Frequently Asked Questions
6-10 November 2026 | Douro Valley, Portugal
When and where does The Rhythm of the Harvest take place?
The Rhythm of the Harvest takes place from 6-10 November 2026 in the Douro Valley, Portugal. Our home for four nights will be a beautiful 17th-century manor in a historic Douro village, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and the colours of the autumn landscape.
THE EXPERIENCE
Who is this experience for?
This experience is for people who enjoy meaningful travel, food, nature, creativity, movement and connecting with others around the table. Women and men are welcome, whether travelling solo, with a friend or as a couple. No previous experience in sourdough baking, yoga, photography or olive harvesting is required.
How many guests will attend?
The group is intentionally intimate and limited to approximately 12 participants, allowing time for genuine connection and personal guidance.
Who will host the experience?
The experience is hosted by Rica Vergara Beck, founder of Marfenja Experiences and The Breadfest Club. Rica will be joined by Gita Rohde, our Special Guest Wellness Mentor, who will guide yoga, mindful movement and restorative practices. Local producers, makers and creative collaborators will also join selected activities.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
What is included in the experience?
· Four nights' accommodation
· Daily breakfast and all scheduled lunches
· All scheduled dinners except for one dinner out in the Douro
· A special candlelit four-course dinner with Douro wine pairing
· Olive harvesting at Quinta da Marfenja and a visit to the olive press, subject to agricultural conditions and the press schedule
· Hands-on artisanal sourdough sessions with Rica
· Scheduled yoga, movement and restorative sessions with Gita
· A guided photography and visual-storytelling experience
· A long-table harvest picnic
· Scheduled local transportation during the hosted programme
· The scheduled group train ticket from Porto to Pinhão and the return train ticket from Pinhão to Porto
· Pickup from Pinhão Train Station on the scheduled group arrival and drop-off at the station on departure
A detailed final programme will be shared with confirmed participants before the trip.
What is not included?
·
· Flights to and from Portugal
· Airport transfers in Porto
· Accommodation in Porto before or after the experience
· The optional gathering and dinner in Porto on 5 November
· One dinner out in the Douro
· Optional private wellness or bodywork sessions with Gita
· The optional Quinta do Seixo visit and wine tasting
· Personal purchases, extra food and additional drinks outside the included programme
· Passport, visa, travel-insurance or medical expenses
· Transportation outside the scheduled group programme
· Additional costs arising from missed trains, delayed flights or changes to a guest's personal travel arrangements
ARRIVAL AND TRANSPORTATION
Which airport should I fly into?
The most convenient airport is Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Porto (OPO). We strongly recommend arriving in Porto by 5 November, allowing time to settle in before the experience begins on the morning of 6 November.
Is there an activity on 5 November?
An optional informal dinner is planned in Porto on the evening of 5 November, offering an opportunity to meet Rica and your fellow participants before travelling to the Douro. The dinner and your accommodation in Porto are not included.
May I arrive in Porto on 6 November instead?
Yes. If arriving on 6 November is more convenient, you may take the train from Porto to Pinhão independently. We will gladly help you with the train information and arrange to pick you up at Pinhão Train Station. Please share your arrival details with us in advance so we can coordinate your pickup. Your independent train ticket and any travel outside the scheduled group departure will be at your own expense.
How does the group travel from Porto to the Douro?
On the morning of 6 November, the group will meet at Porto's historic São Bento Train Station and travel together by train to Pinhão. The journey takes approximately two hours. The scheduled group ticket and transportation from Pinhão Train Station to the accommodation are included. Exact meeting and departure details will be provided closer to the experience.
What happens if I miss the scheduled group train?
Please contact us as soon as possible. We will help you identify an alternative train to Pinhão and coordinate your station pickup where possible. Any replacement ticket, private transfer or additional transportation resulting from a missed group departure will be the guest's responsibility.
When and where does the experience end?
The hosted experience concludes on 10 November, when guests are dropped off at Pinhão Train Station for the journey back to Porto. The return train ticket is included. We currently aim to use the train departing Pinhão at approximately 12:18 p.m.; the final departure time will be reconfirmed before the trip because railway schedules may change. The journey to Porto takes approximately two hours. Marfenja's hosted programme and local transportation conclude when guests are dropped off at Pinhão Train Station.
Can I fly out of Porto on 10 November?
Yes. If you wish to fly on 10 November, we strongly encourage choosing an evening flight. Please allow sufficient time for the approximately two-hour train journey, travel from the Porto train station to the airport, possible railway or traffic delays, and your airline's required check-in time. Transportation from the Porto train station to the airport is not included, and guests are responsible for reaching the airport and checking in for their flight. For a more relaxed departure, you may prefer to stay an additional night in Porto.
Can I leave the Douro earlier?
