Jayne (England)

An amazing and very rewarding farmstay. There's a lot to be learned from a self sufficient, sustainable, healthy organic lifestyle, and John and Sarah have just about got it to perfection. They both care passionately about their farm and the land, their animals and the people they host.

Solar power, wood fires for cooking and heating, water from the spring and food, olive oil, from their garden.

Everything is recycled, and John cares about the eco balance of the land. It makes you realise there is a lot to learn and appreciate about the world around you.

It was great to plant, tend and then pick the fruit, salads and veg to eat it for lunch!!!! The farm work was sometimes physically demanding but varied and the hours structured. It was all about team work. There was always plenty of work to do indoors i.e. painting and cleaning, if the weather was wet. Never a boring moment.

John and Sarah are very knowledgeable about Granada and the Province and invited me to join them on several amazing walks in the stunning Sierras with a picnic lunch.

I learned how to plant grape vines, make irrigation channels, and so much more. Sarah was happy to teach me new culinary skills, how to care for the hens, and help me with Spanish language. Weekends were free to relax, or take a trip to nearby Guadix or Granada city on the bus.

You are made to feel at home and part of the family.

A great experience for mind, body and soul.

Maroussia (Belgium)

My experience at the Cortijo was my first farmstay experience, and it has been an amazing one. I spent 5 weeks with John and Sarah. It has been the perfect place to disconnect while contributing to a great project in the nature. John and Sarah had been very welcome and kind. Special mention for the delicious food prepared by Sarah!!! The work was fair, and I particularly liked the fact that you exactly know when to work and when to relax, which makes you feel useful. We even went to spend some days at their house at the coast and in Granada. Thank you, John, Sarah, Shep and Meg, for your kindness!!

Sin-Mei (England)

Whilst in Andalucia, this quaint cortijo (like a farmhouse) was my home for two and a half weeks. During this time, I worked in the large vegetable garden which was practically an allotment, picked vegetables and berries, helped with lots of food preparation and preservation for the upcoming Winter, sorted and vacuum packed almonds, bottled wine, fed the chickens, learnt how to cook various things and most importantly ate loads of healthy home grown food
I got so much out of this simple life experience. Whilst the work sounds a lot, there was plenty of free time. Time which I used to read, listen to music, write, relax - things I didn’t have time for in “normal” life. In settings like this it is easier to clear the head and be in the moment...worth making time for.
This was my first farmstay so I wasn't completely sure what to expect but I'm glad it was here. The day is structured well and expectations are set. This makes it easy to know when you need to be ready to work but also when you have free time. John and Sarah are strict with the 5 hours of work per day so you certainly won't be taken advantage of. Typically the work I did was gardening in the morning such as weeding, planting and picking vegetables, afternoon and evening would be preparing food, washing jars for canning, cracking, sorting and packing almonds. I even had a go at bottling their homemade wine! Speaking of food - man was it good! Sarah makes wonderful healthy meals and i learnt to make a few things too like falafel and garlic mayonnaise. Most of their food came from the garden so we ate mostly vegetarian and there was lots of it. I didn't get hungry. I didn't think I lost weight whilst I was there but i came home 6lbs lighter! Weekends John and Sarah were kind enough to take us out to a lake, a local town for breakfast, a trip to Guadix and for a hike. John and Sarah are funny, friendly, honest with great stories to share. I would recommend coming here.

Penri (Wales)

It would be difficult for this to have been a better experience. The location is stunning and John and Sarah are lovely people who made me feel at home from the start. They have a clear schedule of work and whilst some of the work was relatively physical (e.g. digging holes for grapevines) it is broken up to chunks of no more than a couple of hours, so never feels excessive. John is always fair with allocating the work and always tries to vary it where possible. I personally thoroughly enjoyed working on rewarding projects outdoors in such an idyllic setting. Both Sarah and John are great fun and Sarah's a fantastic cook, freshly preparing beautiful dishes daily, usually from food grown on their own land. Overall I had a very enjoyable and rewarding experience and I will miss the place and all the people I met during my 2 week stay.

Moa (Sweden)

I had a great time at Sarah and John's. The cortijo is set in an absolutely beautiful, very tranquil environment made for running/hiking/meditating/yoga/relaxing. The work was varied and sometimes physically challenging. It was also fun and easy, and the fact that I shared the experience with a group of awesome volunteers made it all so much more worthwhile. Sarah and John are both very sociable, easy to get along with, and I felt very welcome and at home from the start. The FOOD is of the hook, I wouldn't be able to whip out a Gazpacho like Sarah's from any michelin-starred restaurant in Sweden. I learnt a lot from both of them about gardening, food, cheesemaking and life. I would love to come back one day and see how the vineyard's coming along!

Anna (Denmark)

I spent two weeks at John and Sarah's lovely cortijo and it was absolutely amazing! After one and a half months in Spain it's still the weeks with John and Sarah and the other great helpers that stands out. Days were well planned and organized, work in the garden was great and even if we did a lot of weeding, I still learned a lot about gardening, plants and different techniques. Food was absolutely lovely! Sarah is a good cook and eager to learn new recipes. They both took really good care of us. Dinner times were always fun with good talks and laughter.

I had a wonderful time at the country side far away from busy towns and with lots of interesting work and conversations.

Thank you, John and Sarah, for everything!

Sebastian (Denmark)

John and Sarah are absolutely amazing! I planned to stay with them for two weeks with my girlfriend, Anna, and ended up staying additional three days because it was so wonderful.

