Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
30 Nov 2023
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
44
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
=================
Currently looking for a couple (or single) for the period May/June to help us with our regular spring chores, especially painting, mowing, strimming, and other chores in and around our house.
=================
We are Marga and Jurrie, a Dutch couple who moved to Portugal fifteen years ago to start a living over here in order to increase our quality of life. We are active host for volunteers during most months of the year.
All construction work, cleaning of the villa's when change overs, land management with potentially dangerous machineries like tractors, chain saws etc are exclusively done by local professionals we have contracted. Workaway volunteers are welcome to give an extra hand with some additional chores. In winter these chores are pretty physical and sometime dirty and smokey when burning remains.
We consider ourselves as very down to earth and open minded people, we love to work hard (if necessary) and we love to end the day with a good meal and a good glass of wine as well. We consider Workaway as a social, intercultural exchange program and people of all ages from all over the world are welcome to spend some quality time in this nice area of Portugal.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We love to share our extended knowledge of land management, growing our own vegetables and fruits, preserving all kind of foods.
We also love to share our 15-years experiences and the do's and don'ts of starting a living and (tourism) business in Portugal as immigrants.
We have pets, a 8 months puppy German sheperd dog named Rex, an arrogant cat Stimpie.
Help
In good consultation we will define a combination of tasks that will fit with your preferences, capabilities and experiences. Good developed social skills are necessary to make this workaway exchange a success.
.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
German: Intermediate
Portuguese: Intermediate
Accommodation
We offer you a comfortable guest room were you will have maximum privacy.
What else ...
You have to be aware of the fact that we live in a quiet and relatively remote area. Therefore we prefer to host a couple or two friends for a minimal period of 3/4 weeks preferably longer.
We will keep in mind that you also will be here to discover Portugal and therefore we will fully respect the agreement to work 5 days a week/25 effective hours a week. We are open to approach this on a very flexible way, so that you also will have sufficient time to plan some more day trips/long weekends to explore the country.
Nearest cities are Oliveira do Hospital and Tábua, both on a 8 kilometers distance. Vilela is centrally situated in the Dão-region, a big area that is enclosed bij the Serra Estrela in the East (25 km), the Serra Açor in the South (20 km) and the Serra de Caramulo in the West (30 km). The area is also dominated by two rivers, the Rio Mondego and the Rio Alva.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Decent WiFi available
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 5 effective hours a day, 5 days a week/Flexible planning.
Host ref number: 192862449215
Feedback (23)
17 Apr 2024
Left by Workawayer (Elena) for host
Apologies for the very late review!! We both couldn’t have asked for a better experience, Jurrie and Marga were very nice and welcoming from the beginning, they’ve been very accommodating and very reasonable with the workload too! The hours we worked and the job that we did was exactly as described and the tasks were different everyday so we… read more
14 Nov 2023
Left by Workawayer (Mike & Kara) for host
We had a great time at Jurrie and Margas, although trying to complete works around the rain, we managed to get the deck area complete. It is a beautiful property and although we slept in our van, we made good use of the "wooden house" to lounge in at night, cook and use the wood burner.
Jurrie always made sure that if we needed any materials they… read more
Jurrie always made sure that if we needed any materials they… read more
12 Nov 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Mike & Kara)
Mike & Kara were excellent volunteers, a pleasure and gift to have them on board for a few weeks. All the positive comments from the other reviews are true. They are mature, skillfull, responsible and flexible helpers. At their best when given full responsibilty from A to Z for a complete project, in our case the complete replacement of a 50sqm… read more
(Excellent
)
30 Jul 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Priscylla)
Thanks for staying with us Priscylla and helping on our quinta. We really enjoyed having you here in your first Workaway. You were so friendly and patient with our new and very young dog Rex and you were a good help in our garden and maintaining the facilities on our campsite. Good luck in future whatever you do. We can really recommend Priscylla,… read more
(Excellent
)
18 Jul 2023
Left by Workawayer (Priscylla) for host
They were my first volunteer job and I couldn't have started in a better place. Jurrie picked me up at the Venda de Galizes bus stop, which is near Covas where they have the Quinta. On the first day Marga, his wife, had prepared a very tasty dinner.
