Figs on the Funcho

18/07/2025

Host your own retreat in Portugal - immersed in nature at a riverside location. Calling all book clubs, art tutors, creative writers or chefs.
I’d be delighted to answer any questions you may have and discuss how we can support you in bringing your retreat to life.

At Figs on the Funcho, we host our own creative retreats and welcome artists and educators to lead their own. You bring your vision and your community, and I’m here to support the flow — from preparing nourishing meals to organising optional riverside walks, and historical and cultural outings. ...

27/06/2025

Curious about what it's like to take part in a global bird count? Read all about my experience during my very first Global Big Day Bird Count in the article below. It was an inspiring day spent in nature, observing our feathered friends.

Will you join me next year?

On May 10, 2025, I joined 69,510 birders from around the world in celebrating the Global Big Day, an annual event organised by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to promote birdwatching and conservation through citizen science. Together, we submitted 174,488 checklists and ident...

11/06/2025

Our cooking holiday 2025 dates — or plan ahead with one of our inspiring 2026 cooking holidays. Click on image for for information

Join us at Figs on the Funcho for a riverside cooking retreat in the Algarve, Portugal. From Portuguese spice routes to Mediterranean-inspired dishes, our award-winning cooking holidays combine hands-on learning, delicious food, and peaceful nature. Book your culinary escape today! #...

11/06/2025

Discover our 2025 art holiday dates — or plan ahead with one of our inspiring 2026 retreats

Join us at Figs on the Funcho for an inspiring art holiday in the Algarve. Whether you love mixed media or botanical watercolours, our tranquil riverside retreat is the perfect place to relax, create, and connect with like-minded artists. Explore 2025 and 2026 dates and plan your creative escape tod...

28/05/2025

🌿 It’s been a busy few weeks here at Figs on the Funcho — and things aren’t slowing down anytime soon.

We just waved goodbye to a lovely group who privately rented the property for their own yoga retreat. To mix things up, they invited our talented local artist Rita to run a relaxing watercolour class — a perfect way to unwind between sessions.

Now, we’re hosting a tailored holiday for six guests visiting from Israel, enjoying a couples retreat-style adventure. Their bespoke itinerary includes everything from Fado evenings and cooking workshops to massage days — all designed to help them truly unwind.

From yoga classes to kayaking, walking tours to wine tastings, we love helping our guests create a trip that’s as relaxed or adventurous as they’d like — with none of the planning stress.

It’s been a fantastic start to 2025. Next up? A full season of art retreats, followed by a short summer break in July and August for private holiday rentals. After that, we head into a mix of cooking and creative holidays to close out the year.

📩 Head to the link in our bio to explore upcoming retreats — a few still have limited availability!

25/05/2025

Wandering through the countryside, we were greeted by the vibrant beauty of wild thistles swaying gently in the breeze — a quiet reminder of nature’s resilience and charm. Just beyond, the river sparkled in the sunlight, winding its way beneath the bridge that our peaceful riverside retreat overlooks.

This is summer at its most serene — a place to reconnect with nature, breathe in the fresh air, and simply slow down.

We still have a few self-catering holiday spaces available in June and July, perfect for anyone seeking a quiet escape surrounded by nature.

During your stay, Cheryl and Graham will be happy to help you plan unforgettable experiences — from scenic walks and cultural visits to water-sport activities and delicious local dining. We’re here to make your time at Figs on the Funcho truly special.

Come and make memories by the river 🌿🌊

09/05/2025

This Saturday, May 10th, join birders around the world for — the Spring Bird Count! 🦅🦆🦩🐦‍⬛🦉

Whether you're a seasoned birder or a curious beginner, every sighting counts toward conservation, education, and research.

👀 Grab your binoculars, download the free eBird app, and step outside to spot and log the birds around you. It’s fun, easy to do, and you’ll be part of birding’s biggest global team.

🦉 Save the date: 10 May 2025
🐦‍⬛ Get your free eBird account
🦩 Log what you see or hear
🦆 Watch the global results live

📍Don’t forget to check the bird count for Mainland Portugal 🇵🇹—and see how other countries are doing too! Let’s help put our feathered friends on the global map!

✨New to eBird? Take the free eBird Essentials course to get started and make your sightings count even more!

🔗 Full details and how to participate:
https://ebird.org/news/global-big-day-10-may-2025

Will you be participating?

Global Big Day is an annual celebration of the birds around you. No matter where you are, join us virtually on 10 May, help celebrate World Migratory Bird Day, and share the birds you find with eBird.

24/04/2025

🌞 We’re already a quarter of the way through the year — and we’ve hosted some fantastic cooking holidays here at Figs on the Funcho.

This is the time of year when things start to get really busy — and we’re excited to share what’s coming up next.

Whether you’re dreaming of joining one of our cooking or art retreats, or looking to privately hire our riverside Portugal property for a family holiday, wedding, or creative gathering — we’d love to hear from you.

🗓️ We’re already receiving enquiries for 2026 and 2027, so if you're planning ahead, now’s a great time to get in touch.

📩 Visit our website to check upcoming dates or send us a message.

24/04/2025

🌞 We’re already a quarter of the way through the year — and we’ve hosted some fantastic cooking holidays here at Figs on the Funcho.

This is the time of year when things start to get really busy — and we’re excited to share what’s coming up next.

Whether you’re dreaming of joining one of our cooking or art retreats, or looking to privately hire our riverside Portugal property for a family holiday, wedding, or creative gathering — we’d love to hear from you.

🗓️ We’re already receiving enquiries for 2026 and 2027, so if you’re planning ahead, now’s a great time to get in touch.

📩 Head to the link in our bio to check upcoming dates or drop us a message.
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18/04/2025

In between cooking, there’s always time for a little silliness 🤪

One thing our guests often say? “I didn’t expect to feel this relaxed.”

Many cooking holidays can feel a bit… regimented. That’s not our style.

At Figs, it’s collaborative and easy-going — you’ll team up, cook a dish, share stories, and laugh a lot along the way. Whether you’re confident in the kitchen or just curious, there’s space for everyone to join in and feel at home.

And whenever we have the opportunity, we like to throw in a surprise dance routine — and yes, they always go down a treat.

A big thank you to our incredible guests — it’s your energy and openness that make each retreat so special 💛

Fancy joining our next vegetarian cooking holiday for free?

Head to our profile and check out the giveaway post — entries close 20th April at 12pm BST! Don’t miss your chance 🌿👩‍🍳✨

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08/04/2025

🌿 “Absolutely beautiful place... the hosts were so lovely and accommodating… the food was out of this world.” 🌿

Whether you’re after peaceful nature escapes, slow travel in Portugal, or just a break from the noise—Figs on the Funcho is the kind of place that stays with you.

✨ Stunning views, thoughtful details, and a warm welcome from your hosts, Cheryl & Graham.

It’s more than a stay. It’s a chance to unplug, reconnect, and breathe again.

🍃 Ready for your Algarve getaway?
Book your stay → [link in bio]

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24/03/2025

A Taste of Portugal on a Board 🧀🍇✨

Indulge in the rich flavours of Portugal with our beautifully curated cheese board, featuring a delicious selection of Portuguese cheese, sweet dates, traditional fig cake, crunchy almonds, homemade marmalade (quince jam), and juicy grapes. Each bite is a journey through local flavours, celebrating the region’s culinary heritage.

Perfect for sharing, savouring, and pairing with a glass of port as the sun sets over the river.
Who’s joining us for a taste? 🍷🌿