Portugal’s Spice Route & Beyond – A Portuguese Cooking Holiday in the Algarve

At Figs on the Funcho, this award-winning Portuguese Spice Route cooking holiday brings that history to life through hands-on cooking, local market visits, and shared meals in a peaceful riverside setting in the Algarve.

This April departure will be documented by a travel journalist joining as a guest.

Why Choose This Cooking Holiday

This immersive culinary retreat is designed for food lovers seeking a thoughtful, sustainable, and culturally rooted experience. You’ll cook vegetarian and fish-based interpretations of traditional dishes inspired by Portugal’s historic spice routes, enjoy local wines, and slow down to savour both flavour and place.

Award Recognition

Culinary & Experiential Awards

• LuxLife Food & Drink Awards 2025 – Portuguese Spice Culinary Retreat (Winner)

• LuxLife Food & Drink Awards 2024 – Mediterranean Style Cooking Holiday (Winner)

Hospitality & Destination Awards

• LUXLife Hospitality Excellence Awards 2025 – Art & Culinary Wellness Escapes (Winner)

• LuxLife Hospitality Awards 2023 – Most Idyllic Riverside Retreat (Winner)

Portuguese Spice Route Itinerary

A relaxed, five-day culinary journey combining history, hands-on cooking, and riverside living in the Algarve.

Day 1: Arrival – Welcome to Figs on the Funcho

Arrive at The River House and settle into your surroundings before gathering for a relaxed welcome evening. Enjoy a drink and a selection of Portuguese tapas, followed by a seasonal dinner prepared by Cheryl and Graham.
The evening winds down with biscuits, cheese, and a glass of Port under the Algarve stars.

Day 2: Portuguese Flavours and Traditions

After an early breakfast, we head to the local market to source fresh ingredients for the day’s cooking. A guided market visit introduces guests to ingredients that shaped Portugal’s historic spice routes, with selected produce later used in the afternoon cooking workshop. Along the way, we pause for coffee and pastries and visit the birthplace of João de Deus, offering a glimpse into local cultural heritage.

Back at Figs on the Funcho, guests take part in a hands-on cooking session, preparing a light lunch using ingredients purchased at the market. The afternoon is free for rest and relaxation by the river or pool.

In the evening, join our cataplana cooking workshop, learning the techniques behind this iconic Algarve dish, served with a selection of Portuguese wines.

Day 3: African Influences – A Culinary and Wine Adventure

The day begins with a cooking-led brunch inspired by African spice routes. Later, we visit a wine farm on the banks of the River Arade, enjoying a tasting of their wines accompanied by regional tapas.

Returning to the villa, the afternoon cooking session and dinner focus on the aromatic flavours of South Africa’s Cape Malay cuisine, adapted thoughtfully for vegetarian and fish-based cooking.

Day 4: The Global Portuguese Kitchen

After breakfast, explore the vibrant flavours of Mozambique through a relaxed brunch inspired by Portuguese-African cooking traditions. The afternoon workshop turns to Goan cuisine, where guests prepare an exotic curry and traditional Macoun dish.

In the evening, we gather for a final cooking workshop and shared dinner, enjoying the dishes prepared together — a fitting conclusion to your journey along Portugal’s historic spice routes.

Day 5: Farewell Breakfast

Enjoy one last wholesome breakfast overlooking the river before departing, taking home new recipes, shared stories, and lasting memories.

Itinerary may be subject to change

A Note on Cuisine

Throughout this cooking holiday, traditional meat-based dishes from each country along Portugal’s historic Spice Route have been thoughtfully re-imagined as vibrant vegetarian and fish-based recipes, celebrating flavour, balance, and sustainability.

Guests will create a mix of vegetarian and fish dishes throughout the holiday, with vegetarian alternatives always provided when fish is included.

Many guests are drawn to our plant-forward approach to cooking. If you’re specifically seeking a fully vegetarian experience, you may also enjoy our Vegetarian Cooking Holiday in the Algarve, which focuses entirely on seasonal, Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian cuisine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this cooking holiday suitable for vegetarians?

Yes. The Portuguese Spice Route cooking holiday follows a plant-forward approach. Guests prepare a mix of vegetarian and fish dishes, with vegetarian alternatives always provided when fish is included.

Do I need previous cooking experience?

No prior experience is required. This is a relaxed, hands-on cooking holiday designed for enthusiastic home cooks and food lovers of all levels.

What type of cuisine will we cook?

You’ll explore Portuguese-inspired dishes shaped by historic spice routes, with influences from the Algarve, Mozambique, South Africa, and Goa. Traditional meat-based recipes are thoughtfully adapted into vegetarian and fish-based dishes.

Is this a hands-on cooking holiday or more of a demonstration?

This is a hands-on experience. Guests actively take part in the cooking workshops and enjoy the dishes together in a relaxed, sociable setting.

Cooking with Locals

On selected days, local Algarve residents may join the cooking experiences, offering a warm, informal insight into daily life, food traditions, and what draws them to live in this part of Portugal.

Your Hosts

Cheryl and Graham are the hosts behind Figs on the Funcho, an award-winning riverside retreat in the Algarve. They specialise in hands-on cooking holidays inspired by the Portuguese Spice Route, using fresh, seasonal ingredients and a relaxed, inclusive approach to food.

Their hosting style is shaped by lived experience. Cheryl is originally from South Africa, while Graham grew up in Zimbabwe and spent many childhood holidays in Mozambique. These cultural influences inform the flavours, stories, and atmosphere of each cooking workshop.

With many years of retreat experience, Cheryl and Graham create welcoming, well-paced culinary holidays suitable for enthusiastic home cooks and food lovers of all levels, with thoughtful attention to dietary preferences.