John is an excellent bloke with a great sense of humour and willing to share his knowledge on gardening if you show your interest. On top of that Sarah is an absolutely amazing cook which means that you will help prepare fresh, healthy and nutritious food, mainly from the garden, and enjoy it every single day! John was right when he said that "Sarah cooked a bad meal in 1993 and never ever since that time".

The five hours of work a day were well planned and following the daily schedule was nice and easy to adjust to.

We stayed with three other volunteers (Frankie, Naomi and Iveth) and there was more than enough room for the five of us, since the house has three compartments and beds enough for all of us.

We had such a great time with great talks in the evening with a glass of wine or while playing board games. I even celebrated my 23rd years birthday at the cortijo, where we were allowed to cook a special birthday meal.

Thank you so much for everything John and Sarah. I had the best imaginable time at your little paradise place. I hope we will meet one day again.

Vitali (Latvia)

Being long time hosts Sarah and John got everything well organised , punctual working/break hours rest and entertainment , socializing time . Well planed and explained work need to be done , right tools and material provided .

Good sense of humor and relaxed atmosphere , wonderful huge garden with delicious and plentiful variety of fruits and vegetables , home made vine , excellent pool . It hard to believe this place is off grid , no shortage of water electricity , internet etc . Well done and long live John and Sarah !

Robbie (Wales)

I had a great few weeks staying with John & Sarah, they are very friendly hosts and food & accommodation were amazing. Though their experience with so many volunteers it definitely seems like they have perfected the way it should be done. You get the chance to meet a lot of cool people and go on some beautiful walks around the mountains. I would happily return and would definitely recommend them.

Tess (USA)

John and Sarah were fantastic and extremely generous hosts, and they do a lot of hosting-- during the summer, there are always at least three volunteers  at their cortijo. It makes the work more fun, and also things go relatively quickly, so we didn't spend too much time on any one task. While I was there, we dug holes for and planted a bunch of grapevines, weeded and watered, planted veggies, started building a fence, and cleaned up the pool for the season (should be filled now!). I can't recommend this site highly enough. The food was always delicious, the company was good, expectations for work and free time were clear, and there were beautiful places to wander on the weekends. Thanks again, John and Sarah! Let's stay in touch!

Tom (England)

I had a brilliant time with Sarah and John who couldn't have been more welcoming. The cortijo was in a beautiful setting and very comfortable to live in. Sarah is an amazing cook so the food was delicious, healthy and varied with lots of home-grown ingredients. The work was well scheduled, nearly all outdoors and there was so much going on we never spent too long on one task. The tasks themselves ranged from planting vines to setting up sprinkler systems to cracking nuts. All the other people were great fun and in our free time we went swimming in a local lake, on walks with some stunning views or just played Frisbee. I would definitely recommend this place. Thank you Sarah and John for a fantastic couple of weeks!

Niki & Jone (Scotland)

Jona and I spent the winter olive harvest with John and Sarah, although the harvest itself was short, we found plenty of other work, which for us, was our favourite part of the farmstay. We can't say anything that hasn't already been said in previous reviews, they all stand true and this is a great way to spend a few weeks of your life. You'll learn new skills, social and physical and right enough go away healthier, though personally, not happier as advertised, as I sorely miss fighting with Shep. A wonderful pair who are above accommodating and have nothing but your welfare in mind. They respect hard work and in return you get great food, the chance to learn and most importantly, you leave with great memories. As an added bonus, the Sierra Nevada is something pretty special! Although it's got nothing on Shep. Thank you both for letting us share your outdoor Español lifestyle!

Aleks (Poland)

I had a wonderful time with Sarah and John and all of the other volunteers during my two week stay in their beautiful home! I acquired many new skills, such as potato planting, horse manure shovelling, and flapjack making, ate so much delicious food, went on great hikes in the mountains that took my breath away, camped beneath the stars, and met an amazing group of people, all while practising my English accent. A very rich and full experience on the farm! Sarah and John are extremely welcoming, compassionate and caring people and we enjoyed many laughs around the dinner table daily. Thank you so much for everything, hope to come back and visit you sometime in the future!

Nicola (England)

I had a great time with Sarah and John and the other people at the farm. The work was good and varied and I loved being outdoors in the sunshine with a fantastic view of the mountains. John was a good laugh and Sarah is an inspiring cook and makes wonderful meals which we all helped to prepare. Sarah taught me how to milk the goats! I loved milking the goats we had such a good time. John taught me how to use the rotavator!! I learnt how to put the water pipes in for the vines and loads of other stuff. I would definitely recommend this as a place to go.

Dale Granger (England)

I am so happy to have met John and Sarah, I learnt so much from them both, John is a fountain of knowledge and he has some great stories to tell, and the same with Sarah she knows so much about the area and she is a master chef. The help schedule is very structured which is great so you know exactly when you're working and the instructions are perfect too which makes the work enjoyable to get stuck into. Also it is very rewarding knowing that the tasks that you are contributing towards are benefiting the farm and other people.

Again I say thanks a million to you both for my time there, Not a single bad point to my stay!

Harriet (England)

I think back to the wonderful experience I had this Summer every day.. all of the things I learnt, the beautiful things I saw. You were both such interesting people to learn from, and so generous with your time knowledge and wonderful food. I miss the tomatoes, I miss Meg, I even miss digging trenches in the sun when I'm on the tube to work at 8am with all the grumpy Londoners (I am saving up for a cortijo). Thank you so much for having us, and bringing our guitar back - so sorry we missed you. Hope you are well.

