Join us in reviving a stunning place in Castelões, Portugal
Last activity
: 2 Jun 2025
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Usually responds within 1 day
Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks
Workawayers needed
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Host ref number: 419212468726
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Feedback (4)
Thinking back about my time at the Quinta, my heart starts feeling tingly and warm. As a volunteer, it was a pleasure to become part of a project that grew from the genuine desire to help others, with a selfless approach, rooted in the kindness that lies within Richard’s and Lotte’s hearts.
I could express myself in multiple ways and was always
… read more encouraged to try and learn new things. There are no expectations set for you as a volunteer: instead, you are able to give and bring in what you can and want. You will be working from a truly healthy source of motivation and I’m sure every volunteer that finds their way there, will be happy to support and help out in return for the incredible human beings Lotte and Richard are. I would recommend everyone to stay a bit longer- I, unfortunately, could only stay two and a half weeks and would have definitely liked to spend more time there.
But not only were the experiences beautiful in their presence, after leaving, the same warm feeling lives as a memory in my head. Working or spending time with the two was an incredibly enriching experience and I’m happy to be able to say, that I couldn’t have wished for a better way, or company to spend my time in Portugal.
Looking forward to meeting again!
kindest regards
Kim :)
Having Kim at our home was a real treat. Kim treated us daily to tasty meals, breads, cakes, and her warm and calming vibe. She seems like an introvert at first but she loves to engage people, asking meaningful questions with a true desire to learn more about people, the world, and subsequently herself. Kim is also someone who embraces gratitude,
… read more and not in an annoying or shallow way, but with genuine appreciation. Kim loves to experiment and create, whether in the kitchen or helping with creative tasks, she excelled at bringing her unique style and perspective.
“I’m not made of sugar” is a line that sticks out. Kim said this while it was raining outside and she felt motivated to finish a project she started the day before (storing ceramic roof tiles, like, a lot of them!). Kim embraces physical work and loves to be outside; helping in the garden and on the land. Kim harvest A LOT of orange blossoms and made syrups and other treats from things on the land, also planting small veggies that will grow into our summer harvest!
From game nights to going to the local city, Braga, for food and nice conversations, Kim was a pleasure to spend time with. She is humble, honest, and has a big heart, and we are immensely grateful for not just the work she helped us get done, but the meaningful moments we spent together. Highly recommend!
There is not enough to say about Lotte and Richard! We had the best time with them during all stages of our stay there.
Starting off, the village is very cute, with some of the best nature we have experienced. There is a lot of green around and just as much water from the river, which is really close to the house and it can only be described as a
… read more literal paradise. We also had the chance to meet locals from the village, who, despite their difficulty speaking English, were extremely warm and welcoming to us (maybe a few drinks played their part). Near-by is the city of Guimaraes, a medieval-style city with historical importance, that we had an awesome time visiting just by taking the bus from the village.
The work was varied and there was never any pressure concerning the intensity or the kind of work to be done. There were hard tasks in the garden to take care of, but also lighter tasks like sanding, painting etc. We learned a lot from Lotte, especially when it came to gardening and some fermenting (some tasty kimchi and kombucha). In any case, the work we did was very much appreciated by them, and they offered us back double the care.
We stayed at a very cozy room of the house, ate and slept better than back home, and we honestly can't think of anything that we missed. Even if there was something, Lotte and Richard gave us enough space to ask for whatever we needed.
And that's how we get to the most important part, which is Lotte and Richard. They are the kind of hosts that go above and beyond to make their volunteers feel as comfortable as possible from the first second. It feels inevitable to just become friends with them and enjoy time playing games after dinner, going on beautiful hikes and sharing the best conversations (they have some crazy stories to share). And if all this is not your cup of tea, they still respect the lines you draw, your privacy and your alone time. In addition to these two cool people, we had the luck to meet Lotte's parents and her cousin a bit later. The whole family is just adorable. We made friends of them over dinner, laughing a lot, talking about any topic there is and exchanging views, feeling so close to them despite the cultural and generational gap.