Every morning Jurrie provided two loaves of bread for breakfast and gave a weekly allowance for… read more
Every morning Jurrie provided two loaves of bread for breakfast and gave a weekly allowance for… read more
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:
(4.7)
Communication:
(5.0)
17 Apr 2024
Left by Workawayer (Elena) for host
Apologies for the very late review!! We both couldn’t have asked for a better experience, Jurrie and Marga were very nice and welcoming from the beginning, they’ve been very accommodating and very reasonable with the workload too! The hours we worked and the job that we did was exactly as described and the tasks were different everyday so we… read more
14 Nov 2023
Left by Workawayer (Mike & Kara) for host
We had a great time at Jurrie and Margas, although trying to complete works around the rain, we managed to get the deck area complete. It is a beautiful property and although we slept in our van, we made good use of the "wooden house" to lounge in at night, cook and use the wood burner.
Jurrie always made sure that if we needed any materials they… read more
Jurrie always made sure that if we needed any materials they… read more
12 Nov 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Mike & Kara)
Mike & Kara were excellent volunteers, a pleasure and gift to have them on board for a few weeks. All the positive comments from the other reviews are true. They are mature, skillfull, responsible and flexible helpers. At their best when given full responsibilty from A to Z for a complete project, in our case the complete replacement of a 50sqm… read more
(Excellent
)
30 Jul 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Priscylla)
Thanks for staying with us Priscylla and helping on our quinta. We really enjoyed having you here in your first Workaway. You were so friendly and patient with our new and very young dog Rex and you were a good help in our garden and maintaining the facilities on our campsite. Good luck in future whatever you do. We can really recommend Priscylla,… read more
(Excellent
)
18 Jul 2023
Left by Workawayer (Priscylla) for host
They were my first volunteer job and I couldn't have started in a better place. Jurrie picked me up at the Venda de Galizes bus stop, which is near Covas where they have the Quinta. On the first day Marga, his wife, had prepared a very tasty dinner.
Every morning Jurrie provided two loaves of bread for breakfast and gave a weekly allowance for… read more
Every morning Jurrie provided two loaves of bread for breakfast and gave a weekly allowance for… read more
14 May 2023
Left by Workawayer (Petra) for host
I enjoyed my time with Marga and Jurrie on the Quinta. They have created a beautiful place and can tell you a lot about everthing on the property, the nature, the campingside and the ecological pool surrounding it. I am glad that I got the chance to help prepare for the new season. I enjoyed the different tasks, inside and outside. Beside that,… read more
14 May 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Petra)
Six stars! Sometimes in life you meet the right persons on the right moment and this was the case when hosting Petra for the last nine weeks, She was very companionable and we miss her already. Very quickly, she adjusted to the rhythm on our quinta and was willing to put her hand very efficiently to any of the many tasks in and outside that needed… read more
(Excellent
)
10 Jun 2022
Left by Workawayer (Nicolle & Niels) for host
Dear Jurrie and Marga, thank you for hosting us!
It were great inspiring weeks; we could use our own skills & experience in a new setting, we learned a lot and gained new experiences. O.a. we loved working at the pool (making the pool and terras summer proof), learned a lot from Jurries and Marga’s knowledge & experience w.r.t. the quinta and… read more
It were great inspiring weeks; we could use our own skills & experience in a new setting, we learned a lot and gained new experiences. O.a. we loved working at the pool (making the pool and terras summer proof), learned a lot from Jurries and Marga’s knowledge & experience w.r.t. the quinta and… read more
9 Jun 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Nicolle & Niels)
It was a very good experience to host Niels and Nicolle for a few weeks. Both did an excellent job by taking over full responsibilty for our resort during our small break in May. They took care for our guests, our animals and our house in the best way you would have wanted. Both are hard workers and respectful. They were committed to the agreed… read more
(Excellent
)
24 Aug 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Tina)
Tina came as a guest, stayed five weeks as a Workaway volunteer during the first lockdown and left as a friend. If you ever have the chance to host Tina: don't hesitate - just do it, she is excellent! She worked very hard and well with care, dedication while bringing positive energy. She loved the outdoor jobs and was not afraid to get very dirty.… read more
(Excellent
)
10 Aug 2021
Left by Workawayer (Tina) for host
