Collaborating with Surf Office for our company retreat was a seamless experience that continues to amaze me! This is my second consecutive year working with them, and each experience surpasses the last. This year, with the incredible support of Fernanda on-site, I felt empowered and supported. Our team departed from Alcochete inspired, refreshed, and ready to take on new challenges. A heartfelt thank you to Romane and Fernanda! I'm excited to see the magic you create for 2025!
- Sharda Rekha, Sr. Executive Assistant & Program Manager at Handshake-Europe
Handshake-Europe, part of the Handshake global network, is transforming the connections between students and employers. They’re dedicated to making career access more democratic for students and graduates. Their platform has become a bridge between young talent, educational institutions, and forward-thinking employers.
Their mission is to level the playing field for students, and Handshake has helped millions launch their careers and build impactful professional relationships. We also really dig their motto, that “Handshake is built for where you’re going, not where you’ve been.”
In June 2024, Handshake-Europe took its commitment to growth and collaboration offline for a memorable team retreat in Alcochete, Portugal. We had the pleasure of organizing this for them.
Productive sessions and creative exploration
The retreat, held from June 4th to 7th, was packed with a comprehensive agenda tailored to inspire the team collaboratively and creatively. Our fabulous retreat planner, Fernanda, was on-site to ensure every detail was managed with her usual magic. She works wonders!
Mornings were dedicated to productive meetings in their gorgeous location, where everyone shared insights and brainstormed company strategy.
Their afternoons were more adventurous, as the team headed to Lisbon for a thrilling treasure hunt in the city (fun fact: Lisbon, known as the "City of Seven Hills," is said to have been founded by Ulysses during his travels, who named it Olissipo, according to legend).
Handshake hunted treasure through vibrantly decorated streets in teams, a lovely way to take in the sights and sounds! The hunt wrapped up in the historic Praca do Comercio, unwinding together and reporting on the day’s urban adventure.
Exceptional Lisbon dining
The evenings were unforgettable culinary and cultural highlights of the trip. Beachfront eateries with menus of codfish, shrimp, and lasagna left an impression on the squad. Drinks flowed, conversations deepened, and the team bonded in a setting that looked like it was lifted straight from a postcard. Wish you were here!
The retreat's grand finale was held in the unmistakably elegant Palácio do Grilo. This restaurant is a historic gem known throughout Lisbon for its fusion of art, history, and gastronomy. Originally built in the 18th century, the palace just oozes charm and blends Baroque architecture with modern artistic flair. It is a place for avant-garde expression like no other.
Cocktails were sipped in the garden before the teams shuffled in for dinner in the Piano Room. The evening’s menu offered Andaluz Gaspacho, confit seabass, and citrus tart. Delicacies were eaten as Handshake got to view a contemporary art performance. The mesmerizing blend of dance and theater echoed the palace’s spirit of creativity and elegance. Cheers to that!
Fully refreshed and ready for the future!
Over three days, Handshake-Europe struck the perfect balance between productivity celebration, precisely what the doctor ordered. Their Alcochete retreat brought an air of artistic vibrancy, allowing the team to recharge in style and realign their mission.
Handshake-Europe will continue to transform the job market for students and do so with stronger bonds and fresh inspiration from the Alcochete experience. Surf Office raises its glass to the journey ahead - we’re keeping our eyes peeled to see where you’ll be in 2025!
