A Taste of Portugal - A Culinary Retreat in the Algarve

You can book your accommodations directly through Guest Mar. You can choose from various room categories.

Our accommodations for the week are at the charming Guest Mar in the heart of Olhão—a place that combines modern design with Portuguese flair and is inviting, friendly, and cozy.

The bright, lovingly designed rooms invite you to relax and offer a retreat where you’ll feel right at home. On the rooftop terrace, you can let your gaze wander over the rooftops of Olhão, relax in the sun while reading a book, or wind down the day in peace.

Guest Mar is centrally located yet quiet—ideal for immersing yourself in the authentic life of the old town. Just a few steps away, you’ll find picturesque alleys, small cafés with ocean views, traditional shops, the lively market with fresh local produce, and the port of Olhão.

In the spacious and cozy kitchen, we have plenty of room for our group cooking nights and relaxed evenings spent unwinding with a glass of wine.

At the same time, Guest Mar offers plenty of peace and quiet and opportunities for retreat so that you can recharge your batteries during your stay.

Portugal has so much to offer when it comes to food: sun-ripened tomatoes, aromatic olive oil, fruity Vinho Verde… It’s exactly this culinary diversity that we’ll discover together during the culinary retreat (the name says it all 😉)

You can look forward to a varied vegetarian and vegan menu. We’ll start each morning with a hearty breakfast buffet, and throughout the day there will be small snacks like fresh fruit and nuts.

On three evenings, we’ll enjoy meals together, lovingly prepared for us by our chef.

On two evenings, a special highlight awaits you: a group cooking class where we’ll cook, laugh, and enjoy ourselves together.

Two evenings are intentionally set aside for you to spend as you like—giving you the chance to discover the local cuisine and even try fresh seafood specialties if you’d like. I’d be happy to share my favorite restaurants with you.

Here’s what your day at the indulgence retreat might look like:

8:00 a.m. A mindful start to the day: You’ll enjoy the first rays of sunshine on the rooftop terrace during a guided meditation

8:30 a.m. Group breakfast featuring regional delicacies—for a delightful start to the day

10:00 a.m. Visit to the traditional market in Olhão

12:00 p.m. Ferry ride to Ilha da Armona: Time to sunbathe, relax, read, swim in the ocean, and simply unwind

3:00 p.m. Walking meditation on the beach

8:00 p.m. Dinner together on the rooftop terrace: We’ll wrap up the day with a glass of Portuguese wine and inspiring conversations.

There are direct flights to Faro from many German airports, such as Nuremberg, Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, and Berlin. The flight takes only about 3 hours, and before you know it, you’ll be right in the heart of the sunny Algarve.

From Faro Airport, it’s only about a 15-minute taxi or Uber ride to our accommodation, Guest Mar.

I’d be happy to help you organize your trip or coordinate carpools with other participants.