Algarve self catering farmstay

Our main aim in this project was to restore the house without changing its character, to continue the tradition of working the land and to be integrated with our surroundings and within the community. The houses are on a 2 hectare farm where we grow organic vegetables and have a small orchard. We see ourselves as caretakers of this land and have plans to gently manage the old olive grove and produce our own Organic olive oil, as well as honey (we have one hive so far).

We are water conscious and use the “grey water” from the house to irrigate some of the baby fruit trees, we also have a very large pond which is harvested rainwater that we use to water the rest of the fruit trees and the vegetable garden.

Our dream is to plant native trees (cork and stone oak) throughout the rest of the farm to encourage even more wildlife (it is already a haven), as well as letting areas “go wild” and ultimately return to woodland. This will help, in our small way, to slow the process of ´desertification´ occurring in so much of Spain and Portugal, whilst adding to its outstanding natural beauty and provide habitats for the abundant wildlife. We would also like convert to renewable energy throughout the farm when this is financially possible for us.

The farm is a fifteen minute walk from the small rural village of Nave Redonda, (a restaurant, 2 Cafes, a bakery and 2 basic shops), where we have good relations with everyone, especially the elderly who regularly come for Shiatsu massage, often paying in kind (vegetables etc). Coming here to us in this lovely and largely ´undiscovered´ part of the world helps us to maintain our simple lifestyle and enables us to continue living our dream: nurturing the land, planting trees, and being able to share this place with others. You will also directly bring some much needed money into the local economy: We try our best to shop locally and encourage visitors to do the same.

Here, many still live a very traditional “peasant” farming lifestyle and are genuinely down to earth and intimately linked with the cycles of nature and the land they have been working for generations. Visitors have an opportunity to get to know this lovely region and people.

As well as helping us and our neighbours 5% of your rental money will be donated to “neo tropical primate conservation (NPC)” who we are linked to, and who are working for animal welfare and reforestation in the Amazon basin.

Cerro de Janeiro is a quiet place of retreat and contemplation where you can really connect with the healing aspects of nature and life, by simply being here and slowing down to the relaxed rhythm of the Alentejo. This sense of peace can be enhanced with Shiatsu, Reiki, Yoga, Meditation and other healing therapies on site if desired but are by no means compulsory. We hope this has in some small way given you a sense of what it is like to be here. We look forward to welcoming you and letting our place work its gentle magic.