Name: Botanical Watercolour Painting and Yoga Holiday Retreat
Start: 2023-09-08T00:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-09-11T00:00:00.000Z
Location: São Bartolomeu de Messines, Portugal

Figs on the Funcho

Email address verified

34 reviews

Sep 8 - 11, 2023

Group size: 4 - 8

Botanical Watercolour Painting and Yoga Holiday Retreat

São Bartolomeu de Messines, Portugal

Book Now

Download Brochure

Figs on the Funcho

Email address verified

34 reviews

Sep 8 - 11, 2023

Group size: 4 - 8

Join us for a rejuvenating getaway with our botanical watercolour painting and yoga holiday! Unleash your inner artist with guidance from our experienced and qualified art tutor during our painting workshops. Plus, with daily yoga sessions, you'll also have the chance to unwind, boost your wellbeing and calm your mind amidst the tranquil beauty of nature.

Our home-from-home, The River House, is the perfect retreat for nature enthusiasts seeking modern comfort, privacy, and peace. This renovated 100-year-old farmhouse riverside property boasts an infinity swimming pool, 5 large bedrooms, and can accommodate up to 10 people with the option of single or double beds.

In addition to the villa, The River House also offers the option of staying in our two luxurious safari tents in the garden with stunning river views. Each tent can accommodate up to 4 guests, providing a unique and immersive nature experience. So, whether you choose to stay in the villa or one of our safari tents, you're sure to have an unforgettable and restorative getaway.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to improve your artistic skills and enjoy the positive healing effects of nature. Book your spot now!

Plastic or cardboard postal tubes to take your rolled artwork home. Paper sizes provided will be no larger than an A3
Your swimming costume to enjoy the pool and watersports on the dam. The water levels may differ depending on the time of the year and drought conditions.
Something warm to relax in at night.
Sun hat and suitable footwear (trainers) for walking to explore different paths and also if you plan to visit the historical town nearby, during free time, as the cobbled roads can be slippery.
Mosquito repellent.
Yoga enthusiasts can make use of available mats for their stretching needs.

Art workshops
12 hours in total of art tuition all day Saturday and Sunday
Art Materials
All art materials: watercolour paints, paper, tracing paper, paint brushes during workshops
Art Equipment
Use of Plein air easels and tabletop art easels, if required
Yoga sessions
3 Yoga workshops on Saturday, Sunday and Monday
Yoga Equipment
Yoga mat, bolster, block, stap
Accommodation
4 nights accommodation
Welcome drinks
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner (vegetarian). Monday breakfast and lunch are combined into a brunch.
Airport Transfer
One airport transfer from Faro airport to the venue (available at 15:00 pick-up time only)
Towels
Bath and swimming pool towels
Wifi
Fibre Optic

Friday
Friday
Welcoming guests from 3pm
Make yourself at home in modern style and comfort, the spacious and airy rooms in The River House provide plenty of relaxation spaces. The large outdoor areas offer terraces in the sunshine, shelter and natural shade. There’s plenty of space for socialising, or you can simply opt out and enjoy the magical ambience in a space of your own.

Figs on the Funcho is a riverside retreat with winding pathways in the garden that has easy waterside access for kayakers, paddle boarders and wild water swimmers.

15h00 - 18h30 Free time

18h30 – 19h30 Sunset drinks and an opportunity to enjoy our gorgeous sunsets

19h30 – 20h30 Al fresco dinner under the Algarve starry sky

20h30 – 22h00 Cheese and Port on the waterfront deck
Read more
Saturday
Saturday
Yoga / Painting Workshop
Enjoy painting workshops led by an experienced and qualified art tutor and enjoy the positive healing effects of nature whilst outdoors.

09h00 – 10h00 Outdoor breakfast with views of the rolling hills

10h00 – 13h00 Botanical watercolour painting class

13h00 – 14h00 Lunch on the sunny terrace

14h00 – 17h00 Botanical watercolour painting class

17h30 – 18h30 Yoga

Evening

18h30 - 19h30 Free time

19h30 – 20h00 Sunset drinks and an opportunity to enjoy our gorgeous sunsets

20h00 – 21h00 Al fresco dinner under the Algarve starry sky

21h00 – 22h00 Cheese and Port on the waterfront deck
Read more
Sunday
Sunday
Yoga / Painting Workshop
Another day to improve your artistic skills and enjoy being close to nature that is known to generate emotions such as calmness, creativity, and joy.

09h00 – 10h00 Outdoor breakfast with views of the rolling hills

10h00 – 13h00 Botanical watercolour painting class

13h00 – 14h00 Lunch on the sunny terrace

14h00 – 17h00 Botanical watercolour painting class

17h30 – 18h30 Yoga

Evening

18h30 - 19h30 Free time

19h30 – 20h00 Sunset drinks and an opportunity to enjoy our gorgeous sunsets

20h00 – 21h00 Al fresco dinner under the Algarve starry sky

21h00 – 22h00 Cheese and Port on the waterfront deck
Read more
Monday
Monday
Yoga / Free Day
Open your body and mind with yoga postures and deep breaths of the clean fresh countryside air under the mature carob trees with accompanying bird song.

