Enjoy farm life near Guarda, Portugal
Last activity
: 13 Jul 2025
Profile information
Usually responds within 1 day
Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks
Workawayers needed
Possibility that workawayers are needed
No availability
Details
Host ref number: 279674697412
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Feedback (4)
Left by Workawayer (Ieva) for host
Our 2 weeks at Joy and Heiko's farm were lovely and we will for sure return when we find the time again! We would have stayed longer, alas, we had other commitments. Friend and I wanted to spend time in nature, travel Portugal a bit and have a break from our mentally exhausting work on the computer. This workaway exceeded our expectations on all
… read more counts.
We are city people, so in some ways, we can be fussy just cus of that (we like our hot showers, preferably fast internet and we have (had?) 0 farm skills), but we felt comfortable and appreciated just how we are.
THE HOSTS
Very hospitable, friendly and reasonable people. We had lunch/dinner several times a week, it was always easy and fun. They showed us around the region, too. We never felt awkward around them while we ourselves can come off awkward because we are introverted by nature.
There are 2 friendly dogs and 2 cutie pie cats. We are rather cat people and like only nice dogs. We got on great with Lulu and Raldo because they are well-behaved and sweet dogs.
THE FARM
Huge and beautiful, lots of trees, fruit trees, too, many places to hang out without constantly running into people. River access is lovely - I spent many afternoons there reading in the shade. I enjoyed rowing up and down the river a lot. While the river is pretty cool temp-wise to swim in, there is a large swimming pool for weaklings like me.
THE WORK
Building a shed (laying foundation), gardening (weeding, trimming, etc.), usually starting at 7.30
It was hot when we were there (like 31-35C on many days - beginning of July), but we never worked in scorching sun for long enough to be really bothered. The more physically demanding tasks were done in the early morning while it's cool. Never felt overworked or exploited at all. My friend was sick for a couple days when we arrived and he was never made to feel bad over not being able to work. He felt bad all on his own. :)
THE ACCOMMODATION
The cabin we stayed in, just friend and I!, was even comfier than described. We slept in different rooms, which for us light sleepers was great. Nights are cool, so we slept well. Beds were comfy, mosquito nets everywhere. The kitchen is well-fitted, with airfryer, gas stove, plenty of spices to cook nice food and unlimited olive oil from olives on the farm. Internet connection was good (like 80-90mbps) with sufficient ping to do work on virtual desktop. There was a yoga mat with blocks, books and board games, TV where you can watch movies, on Netflix or other, and through HDMI, too.
Hosting Veronica was a pleasure. She was diligent and dedicated, very interesting to chat to and absolutely lights up when the topics of boardgames, movies and cooking come up. She is an amazing cook, and will turn your perception of vegan food being dull on its head! Everything she made tasted like a top class restaurant meal and she was very
… read more happy to take on the responsibility of cooking more often than is required because of our limited knowledge of making vegan meals.
Veronica was keen on every task and didn’t need to be chaperoned.
We look forward to eating at your restaurant one day 😉
All the best and hope to see you again! 😊
We were very lucky to have Angelina volunteer at our farm, she brings so much positivity and energy to every day and is great company! She was keen and interested in every task, always eager to learn new things, very adaptable and has an ability to boost everyone’s moods and productivity. Her and her fellow volunteer Veronica made us amazing
… read more meals, even spoiling us with a surprise homemade sushi lunch on their last day!
Her love for the farm and the animals was palpable, and it is always inspiring to see someone appreciate their surroundings and truly live in the moment. It was a pleasure to host Angelina and any one would be fortunate to do the same.
We, and all the animals 😉 , look forward to meeting again, thank you Angelina 😊
My stay at the Quinta was beyond any expectation. Heiko and Joy are extraordinary human beings. So kind, fun, welcoming, appreciative - beautiful warmhearted souls!!! The place itself is also magical. I miss the mountain view, clear nights full of stars, the olive trees, bramble cutting as well as our fun movie nights.Falling asleep to the sound
… read more of owls and the flow of the river rounded up the beautiful days we had. Can't imagine a better place for my first olive harvest and feel deeply grateful for the experience and the chance to spend time with Heiko and Joy. I learned so much thanks to the great and patient explanations of them. Both also made sure that me and my volunteer companion had the opportunity to explore the surrounded areas and were always up for giving us a lift. The work itself was interesting and fun and always involved a tea brake :)
I miss each and everything of that place and would love to come back one day for sure!!! Miss you guys a lot! Big pet to Lulu, Raldi, Feng and Skuzzy please ;)!!!Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Left by Workawayer (Ieva) for host
Our 2 weeks at Joy and Heiko's farm were lovely and we will for sure return when we find the time again! We would have stayed longer, alas, we had other commitments. Friend and I wanted to spend time in nature, travel Portugal a bit and have a break from our mentally exhausting work on the computer. This workaway exceeded our expectations on all
… read more counts.
We are city people, so in some ways, we can be fussy just cus of that (we like our hot showers, preferably fast internet and we have (had?) 0 farm skills), but we felt comfortable and appreciated just how we are.
THE HOSTS
Very hospitable, friendly and reasonable people. We had lunch/dinner several times a week, it was always easy and fun. They showed us around the region, too. We never felt awkward around them while we ourselves can come off awkward because we are introverted by nature.
There are 2 friendly dogs and 2 cutie pie cats. We are rather cat people and like only nice dogs. We got on great with Lulu and Raldo because they are well-behaved and sweet dogs.
THE FARM
Huge and beautiful, lots of trees, fruit trees, too, many places to hang out without constantly running into people. River access is lovely - I spent many afternoons there reading in the shade. I enjoyed rowing up and down the river a lot. While the river is pretty cool temp-wise to swim in, there is a large swimming pool for weaklings like me.
