Schouten family I'm leaving
Meet the Schouten family, the family behind Quinta Viva a Vida
A 100% gluten-free B&B in northern Portugal
From Oosterhout to northern Portugal: the story of the Schouten family
Quinta Viva a Vida was born out of our family and our experience with celiac disease: a place where gluten-free is truly safe, and the ideal base to discover northern Portugal.
We are Patrick and Bianca. Together with our three children, we live in Arcos de Valdevez, located in the lush Portuguese Minho region. We were looking for a way of life that suited our family better: more peace, space, freedom for the children, and less of a rush.
Not a large resort or busy accommodation, but a small-scale place where clarity, freedom, and reliability are a matter of course.
We are Patrick and Bianca. Together with our three children, we live in Arcos de Valdevez, located in the lush Portuguese Minho region. We were looking for a way of life that suited our family better: more peace, space, freedom for the children, and less of a rush.
Not a large resort or busy accommodation, but a small-scale place where clarity, freedom, and reliability are a matter of course.
How Quinta Viva a Vida came to be
The move to Portugal didn't just happen. You don't impulsively move to another country with three young children. That is exactly why we spent a long time looking for a place that aligned with what we value.
When we found this place in Northern Portugal, many things fell into place. The nature, the peace, the space for the children, and the relaxed atmosphere of this region were the deciding factors.
From Arcos de Valdevez, you can easily discover the tranquility of Northern Portugal. Think of hiking trails in Peneda-Gerês, river beaches, small villages, local markets, and quiet spots where life still moves just a little bit slower.
When we found this place in Northern Portugal, many things fell into place. The nature, the peace, the space for the children, and the relaxed atmosphere of this region were the deciding factors.
From Arcos de Valdevez, you can easily discover the tranquility of Northern Portugal. Think of hiking trails in Peneda-Gerês, river beaches, small villages, local markets, and quiet spots where life still moves just a little bit slower.
Why we deliberately work 100% gluten-free
For us, gluten-free is not a commercial choice or a trend. Bianca and our daughter Pip have celiac disease. As a result, we know from personal experience how much stress eating on vacation can cause.
Doubting cross-contamination, checking ingredients, explaining in restaurants, or skipping meals to avoid taking risks: we know it all too well.
This is precisely why our kitchen at Quinta Viva a Vida has been fully gluten-free from the start. Without exceptions.
This means that guests with celiac disease don't have to constantly wonder if something is safe here. No separate equipment, no doubtful cases, and no complicated situations. Just being able to eat in a relaxed way. Safety and trust always come first.
Doubting cross-contamination, checking ingredients, explaining in restaurants, or skipping meals to avoid taking risks: we know it all too well.
This is precisely why our kitchen at Quinta Viva a Vida has been fully gluten-free from the start. Without exceptions.
This means that guests with celiac disease don't have to constantly wonder if something is safe here. No separate equipment, no doubtful cases, and no complicated situations. Just being able to eat in a relaxed way. Safety and trust always come first.
Discovering northern Portugal from a reliable base
We believe that a beautiful vacation is not about an overcrowded schedule, but rather the freedom to fill your days as you please.
Some guests head into the mountains or hike in the Peneda-Gerês nature reserve. Others drive along the rivers of the Minho region, visit local villages, or seek out quiet river beaches.
After a day out, it's nice to return to a place where everything feels clear and familiar. No crowds, no fuss. Just a peaceful, gluten-free base from which to explore Northern Portugal.
Some guests head into the mountains or hike in the Peneda-Gerês nature reserve. Others drive along the rivers of the Minho region, visit local villages, or seek out quiet river beaches.
After a day out, it's nice to return to a place where everything feels clear and familiar. No crowds, no fuss. Just a peaceful, gluten-free base from which to explore Northern Portugal.
A place where you may feel welcome
Patrick loves being in the kitchen and enjoys simple dishes made with local products. Bianca provides the peace, structure, and attention behind the scenes. Quinta Viva a Vida sits right between those two worlds: warm and personal, but also practical and clear.
We find it important that guests feel welcome here without everything having to be perfect. Just relax, knowing for sure that the food is safe, while enjoying all the beauty that Northern Portugal has to offer.
We find it important that guests feel welcome here without everything having to be perfect. Just relax, knowing for sure that the food is safe, while enjoying all the beauty that Northern Portugal has to offer.
Plan your stay
Our cuisine is completely gluten-free - with no exceptions.