Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
28 Apr 2025
Reply rate
66.7 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
43
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Details
Description
Close to the beaches of Zambujeira do Mar in Alentejo, SW Portugal, we are Jason and Isabel, a Swiss/English couple with a young family living on a beautiful, off-grid homestead of 5.7ha.
We are looking for a couple / two friends who want to spend late January, and February with us, helping us getting our permaculture garden ready, and help us build an outdoor kitchen and bathroom.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
Interests
Sustainability
Vegetarian or vegan
Self development
Farming
Photography
Cooking & food
Gardening
Plant care
DIY & crafts
Architecture
Carpentry
Drawing & painting
Animals
Hiking
Camping
Water sports
Yoga / Wellness
Nature
Beach
Adventure sports
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Between us, we speak English, German and French, and we are passionate about sustainable living. The land is beautiful and relatively untouched - we always have lots to do, but love the progress we have made so far, the skills we have learned and the experiences we have made. We are happy to share our knowledge and experience from permaculture gardening, alternative education to off grid living and surfing.
The life here is very diverse and you can learn a lot about the different tasks and challenges of daily life off grid. We are also keen surfers with a beautiful, uncrowded beach just a 5 min bike ride away. We have surfboards that we can lend out, and have two guest bikes.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We are looking for positive, motivated and handy people with a passion for nature and off grid living, who like to get busy. Ideally we are looking for a couple / two friends to share accommodation, who will help us get the permaculture garden ready for spring.
We just welcomed our 3rd child and Isabel is busy with the baby and our 5 year old. If you like to cook, you can help prepare our shared lunches. Good cooks are always welcome :)
Maybe you are a carpenter or have experience with building? We always have fun jobs, large and small, for handy people who can work unsupervised.
Volunteers in their own camper van: 15 hours per week
Volunteers in our accommodation: 20 hours per week
We are very flexible about working schedules. Whether you prefer to do fewer full days, or more shorter days, we are open and like to go with the flow that works for everyone involved.
Generally a daily lunch from Monday to Friday is provided. We cook seasonal and local vegetarian food and can also cook vegan. As we are not always available for lunch, we would need you to be flexible. Breakfast and dinner will be self catered by you in your own space.
Please ensure you have international health and accident insurance.
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Portuguese: Intermediate
Accommodation
You will stay in a cosy off-grid wooden cabin. It has a wonderful view over the ocean and coastline and we rent it out in summer to tourists. The accommodation is a real treat.
We also have plenty of room for camper vans, so volunteers in their own van are especially welcome.
What else ...
1km to stunning beaches and cliff trails. Surfing/bodyboarding - we can provide surfboards if needed. And we have a bicycle which can be borrowed. There is a regular bus service from Zambujeira to local towns and a daily direct bus service to Lisbon.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
we are basically digital nomads that settled down and work remote on a daily basis. We have 4G on our land. for speed uploads the village is 5min away with a lot of cafe shops etc
Space for parking camper vans
We have plenty of space for a campervan, and an electric hookup.
Can possibly accept pets
it needs to be discussed on a case to case base. but we are open.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Host ref number: 447426474628
Feedback (22)
3 Jul 2025
Left by Workawayer (Rhianna & Huw) for host
We could not recommend this family and Workaway experience more. You get to stay in a lovely self-sufficient cabin, the work is really fun and varied, and the working hours and days off are fair and always kept to. We ended up staying longer with this gorgeous family and we were so grateful for the time we spent with them. We enjoyed absolutely… read more
5 Apr 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Alena & Robert)
Robert and Alena (and Dexter!) were wonderful guests to host through Workaway. They were hard-working, respectful of our home, and integrated seamlessly into our off-grid lifestyle during their nearly 5-week stay.
They were always cheerful and lent a hand wherever needed - whether it was helping construct the gypsy wagon, tending to garden tasks,… read more
They were always cheerful and lent a hand wherever needed - whether it was helping construct the gypsy wagon, tending to garden tasks,… read more
(Excellent
)
4 Apr 2024
Left by Workawayer (Alena & Robert) for host
We spent almost five weeks here and we really liked this amazing valley and enjoyed calm offgrid living. Jason and Isabel and their boys were hospitality and we felt really welcomed. Isabel's lunches were amazing.