Fran (England)

My two friends and I spent four weeks here back in August 2013 and safe to say it was an incredibly enriching experience. John and Sarah are brilliant hosts; incredibly kind, welcoming and just generally awesome to spend time with.

We spent most the time harvesting the fruit/veg and trimming the olive trees during the mornings and then we would all help prepare lunch together, often using ingredients that we had picked that day. It was incredibly rewarding and fruitful way to live. The food was delicious!A highlight that springs to mind are the pizzas we made, Mmmmmm...

There was a perfect work/rest balance, using our free time to go on adventures in the magnificent surrounding mountains, go swimming in the pool or just relax, philosophise and gaze at the beauty all around you. John and Sarah even took us into Granada for the day and just generally made the effort to ensure we got the most out of the experience.

I learnt so much during my time and I cherish the memories I have here. And most importantly, it was a lot of fun. :-)

Thank you John and Sarah! And of course Meg, the most adventurous Cat to walk the Earth.

Tiffany (New Zealand)

John and Sarah were amazing to work for, so welcoming and laid back. The day I arrived was a BBQ with a group of their friends from all over the place followed by five days of helping in the garden and cooking outside on the open fire. the accommodation was luxurious, I had my own self-contained flat under the house with some great views over the mountains. Wish I could have stayed longer. Thanks for a great experience.

Amanda (USA)

This was a wicked place to go. We spent a great two weeks chatting, cooking, laughing, walking and digging. The work was nice and varied, and the food was off the chain.

Sarah & Jon are good teachers and have a lot of interesting stories to tell. We had some splendid evenings sitting exchanging life notes against a beautiful backdrop.

The only downside is that, having reached the peak of tomato-based pleasure, we now face perpetual disappointment even when buying from the 'finest' range.

Hadley (Australia)

John and Sarah were fantastic hosts. I really enjoyed my time with them both. Their beautiful cortijo is set in the lovely Mountains on the edge of the Siera Nevada. It is the perfect place to relax and reflect on life.

After two weeks, I left Sarah and John feeling happy, healthy and fulfilled. They are both lovely people and I really enjoyed our chats over lunch and our time together in the vegetable garden. I miss them both already and I am looking forward to returning some time in the future! All the best John and Sarah :)

Caitlin (USA)

John and Sarah were one of the very best travel experiences I have every had! They were welcoming and friendly and always made us feel welcome. The work was diverse and John made a point of moving around tasks so that nothing ever got too tedious. The food was great and the land was beautiful. Truly a life to admire!!! Thanks so much guys!!

Morten (Denmark)

I had an absolutely brilliant time with John and Sarah, who are relaxed and have a great sense of humour. Liked the conversations at dinner. the times we went to La Peza, the bicycle rides (and walks) in the mountains. The place itself is beautiful. John is a great "boss" - cheerful and enthusiastic about the projects. The work was varied and shouldn't be considered hard work. John and Sarah clearly likes the concept of volunteers, which makes you feel appreciated. Hope to come back someday.

Filip Nikolic (New Zealand)

I stayed at John and Sarah's cortijo for five weeks and had an awesome time. If you're looking for a farmstay that will leaving you feeling fit, healthy, and strong this is the place for you. The work is varied - both in type and physical demand, which is nice because it keeps things interesting. Days are well organised, the accommodation is comfortable, and you are well looked after in general. Sarah is an amazing cook and is glad to bestow some culinary wisdom if you're lacking in that area of expertise. John knows loads about organic gardening, and how to solve the general conundrums a handyman might be expected to encounter. Additionally, the evenings at the cortijo are very beautiful and a lot of fun, giving the place a great atmosphere. There is always good banter floating about the dinner table, lots of engaging conversation, and plenty of laughs.

This was my first farmstay experience, and John, Sarah and the rest of the late July/August group made it one of the most memorable experiences of my travels thus far.

Thanks for everything John and Sarah!

Daniel (USA)

John and Sarah were definitely in the top tier of hosts I've encountered in my two years of travelling. They truly understand what the hospitality exchange community is about. The work can be hard but fair with the amount and quality of food you receive in exchange. Sarah is an amazing cook! We had wonderful nights around the dinner table drinking wine, playing games, or just taking. I'd definitely return for a couple weeks if I'm in the area again. There's never a feeling of "free labour",as some other hosts have, It's all just good fun and a hobby for John so that carefree feeling transfers into the work.

It's nice too that we sometimes got to change locations and work on another property, also visiting Granada for the night.

Good good people in a great and quiet location!

If any of you readers make it to the farm, say hey to Shep and Meg for me!

Tom (England)

I spent 3 weeks with John & Sarah, primarily olive picking but a few other assorted tasks. They are both generous with their time, knowledge & hospitality, and I enjoyed my time immensely. You get the feeling that they genuinely love the idea of volunteers coming to help & try to combine the work/free time aspects to get the perfect balance. Food, drink, banter & laughter were always flowing, making for a great experience, and that's without even taking the surroundings into consideration! Assisted by 2 other helpers, we managed to bag a bumper haul of olives, which was top fun & the whole experience was one I'll never forget.

Charlotte (England)

I spent 3 weeks helping harvest olives with John, Sarah and two other volunteers. The work was fun and I enjoyed my time spent up in the mountains!

Fanny (France)

Yesterday was very cloudy in Paris so I was just thinking how I missed life in the cortijo with John, Sarah and the other volunteers. That was a really really good experience. It was my first farmstay and it was just perfect, I couldn't have imagined a better one. Sarah and John are really welcoming, fun and good teachers too. I've learned a lot of thing about sustainable life, the advantages and difficulties of growing your own food (so good by the way !), cooking and just enjoy your day.

