The retreat offers six self-sufficient studios, each with a private bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. The two farmhouses accommodate up to twelve women. Five rooms feature shared beds, while one can be shared with a close friend or reserved as a private space.
Here, the simple rituals of the land ground you in the present. The vast sky opens up and with it, so does your mind. In this stillness, clarity returns and transformation begins naturally.
A nature-led stay with Yohan Irani
Overview
Slow & Savour is a five-day stay at Helder Farm Studios, our farm hideout in the Portuguese countryside. We created this stay for people who feel the weight of busy, everyday life and want a few days to step out of it. Out here, surrounded by open fields and the Atlantic coast, it becomes easier to slow down, breathe and feel yourself land again.
Stay
Stay in our rustic farmhouse tucked away in the peaceful valley of southern Portugal, a place where time slows down. In a world that moves too fast, we offer space: to breathe, to listen, to create and to simply be. The stars replace city lights, silence replaces the noise and nature replaces the rush.
Mornings begin with birdsong and soft light over the farm. You might collect eggs still warm from the nest or pick sun-ripened vegetables before joining us for a nourishing breakfast spread.
The stay offers six self-sufficient studios, each with a private bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. The two farmhouses accommodate up to twelve guests. Five rooms feature beds that can be shared with another participant, while one can be shared with a close friend or reserved as a private space.
Here, the simple rituals of the land ground you in the present. The vast sky opens up and with it, so does your mind. In this stillness, there is space to slow down, reconnect and simply enjoy being here.
A day can start with a beach breakfast picnic. You can take a dip in the ocean, feel the Portuguese sun on your face and enjoy breakfast already waiting for you while watching the waves, reading a book or jotting down a few thoughts.
Afterwards, there’s time to relax, perhaps in the sauna or simply wander around the farm and take in the quiet surroundings. Later in the day, a countryside hike leads you through the surrounding fields and hills.
The day comes together around the table with a beautiful dinner prepared by Yohan. His food brings together the flavours of his Indian roots with fresh, seasonal ingredients, creating dishes that are as visually exciting as they are full of flavour. Thoughtfully presented and made to be enjoyed together, each dinner is designed to be a feast for both the eyes and the palate.
The days are shaped by nature, with long hikes, ocean swims, quiet mornings and time outdoors that naturally softens your pace. There is no pressure to be anywhere or achieve anything. You can move, rest or simply sit and watch the landscape shift around you. The idea is simple: when you are close to nature, your body and mind start to settle on their own.
Food is at the heart of the experience. Together with chef Yohan Irani, we have created a stay designed to feast guests both visually and gastronomically. Every meal is about more than simply what is served on the plate. It is about flavour, presentation, ingredients, the table and the feeling created when everyone comes together to eat.
Chef Yohan Irani will be cooking throughout the stay, preparing curated dining moments that are nourishing, generous and deeply flavourful. Shaped by his Indian roots, his life in Ireland and the surrounding Portuguese landscape, his food brings together bold flavours and seasonal ingredients in beautifully presented dishes. From slow breakfasts to vibrant lunches and long dinners, every meal is created to be savoured.
It is a stay for unwinding, eating well, stretching your legs, getting into the ocean and remembering what it feels like to have time again. There is space to read a book, pick up a pen, explore something you haven’t done in a while or simply do nothing at all. Nothing rushed, nothing packed in, just room to slow down and enjoy being here.
A day can start with a beach breakfast picnic. You can take a dip in the ocean, feel the Portuguese sun on your face and enjoy breakfast already waiting for you while watching the waves, reading a book or jotting down a few thoughts.
Afterwards, there’s time to relax, perhaps in the sauna or simply wander around the farm and take in the quiet surroundings. Later in the day, a countryside hike leads you through the surrounding fields and hills.
The day comes together around the table with a beautiful dinner prepared by Yohan. His food brings together the flavours of his Indian roots with fresh, seasonal ingredients, creating dishes that are as visually exciting as they are full of flavour. Thoughtfully presented and made to be enjoyed together, each dinner is designed to be a feast for both the eyes and the palate.
Yohan Irani
Chef
Yohan is an Indian-born and Ireland-based doctor and chef. Having moved to Ireland to complete medical school, he found a love for food, hosting and creative direction. Wanting to take things further, he started hosting supper clubs in Ireland, which later moved to other parts of Europe.
His food is born out of the desire to combine Indian spices and local produce and has been a part of events in Greece, Portugal and Italy. His approach to food is deeply connected to hosting, bringing people together and creating memorable experiences around the table.