My stay at Jurrie and Marga's quinta for 5 weeks was marvelous (even in spite of the outbreak of corona at that time / April 2020). They are very friendly people and make you feel welcome flat the first step you make on there narural and good organised camping. The work is various by day, but it don't feel like working: it's a way of life! A good… read more
28 Nov 2019
Left by Workawayer (Auste) for host
Jurrie and Marga were great hosts. Always willing to help and to chat. I stayed with them for a month and it was a wonderful experience. I learned a lot about gardening skills and also about Portugal culture. The daily shift was always changing so it was always interesting to work. They showed me and the other volunteer a really nice market place,… read more
25 Nov 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Auste)
Auste is an easy going, motivated and fun volunteer to have around bringing a lot of good energy and smiles to your place. She has a great sense of humour and a positive approach to all tasks, always open for learning and discovering. We would highly recommend her as a volunteer to future hosts; you will definitely not regret the decision to… read more
(Excellent
)
27 Nov 2019
Left by Workawayer (Martynas) for host
I am grateful and happy that this was my very first Workaway experience. The provided accommodation was absolutely amazing, the daily chores were manageable and different every single day which was really great. Jurrie and Marga were really welcoming and generous so me and another Workaway volunteer always felt like at home. Overall I would most… read more
13 Oct 2019
Left by Workawayer (Sally) for host
I recently stayed with Marga and Jurrie for 4 weeks at their excellent campsite. I was very lucky to stay in one of their luxury villas, I loved it! Marga and Jurrie were very kind and generous with a weekly allowance which was supplemented with eggs from their girls, fresh fruit from their terrain and fresh bread delivered daily. I learnt a lot… read more
6 Oct 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Sally)
Sally has everything you could wish for in a workaway exchange. She is a lovely woman we thoroughly enjoyed having her around and were really sad to see her go. She worked very hard and well with care and dedication. She has an absolute "I want to get the job done"-mentality although that often implicated she worked more hours than expected. She… read more
(Excellent
)
6 Jul 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Jose carlos & Debora)
It was a very pleasant experience to host José Carlos and Deborah for volunteering during two weeks in June. They helped us very well with several last preparations for the start of high season and some general maintenance jobs on our qunta. They are a great mature couple, enthusiastic, dedicated and flexible as well as knowledgeable and skilled… read more
(Excellent
)
1 Jul 2019
Left by Workawayer (Jose carlos & Debora) for host
Our experience with Marga and Jurrie was fantastic. The place is very beautiful and organized, we stayed in a house with every comfort.
Jurrie spent all our chores in the morning and was always very fair with work schedules and days off.
We stayed two weeks of work and a lot of cultural exchange, including with the guests, always very friendly… read more
Jurrie spent all our chores in the morning and was always very fair with work schedules and days off.
We stayed two weeks of work and a lot of cultural exchange, including with the guests, always very friendly… read more
17 Feb 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Jessica & Mike)
Jessica and Mike are a very pleasant young couple who picked up the agreed jobs very easily en smoothly. They have a very broad set of skills due to their previous work experience and can work without to much instruction or supervision. Even more important than work, it was fun to host them. They left the provided villa spotlessly clean and this… read more
(Excellent
)
7 Feb 2019
Left by Workawayer (Jessica & Mike) for host
Marga, Jurrie & Tess were excellent hosts, who really helped us out when we were in a bit of a bind! We really enjoyed meeting them all. The accommodation was amazing, the land is incredibly well managed and all the jobs were well explained and although we just there a short time the tasks were varied and we really learnt the value of land… read more
2 Oct 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Lynn)
Lynn stayed with us in September and helped us a lot with several daily chores like cleaning the bathhouse, watering the recently planted trees and gardens, housekeeping, some marketing research and preparing seven antique iron & rusty bed heads that will be transformed into a rustique fence. Lyn is a cheerful & energetic lady, has a "what can be… read more
(Excellent
)
29 Sep 2018
Left by Workawayer (Lynn) for host
I have just returned from Portugal, having spent 4 weeks with Marga and Jurrie. It was a great experience for my first work away. Marga and Jurrie are wonderful hosts and made me feel very welcome. The work is straight forward and very well explained. The terrain is beautiful and you are able to use the swimming pool alongside guests. I would… read more
1 Oct 2018