Our dog was very grateful for a friend like Igor.
The work was varied and it was possible to agree on everything including working… read more
Our dog was very grateful for a friend like Igor.
The work was varied and it was possible to agree on everything including working… read more
11 Jul 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Eva)
Eva and her friend Aurélie spent 3 weeks with us and we had a wonderful time with them. They helped us with lots of different taks like landscaping, gardening, child care, cleaning and even sanded back a rusty trailer and painted it again. They never shied away from the task and were always a joy to be around. We had interesting chats and many… read more
(Excellent
)
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)
3 Jul 2025
Left by Workawayer (Rhianna & Huw) for host
We could not recommend this family and Workaway experience more. You get to stay in a lovely self-sufficient cabin, the work is really fun and varied, and the working hours and days off are fair and always kept to. We ended up staying longer with this gorgeous family and we were so grateful for the time we spent with them. We enjoyed absolutely… read more
5 Apr 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Alena & Robert)
Robert and Alena (and Dexter!) were wonderful guests to host through Workaway. They were hard-working, respectful of our home, and integrated seamlessly into our off-grid lifestyle during their nearly 5-week stay.
They were always cheerful and lent a hand wherever needed - whether it was helping construct the gypsy wagon, tending to garden tasks,… read more
They were always cheerful and lent a hand wherever needed - whether it was helping construct the gypsy wagon, tending to garden tasks,… read more
(Excellent)
4 Apr 2024
Left by Workawayer (Alena & Robert) for host
We spent almost five weeks here and we really liked this amazing valley and enjoyed calm offgrid living. Jason and Isabel and their boys were hospitality and we felt really welcomed. Isabel's lunches were amazing.
Our dog was very grateful for a friend like Igor.
The work was varied and it was possible to agree on everything including working… read more
Our dog was very grateful for a friend like Igor.
The work was varied and it was possible to agree on everything including working… read more
11 Jul 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Eva)
Eva and her friend Aurélie spent 3 weeks with us and we had a wonderful time with them. They helped us with lots of different taks like landscaping, gardening, child care, cleaning and even sanded back a rusty trailer and painted it again. They never shied away from the task and were always a joy to be around. We had interesting chats and many… read more
(Excellent)
1 May 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Lupael)
Paul was the first volunteer we’ve had here for a long time, and he was a great reminder of why we love Workaway so much. He is the perfect volunteer! Very pleasant and easygoing, with a calm nature and always a smile on his face. We had a tricky project - a horsebox/cabin renovation that required good carpentry skills and all-round care and… read more
(Excellent)
30 Apr 2023
Left by Workawayer (Lupael) for host
Living on the land with Jason and Isabel and their Boys was a pleasure. I spent two months in Zambujeira do Mar, and thinking back always makes me smile. The first half of my stay I lived in “cabin two”, which has the best mattress I’ve ever had. The second half I moved into “Glesni” an old horse transporter. Glesni was also my main project, more… read more
21 Mar 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Uma)
Arggh! Website just lost a long and absolutely glowing review of Uma! Can't face writing it all out again, so I'll just say Uma is smart, friendly, charming, confident, grounded and extremely highly recommended. Hard worker, very fast learner, very enthusuastic and motivated. Kids loved her, and she's a very talented musician.
Uma was everything… read more
Uma was everything… read more
(Excellent)
21 Mar 2023
Left by Workawayer (Uma) for host
Staying with Jason and Isabel was my first work-away experience ever, but any nerves I had just melted away as soon as Jason came to pick me up from the bus station in his red pickup, blasting music from the open window. Their property is absolutely lovely, their house warm and cozy and the rest of the valley green and full of animals. Isabel and… read more
4 Jan 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Marie)
We recently had the pleasure of hosting Marie, and I have to say that she truly saved our asses. We were in a bit of a bind, with a mountain of clutter and mess in our home, a big party to organise, lots of gardening chores to take care of, and we were in desperate need of help. That's where Marie came in.
