A quiet hillside in the Alentejo near the village of São Martinho das Amoreiras, with cork oaks, olive trees and a pool.
Work starts early, because by the middle of the afternoon the light is flat and the stone is warm. Breakfast is at eight, and tools go down after lunch, at about two o'clock.
The rest of the day is yours. You might sleep, swim in the pool, walk a stretch of the Rota Vicentina, or go to Santa Clara lake, about fifteen minutes away by car.
The evenings are free too, and nobody organises them. Find your own dinner in the village or further afield, cook in your house, or sit outside and watch the light go.
The group stays together at Monte Maravilhas, an 8.5-hectare estate a couple of kilometres from São Martinho das Amoreiras, at the foot of the Monchique hills. Your contribution covers your stay for the whole week.
There is a saltwater pool in the valley between the orange trees, natural stone terraces with deck chairs, an orchard of figs, olives and oranges, and Wi-Fi. The Rota Vicentina walking trail passes through the land. We decide who sleeps where, with Steven, once the group is known. You do not pick a house. Rooms are usually shared; tell us if you would like one to yourself.
The estate has these places to sleep:
Wooden floors, reed furniture and a stone terrace with loungers.
A private terrace with comfortable chairs, under the vines.
On its own on the hilltop, with a long view over the valley.
The smallest house, with a wood stove.
Shared kitchens, showers and a terrace with hammocks in the two camping buildings.
Included in your contribution. Lunch is eaten together, in the shade nearest the wall.
Breakfast and lunch are made for you every day of the course, with local food and whatever is good that week.
Vegetarian and vegan food is no trouble. Tell us about allergies when you book and we will take them seriously.
Dinner is not included, so you can eat where and when you like. These are places we recommend in the village, all a few minutes' walk from each other.
Estrada Nacional 123, São Martinho das Amoreiras
A warm, colourful café and restaurant in the village, cooking with local produce: pizza from the oven, curries, salads and good desserts, with plenty for vegetarians and vegans. No alcohol is served, but there is a bar across the road.
Open Friday to Tuesday, 12:00 to 21:00. Closed Wednesday and Thursday. The kitchen closes from 15:00 to 18:00.
São Martinho das Amoreiras
The village café, with a wooden counter, friendly people behind it and a shady terrace at the back full of plants. Go for good coffee, a simple plate of food or an ice cream after a hot afternoon. It opens early and stays open into the evening.
Open Wednesday to Sunday, 7:30 to 21:00. Closed Monday and Tuesday.
Rua do Mercado 3-5, São Martinho das Amoreiras
A small Japanese restaurant in the village, cooking everything fresh: sushi, teriyaki, yakisoba, and a chocolate cake people talk about. It is small and popular, so book a table.
Open Wednesday to Friday, 12:00 to 15:30 and 18:00 to 21:30. Saturday lunch only, 12:00 to 15:30. Closed Sunday to Tuesday.
More places to eat come with your booking.
Fly to Faro or Lisbon, then hire a car. Faro is about an hour and a half away, Lisbon about two and a half. Transfers from Faro airport, Funcheira train station or Ourique bus station can be arranged.
Tell us when you arrive and we will help with the last part of the journey. People often arrive on the same day and share a car.
The mornings are hard physical work, outdoors, with stone. You will be tired and you will sleep well.
The rest of the time is a retreat, with slow meals in quiet countryside and no traffic or hurry.
