Tucked away among the cork oaks and rolling hills of Portugal’s Alentejo, Herdade da Matinha is a place built around the simple things in life. What began as a family dream has grown into a warm, wonderfully unpolished country retreat, where 35 rooms are spread across four houses and days naturally slow down. There’s a vegetable garden, a generous table, a swimming pool, yoga and wellness, and plenty of space to simply wander, read or do absolutely nothing.

The road here is deliberately dusty and winding, leading you away from the noise and into a landscape of wild herbs, animals, birds and endless skies. At Herdade da Matinha, comfort has been added over the years, but the original spirit remains: living close to nature, sharing good food, respecting the seasons and finding beauty in the small things.