What I really like is that both of them really trust you. Every time they asked me something to do I really feel confident about it because they trust you and they explain you if there is a need. That's really good because it makes you feel responsible and it's also rewarding. I also liked the kind of work that we did because sometimes it was hard but you feel really good after. And jumping in the pool after working at 19h 00, it's the better thing to do !

The week-ends were also amazing because we did a lot of thing, a fantastic walk in Sierra Nevada for example ! I really have so much good memories. The evenings were also very good moments because we had intelligent and serious conversations but also so much fun. We also met some of they friend on various occasions and that was, every time, a super moment. I remember one diner where you can hear English, French and Spanish at our table, amazing memory ! This diner was really representative of John and Sarah's state of mind : generous, fun and open-minded.

I liked so much this experience because it was a really healthy life with good work, amazing cooking (thanks you so much Sarah, I missed you food), amazing people and amazing experiences. My English level was a little bit a bother sometimes but all people on the Cortijo always kindly answered me when I asked for a word or thing like this. And I taught them some basic French so communication was even more easy !

Well, that was a fantastic three-weeks stay in the Cortijo with John an Sarah and the others helpers, I really like our group.

There are so much things to say but it will be endless. So... C'était génial putain, merci beaucoup !

Ashley (Canada)

My stay with John and Sarah was my first travel experience and I would have to say the standards have been set high! We had very comfortable apartment at the Cortijo and the work was great! Sarah's cooking was amazing and we were fed VERY well! John and Sarah both know the area very well and even took us on a couple day trips. I am going to miss their company after the 2 weeks I spent with them!

James & Kevin (Ireland)

John and Sarah were wonderful hosts. Even if they hadn´t fed us, we could have survived on laughs alone. Thankfully, that wasn´t the case. The food was delicious, the company very enjoyable. The work was fun and interesting. A great couple. A fantastic experience!

Frankie McKay (Australia)

Spending two and a half weeks at the cortijo with Sarah and John was even better than I had hoped for!! The work was really enjoyable, and I definitely learned many things during my stay which I will take away with me. Meal times were definitely one of the highlights, it was always nice to sit down and have a good chat with everyone with plenty of laughs, and Sarah's cooking (using pretty much all of their own produce!) was just amazing, which I know anyone who has stayed here would agree with!! Also as promised, nobody ever left the table hungry! Overall my stay has exceeded my expectations, thanks so much Sarah and John for having me and giving me an experience to remember!!

Peter (South Africa)

This is my second time I've stayed with John and Sarah and the fact that I have returned says it all. They are a wonderfully natural and generous couple, very easygoing and excellent company. There is a lot of laughter on their cortijo, often over really excellent meals, including BBQ and great salads. Work is varied so you will not get bored, mainly revolving around the vegetable plots. The cortijo is beautiful and the pool is a blessing on hot days. Thanks John and Sarah.

Seraina Albin (Switzerland)

I spent two amazing weeks at the cortijo with John & Sarah, such a lovely couple by the way! It was my first farmstay experience so I didn’t really know what I had to expect but one thing is sure: I’d never imagined such an amazing stay. Work was very well organised & a good mix of different things to do. Sometimes a bit sweaty, but hey – just a perfect workout in an amazing landscape for free! After work we had plenty of time to relax by the pool or wandering around the beautiful area. Weekends were never boring, we made trips to different places, met some of John & Sarah’s lovely friends or hung out with Shep (the dog) and Meg (the cat) - oh how I wish I could cuddle them right now!

Sarah’s an amazing cook, so lunch and dinner were just a dream! So even if I was totally full right after lunch, I was already looking forward to the next lunch ;)! Evenings were always good fun with lots of good conversations and the best soup-creations I had so far. I always felt very welcome and comfortable even though I’m not a native English speaker.

A big thanks to John and Sarah & all the wonderful people I’ve met!

Bennet Buhrke (Germany)

I stayed at John and Sarah's cortijo in the mountains for about three weeks and definitely had an amazing time. The days were really organised and there was always something to do so that the tasks were very diverse and interesting. The other helpers and I had a lot of fun harvesting the almond trees and going to the pool before lunch or just enjoying the stunning view from the balcony. Sarah is an amazing cook and came up with a new dish every day, which was quite impressive. In total I can say that I felt really comfortable volunteering on this farm. Sarah and John are very nice people with a lot of stories to tell. They take you as you are and for example didn't mind that I wasn't always the most talkative person, which is just part of my character. When I left the farm, I felt a lot fitter and healthier, which was definitely due to the fresh organic food and the physical work in the nature.

All in all I can highly recommend this farmstay to everybody who wants to escape from the busy everyday life and experience the simple living. This place is perfect to connect with nature and settle one's thoughts.

Thank you for everything John and Sarah!

Sinead & Sarah (Ireland)

This was our first work away, and I have to say we completely lucked out! We had an amazing time with John and Sarah at their beautiful home. Not only did we enjoy the work, their home, but their company was second to none. Although the work was fun, and we have now become pro painters, we particularly enjoyed our chats over dinner, swapping our funny travel stories and getting to know these adventurous and all round fantastic personalities. We would absolutely love to go back and work there again. Thanks again Sarah and John!

