leave you feeling relaxed, inspired and very much at home. With terraces overlooking surrounding countryside, limitless walking trails and a starry night sky, there isn’t a more idyllic place to perfect your artistic skills.

Getting there: 

Nearest airport:
Faro – 35 minutes away by car

Pre-booked transfers:
There are complimentary transfers on the arrival and departure days from Faro Airport.

On the arrival day the airport pick-up will be at 3pm for the group, if you wish to take this transfer please choose flights with this pick up time in mind.

On the departure day the transfer to Faro Airport will be after breakfast around 10am. Please ensure your flight departure time is not before 1pm, if you wish to take this transfer.

If you choose flights which will not work with these times alternative airport transfers can be arranged, for an extra charge.

 

What our travellers are saying...

"Cheryl and Graham were wonderful hosts who guided us through cooking a wide array of delectable Portuguese, Goan, South Africa and Macaun dishes. My husband made the most delicious orange cake having never baked before. The villa is in such a relaxing and picturesque spot. A beautiful setting in which to unwind in between the cookery workshops."

Claris D'cruz

"Amazing cooking class, Graham and Cheryl were so hospitable and friendly. We learnt how to cook some delicious dishes and have fun with the other people who came along. I would highly recommend."

Aliya J

"A wonderful few days with excellent host and hostess. The cookery was fun and informative. The area was very beautiful. We learnt so much. I totally recommend staying and doing this course. I do hope to return and see them again."

Madeleine K

What an amazing holiday we had. From the moment we arrived we felt at home and relaxed. It was a pleasure to cook the delicious food and of course to enjoy it afterwards. A big thank you for an unforgettable adventure.

Heather Robinson

What a really lovely experience, in a beautiful house having the opportunity to relax or wander in the countryside. Cooking so many fabulous dishes, alongside others in such an informal but well organised kitchen, and have the joy of eating so many different dishes. Most of all I enjoyed being part of your family and sharing a relaxed, friendly and chatty time.

Elaine England

What a very special place! In a beautiful riverside setting this was the perfect venue for a cooking course. Very comfortable rooms (mine had a view of the infinity pool), well equipped kitchen and charming company. Graham & Cheryl are the perfect hosts with nothing being too much trouble from arrival to departure. We worked our way through many Portuguese and Portuguese influenced dishes. There was a visit to a small local market and museum and

Jonathan R
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FAQs

Who is it suitable for?

- Suitable for all cooking abilities from beginners to advanced
- Minimum age 18 with no upper age limit

I'm travelling solo - can I join?

- Solo travellers are more than encouraged to join as you will meet others with similar interests in the group
- You can book your own private room

What time is check-in?

Check in is after 2pm and check out is after breakfast on day 7

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