Portugal
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20/06/2022
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Hi there! We are Ruud and Silvia, a Dutch/Brazilian couple that decided to change lifestyle and move from Amsterdam to Tomar, Portugal - the project was born!
Our project contains two centennial stone houses in a lovely 4.000 m2 of land at the Nabão river, a property that was in desperate need of love and time. Since 3+ years we have been cleaning, (re)constructing, recycling, (re)shaping both houses and the garden – it has been hard work, but very rewarding. We live in one house, which is now comfortable, and we are renovating the other one now. We respect the houses and their history, choosing sustainable solutions and recycling/repurposing objects as much as we can. We love our life here so much, that we would like to share it with more people. Last year we had a great experience with a traveler who stayed with us a few weeks. She was super helpful but, most of all, having her around was very inspiring and refreshing. This encouraged us to become Workaway hosts now.
Are you interested in spending some time in a small town in the center of Portugal and at the same time help us continue our project? We can offer a spacious private room/bathroom, meals, and good company. Our home is located in a quiet place just outside the city, but at walking distance from the historical center of Tomar. The city and the region have much to offer, you will not regret spending some time here.
We hope to hear from you soon to discover mutual interests!
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
At the place you will have the opportunity to live in a relaxed environment that offers much opportunity to learn and give. It is difficult to list how you will benefit from your stay with us, because every person has a different angle, which might change according to opportunity and need. We hope to engage in a pleasant relationship with you, where we share life for a while, and learn from - and inspire - each other. Below some of what we can offer.
We are fluent in Dutch and (Brazilian) Portuguese, and also in English, the language we use for communication. Also, we both have (professional) Informatics skills. As experienced DIY-minded people, we have been doing all kinds of things, from construction to planting and harvesting. We love a challenge, and have succeeded in facing them in the 20+ that we have been married. This is not our first project for home renovation, but it is certainly the biggest. By helping us here, you can learn from what we know, or teach us what you know, or we can find out about we still don't know together. All that can be done while listening to music, chatting with each other, during meals or while enjoying the lovely sun, the riverside or the pool. We are the bosses of our time.
And of course, you will be in Portugal, which has great climate and very friendly people. You will be able to experience Portuguese culture and habits besides visiting the great Natural resources in the region. We use to say that Tomar is like a ‘black hole’, once you are here, you don’t get out. This applies to Portuguese and foreigners, so be aware.
We ask you to help us 20h every week, and we are in principle flexible on how to fill this in. The tasks will vary/evolve as we go, to adapt to your expertise and preferences, and also to the seasons and the project’s needs. Examples of tasks are taking care of the vegetable garden (horta) and garden (jardim), setting an irrigation system, recycling and repurposing objects, building fences, sewing, repairing and painting walls, harvesting olives and oranges, and much more.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
French: Beginner
This host offers a language exchange
We are always keen on improving our English skills and also more than happy to help you improve your Portuguese and Dutch skills.
The bedroom and bathroom are located in the upper floor of our home, which has been recently renovated. The room has 15m2, contains a double bed and cabinet, and also a sit corner – it is large and ventilated, offering your own private space. We could arrange a workspace if necessary. The bathroom is located on the corridor, but it will be reserved for your private use during your stay. Also, you will have access to our home facilities. Wifi is available and unlimited in (almost) all the property grounds, including the garden. There is also plenty of room to park your car/van.
We have a large garden, so there is plenty of space to enjoy your free time – it is our small oasis, in which we spend most of our time. But you will probably look around too. We are located just outside urban Tomar, at a walking distance (1.2 Km) from the historical center. There is plenty to do and see in Tomar, for example Convento de Cristo and other templar legacies, restaurants and shops ().
The region also has many attractions, such as the Lake of Castelo do Bode dam at the Zêzere river and the Camino de Santiago. Many other attractions are +- 45min by car, including the Nazaré beach with gigantic waves, Leiria, Alcobaça, Batalha, Fátima, Coimbra, Santarém, Caves and pre-historic monuments. And, if you want more, Lisbon is just 120km away. Tomar is well connected by rail – it takes you 2h to reach Lisbon – and it has public transportation by bus. We can also support you in organizing transportation, when the time comes.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
You will have a private space with good internet (Silvia works remotely for a Dutch employer, and Ruud runs our own digital facilities).
The entrance is narrow, so only small units would be able to reach the parking space.
One
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