Lucy (England)

I spent a very good two weeks with John and Sarah. They were very friendly and welcoming and the accommodation was very comfortable with beautiful views. We ate together twice a day and the food was delicious. I especially enjoyed waking up each day and picking a fig from the tree just outside my window :) The house was very full when I was there with family friends visiting and other visitors. John and Sarah made me feel included in all that was happening: we went to Granada, to visit the olive oil cooperative. Work was mostly weeding, shelling nuts and planting. However I think the work varies depending on time of year. The cortijo is up in the mountains so the heat was not unbearable but it was very hot nonetheless. The cortijo is isolated - I walked into the nearest town only once and it took almost 1 hour. If you want a peaceful, rural setting, good conversation and enjoy getting your hands dirty and working with the earth I would recommend this farm to you.

John (USA)

Words really can't describe my time at the cortijo. I spent 3 weeks with John and Sarah during the olive harvest, and it was absolutely incredible. There is a perfect balance of work and fun with them, and Sarah is an unbelievable chef. I look forward to hopefully seeing them again soon, thanks guys...

Lily (USA)

John and Sarah were so nice and hospitable!! I enjoyed every minute of working, cooking, eating, and talking with them and the other work-awayers! As my second work-away experience, it was by far my favorite and one of the highlights in my trip to Spain! Sarah is an amazing cook and both Sarah and John are great for interesting conversation! We worked hard under John's supervision but we always had plenty of time to relax too! Thanks, John and Sarah!

Vicky (England)

We've just had 3 weeks with Sarah and John picking olives. It's been absolutely fabulous! John and Sarah were immediately including and we felt like part of the family from the word go. Their place in the mountains is idyllic. We walked out of our cozy little house onto the terrace with sweeping views down the valley to the plain beyond. To a soundtrack of goat bells and birdsong we picked olives, pruned trees, gathered vegetables for lunch, collected eggs for Spanish tortilla, planted garlic, fixed things, lit bonfires and chatted 12 hours a day..... amongst lots of other things. The food was mostly homegrown and Sarah is a whizz in the kitchen. It was perfect and an excellent few weeks. Thank you to Sarah, John, Minnie the cat and the chickens!

Paul & Helen (England)

We stay with John and Sarah for 4 weeks and feel we had a great introduction to Spanish life. We enjoyed some amazing food, all freshly cooked and also got involved in some experimental cheese making,and fish smoking. We got a good range of jobs relative to the season goat milking,and a range of gardening tasks. Both John and Sarah were very helpful about guiding us on our days off. We would happily recommend them as host to all.

Jamie (England)

My time at John and Sarahs was amazing, great company, great food, great house and amazing mountains! The work was very varied which was great and was everything from DIY to gardening, fencing, and looking after animals. John and Sarah were great hosts, and can give a lot of good advice about Granada and the area for when you leave or have a day off. Thanks so much and I´d love to try and get back there!

Elisabetta (Italy)

I'll never be able to forget this experience. I have been very happy to share the whole time with these new friends. John had always great ideas about the work and it was funny and never too hard. Sarah is an excellent cook. I loved all her recepies! Both of them were very patient with my difficult with my English! I really want to go back some day and to see the little foal grown! Thank you very much for everything!

Hazel (New Zealand)

I stayed with John and Sarah for nearly 3 weeks and had a fantastic time! The work was really varied and not too hard, and the food was amazing, I miss those delicious lunches. It was a really nice place to stay and they are wonderful hosts, thanks so much John and Sarah!

Norma (England)

What an absolutely fantastic time I had with John & Sarah, I had no idea what to expect as this was my first farm experience and it was amazing, I couldn't have wished for a better welcome introduction.

John & Sarah were friendly, caring and great company, and Sarah is a great cook so we were fed marvelously. The work was extremely enjoyable, nothing was really taxing and I loved working outside, getting my hands dirty and doing something physical for work which was just what I needed. John is a great 'foreman' and you can tell he and Sarah love the company and learning about all of their guests and their respective cultures. I enjoyed it so much I stayed for almost 5 weeks through May to June.

I feel extremely lucky to have met and worked alongside John & Sarah and also to meet the other helpers, Emily & Hazel especially, who shared my time here and helped to make it an unforgettable experience!

John & Sarah thank you very much and I sincerely hope we meet again in the future for more of the same!!

Donald (Scotland)

I will briefly add to the already glowing praise on this page. John and Sarah are great and staying at their farm was such a rewarding and life enriching experience. The work was very interesting and the tasks were varied. It's clear that John and Sarah were both good teachers as they are very organised and explain things very clearly. Anyway, I couldn't recommend this place more and I hope to get the chance to return.

Ashley (England)

I couldn't have asked for a better experience for my first farmstay - I had a brilliant time. John and Sarah are both excellent company and treat their guests very well, supplying great accommodation and delicious food. They've fully embraced the ethos of work/stay/play and integrate everyone into their lives so that you really feel like part of a family. Their cortijo is set in paradise with beautiful views and interesting places to explore. The work itself is interesting and provides lots of opportunities to learn because it is so varied. I've come away feeling fantastic, both physically and mentally. My only regret is that I couldn't stay longer. Would love to do it all again!

Spencer & Chelsea (Canada)

Working for John and Sarah was our first experience with work-away, and I have to say it has made memories we will never forget. They are such an honest and open couple. They make conversation easy and enjoyable to engage in. I'm no green-thumb, but John is a great teacher in the garden. Sarah too! She showed me how make cheese and yogurt. I think the only hardship we had to endure was the food... Every meal prepared was absolutely gourmet and delicious!!! So good, it was hard to know when to stop eating! At the time when we were looking after the place alone was also when the garden started pumping out veggies by the ton. Living basically off the land alone was such a wonderful experience, and one I want to incorporate once we're back home.

We can't say thank you enough, John and Sarah. It was our pleasure to help break in the horses, and to spend time with you at your place.

