About us - Vinha Da Manta

About us

We are Menno and Jacqueline. In the summer of 2011, we moved to Portugal with our 3 children, Finn (now 20), Thijm (now 18) and Keet (now 15). We wanted to create something special for and by ourselves, where we could both live and share our passions at the same time. Menno’s passion is “gourmet cooking”, gardening, and as a viticulturist he is also passionate about wine. Horses are Jacqueline’s main passion. We both share a passion for hosting.

We were both active in the business sector in the Netherlands. Menno worked as director in the transportation world. Jacqueline was coach and IT manager and consultant. After 20 years of working (and playing) hard, we had achieved our ambitions. It was time for new challenges, and a different interpretation of our everyday reality.

Vinha Da Manta is an estate of 34 acres (14 hectares) that we have arranged as we would like to have it when we go on vacation ourselves. We created beautiful spaces, and an environment in which peace, privacy, and comfort together with friendliness and a good atmosphere meet. We love to share all of this with our guests. We welcome everyone personally, in our beautiful and luxury canvas lodges.

We would love to welcome you here soon!

Our reviews

Wat een heerlijke plek is Vinha da Manta! We zijn er nu 2 keer geweest en beide keren was het genieten. Het warme welkom van Jacqueline en Menno, de rust en de relaxte sfeer, de ruime tenten met keuken, terras en veel privacy, de mooie...Meer

Eligab
12/05/2018

Wij hebben met onze groep wandelmeisjes (allen 60+ en deels 70+-ers) een heerlijke wandelweek gehad in en om Vinha da Manta. Jacqueline en Menno hebben alles gedaan om het ons naar wens te maken, zij hebben een prachtige programma voor ons samengesteld. Prachtige wandelingen in...Meer

Ellen M
7/08/2018

I have never felt so immediately welcomed as I did at Vinha da Manta. Menno and Jacqueline (and their kids) went out of their way to make my stay amazing. Not only was the hospitality amazing, the food was incredible and the views were great. I had an amazing time getting to know both Menno and Jacqueline and their three sweet kids. I am already looking forward to my next visit. Thank you for treating me like a good friend and for making me not want to leave! Hopefully this is a 'see you soon'!

Loren W
6/06/2016

We stayed a full week at Damanta and we were sorry that we could not stay any longer. Menno and Jacqueline are very nice hosts that are warm, friendly, and know how to cook! You feel part of the family the moment you enter their...More

DeMies
7/03/2015

Waar zal ik beginnen? Vanaf begin tot het einde van ons verblijf was echt alles in orde. Vriendelijk ontvangst en hulp als het nodig is. Wij waren er na 2 dagen en 1 fanastisch diner en ontbijt achter dat we langer wilden blijven. Wij hebben...Meer

Willem v
9/09/2018

Een week bij Menno en Jacqueline en je komt helemaal tot rust. Wij hebben in het huisje Vinha da Horta gezeten. Een prachtig uitzicht, een fijne plek, relaxte sfeer en s’avonds heerlijk eten maakte dit alles tot een geweldige week. Nogmaals dank hiervoor! Arno en...Meer

dijk2018
6/19/2018

This was one of my most favourite places that I have visited. It was just beautiful. The Fonte lodge with the dipping pool and being a little higher in the hills was just wonderful. Somewhere you can just relax in peace and tranquility with a lovely aray of sunshine overlooking such s beautiful setting. What really makes this place are Meno, Jacqueline, family and the volunteers. They invite you in to their home, their paradise with ease and make you feel so incredibly welcome and comfortable. As soon as you arrive they are ready to assist and offer you a well needed drink, offering to assist with taking luggage to the lodge and then walking with you to make sure you settle in. The food and dinner setting is to die for. Our first night home made pizzas were being made in the wood pizza oven and were lovely. The wood fire was on and the drink was flowing and there were a lovely group of guests to speak to and enjoy hearing stories from. The selection of toppings and salads were great. The continental breakfast the following morning was enough to get you ready for the day and there is no better setting to enjoy a cappuccino with. We also had our own food that needed cooking the following evening and all were really inviting allowing us to use their ovens to cook them, offering a beer and then... This was one of my most favourite places that I have visited. It was just beautiful. The Fonte lodge with the dipping pool and being a little higher in the hills was just wonderful. Somewhere you can just relax in peace and tranquility with a lovely aray of sunshine overlooking such s beautiful setting. What really makes this place are Meno, Jacqueline, family and the volunteers. They invite you in to their home, their paradise with ease and make you feel so incredibly welcome and comfortable. As soon as you arrive they are ready to assist and offer you a well needed drink, offering to assist with taking luggage to the lodge and then walking with you to make sure you settle in. The food and dinner setting is to die for. Our first night home made pizzas were being made in the wood pizza oven and were lovely. The wood fire was on and the drink was flowing and there were a lovely group of guests to speak to and enjoy hearing stories from. The selection of toppings and salads were great. The continental breakfast the following morning was enough to get you ready for the day and there is no better setting to enjoy a cappuccino with. We also had our own food that needed cooking the following evening and all were really inviting allowing us to use their ovens to cook them, offering a beer and then spending time with you to tell us their life journey to arriving at this place in the world. Meno cooked some amazing food the following night, I tasted the most amazing chicken, lavender and peach dish complemented by stunning roasted carrots, cauliflower rice, and potatoes. It was again amazing food overlooking an amazing setting with great company. All guests ate together and it was such a lovely evening. I only stayed for a few days but incredibly sad to having had to leave. I miss the place already. We booked to return next year before we left, that's how much we loved it. Can't wait to return. Thank you for a lovely few days. More

