• Vinha Da Manta
    • About us
    • Philosophy
    • Property
  • Accommodation
  • Food
  • Activities
  • Reservations
  • For whom
    • With kids
    • Without kids
    • Retreats, events or workshops
  • Gallery
  • Press
  • Contact
    • Route description
    • General Agreement
  • en
    • nl

In 2010 the adventure started with the sale of our house in Amsterdam.

Previous Post Next Post

Newsletter

Our reviews

  • star rating  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,... read more and know how to cook! You feel part of the family the moment you enter their...More

    tripadvisor logo
    avatar thumb DeMies
    July 3, 2015
  • star rating  THE HOSTS:
    We read the reviews but nothing could have prepared us for the genuine hospitality of hosts Meno, Jacqueline and family. My husband and I spent a week here... read more in August (40 degrees on two of the days!)
    Unfortunately, we had problem after problem with our Car Hire provider Gold Car (DO NOT USE) Including being stranded and needing to be towed. Menno and Jacqueline literally came to our rescue.
    The family all play a part in the hosting be it manning the pool bar or preparing meals. They really are an incredible family with an impressive work ethic.
    THE GROUNDS:
    Although the decor may not be to everyone's taste, I can honestly say the grounds and accommodation are breathtaking in a way that photo's just do not do justice. Think high quality, Safari chic. One of the more magical places we have visited.
    FOOD:
    Breakfast is a generous spread of cheeses, meats, fruits, museli, tea, coffee, fresh orange juice and homemade spreads (YOU MUST TRY THE PUMPKIN JAM)
    Dinner is prepared freshly in house every other night. No menus. Served as a group with sharing platters. A totally new experience for us that we absolutely loved. It forces you out of your comfort zone and as a result we made some great new friends. Menno is a FANTASTIC chef. Absolutely brilliant!!!
    To sum up:
    On our final night we rebooked to stay again the following year. Smashing stay! And thank you once again to Meno and Jacqueline for showing us an incredible Portugal Xx

    tripadvisor logo
    africatamar
    January 18, 2017
  • star rating  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... read more 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

    tripadvisor logo
    Cat F
    August 19, 2016
  • star rating  We enjoyed a family trip here in July and I would agree with many of the comments made in previous reviews.

    The accommodation was as described - a safari... read more tent with good facilities including a much needed fridge for the heat. If going, you really need bug spray or a mosquito net as we were bitten quite a bit and our citronella wasn't strong enough. The paths between the house and the pool can be steep and loose rocks caused a few wobbles every now and then so if you have mobility issues this may not be ideal for you.

    The pool was lovely though it could get quite crowded so if you want relaxation you had to go either first thing or on a Saturday which seemed to be prime changeover day.

    Because there are volunteers, service is very laid back so be prepared for this relaxed vibe.

    Menno's cooking was great and worth doing.

    I would also recommend a car as there are no shops within walking distance, you need to catch a cab if you want milk or ask the hosts to arrange it for you.

    There is some noise in the valley, the church bells, if the dogs get rowdy barking and local events. This didn't upset us though it did impact upon our sleep so if you are a light sleeper I would agree with the ear plug comment made by another reviewer.

    tripadvisor logo
    ViBoLondon
    August 25, 2018
  • star rating  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... read more hills was just wonderful. Somewhere you can just relax in peace and tranquility with a...More

    tripadvisor logo
    avatar thumb Carl H
    June 3, 2016
  • star rating  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... read more s’avonds heerlijk eten maakte dit alles tot een geweldige week. Nogmaals dank hiervoor! Arno en...Meer

    tripadvisor logo
    avatar thumb dijk2018
    June 19, 2018
  • star rating  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... read more 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 .

    tripadvisor logo
    Cat F
    August 20, 2016
  • star rating  Vinha da Manta is difficult to sum up in a few words, but we had a magical time there. There is a genuine warmth about the place - not just... read more coming from the 35 degree heat. It is incredibly relaxing and relaxed but has all the important stuff covered: comfortable accommodation, good showers (with amazing views), cold water for dipping in and most of all incredible food. Being looked after in terms of food and drink (every other night) was a real highlight for us, especially when the kids are fed first (healthy and child-friendly food - so it IS possible!), and then grown-ups get to relax and enjoy Menno's FANTASTIC cooking with the other guests in a beautiful setting while the kids run around and find their own adventures. The yoga studio has the best view I've ever seen from a class (the teacher was really good too) and the massage similarly brilliant. Our two boys loved the cats, dogs and riding the horses. The kayaking trip about 1 and a half hours away with Rock and River was fantastic too. Vinha da Manta is a really special place and we really hope to go back. And the other reviewer Cat F is right - there is something sorted and fun about the Dutch! More

    tripadvisor logo
    KikiMack
    September 6, 2016
  • star rating  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... read more naar wens te maken, zij hebben een prachtige programma voor ons samengesteld. Prachtige wandelingen in...Meer

    tripadvisor logo
    avatar thumb Ellen M
    July 8, 2018
  • star rating  You are great!
    Vinha Da Manta is great and all this thanks to the wonderful Jacqueline and Menno, their kids and the many volunteers who make sure that you feel... read more welcome and at ease from the moment you arrive and this during your whole stay.
    It is really difficult to tell everything in only a few words. My friends and I enjoyed the morning yoga classes, the nice breakfast, the refreshing jumps in the natural pool, the sporty walks, the peace and quiet, the privacy in the clean and cosy tents, the cats and dogs, the little chats with Jacqueline, Menno and the other guests.
    And last but not least thank you Menno for the fantastic dinner evenings. We loved the idea of all the guests around a big table sharing and enjoying your wonderful homemade food!
    We'll be back!
    Big kisses from the Belgian ladies; Saar, Indra, Marijke and Katrien!

    tripadvisor logo
    KatrienV259
    July 11, 2017
COPYRIGHT © 2018 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED VINHA DA MANTA