Thank you, Chelsea & Spencer :)

Sam & Heather (England)

Oh my, life changing and inspiring. John and Sarah are really cool both with a fantastic sense of humour. The farm is beautiful, the food is amazing, the conversation is interesting and the work is satisfying. We were lucky enough to stay for 6 weeks, and in that time we did so much that we could right a book about the all the interesting and fun things we did. We went to some amazing places as well including three different mountain ranges, a coastal town and a walk down though Granada via the Camino Sacromonte.

There's too much to say, so we will just say this: it's amazing and we loved every minute, even going to collect weathered goat shit (brown gold).

We should also say that we learned a vast amount about planting, harvesting and preserving veg, constructing a vine yard, types of vines, making wine, making vinegar, making cheese, irrigation, solar energy, chickens, different types of plants, birds and more.

Also Shep the dog is so bloody cute we had to strongly resist the urge to dognap her.

And om is not a word.

Ligita (Lithuania)

Sarah and John were perfect host! Everything was very high level: food, conversations, knowledge they shared with us, place, work, everything. John was the one always messing around in a garden with us, always having those extremely funny comparisons with something. Remembering his trying to pronounce my name correctly still makes me smile. Sarah was a perfect cook and my perfect partner to milk the goats. She taught me how to make goat cheese, let me to try a horse a riding, was a smiley person to be around with. I am strongly recommending this place. The atmosphere Sarah and John creates in their place is something that you really need to experience. I am sending you a big hug and greetings from my beloved Scarborough :)

Joe & Liz (England)

John and Sarah were our first farmstay hosts and we felt like we were very lucky! Every day was different, and we came away feeling like we'd learnt a lot of new skills. We ate like kings; perhaps the secret ingredient is eating the vegetables which you have grown. We definitely plan to return (if they'll have us!).

Hannah (USA)

I had an absolutely wonderful time working up in the mountains at Sarah and John's cortijo. I was there for almost 3 weeks in December, helping with the olive harvest. Overall, Sarah and John have completely understood the purpose of volunteering and really have perfected the whole experience. The work was a perfect amount, and varied from day-to-day, so never got boring. Sarah is an excellent cook, and you will definitely be very well fed during your stay. I really enjoyed our conversations over lunch or late into the evening. It was also really nice to meet some of the locals and learn some Spanish while I was there as well. Sarah and John are very easygoing, generous, and hilarious people with a lot of knowledge about the area and the Spanish traditions. You will have a wonderful time if you stay with them!

Aida (Philippines)

I enjoyed every minute of my stay and had no problems about the jobs I did which started from helping with the olive harvest, then planting grapevines, cracking nuts (when it's too wet to work outside), some gardening and painting of houses and a bit of cleaning. There is a good balance of work and time off. Communication was always clear and straightforward. The work was varied so it didn't become too boring. I worked with two lots of groups that are both cohesive. Sarah and John put together good groups of people that really got on and worked well together. Sarah is a brilliant cook and dished us all these lovely meals.

Other things I enjoyed about my stay in the farm is the al fresco lunch, soaking up the mountain air and views, cosy fire indoors. Picking up walnuts from the ground. Going on mountain walks, walking down to the village for breakfast and walking back. Not to forget the clear star studded sky most nights, big orange moon rising over the mountain tops and sun rising in the early misty mornings!!

John and Sarah are so kind, caring and generous. The dog and cat, Shep and Meg are so good natured, loving and playful. I love it that they have the space for freedom and exercise.

I had good groups to work with, best hosts in town and really cool working environment. They are fun people to be with and highly recommended.

Thank you guys for providing home away from home and doing what you do. I really appreciate and love all what you've done. And thanks for taking me on board at my age!!!

Can't wait to be back in the mountains.

Odette (England)

I have just spent 2 wonderful weeks at this farmstay and as it was my first time I didn't know what to expect. I need not have worried. John and Sarah are 2 of the nicest people I have ever met. They are welcoming, friendly, patient and show a genuine interest in each of their volunteers. I liked the set routine and we had plenty of free time to explore or relax by the pool! I loved meal times as Sarah is a great cook and we had some really yummy healthy lunches and soups, all from fresh produce from their land. The scenery was brilliant and the night skies awesome. I was very sad to leave and am grateful that my first farmstay has been such a good one as I do plan to do many more in the future. I can thoroughly recommend this cortijo to anyone who is thinking of going there.

Harry (England)

I spent 3 weeks staying with John and Sarah for their olive harvest in December and had an amazing time on their farm. The food was absolutely incredible for the entire month and the location was fantastic; hiking through forests and the mountains on days off was amazing. John and Sarah had a good work schedule and while it was physically intense there was variation in the tasks which kept it interesting. John and Sarah also selected an awesome mix of other volunteers and this meant we all got on really well with each other! all round a fantastic experience and one I'll never forget! would thoroughly recommend:)

Alex (England)

John and Sarah's was my first work away trip and it was brilliant.. more than what I'd hoped for. They are both very lovely and me and my friends didn't want to leave the mountain side! We worked 6 hours a day with various jobs that were all good fun and we got fed very well.. There cortijo was great with our own little flat to stay in with the most gorgeous view straight out the front door. I learnt a lot about food/cooking and the garden. Thank you John and Sarah for being such amazing people and brilliant hosts.

Karin (Sweden)

Sarah and John are very good hosts. Easygoing, relaxed and generous. As they´re used too host new people on a regular basis and Sarah is a very good chef (making healthy food) and the gardening-work´s semi-hard, they could actually start doing business on this: turn the cortijo to either a rehab or a health camp! So, you better go there before they will start charging you.

