South Alentejo, Portugal
Imagine
Waking up at a farmstead in a verdant valley, close enough to explore neighbouring towns and nearby beaches, yet far enough to let you truly unwind. A place where the sun rises early over the wine groves and sets behind a softly sloped hill, painting the sky in hues of burnt orange and deep purple.
The days stretch slowly here, measured in swims, shared meals and the laughter of new friends. During this week, we’ll embrace the simple pleasures of Portuguese life. A culinary experience at its heart, the retreat invites you to slow down, savour and connect, through food, nature and meaningful conversation.
Alongside the warmth of Portuguese hospitality, you’ll experience the depth and vibrancy of Indian flavours—woven into our meals, workshops and shared moments, creating a space where two rich food cultures meet and memories are made around the table.
Food
Rooted in the traditions of Indian and Portuguese cuisine, this retreat is a celebration of flavor, connection and the simple joy of gathering. Our guest chef, born in India and now based in Ireland, brings a deep appreciation for the richness of Indian cooking, where spices add more than just flavor. They reflect a long heritage of regional traditions and family recipes passed down through generations. At this retreat, we bring these two culinary worlds together.
Set on our farm in the South of Alentejo—surrounded by orchards, olive trees and the Atlantic coast, we source sun-ripened vegetables, fresh seafood and high-quality meat, combining them with Indian spices and techniques.
Stay
Stay at our rustic farmhouse in a small valley called Montinho do Gois. Wake-up with the sound of the birds overlooking the vegetable garden while a nourishing brunch can be enjoyed together.
This is an intimate retreat where we offer six self sufficient studios with each their own bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. The two farmhouses accommodate up to 12 participants. The 6 rooms will be shared and offer shared beds.
During the retreat, expect sunrise swims in the ocean, generous granola breakfasts, hands-on daytime workshops led by Yohan and long, communal dinners beneath the olive trees.
Daily schedule example:
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Morning hike
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Big granola breakfast with homemade yoghurt
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Free time to wander around
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Workshop Preserving & Pickling
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Communal Lunch
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Afternoon Swim
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Indian inspired flatbread diner by the pizza oven
Daily schedule example:
-
Morning hike
-
Big granola breakfast with homemade yoghurt
-
Free time to wander around
-
Workshop Preserving & Pickling
-
Communal Lunch
-
Afternoon Swim
-
Indian inspired flatbread diner by the pizza oven
A Day at the Retreat
During the retreat, expect sunrise swims in the ocean, generous granola breakfasts, hands-on daytime workshops led by Yohan and long, communal dinners beneath the olive trees.
Meet the Hosts
Esmee Brandwijk
Co-founder of Helder Farm Studios
Meet our 25-year-old art/fashion photographer, a Dutch Photo Academy Amsterdam graduate. With experience in producing photo and video projects, she brings a keen sense of content creation to Helder Farm Studios.
Specializing in human and natural forms, she’s developed an unique artistic style within photography and pottery. She’ll play a crucial role in organizing events on the property and contributing fresh ideas to enhance our farmstead experience.
Besides that, she is taking care of the landscaping, can often be found in the vegetable garden and greenhouse or preparing nourishing meals in the kitchen.
Yohan Irani
Chef
Yohan is an Indian born and Ireland based doctor and chef. Having moved to Ireland to complete medical school, he found love in 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 and Italy.
Daily cooking sessions.
Daily movement: hikes, swim and yoga.
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4 x dinner;
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4 x brunch;
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1 x preserving & pickling workshop;
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1 x local food market trip;
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1 x jam making workshop;
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1 x tablescaping workshop;
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1 x indian inspired food workshop.
What's included
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Flight to/from Portugal
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Transport from airport to Helder Farm Studios (provided for additional fee)
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Travel/medical insurance
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Shared room
This room is a spacious studio with bedroom, private bathroom and kitchen. Will be shared with another participant. This bed can be separated.
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Private or shared friend room
This room is a spacious studio with bedroom, private bathroom and outdoor kitchen. This room is for the one who wants more privacy or comes together with a close friend. This bed is a fixed bed and can’t be separated.
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FAQs
Helder Farm Studios is located in the South of Portugal. The closest airport is Faro, 1 hour and 25 minutes.
Lisbon airport is also an option, 2 hours and 30 minute drive.
Both Faro and Lisbon offer a train to Santa Clara Saboia, 20 minutes from the property, pick-up by us for a small additional fee.
Yes you can come with a friend, but traveling alone is also an option. This retreat is about connection and making new friends along the week.
If you come together with a friend, please let us know, so we can give you the same room.
Yes, we will take allergies and dietary into account.
There is a non-refundable deposit of 500 euro to pay when booking. The remaining amount is due 6 weeks before the retreat.
There is a non-refundable deposit of 500 euro to pay when booking. You can cancel your stay up to 6 weeks before the start of the retreat,
after this no refund will be given.
If you do want to cancel, please get in touch 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!
