Change through inspiration
Protecting wildlife, enhancing biodiversity and maintaining responsible guardianship of this land are key priorities for our lodge, a multi-species habitat for animals, plants and humans alike.
The Illa do Artes Family
Benjamin: I am a passionate surfer and love nature, have a Master degree in Marine Science with Maritime Law and International Business, worked on industrial fishing trawlers as a fisheries observer on the high seas for some time, spent many years in Sydney and Melbourne in arts marketing and ran my own property sales and development business in Southern Portugal for over a decade. Met Johanna in 2011 in a coffee shop by a beach. Now happy father of three.
Through my former jobs I have witnessed the worst in resource exploitation, unsustainable and non-eco product usage en mass and a complete disregard to the health of our planet and future generations. It tires one out.
Now I am a guardian of Illa do Artes.
Best decision ever taken. And I still surf. Still passionate. Just now in Galicia. Age 49
Johanna: I studied fashion design and worked as costume designer in the film business in Cologne, Germany for several years, then followed my passion for surf and the ocean. Decided to change my life and expatriated to Portugal in 2011 where I started a surf brand with my own collection, met Benjamin, opened a tapas restaurant at Arrifana Beach and then turned mother of three. Now mostly mum, so I surf a bit less.
Since 2019 I have been working on my green thumb, made a Permaculture Course with amazing Centro Mandala in Asturias and now focusing on healthy food, medicinals, foraging and phytotherapie.
Southern Portugal just never felt forestry enough for me. I had strolled through thick forests my whole youth in France and Germany and missed it dearly living in Portugal. Then it happened that during a trip to Spain I went for a walk along a river in Galicia and by accident found our dream property - of which I have now become the care taker of for my time. No regrets ever. Age 43
Ava Lilou: I also am a passionate surfer and a Kenpo Karate enthusiast, love books, rollerblading, circus trapeze and nature. I create my own jewellery. Age 10
Hannah Maeve: I am crazy about horse riding and Kenpo Karate, drawing and rollerblading. I started to surf just like the rest of them, slowly overcoming my fear of waves. Love animals. Age 8
Greta Josefine: I love Kenpo Karate, they say I do everything I am not supposed to do and am the wild one in the family. Maybe I am... Love bugs, unicorns and gardening. Age 6
Illa de rio Artes - Our land and its features
We like to think that the land found us and we found the land…love at first sight.
The different elevations provide natural divisions good for areas such as an orchard, a food forest, an huerta, animal shelters, virgin forest corridors, areas for accommodation, relax & meditation pockets, a clay sauna, swimming pond, compost stations, green house and a barn.
It is just like an island providing a total solution to our family and guests´ needs in a modern World. Hence we called it Illa do Artes.