A TripAdvisor Member
6/03/2016

The most amazing place ever! Pretty much perfection and exactly what we were looking for. 8 lovely big tents , made really well,great quality and furnished beautifully- containing everything you need for a week away. Amazing views and peace, surrounded only by nature .. The...More

Zphillip
7/02/2015

Vinha da Manta is in a wonderful location, our children, aged 9 and 5, had an amazing week and we felt that they were safe and happy roaming the hillside and playing with the other kids. They absolutely loved it and really did not want...More

JoanneDaveOscarIsis
9/02/2015

First impressions , for me as we arrived, were a little 'off' . It gave a 'messy' impression and for someone like me that takes a little time to come to terms with. But after a couple of days we all settled in as a family with both the hosts and the other guests. We were treated with exceptional kindness and the kids, 10 and 8 absolutely loved it . It's a way of living and it involves togetherness and bonds become tight and caring with both hosts, guests and the volunteers working there. Something we all miss after our departure . There's plenty of pets to play with and the kids went riding twice and also helped walking the dogs . Most days we hung out by the natural pool watching frogs and dragon flies and chatting to other guests. The dinners this place cook are absolutely amazing and pizza night tops it all. Kids get their own yummy dinner before the grown ups and it's like a big party every time and really brings this place together. Most guests are Dutch and my husband and I agree that the Dutch are very sorted and fun people to be around. They organise walks as well and I went on one through the Montego Valley. Hard work through the bushes going mostly down hill in 35 degrees but with great views and a sense of adventure! The walk took a... First impressions , for me as we arrived, were a little 'off' . It gave a 'messy' impression and for someone like me that takes a little time to come to terms with. But after a couple of days we all settled in as a family with both the hosts and the other guests. We were treated with exceptional kindness and the kids, 10 and 8 absolutely loved it . It's a way of living and it involves togetherness and bonds become tight and caring with both hosts, guests and the volunteers working there. Something we all miss after our departure . There's plenty of pets to play with and the kids went riding twice and also helped walking the dogs . Most days we hung out by the natural pool watching frogs and dragon flies and chatting to other guests. The dinners this place cook are absolutely amazing and pizza night tops it all. Kids get their own yummy dinner before the grown ups and it's like a big party every time and really brings this place together. Most guests are Dutch and my husband and I agree that the Dutch are very sorted and fun people to be around.
They organise walks as well and I went on one through the Montego Valley. Hard work through the bushes going mostly down hill in 35 degrees but with great views and a sense of adventure! The walk took a good couple of hours and a bit and at the end we were met by volunteers from the camp who brought us a lovely little picnic by the river. We all had a well deserved swim and got back to camp in the afternoon.
The possible down side about Vinha da Manta is that if you don't want nature every day and need a little culture and a shop or two, there isn't much to see. Our best outing was Viseu which is an hour away. Great cathedral and castle and and plenty of both silly and good shops. Guarda, nearest to the camp site is just about ok and has a good cathedral but otherwise nothing much. The old bit of town is small and the surrounding concrete mess is not so great. Porto is 2 hours away and we loved it. Stunning buildings and packed with hipsters and art and great food. Make a day of it ( if not two!).
If you are able to really relax and read and do nothing you will be perfectly fine at Vinha da Manta. It is a truly special place that will stay with us forever. It feels like family to us and the kids have expressed deep wishes of wanting to go back.
Highly recommended . More

Cat F
8/19/2016

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