Yes, but an early departure should be discussed with us and arranged in advance. Earlier train tickets, private transfers and other transportation outside the scheduled group departure are at the guest's expense. Because transport options in the Douro can be limited, please do not leave these arrangements until the last minute.
How much luggage should I bring?
We recommend one manageable suitcase and one small personal bag, as the journey includes train travel and local transfers. Guests should be able to manage their own luggage at the stations. If you expect to bring larger or multiple pieces, please let us know in advance so we can confirm the available space in the local transfer vehicle.
ACCOMMODATION
What type of accommodation is provided?
Guests will stay for four nights in a characterful 17th-century manor in a historic Douro village. As this is a heritage property rather than a modern resort, room sizes, layouts and architectural features may vary.
Are private and shared rooms available?
Private and shared-room arrangements may be available, depending on your booking and remaining availability. Guests booking a shared room may register with a companion. Solo travellers wishing to share should contact us before booking. Roommate matching and particular room requests are subject to availability and are confirmed only in writing.
Can I request a particular room or bed arrangement?
You are welcome to share your preference, and we will make every effort to accommodate it. Because room configurations within the historic manor vary, requests cannot be guaranteed unless specifically confirmed.
Is the accommodation accessible?
The experience takes place in a historic village and heritage accommodation where there may be stairs, cobbled streets and uneven surfaces. Anyone with reduced mobility, balance concerns or difficulty using stairs should contact us before booking so we can discuss the property and programme honestly and help determine whether the experience is suitable.
ACTIVITIES, MOVEMENT AND THE HARVEST
Do I need experience in sourdough baking, yoga or photography?
Not at all. Every activity is designed to be welcoming to beginners while still offering something meaningful to guests with previous experience. You will be guided throughout and encouraged to participate at your own pace.
Do I have to participate in every activity?
No. We hope you will enjoy the shared programme, but participation is always your choice. You are welcome to rest or enjoy quiet time when needed. Activities already included in the programme cannot be refunded if you choose not to participate.
How physically demanding is the experience?
You do not need to be highly athletic, but the programme may involve walking on cobbled village paths, sloped or terraced agricultural land, standing and bending during the harvest, gentle yoga and movement, and getting on and off trains and transfer vehicles. Please tell us before booking about any mobility limitation, injury, medical condition or concern that could affect your safe participation.
What kind of yoga and movement will Gita offer?
Gita's sessions may incorporate yoga, mindful movement, somatic awareness and restorative practices. They will be adapted to the group, and previous yoga experience is not required. Guests should respect their own physical limits and inform Gita of any injury or relevant health condition before participating.
Are yoga mats and equipment provided?
We will make every effort to provide the mats, props and other equipment needed to make our yoga and movement sessions comfortable and enjoyable. Please also feel free to bring your own familiar mat or favourite props if you prefer practising with equipment you already know and love. Final information about the equipment available, together with anything we recommend bringing, will be shared before the trip.
Are private sessions with Gita available?
Private Thai bodywork or individual wellness sessions may be available during designated free time, subject to Gita's schedule. These sessions are optional, are not included in the experience price and must be booked and paid for separately. Details will be shared with confirmed participants.
What should I expect during the olive harvest?
Guests will have the opportunity to participate in the harvest at Quinta da Marfenja and follow the olives' journey to the press. This is a genuine agricultural activity and may involve uneven terrain, standing, bending and handling harvesting materials. Closed, sturdy and non-slip footwear is essential, and clothing may become dusty, muddy or stained.
Is the itinerary final, and is the olive harvest guaranteed?
We make thoughtful and solid plans so the experience can unfold as smoothly as possible. At the same time, the Douro is a living agricultural landscape, and weather and nature will always have a voice in our plans. The timing of the harvest, the visit to the press, outdoor meals and other activities may need to change according to weather, olive maturity, agricultural conditions or the schedules of our local partners.
The order or timing of activities may therefore be adjusted, sometimes at short notice. If a change is necessary, we will keep guests informed and make every effort to offer a thoughtful alternative while preserving the spirit and quality of the experience. We invite everyone to arrive with a little flexibility and a sense of adventure.
FOOD AND DIETARY REQUIREMENTS
Which meals are included?
Daily breakfast, all scheduled lunches and all scheduled dinners except for one dinner out in the Douro are included. The programme also features a candlelit four-course dinner with Douro wine pairing. The dinner out is paid for individually, allowing each guest to order according to personal preference. The optional Porto dinner on 5 November is also not included. Additional food, drinks and personal purchases outside the scheduled programme are at the guest's expense.
Can dietary requirements be accommodated?
