Product development, client partnerships and operations took centre stage during a busy and brilliant week in the Portuguese town of Ericeira. 

Our second team retreat of 2024 came at the end of a quarter that has heralded a lot of progress made behind the scenes. Bringing the team together again gave us a chance to collectively reflect on those efforts while also helping us to identify other ways to improve the engagement experience and prepare for the company’s next steps. 

Cross-functional teams are key to maximising value and impact for our professional partners but they are also invaluable for our own development as a business. Meticulously planned inter-departmental sessions covered everything from new products to more targeted approaches to business development.

Our schedule was stuffed with sessions that ensured our team made the most of the time together. These periods of concentrated collaboration harnessed the variety of viewpoints and perspectives in our team in a way that would be more challenging and constrained when done remotely. 

The scenic and serene seaside setting also made for an ideal location for bringing our team closer and drew parallels with last year’s trip to Turkey. After our team swelled so significantly last year, the chance for staff to socialise and build bonds that will last long beyond our week in Portugal was invaluable.

 

A series of team meals, a surfing session, a coastal walk, and post-work poolside conversations saw colleagues operating in different business areas learn more about each other, strengthening the overall camaraderie. 

The week in Ericeira is now over but the excitement for our next co-working retreat is already building ahead of the team reuniting in another top European destination in September. 

Travel guide: Enjoying Ericeira 

Where to stay 

• You and the Sea – located just five minutes from the sea, this modern aparthotel complex has everything you could need, with large comfortable rooms, a private meeting room and bar/restaurant as well as pool, spa and gym facilities. 

 

Food and drink 

• Balagan – this beach house sits just a couple of yards from the sand and serves some exceptional Mediterranean-Middle Eastern fusion food 

• Jangada – part of the You and the Sea complex, this restaurant makes the most of local produce to create a varied selection of flavourful lunch and dinner dishes. 

• Terço do Meio – this bakery and café prepares sourdough bread, sandwiches and other baked goods while also serving up small plates and speciality coffee, making it perfect for lunch. 

• Sunset Bamboo – if you want a freshly made sandwich, salad or burrito, with a top-class cup of coffee, this might be the place for you. 

• Mar das Latas – contemporary in style, this restaurant combines Portuguese fare with international dishes and offers more of a fine dining experience. 

• Costa Fria – beautiful scenery, top-class Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and a wonderful wine list make this a place worth spending an evening. 

• Ribas Marisquiera – seafood fans rejoice because this restaurant has some of the best and freshest coastal cuisine in the region. 

 

Activities 

• Surfing – the region’s waves are like a siren’s song for anyone with a surfboard and a wetsuit and there are a host of surf shops in the town centre to get what you need. (You and the Sea also offers surf lessons.) 

• Skateboarding – if you are interested in moving on a board but fancy staying on dry land, you can try your tricks at one of the top skate parks in Portugal – and if you’re not interested in skating yourself, there is a large terrace overlooking the skate park nearby. 

• Visit nearby Mafra, Sintra and Obidos – these UNESCO World Heritage sites are all within 45 minutes of Ericeira by car and each comes with its own stunning attractions: a National Palace, a picturesque town with gorgeous castles, and a well-preserved medieval town respectively.