Here at Old Orchard we love to share the peaceful environment, complete silence, and the stunning starry sky that surrounds our permaculture farm.
Welcome to Our FarmHouse
The Old Orchard Algarve
Mission & Vision
Our vision is to transform a piece of the earth in the heart of the breathtaking mountains of Monchique into a flourishing oasis.
We believe that the farm is an independent organism. That is why we try to develop everything ourselves as much as possible. The goats and chickens live off the land and give back their manure. The vegetables and citrus fruits need this and thrive overwhelmingly on it.
We would like to share this piece of paradise.
Are you looking for a peaceful holiday spot, a place to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life?
Do you finally want to finish your book or your thesis? Or are you a digital nomad who would like to live in the middle of quiet nature for a while? Or are you someone who wants to gain a different life experience as a volunteer?
We invite you to come and discover our farm and experience what it means to live in harmony with the animals and land.
Meet the Farm
We regularly catch ourselves saying: "We have a small farm in the mountains", but the bottom line is that the farm has us, and we are only allowed to take care of it for a while. It is a privilege to be part of this ecosystem and to work together with nature and animals to create a thriving environment.
The farm thrives through daily routine.
The goats ask us to be very clear about what we expect from them. What time are you coming to milk us? Who goes first and who goes last? Where exactly do I get my grain? When do we go to the meadow? Please come pick us up on time, otherwise, we will escape. If everything is clear, they are happy to cooperate with us. They are so curious and communicative. They always come to see what you are doing and bleat when you walk past. As if they say hello, I see you. The goats' manure becomes great compost for our garden. We are very grateful to the goats for this.
The 10 cats also know for sure when they will be fed. They spend the rest of the day cuddling and licking each other. Sometimes a small disturbance. Relaxing in the sun with the four of us together in the sink. Sometimes there is a dead mouse in the yard as proof that they also do their work for us.
Our dog Meisie loves everyone. She will greet you with a wagging tail.
The chickens roam in the orchard in the shade. They keep the area free of fruit flies. At night they roost and give us eggs. Their manure gives energy to the trees. We never have to mow again. They do this with full conviction.
The vegetable garden requires daily attention. Because we work with raised beds, the work is easy and very clear. Weeding where necessary. Sowing and planting. And harvest when the vegetables are fully grown. The soil is very rich in nutrients. Due to the many hours of sunshine, everything grows wonderfully and abundantly. The plants receive water via a drip system when necessary.
It is a pleasure to walk through the vegetable garden or drink a cup of coffee. The garden has been treated according to the principles of permaculture for almost 20 years. We want to use biodynamic gardening in the future.
The orchard is overwhelming. There are mature fruit trees that give us their fruit in abundance. Oranges, tangerines, grapes, lemons, peaches, apples and pears.
There are also olive trees and different types of nut trees.
The trees don't ask for much. They want to be pruned occasionally, given some fertilizer and when it is very hot, water every now and then.
Rent a Caravan on the Farm
We offer accommodation options for you to fully enjoy our piece of paradise nestled in the Monchique mountains.
At the mountain's peak, you'll find a luxurious caravan and a camper, each boasting a spacious terrace for relaxation. With stunning views, the only sounds you'll hear are birdsong and the occasional goat bell. Flowforms energize the water, creating a soothing ripple, adding to the tranquility of the environment.
As night falls, marvel at the clear starry sky. During the day, cool off in our plunge pool or visit the goats. Wander through the vegetable garden and orchard, taking in the sights and scents of nature.
If you wish you can join us at 1 p.m for lunch. Come, unwind, and experience the serenity of our mountain retreat.
We welcome guests who seek a longer stay, whether for a spacious holiday, writing a book or thesis, or embracing the remote work lifestyle as a digital nomad.
The carvan spots have a fast internet connection.
Here, amidst the tranquility of nature, you can truly connect with this unique place and immerse yourself in its beauty.
Ask us about other accommodation options.
Price:
95 euro’s per night. Minimum 2 nights.
1250 euro’s for one month
For people who want to stay longer we have different prices. Feel free to contact us.
We can also provide fast internet connection. We need to know in advance.
Testimonials
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My experience at Old Orchard was great, beyond my expectations! I really appreciate the place: you're completely surrounded by nature, calm and birds melodies! Monchique is full of kind and smiling people ! Vincent and Miranka are really lovely persons, they made me feel at home and treated as a friend. I appreciate the way they trusted me on my work, giving me the possibility to fully express my skills. Thanks to their works and visions they are giving a magic touch to a farm asking to breath again. I hope to come back soon, thanks for all!!!