THE WORK
Building a shed (laying foundation), gardening (weeding, trimming, etc.), usually starting at 7.30
It was hot when we were there (like 31-35C on many days - beginning of July), but we never worked in scorching sun for long enough to be really bothered. The more physically demanding tasks were done in the early morning while it's cool. Never felt overworked or exploited at all. My friend was sick for a couple days when we arrived and he was never made to feel bad over not being able to work. He felt bad all on his own. :)
THE ACCOMMODATION
The cabin we stayed in, just friend and I!, was even comfier than described. We slept in different rooms, which for us light sleepers was great. Nights are cool, so we slept well. Beds were comfy, mosquito nets everywhere. The kitchen is well-fitted, with airfryer, gas stove, plenty of spices to cook nice food and unlimited olive oil from olives on the farm. Internet connection was good (like 80-90mbps) with sufficient ping to do work on virtual desktop. There was a yoga mat with blocks, books and board games, TV where you can watch movies, on Netflix or other, and through HDMI, too.
Hosting Veronica was a pleasure. She was diligent and dedicated, very interesting to chat to and absolutely lights up when the topics of boardgames, movies and cooking come up. She is an amazing cook, and will turn your perception of vegan food being dull on its head! Everything she made tasted like a top class restaurant meal and she was very
… read more happy to take on the responsibility of cooking more often than is required because of our limited knowledge of making vegan meals.
Veronica was keen on every task and didn’t need to be chaperoned.
We look forward to eating at your restaurant one day 😉
All the best and hope to see you again! 😊
We were very lucky to have Angelina volunteer at our farm, she brings so much positivity and energy to every day and is great company! She was keen and interested in every task, always eager to learn new things, very adaptable and has an ability to boost everyone’s moods and productivity. Her and her fellow volunteer Veronica made us amazing
… read more meals, even spoiling us with a surprise homemade sushi lunch on their last day!
Her love for the farm and the animals was palpable, and it is always inspiring to see someone appreciate their surroundings and truly live in the moment. It was a pleasure to host Angelina and any one would be fortunate to do the same.
We, and all the animals 😉 , look forward to meeting again, thank you Angelina 😊
My stay at the Quinta was beyond any expectation. Heiko and Joy are extraordinary human beings. So kind, fun, welcoming, appreciative - beautiful warmhearted souls!!! The place itself is also magical. I miss the mountain view, clear nights full of stars, the olive trees, bramble cutting as well as our fun movie nights.Falling asleep to the sound
… read more of owls and the flow of the river rounded up the beautiful days we had. Can't imagine a better place for my first olive harvest and feel deeply grateful for the experience and the chance to spend time with Heiko and Joy. I learned so much thanks to the great and patient explanations of them. Both also made sure that me and my volunteer companion had the opportunity to explore the surrounded areas and were always up for giving us a lift. The work itself was interesting and fun and always involved a tea brake :)
I miss each and everything of that place and would love to come back one day for sure!!! Miss you guys a lot! Big pet to Lulu, Raldi, Feng and Skuzzy please ;)!!!
Left by Workawayer (Anne) for host
I had a wonderful stay at Joy and Heiko! They are lovely and welcoming hosts.
The place is beautiful and there is a lot of nature to see around. The work was interesting and well explained, always in a very nice setting.
I was very well housed in a cabin with another person and we never lacked anything!
They were also patient with me who did
… read more not speak very well English.
Several times a week we did activities together, always in a very warm atmosphere.
There are also two cats and two dogs who love to play!
Thank you very much Joy and Heiko for your welcome and for these great memories!Left by host for Workawayer (Anne)
Anne is a very kind and respectful person, always willing to help! We really enjoyed having her stay with us. She was great with our animals and showed a lot of admiration and appreciation for the beauty of the farm and the surrounding area. Thank you Anne and we wish you all the best for the future!
Left by host for Workawayer (Jette)
Jette was an absolute pleasure to have stay with us! She's great company, always enthusiastic, positive and really happy to work and learn new things whilst also being very capable. She spoiled us and the other volunteers with her great baking skills and got on well with everyone. Our animals loved all the attention they got from Jette and she was
… read more very good with them. We hope to see her again in the future and have no doubt that she will succeed beyond expectations at any future hosts and her studies thereafter. Thank you Jette, we are so glad that our paths crossed :)
Left by Workawayer (Jette) for host
Hello,
I Stayed with Joy And Heiko for almost a month and it was absolutely fantastic.
I was welcomed with open arms and stayed in a cute cabin with everything one might need and such a cozy atmosphere.
The workawayers and hosts took turns cooking lunch and we all eat together so everyday we had great food and even better company whilst eating.
… read more
The work was very versatile from olive pruning, to weeding, to woodchipping so it was never boring to do the farmwork.
After work we had a variety of things we could do, for example seeing a bit of guarda whilst going on groceries shopping trips, watching a movie in the cabin or simply spending time outside on the Farm with the cute cats and the two most adorable dogs you will ever meet (they are always excited to get a stick thrown for them;)).
In the evenings we often watch something all together or played a nice board game which was always a perfect ending for the days as it was always very funny.
Joy and Heiko also took us on several trips to the mountains to see more of the Mondego Valley which is really one of the most beautiful and relaxing places I have ever seen!
Heiko and Joys hospitality and kindness was much appreciated and it was a perfect stay in rural portugal.
best wishes,
JetteExperience life with our family on an organic farm in the mountains near Monchique, Algarve, Portugal
Join us to create a paradise on an ancient farm in Vale de Prazeres, Portugal
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