About: Deep in Portugal’s rural Alentejo, near the Spanish border, Quinta Marugo is an adults-only retreat center and boutique hotel designed for reconnection – with nature, oneself, and sustainable living. Spanning 74 acres of cork forest, olive groves and wildflower meadows (zero noise, zero pollution), this modern quinta was built from the ground up to be a “fully sustainable oasis of peace”. The property’s architecture is minimal and serene – whitewashed buildings with traditional terra-cotta roofs – using locally sourced materials and super-insulated construction that keeps interiors naturally cool in summer and warm in winter. Energy comes mostly from the sun: extensive solar panels provide electricity and hot water, backed up only occasionally by the grid. In cooler months, high-efficiency boilers burning eco-certified wood pellets supply warmth, and ceiling fans plus clever shading (vegetation awnings, 10cm insulated roofs) eliminate the need for air conditioning even under Alentejo’s hot sun. Water is another precious focus – Quinta Marugo operates its own boreholes and a plant-based filtration system that recycles all greywater and blackwater for irrigating a young orchard of olive and fruit trees. Rainwater is collected in tanks to support reforestation efforts and garden care during dry seasons. The estate’s ethos of regeneration extends to the soil: they practice organic farming, use horse manure compost and even have worm farms to enrich the land, helping sequester carbon and yield nutritious produce. Guests (maximum ~20 at a time) can join immersive wellness retreats – from transformational breathwork and yoga to women’s circles and mindful leadership workshops – or simply stay for a personal detox amid the quiet countryside. Days here might include morning yoga in the open-air pagoda, a dip in the natural swimming pond, a guided hike in Guadiana Natural Park, and evening stargazing (this is a certified Dark Sky region with phenomenal stars). The on-site chefs prepare vegetarian farm-to-table meals using the quinta’s own organic garden vegetables, orchard fruits, and local Alentejo ingredients – healthy cuisine that guests consistently rave about. Impact: Quinta Marugo’s Green Globe certification and nearly perfect guest reviews (often 10/10) attest to its success as a sustainable haven. The owners, MaryAnn and Ugo, traded corporate careers for this project and ensure that every decision aligns with their values: from supporting local artisans (furnishings are regionally made) to investing in community education (they host free wellness workshops for locals). The retreat’s “leave no trace” philosophy is evident – waste is diligently separated, with food scraps fed to chickens and worms or composted to fertilize the organic gardens. Even guests are invited to participate: each room comes with suggestions to reduce water and energy use, and many visitors enjoy volunteering a bit in the garden or orchard during their stay. In short, Quinta Marugo offers more than a luxury countryside escape – it’s a living model of regenerative tourism. Visitors depart not only recharged in body and mind, but inspired by this “natural sanctuary” that shows how hospitality can heal the land it occupies.