Ben (Italy)

I was with John and Sarah for a month. Both of them were really nice and the work they had for us volunteers was always enjoyable. They have a really great place to get out from the city, noise and pollution. The other volunteers were also super nice and we had a really good friendship going on.

They have a really nice quite place up in the mountains sharing it with their 8 chickens, Shep (their dog), and Meg (their cat that liked sleeping on my lap). The work was always nice and really well explained, the food was also excellent, Sarah knew some really good dishes (especially for the people who are fans of spicy food).

Kasper (Denmark)

The stay with Sarah and John was amazing and the best start on our Spanish travels that we could have ever imagined. You need to be prepared for hard physical work and getting tired if you are not used to physical work and also the place is very remote, but you will also get strong and have time to relax. Sarah and John are amazing people who are open and sociable. We had many interesting conversations and they took us on different trips to the nearby village, the lake and their houses in Granada. Doing your free time you can relax by the pool or go for a hike in the mountains (But careful you don't get lost. ups). And remember to bring a book. Also the food was amazing, with not much meat but a lot of delicious vegetables. Thank you so much Sarah and John for the amazing stay!

Clare (England)

Sarah and John are lovely, considerate hosts who I would recommend to anyone. They were always clear about what they wanted us to do and positive about the results. They are both organised and easy going. They are very funny and interesting, successful people who are happy to share their experience and advise. I learnt a lot from them as people. The food and accommodation were great and 2 of us had a 3 bed house to ourselves with everything we needed. The work was varied with the more physical work over with by 11.30. We worked for 5 hours a day, 5 days a week alongside John in the garden and Sarah in the kitchen or with the animals. While I was there I took part in weeding, cleaning out a water tank, milking goats, moving horses to a different field, feeding chickens, helping prepare meals, pruning olive trees, cracking nuts, digging an irrigation channel, collecting stones, strimming, making a dam, digging and picking blackberries. And I was only there 9 days…

Roberto & Lisanne (USA)

We spent 3 weeks here and really enjoyed our time. John and Sarah are lovely hosts and super nice couple. We really enjoyed our interesting conversations with them during (super delicious) lunch and dinner- they are both very knowledgeable and funny!! The work was enjoyable as well. Everything was explained very clearly and the schedule was punctual so very clear expectations. The accommodation was very nice and comfortable too. We had a great time with the other volunteers that were there too. We had lots of free time to enjoy the area- going for jogs and walks to the nearby town with Shep. We even stayed at their beach house at the coast for several days while it rained at the cortijo. John and Sarah do the utmost to make everyone feel welcome and comfortable. We miss it there!

Lorrae (Australia)

I am now back at home in South Australia thinking about the brilliant experiences I had in Spain. One of the best was my stay at John and Sarah's. I was also lucky to meet some other fantastic volunteers there too. The work was varied and well organised and the meals were sensational. (The dried figs and almonds just seemed to find there way into my mouth!) And what a location, pool and great neighbours.

Moritz (Germany)

I stayed 3 weeks with John and Sarah and had an amazing time! Both of them are really kind, relaxed and overall cool people. They made me feel welcome from the very first minute.

Also the other workers were really nice and everyone got along with each other well. I appreciated the familiar atmosphere!

I enjoyed preparing the extremely delicious and healthy meals together, and going out for runs or hikes in the mountains with Shep, their lovely dog!

The work was pleasant, too. Even though I had problems with my hand in the first week, I was able to continue work. Instead of the physical work, I did some translations for their page.

I liked the fact that they had a very structured day, with fixed working hours but also a lot of leisure time!

In my last week we went to Granada to do some work in some flats. Also there was a fiesta going on, which we enjoyed all together!

I hope I have the chance to come back one day!

Sara (USA)

Coming to stay at Sarah and John's cortijo is as good as it seems to be on their page! I learned so much at the cortijo and enjoyed getting my hands dirty with some farming and with the olive harvest. They are truly gracious and accommodating hosts. I want to come back someday because I miss Sarah and John and the cat Meg.

Leslie G (England)

I stayed with Sarah and John for 5 weeks, a week longer than planned because I liked it so much! They are brilliant hosts, it's well organised and you are welcomed into their home.

The work is varied, the schedule is fair and you get an amazing view while working! I did loads including planting vegetables, bottling olive oil, painting (including the swimming pool) and cleaning. They give encouragement and appreciate your efforts.

The location is beautiful, you can take Shep for a walk in the mountains or chill out and enjoy the scenery. We went on walks, went out for breakfast, had a trip to Granada to paint another house and played games. The conversation is always interesting and the other volunteers were lovely.

Sarah and John are very kind people and really looked after me. Sarah's cooking is amazing, I loved the fried potatoes, and John is a brilliant gardener, he experiments with different permaculture ideas. I would go back in a heartbeat, and I'll have to come back for a dip in the pool! Thank you Sarah and John for making my first farmstay so good! Love Leslie.

Ben (Australia)

I stayed with John and Sarah for 3 weeks. I really had such a great time. John and Sarah are hilarious. They had me in stitches a few times. Couldn't ask for better hosts to a work away program. Never a dull moment with these two! Three weeks went very quickly. The working days are structured well. I finally got the bikini body I always wanted working in the top field ;) Sarah's cooking is delicious - Never went hungry! Felt like a home away from home. Looking forward to visiting again one day. Highly recommend.