Left by Workawayer (Olimpiu & Monika) for host
We stayed with Marga and Jurrie for about two weeks and we had a great time over there. Working here was a fun and enriching experience. The villa that we lived in was amazing so as the entire campsite with its swimming pool, ping pong table, and trampoline. Marga and Jurrie were kind enough to offer us transport to the city when we needed it… read more
2 Sep 2018
Left by Workawayer (Alexandra & Riccardo) for host
Fantastic experience with Marga and Jurrie in their Fifth! If you like camping life, quiet and with simple and fun activities, this is the right place! The owners are a couple with a great sense of humor, generous, serious and professional. The work is very clear and never too much and in your free time you can organize as you prefer (do not… read more
27 Aug 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Alexandra & Riccardo)
We were delighted to welcome Riccardo and Alexandra at our quinta for volunteering three weeks in August! They are a great couple, enthusiastic and committed, as well as very knowledgeable and skilled in many areas of our business. We are very grateful for their support and help, especially for the cleaning of our facilities, their focused care… read more
(Excellent
)
3 May 2018
Left by Workawayer (Suzanne & Andy) for host
Jurrie and Marga were marvelous hosts - kind, considerate and great fun to be with. Quinta do Retira is a truly beautiful place and it is obvious that they have put a lot of effort into making it so pleasant. It was really useful to us to stay there as we learned about running a campsite and Andy got to know how a natural swimming pool is… read more
2 May 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Suzanne & Andy)
It was such a nice experience to host Andy and Suzanne for a month. Both are very hard workers and respectful. They are committed, open, responsible and have a big heart. Even when repetitive, boring, tiring or serious tasks need to be done (like mowing lots of grass), they always face it in a good mood, with some jokes and a smile. Both did an… read more
(Excellent
)
2 Feb 2018
Left by Workawayer (Daniel) for host
Jurrie and Marga are a really warm hearted couple and the 3 weeks we were helping out was a wonderful experience. The work was quite exhausting especially after the situation of the heavy fire a few months ago.
There was much to do but it was also a good feeling to help out and see the result of the hard work.
We really aprreciated Jurrie and… read more
There was much to do but it was also a good feeling to help out and see the result of the hard work.
We really aprreciated Jurrie and… read more
29 Dec 2017
Left by Workawayer (Iain & Janka) for host
Marga and Jurrie! You are two of the most wonderful hosts I have ever lived with. Seriously I lived with a lot of different hosts and you have been among the best for your warm home with amazing food, attentiveness, desire to have a balanced exchange and communication of boundaries.
To see how hard you were working for yourselves and the… read more
To see how hard you were working for yourselves and the… read more
2 Dec 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Iain & Janka)
Thanks you so much Iain and Xavier! You both did an excellent job to help us - and our Portuguese neighbours - recovering the damage of the wildfires in our region. They digged a lot of holes to plant more than 100 new oaks, platans and medronhos to regreen our campsite and burned the remains of affected pines and mimosas. Although these jobs were… read more
(Excellent
)
10 Dec 2017
Left by Workawayer (Xavier) for host
Looking back on these four last weeks, I have nothing but good things and memories coming to mind. Marga and Jurrie, you are authentic, you are genuine and you are human. You have been a beam of sunshine in my life when I needed it, more than you could imagine. By remaining faithful and strong and by showing great kindness to the ones in need, I… read more
2 Dec 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Xavier)
Thanks you so much Xavier and Iain! You both did an excellent job to help us - and our Portuguese neighbours - recovering the damage of the wildfires in our region. They digged a lot of holes to plant more than 100 new oaks, platans and medronhos to regreen our campsite and burned the remains of affected pines and mimosas. Although these jobs were… read more
(Excellent
)
22 Aug 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Andrew & Tracy)
Triple excellent, Andy and Tracy were the best volunteers we ever had! They bring both a broad set of skills and most important they bring enthusiasm, joy and lots energy & good vibes to your place. They know exactly what is important/needed in the hospitality business and they were also highly appreciated by our guests. We hope they will find… read more
(Excellent
)
19 Aug 2017
Left by Workawayer (Andrew & Tracy) for host
We have just enjoyed a wonderful workaway experience with Marga and Jurrie. They are great company and do so much to make their workawayers feel at home - Marga's apple sauce and fig chutney are divine. We will keep in touch and very much hope we can return.