From the moment she arrived, it was… read more
From the moment she arrived, it was… read more
(Excellent)
4 Jan 2023
Left by Workawayer (Marie) for host
Jason and Isabelle helped me out after I stayed at a bad workaway which I needed to leave soon. Although they didn't need volunteers at the time, the where more then welcome to help me and letting me stay on their beautiful property. They allowed me to live in one of their cabins, which was super cosy and just perfect. I mainly worked in the… read more
1 Dec 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Anne)
In our three years as workaway hosts, we have had lots of volunteers (about 100) and Anne might just be the best volunteer we've ever had! Anne is exceptionally intelligent and has a talent for making, fixing, building and generally understanding how things work. She is also an EXTREMELY hard worker, someone who is not happy if she's not busy: she… read more
(Excellent)
1 Jul 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Salome)
Salome is a ray of sunshine and we really enjoyed her company and her presence on our land. With an open heart and mind, and a good eye for what needs to be done Salome helped us out with many different tasks from gardening to cooking, household tasks and cleaning woodland. Her vegan food is a delight and she is great with kids. We wish she would… read more
(Excellent)
27 Jun 2020
Left by Workawayer (Salome) for host
To come to Isabel and Jason's place was totally the right decision! It was a perfect exchange of giving and taking! The deal is also very fair. The place where they live is just wonderful.. like a little jungle fairytale OASE. It literally felt for me like a different country somewhere over the rainbow ;-) Jason, Isabel and Emma all the three of… read more
9 Jan 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Nele)
This was Nele's first workaway experience, and we are so glad she chose us! With so many projects going on around the land and two little ones to take care of as well, it's sometimes overwhelming and so we were looking out for a workaway to mostly hang out with Dylan, our 8 month old. Nele didn't have that much child care experience, but she was… read more
(Excellent)
9 Jan 2020
Left by Workawayer (Nele) for host
I stayed with Jason and Isabel for a little more than a month in November. It was my first Workaway experience and it was wonderful. They are very kind and helpful, always in for a chat or a deep discussion about life. Their property is just perfect and it’s still getting better with the help of volunteers. I first stayed at Glesni (the big… read more
10 Nov 2019
Left by Workawayer (Lisa & Tuan) for host
We had a magical summer staying with Isabell, Jason, Evan and Dylan.
Being part of their tribe for a while was something very special for us!
We loved going on tittle adventures with Evan and Dylan, building a treehouse and meeting other interesting people, who we were lucky to share our workaway experience and tons of amazing pizza with.
Isabell… read more
Being part of their tribe for a while was something very special for us!
We loved going on tittle adventures with Evan and Dylan, building a treehouse and meeting other interesting people, who we were lucky to share our workaway experience and tons of amazing pizza with.
Isabell… read more
8 Nov 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Lisa & Tuan)
Lisa and Tuan are the most beautiful people. They are easy going, loving, attentive, fun and hard working. We were lucky enough to spend 2.5 months with them and we wish they could have just moved in forever :)
Lisa and Tuan came to our place to help us with our children and many other projects during summer 2019. Our second son was a small… read more
Lisa and Tuan came to our place to help us with our children and many other projects during summer 2019. Our second son was a small… read more
(Excellent)
14 Aug 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Michael & Iga)
Michael and Iga spent just over a month with us this summer - they are an absolutely lovely couple and we really enjoyed having them around! Michael is an extremely positive person, always helpful and a very hard worker - the perfect workaway guest! He showed great interest in every type of work and project we threw at him, from watering trees to… read more
(Excellent)
13 Aug 2019
Left by Workawayer (Michael & Iga) for host
It was our first workaway experience and it couldn't be better. Jason, Isabel, Evan and cute baby Dylan are a wonderful family. We enjoyed our time in their beautiful land very much. Every day was the opportunity to learn new things! We've managed to try ourselves on the surfboard thanks to our hosts hospitality who also showed us how to read surf… read more
14 Jul 2019
Left by Workawayer (Kioulos) for host
We stayed 15 days with Jason and Isabel and it was more than we could have ever expected, making our first workaway experience unforgettable. Their place is amazing, the cabin we lived at felt like home in an instance, Isabels cooking was a thing to look forward to everyday and the location was key to seeing many beaches and all the villages of… read more
26 Jun 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Kioulos)
Marianna and Giorgos are wonderful people and we very much enjoyed their company and beautiful spirit! Our 4 year old son loved them, becoming fast friends and sharing many adventures and giggles! They cooked amazing greek food for us, helped us with a lot of cleaning and helped us out with many little jobs that needed to be done. They didn't mind… read more
(Excellent)
9 Apr 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Linnea & Vasama)
Linnea and Vasama came to stay with us for a couple of months this year, along with their two cats! We really enjoyed having this Finnish couple to stay, and hope they can come back again one day. Linnea did a great job sewing up some curtains for our cabin and we're sure she's got many more creative talents too. Vasama is incredibly knowledgeable… read more
(Excellent)
9 Apr 2019
Left by Workawayer (Linnea & Vasama) for host
We stayed with Isabel and Jason for a couple of months in the winter and had a great time. Their family is very nice and their place is like a forest paradise with nice private accomodation for volunteers. We stayed in a big eco cabin with our cats, and the cats were able to be free outside without any danger. It was almost luxury since we're used… read more
23 Jan 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (David & Alex)
David and his friend Adam joined us for a short stint and all we can say is... we wish it had been longer! They are both lovely guys who work hard and ooze positivity. No hesitation recommending them and we hope to have them back again one day.
