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Meet our family behind Quinta Viva a Vida
A 100% gluten-free B&B in northern Portugal, born from our family
About us
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 and live with our three children, in Arcos de Valdevez in the Portuguese region of Minho. What started as an idea slowly grew into a place that fits exactly how we like to travel ourselves: relaxed, organized and without worries about food.
No big resort or perfect Instagram location, but a small-scale place where peace, freedom and reliability is allowed to be taken for granted.
How Quinta Viva a Vida came to be
The move to Portugal didn't come overnight. With three young children, you don't impulsively move to another country. That's precisely why we spent a long time looking for a way of life that suited our family better.
More outdoor living. More space. Less rush.
When we found this place in northern Portugal it did not immediately feel like "a dream come true," but rather a place where many things came together logically. Nature, tranquility, freedom for children and the relaxed atmosphere of this region.
From Arcos de Valdevez you can easily discover the rest of northern Portugal. Think of hiking trails in Peneda-Gerês, river beaches, small villages, local markets and quiet places where life goes just a little bit slower.
Why we deliberately work 100% gluten-free
For us, gluten-free is not something commercial or a trend.
Bianca and our daughter Pip have celiac disease. As a result, we know by experience how eating on vacation can cause much stress.
Doubt about cross-contamination. Checking ingredients. Explaining in restaurants. Or skipping something anyway to avoid taking a risk.
This is precisely why we have made Quinta Viva a Vida completely gluten-free from the beginning. Without exceptions.
That means guests with celiac disease here don't have to constantly wonder if something is safe. No separate kitchen, no "may contain traces," no complicated situations.
Just being able to eat relaxed.
Safety and trust are always leading in this.
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 restaurants or instead seek out quiet beaches and small villages.
And afterwards, it's nice to come back to a place where everything feels clear and familiar.
No fuss. Just a quiet, gluten-free base from which to explore northern Portugal.
A place where you may feel welcome
Patrick enjoys being in the kitchen and loves simple dishes using local products. Bianca, on the other hand, provides the calm, structure and attention behind the scenes.
Quinta Viva a Vida sits exactly between those two worlds: warm and personal, but also practical and clear.
It is important for us that guests feel welcome here without everything having to be perfect. Just relax. Knowing that food is safe and delicious. And meanwhile enjoy all that northern Portugal has to offer.
Plan your stay
Our cuisine is completely gluten-free - with no exceptions.