Join us on an eco farm to experience traditional village life in Avô, Central Portugal

Infos

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  Description

  We live on a 6-hectare organic farm in Central Portugal that offers stunning views of the nearby mountain range.
  The farm produces olive oil, wine, vinegar, vegetables, and a variety of fruits. The land stretches over a series of ancient stone terraces which have been farmed for centuries. We can still use and admire an intricate system of water sources, irrigation channels, and wells - all built in stone by some ancient giants, possibly dating back to Roman times.
  For the last few years, we have had the privilege of taking care of this amazing piece of land, planting new trees and seeding pastures, regenerating the parts damaged by conventional agriculture and fires, as well as discovering something new and fascinating about it every day.
  Presently, we focus on the effort to replant and reforest the land after huge wildfires that devastated the area in the summer of 2025.
  You are welcome to join us in everyday farm life, taking care of plants, animals, infrastructure, and people who visit.
  
  ABOUT US
  Originally, we are both from Poland, and different paths led us to this beautiful stone village surrounded by streams, rivers, and mountains. We love to share what Nature and wise teachers have taught us. We like to stay away from the crowds and immerse ourselves in real, deep human connections.
  Gosia (40) is an interpreter and translator, a yoga teacher, and a lecturer at the University of Porto. She has lived in Portugal since 2007. Having run one of the first artistic hostels in Lisbon for a decade, she suddenly found herself among the olive trees of Avô.
  Błażej [Portuguese: Bráz] (51) is a researcher, teacher trainer, farmer, and chief editor in a publishing house.
  Currently, we are becoming increasingly involved in educational activities in Portugal and want to develop the farm into a more self-sustainable unit able to host larger groups for practical workshops and youth programmes.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Jardinage d'entretien

  Projets DIY créatifs

  S’occuper des animaux

  Aide dans une ferme

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Petits travaux d'entretien
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Dev. personnel

  

  Dev. durable

  

  Randonnée

  

  Culture

  

  Ferme

  

  Animaux

  

  Musique

  

  Soin des plantes

  

  Livres

  

  Cuisine et alimentation

  

  Langues

  

  Jardinage

  

  Danse

  

  Montagne

  

  Yoga / bien-être

  

  Nature
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  — Learn traditional and mechanised organic farming practices.
  — Be a part of a large movement to reforest and regenerate an area devastated by recent wildfires.
  — Engage with a local community of like-minded people.
  — Spend quiet time with plants and animals. Learn to disconnect.
  — Take part in yoga asana and meditation practice in our yurt.
  
  Our farm is located on the outskirts of a mountaing village with a supportive local community, where people have time to stop and talk to each other. There are four traditional music bands and lots of events, especially in the summer. It is an old stone village with a beautiful river beach, shops, cafes and a restaurant. Otherwise quiet, it gets quite busy during the holiday months.
  
  The area has also attracted a lot of foreigners, who settled here to lead a more conscious and connected lives.
  It's famous for its "hippie" markets, where an amazing array of local hand made products can be found. Everything from organic olive oil soaps, to ferments of all kinds, dishes from all over the world, cheeses, clothes and jewelry.

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  Aide

  Depending on the season:
  — planting trees
  — installing irrigation
  — carrying and cutting branches
  — operating a wood chipper
  — planting and weeding in the vegetable garden
  — pruning in the orchard and vineyard
  — land maintenance with manual tools
  — care of animals (sheep, chickens)
  — woodworking and other DIY projects
  — help with cooking and other household tasks
  
  
  At the moment we need help to take care of recently planted trees and trees that are sprouting back - a lot of them:) There is a lot of trees regrowing after the fires, so one of the tasks is to clean them and cut around them to help therm grow again.
  
  At the moment we are dealing with the consequences of the 2025 fires and the Winter 2026 floods. Spring and summer are devoted mainly to replanting the orchard and reforesting the hills. Tasks vary, from cutting small dead bushes with hand tools, piling them, transporting, chipping. If you wish- dealing with larger burnt trees with chainsaws and tractor.
  
  Everyday there is also lighter work such as seed collection, cooking, cleaning of the common areas, weeding in the vegetable gardens etc.
  
  We are happy to hear more about your needs and expectations and to discuss together what type of tasks will fit your situation best.

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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Anglais: Courant
  Espagnol: Courant
  Polonais: Courant
  Portugais: Courant
  Français: Intermédiaire
  Hollandais: Débutant
  Russe: Débutant

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  Cet hôte a indiqué qu’il souhaitait faire partager sa propre langue ou en apprendre une nouvelle.
  Contactez-le pour en savoir plus.
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  Hébergement

  Visitors might be staying either on the farm or — like most portuguese families living outside of the farmland — a few minutes away in the nearby village.
  
  The farm offers simple accommodation in private or shared rooms, or in tents with access to kitchen, compost toilet, bathroom area and shower. Mobile reception is good but we do not offer Internet access on the farm. We recommend being device-free in common areas as much as possible.
  
  The village house (5 min away from the farm) is an ancient stone house with comfortable accommodation in private of shared rooms. Garden and kitchen access. High speed internet. A few steps to a cafe, shops and an amazing beach where two mountain rivers (Alva and Pomares) join their currents.
  
  Farm or house — availability of places depends on the schedule. If you have a preference, let us know.

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  Autres infos...

  Public transport:
  To get to Avô, you need to get a Rede Expressos bus to Vendas de Galizes (region: Oliveira do Hospital).
  The buses go from Lisbon (4 hours), Porto (2 hours) and Coimbra (1 hour).
  
  It's a fifteen-minute drive and we will pick you up from there. Check: rede-expressos.pt for schedule.

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  Visitors might be staying either on the farm or — like most portuguese families living outside of the farmland — a few minutes away in the nearby village. The farm offers simple accommodation in private or shared rooms, or in tents with access to kitchen, compost toilet and bathroom area and shower. Mobile reception is good but we do not offer Internet access on the farm. We recommend being device-free in common areas as much as possible. The house in the village has a high-speed fibreoptic internet connection suitable for remote work and play.

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  Possibilité d'accueillir les animaux

  Contact us to discuss details.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Plus de 2

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  Mes animaux

  

  Prana (3 mois)

  2 puppies sisters, arrived here 8th of May :)

  

  Ziggy (13 ans)

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