This April, Figs on the Funcho, an award-winning riverside retreat in the Algarve countryside near São Bartolomeu de Messines, is hosting a series of hands-on cooking workshops inspired by Portugal’s historic spice routes.
Taking place on 11th, 12th and 13th April (10:45–15:00), each workshop offers a relaxed, small-group experience where guests cook together using warming spices and fresh, seasonal ingredients. The menus are largely vegetarian, with some dishes incorporating fish, reflecting both the diversity of the spice route and the coastal influences of Portuguese cuisine.
The sessions explore how Portuguese seafarers brought back flavours from Africa, Asia and beyond—shaping a cuisine that remains globally connected today. Alongside the cooking, participants are introduced to the stories behind the dishes, offering a deeper understanding of how food, culture and exploration intertwine.
Each workshop concludes with a shared, brunch-style meal enjoyed together, accompanied by a glass of wine.
Workshop details and booking: https://figsonthefuncho.com/workshop-theme/portuguese-spice-route/
For those wishing to immerse themselves more fully, a 5-day Portuguese Spice Route cooking holiday (10–14 April) is also taking place. This extended experience explores how Portugal’s historic spice routes shaped global cuisine, culture and trade—connecting Europe with Africa, Asia and beyond through centuries of seafaring exploration. From the Algarve’s ports, Portuguese navigators carried spices, ideas and culinary traditions that continue to influence kitchens from Mozambique to Goa today.
Cooking holiday details: https://figsonthefuncho.com/holiday-theme/portuguese-spice-route-cooking-holiday/
For readers who would like to stay informed about upcoming workshops, countryside walks and retreat experiences, there is also a dedicated WhatsApp events group, where new dates and seasonal experiences are shared: https://chat.whatsapp.com/CbeAVHIHFXkAfaPTFtH6H4
Set in a peaceful riverside location, Figs on the Funcho offers a thoughtful, experience-led approach to travel—bringing together food, history and a sense of place in a way that feels both grounded and memorable.
Figs on the Funcho
LuxLife Hospitality Award: Best Culinary Boutique Retreats and Mediterranean Style Cooking Holiday of the year 2024 - Portugal
Innovation & Excellence Awards: Specialist Venue of the Year 2024 - Portugal
LuxLife Hospitality Award: Most Idyllic Riverside Retreat 2023 - Algarve
Finalist Algarve Business Awards: Tourism and Hospitality 2024
Semi Finalist Algarve Business Awards: Sustainability 2024
W: https://figsonthefuncho.com/
