A six-day immersive Shou Sugi Ban retreat in the Serra do Açor, central Portugal, combining hands-on craft, fire, nature, traditional Portuguese life and genuine hospitality. Learn the ancient Japanese art of Shou Sugi Ban in a small and intimate group, working directly with fire and locally sourced wood in a traditional family workshop. Over five days of guided practice, you will discover Bernard's personal approach to working with fire and wood, a method developed through years of hands-on experience, observation and a deep understanding of the material. You will learn how to burn, brush, texture, finish and transform wood into beautiful and durable pieces. No previous experience is required. Learn Bernard's approach to working with fire and wood. But this retreat is about much more than learning a craft. You will stay at A Encantada, our restored traditional mountain house in the village of Alqueve, surrounded by the landscapes of the Serra do Açor. After working with fire and wood, you can relax on the panoramic terrace, soak in the private hot tub and enjoy the silence of the mountains. Food is an essential part of the experience. Your host prepares fresh, seasonal meals using local ingredients, traditional Portuguese recipes and homemade bread baked in a traditional wood-fired oven. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are prepared with the same care given to the craft itself, and accompanied by good Portuguese wine when appropriate. This is a retreat for people who want to slow down, work with their hands, discover a living rural tradition and experience Portugal beyond the usual tourist routes. Come for the fire and the wood. Stay for the food, the mountains, the warmth and the transformation.

Website Link

https://bookretreats.com/r/6-day-the-phoenix-fire-shou-sugi-ban-retreat-in-portugal

What's Included

Five days of guided Shou Sugi Ban practice with Bernard, centred on his personal approach to working with fire and wood. Daily hands-on workshops with fire and wood. Daily hands-on workshops with fire and wood All wood, tools and workshop materials Five nights accommodation at A Encantada Breakfast, lunch and dinner Homemade bread baked in a traditional wood-fired oven Fresh, seasonal local ingredients and traditional Portuguese meals Portuguese wine served with meals Daily access to the private panoramic hot tub Nature walk in the Serra do Açor A visit to the traditional village of Sarnadela Personal guidance throughout the workshop A small and intimate group of maximum four participants

What to Bring

Comfortable clothes suitable for working with wood and fire Closed-toe shoes suitable for workshop activities Warm and weather-appropriate clothing for outdoor activities Comfortable walking shoes Personal toiletries and any medication you normally use A reusable water bottle An open mind, curiosity and a willingness to work with your hands No previous Shou Sugi Ban experience is required. All specialist tools and materials are provided.

Leader Bio

Bernard is a French-trained and officially recognized artisan, a true hands-on craftsman with a remarkable ability to build, shape and transform materials with his own hands. His work is driven by curiosity, precision and an instinctive understanding of materials developed through years of practical experience. Learn Bernard's approach to working with fire and wood. His approach to Shou Sugi Ban is entirely his own. Rather than following the commonly used process of sanding and cooling the wood with water, Bernard has developed a different method based on the way he works with fire, the wood itself and the natural behaviour of the material. This is not simply a technique he teaches, it is a practice that can be seen throughout A Encantada in Alqueve, where charred wood has been incorporated into the house and its surroundings. His experience also comes from real construction projects in demanding environments. In the Landes, France, Bernard built an outdoor living space deep in the forest, including a wooden platform, an outdoor kitchen and an open-air bathroom, in a humid Atlantic climate where rain, moisture and fungi are part of the natural environment. Years later, the wood remained remarkably well preserved. During the retreat, Bernard shares this knowledge directly through the hands-on practice of fire and wood, not from a textbook, but from years of working with the material, observing it, testing it and learning what it can become.

Other Information

This retreat welcomes solo travellers, couples, friends and anyone curious about working with fire and wood. A minimum number of participants is not required: the retreat can take place with a single participant. The maximum group size is four, allowing for highly personal guidance and a genuinely intimate experience. The workshop involves working with fire, wood and hand tools. Participants should be comfortable standing, walking and taking part in practical workshop activities. Full instructions and safety guidance are provided throughout the workshop. The retreat takes place in a quiet rural mountain environment. A car is recommended for reaching the area and exploring the Serra do Açor. The hot tub is private and reserved for retreat participants. This is not a conventional craft course or a large group workshop. It is a small, immersive experience built around Bernard's personal approach to Shou Sugi Ban, combining fire, wood, Portuguese mountain life, traditional food, nature and genuine hospitality.