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With kids

During the school holidays, Vinha Da Manta is the perfect environment for children of all ages to make new friends and let their imaginations run wild, building dens, interacting with nature and enjoying the freedom to run around in a safe and special environment. In the evening they can eat with their newfound friends, as we make kids dinners which are served at their own table with healthy food specially designed for their taste. Then, while adults afterwards can have the whole evening for more gourmet-style dining, they can play hide and seek or run around and have fun. Freedom to roam. No cars. No rules.
At night they will be so comfortable, tucked up with duvets and pillows in our full size camp beds with thick mattresses, or proper cots for babies.

Our natural swimming pool has been carefully designed for everyone to enjoy. At 20 metres long, serious swimmers can really get going. The pebble beach and its surrounding rocks and plants is a wonderful, natural environment for kids to explore. Dive off the special diving platform (3 m deep), hear the frog’s chorus, or play a board game under a tree on the day bed whilst listening to the water. Your kids won’t want to get out! Not that it matters, because with absolutely no chemicals, you can rest assured that the water won’t harm their skin.

Plentiful toys, games, and a tree swing. Hide in the woods, chase frogs, hunt for glow worms or do a guided kids ride on the horses. Vinha Da Manta is a safe place for them to run wild, make friends, and be themselves. Our resident pets love a cuddle, including our retriever Toffee, our various cats, and our four horses. July and August also has weekly kids-yoga activities.

The Mondego River has many wonderful swimming spots, with beaches, rocks for exploring, and shaded areas for unwinding. The opportunities for spotting wildlife with your kids such as kingfishers, otters, water voles, and herons are endless. Or why not spend a memorable day canoeing down the Mondego, finishing up at a lovely beach spot for a picnic and a swim? A highlight of most people’s holiday, we can arrange a tailor-made canoe trip suitable for your family’s abilities.

If culture is your family’s thing, there are numerous ancient hilltop villages and towns. The region has 15 fortified villages in the surroundings, each with their own ramparts and spectacular ancient castles as well as a variety of prehistoric rock carvings, with the world famous archeological museum of Vila Nova de Foz Coa just a half hour’s drive away.

Newsletter

Our reviews

  • star rating  We stayed from saturday to saturday. It’s been a great time, in a wonderful place, with warm and friendly people all around.
    If you like doing Yoga, it’s also possible... read more in their wonderful yoga shala. We had the luck, having Elise as an excellent teacher.
    Last but not least, the unique delicious dinners, one shouldn’t miss!

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    X4041DTmichaele
    July 11, 2019
  • 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

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    avatar thumb Carl H
    June 3, 2016
  • star rating  Really enjoyable week and lovely hosts and food. Accommodation and facilities great. BUT the electronic village church bell chiming every half hour, 24 hours a day was terrible! What should... read more have been a restful week was actually quite exhausting, even for me, who would usually sleep through anything!

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    Nick J
    September 10, 2016
  • 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 house.

    We had a lodge (we are not supposed to say the 'T' word) with four adults. It is a beautiful lodge, with a kitchen block, a sleeping area (nicely separated two double beds in our case) and a nice veranda and sitting area. We even had our own little 'pool' with fresh running cold water! Super for an early morning dive!

    The pool is very beautiful. All natural with many lilies in the water and frogs on their leaves.

    The breakfast is very nice. Perfect fresh bread and hand made jams. Fresh juice, yoghurt with stuff and local cheese.

    The diner (Menno makes a delicious dinner 3 times a week) is restaurant class. All fresh from their garden (if possible) and create combinations. You eat with all the guests together in a very nice atmosphere.

    We did quite some hikes from Damanta. Menno knows where to go and even guided us on a walk to the river. The region is very pretty and has lots of opportunities to hike and swim!

    I would recommend this for everybody who likes nature, friendly people and a holiday away from the crowds.

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    Mischa C
    July 3, 2015
  • star rating  We have just returned from Vinha da Manta having spent 10 days in Cachoeira lodge with our daughters aged 3 and (almost) 5. The accommodation is really magical, combining all... read more the best bits of camping - waking up to sunlight and birdsong and generally feeling at one with nature, with the comfort and practicality of having actual (comfy!) beds, a functioning kitchen and a plumbed toilet. We have spent many afternoons enjoying dinner on the terrace which overlooks a stunning mountain range and gazing at the blanket of stars as night descended upon the valley. However, the highlight of the stay has got to be the warm hospitality of Jacqueline and Menno and the wonderful team of volunteers who made us feel at home. In particular, the dinners Menno lays out for guests every other night are epic. Menno's cooking is a modern take on the middle-eastern kitchen which he combines with local ingredients as well as dishes inspired by the family's asian travels. Dinners are served communally and often end up with guests staying up late, chatting and drinking.

    Travelling with young children we were struggling a little to find age appropriate activities. The river beach is amazing but you really have to take care because the rocks are very slippery. The natural pool is great, but not ideal for toddlers. Likewise the farm tracks between the main building and the lodges are slippery underfoot and steep, which led to the occasional fall. This is not to discourage parents from taking young children, but they should be prepared. The kids loved playing with the cats and dogs and generally running around the main house. Our eldest also had a wonderful experience horse-riding led by Jacqueline and one of the volunteers. We really enjoyed morning yoga with Elise - a wonderful start to the day!

    Overall, I would definitely recommend Vinha da Manta for those seeking an unusual stay in a stunning location and a truly relaxing break.

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    solomonirene
    July 15, 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 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

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    avatar thumb A TripAdvisor Member
    June 3, 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

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    avatar thumb Ellen M
    July 8, 2018
  • star rating  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.... read more 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'!

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    lorenw887
    June 6, 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

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    KikiMack
    September 6, 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.

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    ViBoLondon
    August 25, 2018

Vinha Da Manta

+351966011630

info@damanta.nl

Quinta do Barata

Licence 136342/AL

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