Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
27 Jan 2026
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
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Details
Description
My parents are Portuguese Imigrantes and we moved back to my origins 8 years ago. I moved here with my husband and 2 small children, we bought an old stone property with land and are creating the first ever Passivhaus in our area (there aren't many in Portugal). We are half Portuguese and half English with most of my family who lives and is from this area.
The land has suffered after the September 2024 fires and also 2017 so we are working to create new ecosystems and bring nature back to life, using permaculture/food forest principals. It's a beautiful area, lots of history.
My husband and I work remotely and our children go to school here. We have many fuit trees, vines.
We love walking/ swimming in the Serra de Estrela mountains which are not far away, and there's lots of garden projects on the go too. Myself and my family are fully Bilingual in Portuguese and English, we love exploring and developing the area and are also involved in the community. Both Seb and Matt play the trumpet in the local band. Our kids are aged 9(Aura) & 11(Seb) and have a good understanding on were food comes from and how to grow it!
We used to explore caves as a hobby and have our own training space as part of our house where Liz does Areal Silks and Single rope technique.
We believe in making life sustainable, working with the land and animals. Looking at ways to improve the community and generally a better place for everyone!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Elderly Companionship
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
House & pet sitting
Interests
Performing arts
History
Books
Vegetarian or vegan
Technology
Sustainability
Self development
Pets
Movies & TV
Farming
Events & social
Culture
Plant care
Music
Languages
Gardening
Drawing & painting
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Art & design
Animals
Yoga / Wellness
Outdoor activities
Nature
Mountain
Hiking
Cycling
Camping
Beach
Adventure sports
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We are Bilingual in English and Portuguese so you can practice language skills, get to know rural life in Portugal. We like to go walking in the area/and mountains at the weekend. We go to local events, experience festivals and get to know the local culture. Learn about wine making from us, and basic agriculture on a small scale. Try aerial silks in my training space.
Help
Availability :We currently have a Workawayer staying with us until 29th January, and we can welcome a new Workawayer from 1st February 2026.
About the Help We’re Looking For (February 2026)
Life here is based around caring for our animals, garden, and ongoing farm projects. Tasks vary day to day and are a mix of daily responsibilities, garden work, and shared projects and working individually with tasks.
Daily Tasks
Walking and caring for our dogs – this is a very important part of the role. We’re looking for someone who genuinely enjoys dogs and is willing to get to know them properly. Previous experience with dogs (especially large dogs, St. Bernard size) or puppies is strongly preferred.
Caring for chickens – checking food and water, cleaning them out.
General cleaning and cooking
Squeezing fresh orange juice
Garden & Outdoor Tasks
Cutting grass (including in the vineyard)
Weeding and planting trees
Cutting up branches into suitable piles for woodchipping
Harvesting seasonal vegetables
Cutting back brambles
Projects We Do Together
Wood chipping
Cutting and stacking firewood
Planting
Building projects (e.g. making a chicken house or shed)
We always discuss current projects in advance and like to understand each Workawayer’s skills and confidence level. If you have particular skills (e.g. building, gardening, DIY, animal care), please let us know — we’re happy to adapt tasks and include things you enjoy or want to learn.
Health & Responsibility
We understand that illness can happen and is often unplanned. However, if you are unwell for more than 3 days, we expect an open discussion about medical care and whether it’s appropriate to continue the stay. This is important as we have children and vulnerable adults (including my parents) living with us.
Length of Stay
Our standard stay is 2 weeks.
If you’d like to stay longer, we start with a 1–2 week trial period, followed by a catch-up conversation to make sure everyone is happy. Longer stays typically range from 6 weeks to 2 months.
Building relationships is important to us — we value communication, shared experiences, and creating a positive environment for everyone.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Portuguese: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
Whilst we are restoring our house you are staying next door in a rural country house. It has 2 bathrooms , one out on the balcony and one indoors, there are many options for accommodation from camping/living indoors/campervan space for those with their own accommodation. The rural country house is small, and also being renovated. We have a washing machine, hotwater, dishwasher and heaters.
What else ...
1 hour from the highest mountain point in Portugal, 1 and half hour from the beach, 1 hour from Coimbra. We have mountain bikes which you can borrow and there are some local mountain biking and walking trails. Nelas is the nearest town 2km away with supermarkets and pharmacies. Lots of vineyards to visit, historical buildings, at different times of the year have key events; wine festivals, cheese festivals in the mountains, carnivals, medieval festivals, saint days with traditional parades.
We are not too far from river beaches, most places one needs to drive to, but one can also get buses and lifts which can be arranged with planning.
At the moment we are very busy with the house and family life we usually take Sundays off to go and do something different, like walking, a day trip or visit family.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
We have space for a campervan in our patio area that has access to electrical point. Workaways can use the internet for checking emails and messages but doesn't work to download films. If Families wish to visit there needs to 2 adults as part of this team so there is always someone available to care for children especially if they are under the age of 12 years old.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Skye and Chase (6 months)
2 family cats very loving and entertaining
Lobo and Hope (11 months)
Lobo is a Portuguese 5 year old mountain dog, and Hope is a 1 year old Doberman. They are best of friends!
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (8)
If she was unhappy or if… read more
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Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
If she was unhappy or if… read more
During my stay, I helped with a variety of tasks, including cooking and baking, gardening, walking their dog, tiling their new bathroom, and assembling their kitchen cabinets and drawers. It… read more
Jobs undertaken: Picking favas (broad beans), emptying compost bin, planting… read more