Esmée is a photographer and creative spirit with a deep love for storytelling, aesthetics and food. A graduate of the Dutch Photo Academy in Amsterdam, she spent years travelling the world, gathering inspiration that now shapes her work and life.
Rooted in Portugal, she created a unique farm stay where art, nature and hospitality meet. Living close to the land sparked her passion for growing food from seed and, with more time in nature, cooking became a joyful new creative outlet.
Her days are filled with hosting stays and retreats, capturing moments, tending the farm and creating memorable experiences around the table.
Esmée Brandwijk
Co-founder of Helder Farm Studios
What's included
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4-night stay at Helder Farm Studios
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4 nourishing breakfasts
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4 flavourful lunches
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4 dining experiences around the farm
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1 baking workshop
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1 local market visit
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1 yoga practice
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2 long hikes
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1 sauna session
What's not included
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Flights to and from Portugal
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Transport from Santa Clara-Saboia train station to Helder Farm Studios, available for an additional fee of 10 euros
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Travel and medical insurance
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Check-in is on Thursday, 27 May 2027 at 3 PM
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Check-out is on Monday, 31 May 2027 at 10 AM
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Upon booking, you will receive a guest intake form and a more detailed information letter
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Upon booking, you will be charged a service fee. For bank transfers from outside the EU, we kindly ask guests to cover any additional transfer fees on top of the remaining balance
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It’s an international stay and communication will be in English
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Shared Room — €1650 per person
This room is a spacious studio with a bedroom, private bathroom and kitchen. It will be shared with another participant. The bed can be separated into two single beds.
Private or Shared with a Friend — €2150 per room
This room is a spacious studio with a bedroom, private bathroom and outdoor kitchen. This option is for the one who wants more privacy or comes together with a close friend. The bed in this room is fixed and cannot be separated.
If coming with a friend you both pay the shared room price.
Questions
Helder Farm Studios is located in the south of Portugal. The closest airport is Faro, approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes away. Lisbon Airport is also an option, with a drive of approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Both Faro and Lisbon offer train connections to Santa Clara-Saboia, the closest train station to the property and located around 20 minutes away. Pick-up by us can be arranged for an additional fee of €10 round trip.
Yes, you can come with a friend, but travelling alone is also very welcome. This stay is about connection and making new friends throughout the week.
If you are coming together with a friend and would like to share a room, please let us know so we can make sure you are placed together.
Yes, we take allergies and dietary restrictions into account. Please let us know in advance so we can plan accordingly. Keep in mind that this is a culinary stay focused on seasonal ingredients, good food and sharing meals together, so it may be challenging to accommodate highly restrictive diets.
There is a non-refundable deposit of €500 to pay when booking. The remaining amount is due six weeks before the start of the stay.
There is a non-refundable deposit of €500 to pay when booking. You can cancel your stay up to six weeks before the start of the stay. After this, no refund will be given.
If you do need to cancel, please get in touch with us immediately and we will do our best to help.
Please make sure you have travel insurance in case any unforeseen circumstances occur that might affect your travel plans.
Terms & Conditions
Every booking means a lot to us, so please read our terms and conditions before booking.
By making a reservation, you acknowledge and agree to the following terms:
A non-refundable deposit of 500 euro is required to secure your place.
The remaining balance must be paid in full 6 weeks before the start date of the retreat. Failure to do so may result in losing your reservation.The deposit is non-refundable under any circumstances.
If you cancel more than 6 weeks before the retreat, you will receive a refund minus the deposit.
If you cancel within 6 weeks of the retreat start date, no refund will be given.
If the retreat is canceled by the organizers, you will receive a full refund, including the deposit.Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from the retreat location.
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances such as illness, flight cancellations, or emergencies.
The retreat organizers are not responsible for any travel disruptions or delays.Please inform us in advance of any food allergies, dietary restrictions, or medical conditions that may affect your participation.
While we strive to accommodate dietary needs, we cannot guarantee a completely allergen-free environment.Participants acknowledge that they take part in the retreat at their own risk.
The retreat organizers are not liable for any personal injury, illness, loss, or damage of personal belongings.
Guests are responsible for respecting the property, staff, and other participants. Any damage caused must be covered by the guest.The retreat schedule is subject to change due to weather conditions, availability of local ingredients, or unforeseen circumstances.
We reserve the right to modify the itinerary to ensure the best possible experience for our guests.We foster a respectful and inclusive environment. Any disruptive behavior may result in removal from the retreat without refund.
Guests are expected to respect local customs, staff, and fellow participants.
By booking your place, you confirm that you have read and agreed to these terms and conditions.For any questions, please contact us at. We look forward to welcome you!