(Excellent)
23 Jan 2019
Left by Workawayer (David & Alex) for host
Jason and Isobel are such kind and generous hosts. We felt very welcome. The land is beautiful. Set in a little valley. We walked to the sea everyday. There are fantastic walking routes along the coast.
The work varies depending on what needs to be done, and our efforts were always met with appreciation and encouragement.
We stayed in a sweet… read more
The work varies depending on what needs to be done, and our efforts were always met with appreciation and encouragement.
We stayed in a sweet… read more
18 Jan 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Kelly)
Kelly and Luke and their son Bodhi stayed with us for over a month. They are perfect Workaways and wonderful people! Their knowledge about permaculture is huge, and their love for nature and the land shines through in everything they do. From taking charge of our unruly veg beds to building beautiful 'Zambu swails' to the stunning mural Kelly… read more
(Excellent)
17 Jan 2019
Left by Workawayer (Kelly) for host
We stayed with Jason, Isabelle and Evan for 1 month and had a great experience. The lovely cosy horsebox soon felt like home and we were made to feel 100% welcome even though it was christmas and they had family and friends staying. There was a lovely communal feel and we felt lucky to share that time with such warm and friendly people. Our sons… read more
9 Jan 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Sani)
Sani is an absolut star! We loved having her with us on our land. She is the nicest, easygoing person, hardworking, fun and super motivated. She helped us create a fence for our vegetable garden and dedicated her ideas, inspiration and patients to the project. We hope to see her again and wish her all the best!
(Excellent)
26 Nov 2018
Left by Workawayer (Sani) for host
One of my best workaway experience!
Isabel, Jason & Evan are a very interesting family, full of interests and energy to get their hands dirty with you! They welcome you to the family and take care of the details! It was amazing working with them! Lots to do in their place, which is great! The arrangement also is fantastic because you have time to… read more
Isabel, Jason & Evan are a very interesting family, full of interests and energy to get their hands dirty with you! They welcome you to the family and take care of the details! It was amazing working with them! Lots to do in their place, which is great! The arrangement also is fantastic because you have time to… read more
28 Oct 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Teresa)
We first met Teresa and Clara in May 2018 when they came to stay with us for a 2 week workaway. We immediately liked the two of them, with their happy, friendly and curious nature. We liked them so much, that we were really happy to have them stay for over a month and have them returning to our place time and time again over the summer. During… read more
(Excellent)
25 Oct 2018
Left by Workawayer (Teresa) for host
We first stayed with Isabel and Jason in May and just could not ignore the incredible energy of this place so we stayed longer than the three weeks initially planned and kept coming back... and back... and back.