After yoga, there are several quiet areas on the property to enjoy and take advantage of the peaceful, tranquil, scenic surroundings. Enjoy bird watching, book a relaxing aromatherapy massage, a stand up paddle boarding lesson, fishermen can find a spot to fish anywhere around the villa or simply chill out by the infinity pool and soak up some much needed vitamin D.

Alternatively, if you would like to explore the Algarve region Cheryl is keen to share her Algarve experiences with you as she loves to explore the area, find new beaches, restaurants and activities and visit the historical villages nearby.

09h00 – 10h00 Morning yoga

10h30 – 11h30 Brunch

11h30 – 18h30 Free Day

Evening

18h30 – 19h30 Sunset drinks and an opportunity to enjoy our gorgeous sunsets

19h30 – 20h30 Al fresco dinner under the Algarve starry sky

20h30 – 22h00 Cheese and Port on the waterfront deck
Read more
Tuesday
Tuesday
Departure Day
After breakfast it is time to say goodbye to your new found friends before heading off to the airport.
Read more

Friday

Welcoming guests from 3pm

Make yourself at home in modern style and comfort, the spacious and airy rooms in The River House provide plenty of relaxation spaces. The large outdoor areas offer terraces in the sunshine, shelter and natural shade. There’s plenty of space for socialising, or you can simply opt out and enjoy the magical ambience in a space of your own.

Figs on the Funcho is a riverside retreat with winding pathways in the garden that has easy waterside access for kayakers, paddle boarders and wild water swimmers.

15h00 - 18h30 Free time

18h30 – 19h30 Sunset drinks and an opportunity to enjoy our gorgeous sunsets

19h30 – 20h30 Al fresco dinner under the Algarve starry sky

20h30 – 22h00 Cheese and Port on the waterfront deck

Christine S.

Brenda L.

Figs on the Funcho

34 reviews

🏆LuxLife Hospitality Award: Algarve's Most Idyllic Riverside Retreat 2023 Cheryl & Graham, co-founders of Figs on the Funcho, share their love for the Algarve through culinary, walking & painting packages. With 20 years of experience, they explore the best beaches, restaurants, and villages for a memorable experience. Passionate about cooking, they draw inspiration from culinary experts like Ottolenghi, Ixta Belfrage, Sami Tamimi, and Jamie Oliver. Their retreats offer healthy and delicious vegetarian meals, delighting all taste buds.

I had a fantastic time at the "Portuguese Spice Route: A Brunch Cooking Workshop en-route to India" at Figs on the Funcho, recently. Graham and Cheryl were excellent hosts, and the workshop was well-organized, interactive, and a lot of fun. The hands-on experience was great, with everyone getting involved in the cooking process. Our hosts made sure we all had the chance to participate, whether it was chopping, mixing spices, or cooking, which really brought the group together and made it feel like a shared culinary adventure. We learned how to prepare a range of dishes that highlighted flavours from the spice route—each with the unique spices and flavours from the regions along the historic spice route, from Portugal to India. The recipe selection was a perfect way to showcase the spices and ingredients from each region, and the hosts made everything easy to follow. I loved how approachable the dishes were—easy for recreating at home but still packed with rich, authentic flavours. The setting was another highlight. Their home and property are absolutely beautiful, and dining outside in the warm autumn afternoon with a view of the valley made the meal even more enjoyable. Sharing the dishes we all helped prepare while taking in the scenery was the perfect end to the workshop. I highly recommend this experience. Whether you're an experienced cook or just looking to try something new, it's a fun and memorable way to spend the day!

By Carrie C for Portuguese Spice Route: A brunch cooking workshop en-route to India on Oct 16, 2024

The cooking class at Figs on the Funcho was wonderful. Graham and Cherly were so hospitable and friendly. The food was interesting and delicious and the company was fantastic. It was a fun day in a peaceful and beautiful location. Thank you

By Aliya J for Portuguese Spice Route: A brunch cooking workshop en-route to India on Oct 16, 2024

It was a wonderful experience, which I highly recommend. Great venue & accommodation, delicious food, fun group of people, lovely art & yoga teachers. Such a great place to relax and enjoy something different for a few days.

By Marcia L for Botanical Watercolour Painting & Yoga Holiday Retreat September on Oct 03, 2024

we had a really great time. perfect setting and really comfortable accommodation. Vegetarian meals excellent and lovely people. Highly recommend

By Fiona M for Botanical Watercolour Painting & Yoga Holiday Retreat September on Oct 03, 2024

As I live in the Algarve I was allowed to join this trip on a non-residential basis, so travelled back and forth each day. Cheryl and Graham were wonderful hosts, friendly and welcoming. Always with a fresh pot of tea or coffee and the most delicious lunches each day. The house is pretty isolated, so if you are looking for a very quiet get-away, this is certainly the place to be. Definitely room to relax, meditate and get away from it all. I met the most lovely people from various parts of the world and they all seemed to love staying there. They certainly loved the early morning yoga and afternoon massages! The art course was just as described; an opportunity to experiment with various different mediums and techniques. It was fun to experiment and discover the effects, and we certainly had some laughs along the way. All in all, a great experience!