Portugal

LAND 2 to 13 of September, 2024

SEA 16 to 27 of September, 2024

This year we will focus our exploration on the grand challenge of climate change, and the creative responses we’re seeing here in our favourite part of Portugal.

There’s something that keeps bringing us back to the Costa Vicentina. We’ve hosted our Family Gatherings all over the world, but when we open the car doors after our drive from Lisbon and smell the rock rose and the sharp salt breeze we give a long, deep sigh. The city feels far away, the sun is shining, the beaches are wild and dynamic and the friends we’ve met here give long, honest hugs on our return. The first thing we tell our families who join us down here: keep your swimsuits and a wine key in the trunk of the car. The sun sets out there, over the Atlantic, and we’re in no rush.

THE PROGRAM

Portugal is on the front lines of climate change. If you’re going to make your life here you need a creative spirit and the ability to address the challenge of a warming planet not in some distant future, but today. Our friends and partners are creating brilliant solutions and we’re excited to spend a month learning and working alongside them.

The learning program runs Monday through Thursday, 10am to 3pm. Each week we’ll spend two days with our longstanding partners, Nuno and Vera, both scientists and gifted educators, and another two days on field visits, putting theory into practice. On Fridays we’ll venture out together for a surf or an exploration, a hike or just a long day at the beach. Happy hours and dinners, meetups and surprises show up organically, and families can choose their own level of engagement with all moments.

THE LAND

For our first two weeks we’ll work alongside a series of partners, including a cult favourite in the Portuguese natural wine scene, the “way too experienced to be so young” Filippo Pozzi of Atlas Land. We’ve been visiting Filippo since his first vintages, watching him shuffle the cards and fine-tune the systems that make his wines so wild, and so sought after. We’ll join him in the fields and in the cellar, and even have a chance to lend a hand with harvest. In Filippo’s world, winemaking is soulful, creative and deeply connected to the ecology of the landscape. We’ll learn how natural approaches to farming are different from “agricultura intensivo”, think creatively about water use, soil quality, and the social and economic impacts of how we choose to produce.

THE SEA

For our second two weeks we will turn our attention towards the sea. In this warm corner of a warming world the connection between our life on land and the sea that sustains us is vivid and direct. Tucked in the hills near the town of Aljezur is a tiny workshop where two friends are reshaping surfboard production using natural materials and innovative techniques. Bosiny’s wooden surfboards are the most beautiful we’ve ever seen, and some of the most earth and sea friendly models in the world. We’ll spend time in the shop and in the sea, learning about their craft, how they make material and production choices and even working on our own small pieces. We’ll cover topics like circular production, materials and design, water quality and marine life.

WHAT IS INCLUDED?

A series of learning experiences each week, working with local educators, artists and experts in a variety of disciplines. The Costa Vicentina is rich with inspiring humans, and we are so happy to be connected to many of them.

Explorations with a local natural wine-maker.

Welcome Dinner.

Weekly family adventure day.

Our assistance finding lodging, including recommendations from our list of preferred properties at QC’s discount rate.

Our guides to Lisbon and Southern Portugal.

A long stay in a new place can brings many new questions, and we are here to assist you before and during your travel.

NOT INCLUDED: lodging, meals except where noted, transport and extras like surf lessons and gear rental.

THE AREA A two hour drive south of Lisbon along the Atlantic coast lies the Costa Vicentina. If you know a creative family who’s moved to Portugal in the last five years there’s a good chance you’ll meet them here at the organic farmer’s market. You’ll find red-earth hills covered in cork trees and eucalyptus, dusty backroads through sandy soil, long wooden staircases that take you down the cliff to the beach, and sleepy town squares where adults drink coffee and kids play under the ringing bells. While Portugal has become a destination for global families, this region still feels raw, a bit rough around the edges, and deeply interesting. In the wild and rugged hillsides, the cliffs and dunes we find the reason Portugal has been called Europe’s last frontier. We love this part of Portugal, and we know you will too.

LEARNING This part of Portugal has drawn free-thinking and adventurous families for the last decade or so. We have curated a series of events alongside local educators and a community of artists and craftspeople. While the schedule will change from week to week, you can expect four days of organized activity, led by inspiring friends and experts, plus a half-day beach day where we explore together as families. Our approach is about inspired learning, the natural world and digging deep into local connection. Primarily outdoors, collaborative and compassionate with a focus on developing whole, happy humans. Our learning program is for children from eight to 15 years. If you need childcare for younger ones we can help coordinate that.

WORK We expect many parents (like us) will need to work during this time. Internet speeds in the area are fast enough to support streaming and video calls, and cellular is generally strong enough to tether if you want to take that call from the beach. There are a handful of great local spots to work from, including our favourite local coffee roaster, where internet is fast and working is encouraged. Portugal is on GMT, convenient for calls in timezones in Europe and the Americas.

COMMUNITY We’ve arranged a handful of unique gathering moments throughout the month. These may include a beach day with a professional sand sculptor or long evenings at a table under the stars with friends, sipping medronho and strumming Portuguese guitars… Portugal is a lodestone for creative, curious families and this month will provide a window into how these unique families are building community and exploring family life in new ways.

SALTWATER Our most productive and inspiring days include time in the sea. Thankfully, a number of incredible beaches lie within a few minutes’ drive of where we’ll stay. Craggy bluffs and big tides make for great exploration. Autumn here is sunny and warm, and the beach is a perfect place to hang out. Surfing in this region is legendary, and by September the swells are some of the best all year. If you’re looking to set a new big wave record Nazare is a few hours to the north, but here in the southwest there are surf breaks suitable for all levels. We can introduce you to the local surfing community, help you get the gear you need and lessons if you want them.

LODGING Finding housing in the area can be tricky, but we are here to help! We’ve curated a selection of great houses from trusted owners. Tell us your needs and your budget and we’ll guide you to the best options for your family. Lodging is paid directly by you to the owner.

TRANSPORT A car is a must in this part of rural Portugal. If you can’t drive your own vehicle to Portugal, we are happy to connect you to our local rental partner to secure the best vehicle at the best price. Transport is paid directly by you to the rental company.

LOCAL TIPS We’ll include guides for Lisbon and the South, plus suggestions for side trips in other regions.

COST €2500 per child, €1000 per adult. *Like all our Gatherings, we are committed to making sure we get the “right” families to this event. If this is you, but the cost is prohibitive, please contact us and we will see what we can work out!

WHO IS THIS FOR? If you’re curious about Portugal, new learning models or global family life, this is for you. If you’re curious about new and inspiring ways to approach climate change, this is for you. If you want to experience something new with your family and to capture more meaningful time with your kids, this is for you. If you appreciate quality over quantity and balance, this is for you. If you’re a humble traveller and a life-long learner, this is for you.