We either stayed in one of the wooden cabins or the big horsebox, which is tenderly called Glesni but no matter where, we always felt… read more
We either stayed in one of the wooden cabins or the big horsebox, which is tenderly called Glesni but no matter where, we always felt… read more
25 Oct 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Tabea & Kristina)
Tabea, Krissi and their friend Eva stayed with us for two wonderful weeks and helped us with all sorts of projects. They never shied away from hard work and impressed us with their enthusiasm and strength! They were a joy to be with and spoiled us with delicious meals, which we enjoyed sharing many interesting conversations! All three of them are… read more
(Excellent)
16 Oct 2018
Left by Workawayer (Tabea & Kristina) for host
We had a wonderful and special time at Isabel and Jason´s place. We stayed two weeks at their great, peaceful and quiet site in the middle of the bush. We had our own cosy wooden cabin, where we felt like home immediately. The work you have to do is really various and flexible like gardening, brick wall building, cooking, digging, cementing...So… read more
25 Oct 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Workaway member)
Emma and Manu are two of the most wonderful people you could possible be lucky to have as a Workaway. They are hardworking, open hearted, smart and funny and we had the best time with them. Our young son loved them and they were both endlessly patient and kind to explain him everything they were doing and involving him in their activities. We… read more
(Excellent)
3 Oct 2018
Left by Workawayer (Workaway member) for host
Wow, what an experience we shared with Isabel, Jason and family on their secluded, valleyside homestead. From the beginning until the end was pure magic. We were blown away by the beauty of their land, the kindness in their hearts and the deliciousness of the lunch we ate together each day!
Our hosts were super open, flexible and accommodating.… read more
Our hosts were super open, flexible and accommodating.… read more
31 Aug 2018
Left by Workawayer (Inna) for host
I stayed with Isabel and Jason for 10 days and I really loved their place and the surrounding area. They are both lovely and inspiring people and their little son is a pretty cool kid. During my time at the project a lot of friends were visiting the two so sometimes we would be having a pizza party (the pizza oven makes professional pizzas) with… read more
25 Aug 2018
Left by Workawayer (Giorgia & Greta) for host
We stayed with Isabel and Jason for 10 days. It was our first workaway experience and we have to say that we could not have asked for a better one. Jason, Isabel and Evan are a marvellous family and working with them has been a true pleasure. Althought we had no experiences they still made us do all different sorts of things, teaching us everytime… read more
3 Jul 2018
Left by Workawayer (Catarina & Marco) for host
This was our first workaway experience and we loved it. It was quite special to do it in my own country, even though I don't live in Portugal anymore. We sadly didn't get to meet Isabel, but both Jason and Evan were perfect hosts. They showed us how simple and rewarding sustainable living can be. In the rather short week we stayed with them, Marco… read more
29 Apr 2018
Left by Workawayer (Freyja) for host
It was so nice to stay at their wonderful place. They offered me a cozy accommodation and they always wanted to make sure that there is everything i need. In these 10 days we worked together, laughed together and had a good time.
I helped them to prepare some fields to grow vegetables there. I learned a lot from them and it was truly inspiring. I… read more
I helped them to prepare some fields to grow vegetables there. I learned a lot from them and it was truly inspiring. I… read more
27 Apr 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Freyja)
Freyja stayed with us for a week and we had a wonderful time with her. She was a big help getting our vegetable garden started, and brought a lot of knowledge about growing, gardening, flowers etc with her – we had a lot of interesting chats and we all really enjoyed her company . She is a great person to be around, hard working and easy going and… read more
(Excellent)
27 Apr 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Ellie & James)
Ellie and James stayed with us for nearly a month and we are sad to see them leave... but happy to know we'll definitely see them again! We found both Ellie and James to be hard working, easy going characters who were always ready to get stuck into the toughest tasks - bramble clearing and digging beds - as well as using their initiative and… read more
(Excellent)
26 Mar 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Alasdair & Rachel)
Rach and Ali were our first Workaway volunteers, and they've set an incredibly high standard! Along with their two lovely kids and cute pup, they were great fun to have around and right from the start felt like friends we've known for ages. Rach is really sweet and easygoing, and brilliant with kids. Ali is full of infectious energy and his… read more
(Excellent)
25 Mar 2018
Left by Workawayer (Alasdair & Rachel) for host
These guys were awesome in every way, their home is a stunning little homestead in a beautiful valley of tranquility. The cabins are very peaceful and the work is very rewarding, we learned how to strip bark from eucalyptus to make shingles, chopped trees, pruned the garden, cleared the river, helped to rebuild a potting shed and cleared lots of… read more