Alex
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My stay at the Old Orchard was really special. I stayed for almost 6 weeks and in that time I was really able to find a flow and connect with myself and nature, to be fully present and appreciate for everything that was on offer. The animals were so sweet and I enjoyed learning how to milk goats. Being in the garden was lovely and I am grateful for the knowledge and skills I acquired during my stay. Miranka was so lovely and accommodating to me and we shared many beautiful moments and conversations together. I also enjoyed meeting people from the community and learning about their lives.
Martina
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The project is in the mountains of Algarve. I had some troubles with being homesick the first few days and I decided to shorten my stay, but boy o boy did I regret that eventually. I felt more comfortable as the days went by and started to be able to live in the moment. Miranka was a great host, we had amazing talks about our interests and the night in the Cabeso (local cafe) is going to be a memory I'll never forget! Thank you for being so supportive and accepting, I learned a lot in the short time I was there thanks to that.
Lydia
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A great experience! Being in the mountains was very peaceful and the stars were lovely. Miranka cooked tasty meals for lunch and delicious pancakes. Learning how to milk goats was an adventure but really cool. I also really enjoyed having another volunteer to work with while I was there. We got to meet other people in the town and go to a couple of events with people from the area. I was surprised to meet so many international people.
Karishma
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Miranka and Vincent are two very kind and careful hosts! The experience was a great immersion into sustainable life. We were surrounded by a special environment of people, plants and animals. The hosts were very open to share their views passions and knowledge! On weekends we went to the coast with them so we could also have a nice time at the beach and in cities near the Orchard. The mountains, where the orchard is, have amazing panoramas with incredibile climate and nature. Its a perfect place to start a farming experience!
Edoardo
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Old Orchard Algarve is a beautiful, magical place where l've made life-long memories. Vincent and Miranka's vision for their sustainable farm is inspiring and exciting to be a part of - they are such generous, interesting and very capable people. A perfect place to learn about building / growing a farm, making healthy delicious food, and caring for animals. I enjoyed the daily chores, nights in the cozy caravan, the mealtimes together and conversations, and spent my spare time learning to make food or playing with the 11 lovely cats. Thank you for hosting and sharing so much with us!
Sue Hwa
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Go with your eyes closed Vincent and Miranka are the sweetest people, they've made me feel right at home very quickly and we've built a strong and beautiful bond together in a very short time. This shows they are very true, thriving, kind, open, caring, and loving people. Their farm is beautiful, in a peaceful valley, their animals are adorable, it makes you want to participate! They have created a very balanced and comfortable lifestyle / routine for the volunteers, and they are very grateful to us. I could not recommend this place enough! + the food was amazing!
Emilie
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Vincent and Miranka warmly welcomed us and made us feel at home right away. They work together as a great team, encouraging us to exchange knowledge and experiences. Their projects are remarkable and contribute to improving the space, benefiting both themselves and the volunteers. There's an abundance of fruits and vegetables that we could help harvest and enjoy as part of our delicious and diverse meals. During our stay, we had the opportunity to explore the beautiful places in Monchique and meet friendly locals. We enthusiastically recommend this experience to other volunteers.
Jhonatan
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I had the greatest time with Vincent and Miranka. I have stayed in the very nice carovan they have in their land and I loved spending time in the nature. Their land and house is in an amazing spot very isolated with a wonderful landscape. They are very inspiring people who I have learnt a lot from about how to live. They are the sweetest persons and I am deeply glad that I had the opportunity to meet them.
Elisabetta
Our Volunteers
We live in the middle of the mountains. A stream flows below. At the top you have a view of the mountains. It is a wooded area with lots of shade. Our goats live in newly built beautiful accommodation. We call it Goatel. We have many different fruit trees. Apples, pears, tangerines, lemons, orange and grapefruit. We try to grow vegetables ourselves as much as possible, which we also sell on the market in Monchique. Everything organic.
We love to share our lives with others. We meet during work and especially at the extensive lunch. We often go out on weekends. To the beach, for example, to have a picnic and take a dip in the sea. We try to live in balance as much as possible. There is time for work, relationship, leisure and reflection (why am I on this planet and what do I have to give)
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