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Host rating
80 %
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Last replied
5 Oct 2024
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Feedback
14
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Min stay requested: at least 3 weeks
Details
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Description
Quinta is a traditional cow farm in the heart of Serra da Malcata, located in an almost desertified area of Central Portugal. We have animals, trees, a vegetable garden, forest, and ancient stone houses to restore.
Minimum stay: 26 days.Schedule: 5 hours per day, 2 free days for every 7 days.
⚠️ Important Message for Workawayers
Please read THIS ENTIRE PROFILE to be fully informed about the conditions of volunteering at the Quinta. Keep the following points in mind:
Basic Accommodation: This is an ancient farm in the truest sense, not a house with a garden. The houses date back to the 15th century or older, meaning they get very cold in the winter.
Working in the Rain: If it rains, the farm work must go on. Key daily tasks cannot be delayed.
No Specific Diets Provided: We cannot cook specific separate meals if you have a diet that differs significantly from most people. We always have vegetable soup. If you are vegetarian, you are very welcome; however, if the rest of the team is eating meat, you will have vegetable soup with plain rice. We do not cook separate, elaborate vegetarian dishes unless you provide your own ingredients.Complete Isolation: The farm is completely isolated, located 12 km (7.5 miles) from the nearest village. We only provide car rides to volunteers on previously agreed arrival and departure days. All other rides must be discussed and agreed upon.If you are looking for a genuine, step-back-in-time experience that is hard to find nowadays, keep reading!
About Us and Our ProjectWe are Fernando, Marta (parents), Daniel, Duarte, and Violeta (the kids). Together, we manage a very rural 85-hectare farm. Our main goal is self-sufficiency and ensuring the welfare of our family and our animals.We focus on preserving and managing indigenous breeds. Currently, our biggest pride is our herd of 20 Jarmelista cows, a Portuguese cattle breed that is endangered and almost extinct. We also have Bísaros pigs, chickens, ducks, and 1 Serra da Estrela livestock guardian dog. Additionally, we grow olives and some vegetables.
Your Role as a VolunteerVolunteering stays last between 3 to 16 weeks (or longer). You will help with various daily tasks depending on what needs to be done. All volunteers have the opportunity to participate in general animal care and the organic vegetable garden. In November and December, the main focus shifts to olive picking and olive oil production.
Priority No. 1: Natural Construction and RestorationOur major need for help right now is in natural construction using clay, wood, lime, and stone. We are restoring several medieval schist stone houses in various states of decay (some almost from the ground up, others just needing roof repairs). All restoration is done using traditional techniques and materials.Note: Since we are often busy with other tasks, please be prepared to work alone at times if there are no other volunteers on the farm.
Accommodation, Facilities & Free TimeWe provide simple accommodation and three daily meals.Rooms: There are 2 rooms available in a 500+ year-old typical stone country house, restored to its original conditions. Fold-away beds can also be arranged.
Camping: There is plenty of space for camping, and you are welcome to bring a caravan or campervan.
Nature & Total Freedom: Right on our land, we have a beautiful river and a small lake. In your free time, this is the perfect spot to relax, swim, sunbathe, and disconnect. Because we are completely isolated and surrounded by wild nature, you can enjoy absolute privacy and total freedom here—feel free to live and connect with nature exactly as you wish, with no constraints or worries.
Testimonial From a Past VolunteerRead what Caroline Girard, a volunteer who stayed with us, says about her time here to understand what the farm is truly like:"I stayed 2 weeks at the Quinta. Don't expect hot showers every day, be prepared to climb up the hill to get phone signal, and get ready to reduce your electricity consumption. Keep in mind that you will get dirty working on a farm. Yes, sometimes it does rain, you have to go out with the animals, and you will probably end up dirty AND wet. So bring good rubber boots and a raincoat!If you keep all this in mind and come willing to step back in time, you will definitely have a great time at the farm. Fernando and Marta take good care of the volunteers, they have a great sense of humor, and you can talk about a lot of different topics with them. The tasks were diverse (pruning olive trees, walking with the animals, preparing sausages...). The food was really nice too—you will learn that you don't need fancy pots or accessories to cook great dishes! On your free days, you can read a book, enjoy being far from our buzzing civilization, or hike in the mountains. In a nutshell: highly recommended experience. Come with an open mind and ready to question your comfort standards!"
💡 Useful Tips Before You Arrive:Bring a sleeping bag, working gloves, and good walking shoes/boots.Bring sturdy rubber boots and a proper raincoat if rainy weather is forecasted.We do not provide internet access. -
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Light gardening
Creative DIY projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Light maintenance
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Interests
Farming
DIY & crafts
Photography
History
Architecture
Animals
Mountain
Nature
Hiking
Cycling -
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
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Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
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Help
We offer you the opportunity to join us for 3-12 weeks (maybe longer) to participate in daily life on the farm. You're expectec to help in several tasks, depending on what is available at the moment. We are restoring some of the stone houses, in several states of condition. Some, almost from the ground, others just repairing the roof. All will be made with traditional techniques. There is also some vegetal production in wich you can help, and in November/December you can help in olive catching and olive oil production. Some days you may help with the goats also. As we are often busy with other work for our business please be prepared to sometimes be working alone, if we have no other volunteers here. If you would like to come with friends, we can accommodate several volunteers, depending on conditions. There are allways things to be done, so you're wellcome anytime and also for long periods.
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Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
Italian: BeginnerThis 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
There are 2 rooms available in 400 years plus small typical stone country house, restored according to the original conditions. We can also dispose fold away beds. More places can be arranjed, if you're not too demanding in luxury! There's also lots os space for camping and you can bring a caravan too. We've wireless internet conection for volunteer's to use, so be glad to bring you laptop.
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What else ...
Conveniently located within half an hour drive of dozens of historic sites, you can visit Castle of Penamacor or the Medieval Villages of Sortelha, Monsanto, Idanha-A-Velha, Belmonte, Sabugal, among others, and get a sense of the local flavor.
Step back in time and experience the simple pleasures of an almost medieval lifestyle.
Tips: Be prepared with working gloves and good walking shoes, especialy if rainy weather is forecasted. -
A little more information
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Internet access
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Limited internet access
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We have pets
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We are smokers
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Can host families
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Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
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How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
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My animals / pets
Cows
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (11)
To make clear what this means, here are some hopes I had when requesting to volunteer.
I wanted: to be isolatated; to be immersed in nature; to live simply (without many material comforts); to have demanding physical labour; to contribute towards a meaningful project; to have a … read more
By the way I can confirm all the descriptions made on the profil. It is a real farm with funny goats, with real work, with very nice cheese and milk etc and a lot to learn. I hope to come to your place again! Have a good time.
Ramona
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
To make clear what this means, here are some hopes I had when requesting to volunteer.
I wanted: to be isolatated; to be immersed in nature; to live simply (without many material comforts); to have demanding physical labour; to contribute towards a meaningful project; to have a … read more
By the way I can confirm all the descriptions made on the profil. It is a real farm with funny goats, with real work, with very nice cheese and milk etc and a lot to learn. I hope to come to your place again! Have a good time.
Ramona
We stayed for 3 weeks Fernando and Frederico are very kind and welcoming people. Fernandos cooking is great and you'll love soup of the day! we slept in a … read more
Hard work (as much as any other project of agriculture) in a very rural farm, but well rewarded.
Extraordinary native environment, which allows you to experience the best of Nature. Hikings in the woods and hills and refreshing dips in the … read more
But the hygienic conditions are very poor and one dog can be quite problematic … read more