The campsite is idyllic and the work was both enjoyable and educational (we picked up lots… read more
The campsite is idyllic and the work was both enjoyable and educational (we picked up lots… read more
27 Mar 2017
Left by Workawayer (Amandine) for host
I had a great time with Marga and Jurrie !
They are very nice and caring people, i felt confortable and welcome from the beginning. Their main goal i think is to make people enjoy life as much as they do !
They are also amazing cookers, funny and i really enjoyed the conversations we had, and i feel like i learned a lot with them.
The place is… read more
They are very nice and caring people, i felt confortable and welcome from the beginning. Their main goal i think is to make people enjoy life as much as they do !
They are also amazing cookers, funny and i really enjoyed the conversations we had, and i feel like i learned a lot with them.
The place is… read more
22 Mar 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Amandine)
Amandine fitted in perfectly as of the first minute. Always calm, smiling, lending a hand where needed, independent, friendly and a pleasure to have around in our house. She stayed with us for three weeks and she did an excellent job by translating our website and some other documents in French. She also did some other tasks like helping in the… read more
(Excellent
)
29 Dec 2016
Left by Workawayer (Simone) for host
One word keeps coming to my mind when describing Jurrie and Marga and that is 'generous'. Generous in giving us lots of precious information on our pursuit to find property in Portugal, lending us their bikes, car, always offering rides into town, taking us to a local banquet party, to the market, and let us live in a wonderful home. So many… read more
26 Dec 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (Simone)
We were very happy to host Simone and Michael four weeks in November. They worked really hard & efficient and thanks to their efforts we were are able to realize a great part of the outside maintenance jobs on our quinta. They are both very fit, strong and energetic!
Also on a personal level there was a click. We enjoyed the conversations we had… read more
Also on a personal level there was a click. We enjoyed the conversations we had… read more
(Excellent
)
26 Dec 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (Michael)
We were very happy to host Michael and Simone four weeks in November. They worked really hard & efficient and thanks to their efforts we were are able to realize a great part of the outside maintenance jobs on our quinta. They are both very fit, strong and energetic!
Also on a personal level there was a click. We enjoyed the conversations we had… read more
Also on a personal level there was a click. We enjoyed the conversations we had… read more
(Excellent
)
8 Sep 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (Neslikti)
Ronald helped us during two weeks to clean the bathhouse, the pool area and did some gardening jobs like watering and harvesting. He wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty and did the agreed jobs in the best way possible, even the ones that weren’t his favorites.
Ronald is indeed a bit introvert and silent, but with some investment in time and… read more
Ronald is indeed a bit introvert and silent, but with some investment in time and… read more
(Very good
)
5 Sep 2016
Left by Workawayer (Neslikti) for host
Those were two great weeks of doing various jobs throughout the terrain for the upon-agreeded hours, as well as recreating with a book at the pool or campsite.
Marga & Jurrie didn't refuse to chat at the evenings (animals neither) or being kind and describeful all the other time.
Marga & Jurrie didn't refuse to chat at the evenings (animals neither) or being kind and describeful all the other time.
19 Aug 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (Clémence)
Mimi, you were great! Everything that is written in your profile is true and even more than that. You have an "already done it" attitude in your work, learned quickly and you were excellent in the contacts with our guests. We loved your smile and energetic, positive, open minded personality and you were fun to socialize with. Our pets adored you!… read more
(Excellent
)
13 Sep 2015
Left by host for Workawayer (Paula)
Without any hesitation we can recommend Paula to all future Workwaway-hosts. She was motivated to do the agreed jobs, learned quickly etc, - but most of all - it was nice to work and share time with here. Again many thanks Paula that you made our first hosting experience a succes! Marga and Jurrie Kramer, ***, Covas/Portugal
(Excellent
)
29 Aug 2015
Left by Workawayer (Paula) for host
Living and working with Jurrie and Marga was a great experience. I went there with my friend and we both felt truly comfortable and welcome. I stayed for 1 month, but she stayed only for 2 weeks because she had to go back home.
The camping is beautiful and if you are a water person, like me, you'll spend hours in the bio-ecological pool.
The… read more
The camping is beautiful and if you are a water person, like me, you'll spend hours in the bio-ecological pool.
The… read more
