Algarve Quinta self catering accommodation, Portugal
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
Our land is 7 acres of organically farmed fruit orchards and we encourage guests and caterers to use the products that we have here such as our herb garden, bananas, apples, oranges, grapefruits, lemons, peaches, apricots, figs, grapes, almonds and olives.
We also ask our freelance caterers and cooks who provide for our group bookings, to use only organic or locally grown, seasonal produce. All our cooks are vegetarian and can cater for special diets and allergies. Waste food is taken away and used for composting.
We provide recylcing units for each house and insist that all waste is disposed of appropriately, creating awareness and encouragement to those not used to recycling. We also insist that no products other than a small amount of normal toilet paper is put in the WCs.
We also encourage clients to think about their water useage with signs and poems to bring it to people's attention in a sensitive but informative way.
We encourage car pooling and bike hire, walking and the use of public transport where possible.
We pass on information locally about abandoned animals in need of new homes and many of the staff have rescued dogs and cats that have turned up on our site. No-one is turned away!
We provide information on local wildlife, nature walks and bird-watching.
Community
We have been providing a nurturing space for yoga and holistic activity groups for many years. This has been at the core of our work and we continue to welcome groups from all over the world. They come here because of the sense of community and our connection to nature. We now also provide the same service to individual travellers and families.
If we are fully booked, we always recommend to clients our friends and colleagues, helping to spread tourism through our region but in particular, encourage clients to opt for the more eco-friendly and community aware organisations.
Existing clients who enquire about local restaurants and shops, art galleries and events are given information about local businesses and individuals that we feel provide community value and enhance the region and its tourism. We support in particular local artists and crafts people, organic produce projects and eco-tourism organisations as well as restaurants and bars that offer fair prices, fresh and locally sourced food and good working conditions.
We provide information about local charities and are a portal for marketing their events and spreading the word among our local and national clients.
We encourage clients to participate in holistic activities and therapies and provide them with access to visiting massage therapists who are locally sourced for their expertise and sensitivity. The caterers we use are also local providers.
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