We know Lotte doesn't like overselling things, so we could just say that the experience was just "lovely and fun' but these are really our thoughts after 2 weeks staying with them. We don't just recommend them, we really advise anyone who is considering them, to just go for it.
Lotte and Richard, thank you again so so much, and can't wait to see you again soon!
We are planning our trip to Greece to visit our new friends next summer (serious). Just awesome people who are easy to share a space with because they're so aware of their surroundings, respectful, reliable, creative, friendly, and fun. Sissy & Stamatios arrived and immediately flowed in to the space, needing no management. They asked questions
… read more when they couldn't figure things out on their own, very autonomous. They helped a lot with the garden, house work, and practiced their kimchi and kombucha making skills ;)
They made delicious food, really, make sure if you have them to ask them to make food! Very tasty. We also spent time with us on days off to go hiking and see local cities. We shared fun card games and lovely dinners out together. They also represented our project very positively at a local community BBQ by engaging our local community with their warmth and good humor, they played music, sang and danced the afternoon with our neighbors as if they were locals. We could not be more grateful for the experience.
Left by host for Workawayer (Samira)
Samira is great! She brought a lovely energy, jumped into the rhythm of life here right away, and handled every task with care and attention. She helped with gardening, painting, cleaning and cooking, and did everything to a really high standard.
She was independent and reliable. We never had to manage or remind her of anything. She knew how to
… read more take initiative but also wasn’t afraid to ask when something needed clarification. She was respectful of the space and super communicative throughout her stay. She surprised us with the diversity of experiences she had, from survival skills to fermenting, sewing, baking, and gardening; she loves to learn, always open to research, ask and improve.
On top of being a great worker, Samira was just lovely to be around. Warm, funny, down-to-earth, and easy to talk to. She got along with everyone and brought a curious, intuitive spirit with her. We went on a few hikes together, travelled to Porto for a couple days, and we can happily say we've made a nice new friend.
We’d absolutely host her again. If you get the chance to have her at your place, don’t think twice.
Left by Workawayer (Samira) for host
My time at the Quinta was my first Workaway experience, and I couldn't have asked for a better one.Lotte and Richard bring their own experiences as both hosts and volunteers, and they really know how to make a stay with them memorable.
During my stay there was a variety of different priotities and I could choose what I wanted to do. So I often
… read more worked with Lotte but also had the chance to work independently.
The food is incredible! As local and organic as possible - and their cooking is exceptionally good. You’re also encouraged to cook yourself and bring in your creativity. Open communication is highly valued in order to have a good time working and living together.
Lotte and Richard made sure I had the chance to experience things outside the Quinta as well. So they took me on hikes in Géres and even to the fair in the nearest town. There was time to laugh to play games, time I could organize myself and time to sweat while working.
I really enjoyed my stay with Richard an Lotte and will hopefully go back!Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Thinking back about my time at the Quinta, my heart starts feeling tingly and warm. As a volunteer, it was a pleasure to become part of a project that grew from the genuine desire to help others, with a selfless approach, rooted in the kindness that lies within Richard’s and Lotte’s hearts.
I could express myself in multiple ways and was always
… read more encouraged to try and learn new things. There are no expectations set for you as a volunteer: instead, you are able to give and bring in what you can and want. You will be working from a truly healthy source of motivation and I’m sure every volunteer that finds their way there, will be happy to support and help out in return for the incredible human beings Lotte and Richard are. I would recommend everyone to stay a bit longer- I, unfortunately, could only stay two and a half weeks and would have definitely liked to spend more time there.
But not only were the experiences beautiful in their presence, after leaving, the same warm feeling lives as a memory in my head. Working or spending time with the two was an incredibly enriching experience and I’m happy to be able to say, that I couldn’t have wished for a better way, or company to spend my time in Portugal.