We will make every reasonable effort to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies when complete information is provided in advance. Because meals may be prepared in shared kitchens or by local restaurants and outside suppliers, we cannot guarantee an entirely allergen-free environment, and cross-contact may be possible. Guests with severe allergies, coeliac disease or medically necessary restrictions should contact us before booking so we can discuss whether their needs can be safely accommodated.
Is alcohol included?
Selected meals may include Douro wine or a wine pairing. Drinking alcohol is entirely optional. Please let us know on your participant form if you do not drink alcohol. Drinks ordered outside the included programme are at the guest's expense.
WEATHER AND PACKING
What will the weather be like?
November in the Douro is generally cool and changeable. Days may be mild, while mornings and evenings can be chilly. Sunshine, mist, wind and rain are all possible. As some activities take place outdoors, guests should be prepared for changing conditions.
What should I pack?
· Comfortable clothing that can be layered
· A warm sweater, fleece or jacket
· A waterproof jacket
· Sturdy, closed and non-slip shoes for the olive grove
· Comfortable walking shoes
· Clothing suitable for yoga and movement
· A reusable water bottle and small day bag
· Sun protection
· Any personal medication
· A phone or camera for the photography activities
· Chargers, a power bank if useful, and a European plug adapter
· One smart-casual outfit for the special dinner
Please avoid wearing delicate clothing during the harvest. A final packing guide will be sent to confirmed participants before the trip.
HEALTH, SAFETY AND GUEST RESPONSIBILITIES
Do I need travel insurance?
We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance covering cancellation or interruption, transport delays, luggage, emergency medical treatment, accident or injury, personal liability and emergency repatriation where applicable. Insurance should be purchased as soon as your booking is confirmed. Guests are responsible for costs arising from personal illness, missed transportation or circumstances outside the organised programme.
What health information should I provide?
Please disclose any relevant medical condition, allergy, mobility concern, injury or medication that could affect your participation or require assistance. This helps us plan responsibly, but Marfenja Experiences does not provide medical supervision or personal-care services. Bring enough medication for your full journey and keep essential medication with you during travel.
What are guests responsible for arranging?
We will guide you throughout the organised experience and provide clear information before the journey. Each guest remains responsible for confirming and arranging the following:
· Flights and personal travel to and from Portugal
· Airport transfers and Porto accommodation
· Any meals, activities or private sessions identified as optional or not included
· Transportation outside the scheduled group programme
· A valid passport, any required visa and other travel documents
· Appropriate travel and medical insurance
· Personal medication and disclosure of relevant health, allergy or mobility information
· Onward connections, including allowing sufficient time for flights
· Costs caused by missed trains, delayed flights or changes to personal travel plans
We are always happy to offer practical guidance wherever we can, while each guest remains responsible for their personal travel arrangements, documents, insurance and onward connections.
Do I need a passport or visa?
Each guest is responsible for holding a valid passport or accepted travel document and any visa required to enter Portugal or the Schengen Area. Requirements depend on nationality and personal circumstances, so please confirm them with the appropriate official authority before travelling.
BOOKING AND PAYMENT
How do I reserve my place?
After you submit the registration form, Rica will contact you personally to confirm availability and provide the Guest Terms and Conditions and payment instructions. Your place is confirmed only after your booking has been accepted, you have agreed to the Guest Terms and Conditions, and the required 50% non-refundable deposit has been received.
When is the remaining balance due?
The remaining balance must be paid in full by 15 September 2026. Bookings confirmed on or after that date require full payment at the time of confirmation. All payments are subject to the Guest Terms and Conditions.
What is the cancellation policy?
The 50% deposit is non-refundable. Additional provisions concerning cancellation, participant substitution, minimum participation and organiser cancellation are set out in the official Guest Terms and Conditions. Those Terms and Conditions form the governing agreement and take precedence if there is any inconsistency with the general information on this page.
What happens if the minimum number of participants is not reached?
The experience requires a minimum number of participants to proceed. The applicable procedure, notification arrangements and financial terms are explained in the Guest Terms and Conditions. We encourage guests to protect their travel arrangements with suitable insurance.
EXTENDING YOUR STAY AND FURTHER QUESTIONS
May I arrive earlier or stay longer?
Absolutely. You are welcome to extend your stay in Porto, the Douro or elsewhere in Portugal at your own expense. Accommodation, transportation and activities outside the official programme should be arranged independently, although we are happy to share general suggestions where possible.
Is the Quinta do Seixo visit included?
A visit and wine tasting at Quinta do Seixo may be available as an optional activity after checkout on Day 5, subject to timing and availability. The visit and tasting are not included unless specifically stated otherwise. Guests choosing this activity should ensure it is compatible with their return train and onward travel plans.
Who should I contact if I have another question?
Please contact Rica directly. She will be happy to answer practical questions and help you decide whether The Rhythm of the Harvest is the right experience for you. We look forward to welcoming you to the Douro.