Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
30 Jun 2025
Reply rate
93.8 %
Usually responds within 3 days
Feedback
16
ID verified
Email verified
Badges (5)
Details
Description
Hi! We are James & Issy (From Ireland and England), and currently reside in the beautiful magic mountains (montanhas mágicas) region in central Portugal with our dear friends Svit and Stan (from Ukraine), plus our amazing three cats (Bear, Mocha and Bublik). The area is rich in fertile soil, clean water, and many beautiful swimming rivers. The farm is only a short distance from the pristine Teixeira river known for its great swimming spots.
We live on a beautiful 3 hectare quinta and are in the process of restoring it to a thriving community farm using the principals of permaculture. We are learning every day and would love some help with the project as there is lots to do
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Videography
Vegetarian or vegan
Technology
Sustainability
Self development
Farming
Music
Photography
Gardening
Yoga / Wellness
Nature
Mountain
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Volunteers will learn skills around growing food & foraging edible plants on the land, simple traditional irrigation systems, simple forest management with focus on reintroduction of native species. My aim will be to show you around this beautiful area, to stunning river swimming spots and view points. The area is rich in a diverse expat community who are regularly hosting meet ups, festivals and gatherings. You will have opportunities to connect with like minded individuals.
Help
We are learning every day and would love some help with the project as there is lots to do:
- Caring for the land
- Growing and caring for plants for food and medicine
- Expanding the irrigation system
- Land clearing for fire protection and introduction of more beneficial species
- Eco construction and renovation of existing stone structures, using materials on the land eg. eucalyptus.
- Traditional building techniques including clay
--
- Growing and caring for plants for food and medicine
- Cooking
- General diy on the land
- Reforesting the land for native species
Specific skills such as carpentry, building etc would be great but not needed. Enthusiasm and a willingness to learn and share your ideas will be so welcome.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Ukrainian: Fluent
Portuguese: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
I am a native English speaker who would like to learn European Portugese.
Accommodation
Accomodation will be either inside a dry and recently re-roofed building or on the land in tents (depending on bed availability), or bring your campervan and park up.
Please note conditions are basic, there are two outdoor (covered) compost toilets and volunteers must channel their inner Wim Hoff as currently the shower is outside and cold but pure from spring water. However there is a wood fired outdoor bath, should a nice relaxing bath be needed.
There is a shared communal kitchen and lounge area where you can make food, make a hot drink and chill out. The space has some instruments such as guitar, jambé and cajón for jamming sessions.
In exchange for your help you will be provided with 3 meals daily, 7 days a week (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and everyone will share cooking duties. If you cook this will be taken off your daily help hours.
Meals are simple, healthy and nutritious veggie dishes, using as many fresh produce from the farm as seasonally possible.
What else ...
The farm is around 25 minutres from Oliveira de frades, 30 minutes from São pedro du sul (easy bus connections from Porto) and 1h20 from Porto.
On your time off there are hiking trails, river swimming spots, and a village close by which has a café and a pretty town square.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Bublik
Mocha
Bear
Feedback (12)
Special mention for the amazing food we got… read more
In a short time, we created a large family, with… read more
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Special mention for the amazing food we got… read more
In a short time, we created a large family, with… read more
I have spent 4 weeks here. This was my first workaway-experience, and I coulnd't have chosen any better place.
I now know that there are more workaway-experiences for me to come, and even more certain that I will visit you lovely guys from September on… read more
this farm has so much to offer. james is the nicest guy in the world with a great sense of humour and a clear love for people and his… read more
the work hardly feels like work when you know you're helping a wonderful project grow and you can really see the progress with every day that passes.
Thank you James for all the… read more
His genuine and easygoing personality, smile mode on 24/7, good manners, the care he shows for helpers and generally for human beings, the time he finds to cheer up someone or make the day of the crew leaving things behind, to run instead for a… read more
The work and the non-work times felt the same as the atmosphere was amazing and you have new things to learn (or teach) everyday ;)
James is always here to make sure everyone is feeling… read more
I felt warmly welcomed when I arrived on the farm. Simple and comfortable:)
This piece of land has its own kind of peaceful and fertile energy, making you feel like everything is possible!
James is the sweetest, always making sure everyone is well hydrated nourished and working safe (lots of… read more
The vibe is very calming and laid back, I couldn't have wished for a more kind and welcoming host!
During my stay I had the opportunity to do a lot of different… read more