Looking forward to meeting again!
kindest regards
Kim :)
Having Kim at our home was a real treat. Kim treated us daily to tasty meals, breads, cakes, and her warm and calming vibe. She seems like an introvert at first but she loves to engage people, asking meaningful questions with a true desire to learn more about people, the world, and subsequently herself. Kim is also someone who embraces gratitude,
… read more and not in an annoying or shallow way, but with genuine appreciation. Kim loves to experiment and create, whether in the kitchen or helping with creative tasks, she excelled at bringing her unique style and perspective.
“I’m not made of sugar” is a line that sticks out. Kim said this while it was raining outside and she felt motivated to finish a project she started the day before (storing ceramic roof tiles, like, a lot of them!). Kim embraces physical work and loves to be outside; helping in the garden and on the land. Kim harvest A LOT of orange blossoms and made syrups and other treats from things on the land, also planting small veggies that will grow into our summer harvest!
From game nights to going to the local city, Braga, for food and nice conversations, Kim was a pleasure to spend time with. She is humble, honest, and has a big heart, and we are immensely grateful for not just the work she helped us get done, but the meaningful moments we spent together. Highly recommend!
There is not enough to say about Lotte and Richard! We had the best time with them during all stages of our stay there.
Starting off, the village is very cute, with some of the best nature we have experienced. There is a lot of green around and just as much water from the river, which is really close to the house and it can only be described as a
… read more literal paradise. We also had the chance to meet locals from the village, who, despite their difficulty speaking English, were extremely warm and welcoming to us (maybe a few drinks played their part). Near-by is the city of Guimaraes, a medieval-style city with historical importance, that we had an awesome time visiting just by taking the bus from the village.
The work was varied and there was never any pressure concerning the intensity or the kind of work to be done. There were hard tasks in the garden to take care of, but also lighter tasks like sanding, painting etc. We learned a lot from Lotte, especially when it came to gardening and some fermenting (some tasty kimchi and kombucha). In any case, the work we did was very much appreciated by them, and they offered us back double the care.
We stayed at a very cozy room of the house, ate and slept better than back home, and we honestly can't think of anything that we missed. Even if there was something, Lotte and Richard gave us enough space to ask for whatever we needed.
And that's how we get to the most important part, which is Lotte and Richard. They are the kind of hosts that go above and beyond to make their volunteers feel as comfortable as possible from the first second. It feels inevitable to just become friends with them and enjoy time playing games after dinner, going on beautiful hikes and sharing the best conversations (they have some crazy stories to share). And if all this is not your cup of tea, they still respect the lines you draw, your privacy and your alone time. In addition to these two cool people, we had the luck to meet Lotte's parents and her cousin a bit later. The whole family is just adorable. We made friends of them over dinner, laughing a lot, talking about any topic there is and exchanging views, feeling so close to them despite the cultural and generational gap.
We know Lotte doesn't like overselling things, so we could just say that the experience was just "lovely and fun' but these are really our thoughts after 2 weeks staying with them. We don't just recommend them, we really advise anyone who is considering them, to just go for it.
Lotte and Richard, thank you again so so much, and can't wait to see you again soon!
We are planning our trip to Greece to visit our new friends next summer (serious). Just awesome people who are easy to share a space with because they're so aware of their surroundings, respectful, reliable, creative, friendly, and fun. Sissy & Stamatios arrived and immediately flowed in to the space, needing no management. They asked questions
… read more when they couldn't figure things out on their own, very autonomous. They helped a lot with the garden, house work, and practiced their kimchi and kombucha making skills ;)
They made delicious food, really, make sure if you have them to ask them to make food! Very tasty. We also spent time with us on days off to go hiking and see local cities. We shared fun card games and lovely dinners out together. They also represented our project very positively at a local community BBQ by engaging our local community with their warmth and good humor, they played music, sang and danced the afternoon with our neighbors as if they were locals. We could not be more grateful for the experience.
Left by host for Workawayer (Samira)
Samira is great! She brought a lovely energy, jumped into the rhythm of life here right away, and handled every task with care and attention. She helped with gardening, painting, cleaning and cooking, and did everything to a really high standard.
She was independent and reliable. We never had to manage or remind her of anything. She knew how to
… read more take initiative but also wasn’t afraid to ask when something needed clarification. She was respectful of the space and super communicative throughout her stay. She surprised us with the diversity of experiences she had, from survival skills to fermenting, sewing, baking, and gardening; she loves to learn, always open to research, ask and improve.
On top of being a great worker, Samira was just lovely to be around. Warm, funny, down-to-earth, and easy to talk to. She got along with everyone and brought a curious, intuitive spirit with her. We went on a few hikes together, travelled to Porto for a couple days, and we can happily say we've made a nice new friend.
We’d absolutely host her again. If you get the chance to have her at your place, don’t think twice.
Left by Workawayer (Samira) for host
My time at the Quinta was my first Workaway experience, and I couldn't have asked for a better one.Lotte and Richard bring their own experiences as both hosts and volunteers, and they really know how to make a stay with them memorable.
During my stay there was a variety of different priotities and I could choose what I wanted to do. So I often
… read more worked with Lotte but also had the chance to work independently.
The food is incredible! As local and organic as possible - and their cooking is exceptionally good. You’re also encouraged to cook yourself and bring in your creativity. Open communication is highly valued in order to have a good time working and living together.
Lotte and Richard made sure I had the chance to experience things outside the Quinta as well. So they took me on hikes in Géres and even to the fair in the nearest town. There was time to laugh to play games, time I could organize myself and time to sweat while working.
I really enjoyed my stay with Richard an Lotte and will hopefully go back!
From their work ethic to good humor and overall character, across the board, David and Maria are stellar human beings. Given that this is a new project which needed a lot of energy to get it started, we absolutely could not have asked (or hoped) that we would be so lucky to have folks who came out and worked as hard as these two did. David is a
… read more jack of all trades, he’s pretty good ore relatively aware on how to do pretty much anything , and if he doesn’t know, he wants to learn or figure it out. He is humble, gentle, and easy to be around. Maria is equally a hoot to hang out with, she has such a great attitude and an equally strong work ethic as David. And her attention to detail and willingness to put in the energy to get things right made all the difference. We literally had to tell them to take time off because they were just always busy knocking things off of our massive list. It was quite frankly as humbling experience as it was fun. We had some game nights where I literally left with stomach pain from laughing so much. And their curry was insane, like, wow! We have made new friends, and we look forward to them returning one day as such. Massive gratitude and love to you both! Richard & Lotte
We could wax lyrical all day on the pro's of helping out Lotte and Richard, but we'd get nothing else done!
As former workawayers, Lotte and Richard completely understand that it is extremely important to provide their volunteers with an amazing experience, and not just cold, hard work. They bent over backwards to make sure we enjoyed every
… read more minute, often going above and beyond to make our stay as comfortable as possible (to the point where I was even bought carpet slippers!).
It is very important that I point out that Lotte is an amazing chef and Richard knows his steaks. We ate like Kings. You will be encouraged to cook also and they definitely deserve a night off.
Work wise, you will need to bring enthusiasm and a willingness to work and help out where required. Hours and days off will be negotiable to suite everyone's needs, they really want to look after you in every aspect.
The propery itself is beautiful with many fruit trees. The accommodation is newly renovated, very clean, comfortable and private.
Layka, the most chilled out lovey dog also needs to be mentioned, who's presence instantly calms you down by at least 30%.
The quinta really is a special place surrounded by stunning countryside where only good hearted people should apply for its experience.Join our family projects in Brejao, the coastline of south west Portugal
Learn about self sufficiency and experience the beautiful Silver Coast and the vibrant city of Porto, Portugal
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