Greg & Desi (South Africa)

Our stay with Sarah and John was a fantastic experience! John shared with us his boundless knowledge of gardening with enthusiasm that was highly contagious. We learnt a tremendous amount from him. Likewise, Sarah was a genius in the kitchen (and with her chickens and cheese-making) and shared all her tips and tricks with us. We learnt loads, played hard, worked hard and relished in all that Sarah and John's beautiful cortijo has to offer!

Olivia (Germany)

My first farmstay experience and it couldn't have been better! Everything was perfect from the beginning to the end of my 1 month stay. I had a great time with really inspirational funny people and delicious food. Thank you so much Sarah and John. I learned a lot from the hard funny work. The funniest part was the killing operation in the morning ;) (killing the small red insects on cabbages).

Anneke (Netherlands)

I spent two weeks with John and Sarah and had a great time! Staying with John and Sarah was fantastic: they have a lot of space for volunteers to stay (in separate apartments with kitchen and bathroom only shared with a few others), the food is absolutely amazing and the home-made wine and good company after dinner never leaves you bored! They also have some great games on the shelf! The farm is a great place to stay; quiet, green and the view is amazing.

When I was there we worked in Granada for a few days, but mostly stayed at the farm to work there. The jobs are sometimes a bit repetitive (we did a lot of weeding in spring when I was there), but John makes sure to mix up the tasks sometimes so you don't get bored.

Definitely recommended!

Philipp (Germany)

I spent 2 weeks with John and Sarah and had a really good time. Their cortijo is quiet, peaceful and the nature around is just beautiful. While the work is not too hard, you can learn a lot about gardening. I really enjoyed the time we spent together at lunch and dinner with interesting chats. On the weekends they took us to an amazing lake off the beaten track, we were hiking and had a few drinks and tapas in the bars in La Peza. I would definitely recommend this place to everybody and always do it again. Thanks John and Sarah!

Emilijus (Lithuania)

I spent 17 days with Sarah and John. The main job was in the garden, cleaning pool and small jobs around the cortijo. Everything was really well organised, between work we had tea or lunch breaks and you never get tired. Sarah and John were great hosts. John was always ready to talk about different topics and Sarah was making amazing food. We were going to reservoir or doing barbecues on weekends. I wanted to stay more. Thanks.

Will & Abi (England)

Will and I spent a lovely 3 weeks in the cortijo, and a great final farmstay before we head back to England. The work is fair and varied, during our stay we enjoyed both the periods of work and relaxation to (almost, haha) the same degree, as being outside in the garden with John or processing tomatoes with Sarah was different and fun: I (Abi) have even learned a new love of canning tomatoes!

Beyond the work, John and Sarah are really lovely people, who went out of their way to make our time with them as good as it could be. They took us on trips to an amazing reservoir, to the local town for an evening of incredible flamenco, cooked delicious food and were even really understanding and supportive when I had to submit a piece of work for university over the course of our stay. The setting within the incredible Sierra Nevada mountains and new friends in the form of Meg the cat and Shep the dog tops our experience of the cortijo off; we would definitely recommend anyone to come to them. Thank you John and Sarah, we really enjoyed ourselves :)

Catherine (England)

John and Sarah were great hosts and I would recommend anyone to go stay with them. I helped with the olive harvest but arrived a few weeks early and helped with gardening and maintenance type jobs. The structure of the day was planned out well and I never felt bored. My favourite part of the day was sitting next to the fire (my spot) with meg the cat on my lap ;) Sarah and John were both funny and interesting and I think we shared similar sense of humours that meant we got on well. I enjoyed drinking wine with them in the evening, playing some very competitive bananagrams and listening to their Brexit rants....The accommodation was good and they even became vegetarians with me for my stay and cooked delicious food and they helped me when my phone was broken...Hope meg is enjoying sleeping and Shep is enjoying eating walnuts and chasing foxes! And if your ever in hall green we can go to Toby carvery X :)

Miranda (New Zealand)

John and Sarah were very welcome and generous with sharing their knowledge. John, a great teacher in the garden, Sarah, a great teacher in the kitchen. Good people, good place, fantastic food!

Daniel (Denmark)

We stayed with John & Sarah for 6 weeks and cannot imagine having a better first experience with volunteering. They are extraordinary people. While working with John we found out that he has an extremely good sense of humour. He can always make people laugh. Also Sarah is really witty, but one thing that caught our attention is that she make the most delicious meals! They are people that are easy to talk to, which makes staying with them a lot more comfortable. We were impressed by the artillery of books they have read. (If you like reading and talking about books, they are the perfect people to talk to!) We went to both Guadix, Almuñécar and Granada with them. We also went hiking. Their dog Shep is the best doggo in the world and packed with energy. Their cat Meg is funky, in a good way! We had 6 incredibly fun weeks and would love to come back in the future.

Sarah (Northern Ireland)

What an inspirational experience. I learned countless things from Sarah and John, I ate ridiculously good food every day. I leave healthier and stronger and bolstered by fresh mountain air. Couldn't fault this experience, what an amazing first farmstay.

Michael (Northern Ireland)

This was the first time I'd stayed on a farm and it was brilliant. The scenery is beautiful and the work was varied and very enjoyable. John and Sarah are both great to work for. The best way to describe my experience would be, great people, great food and a great place.

Tim (England)

My first farming experience was made to be perfect by Sarah and John. Excellent accommodation and food, I learnt many things about gardening and farming and was trusted with a number of machines which was great fun. John was excellent at explaining what needed to be done so i could finish my tasks always with a good sense of achievement. Beautiful surroundings in which to relax and get away from it all. I would strongly recommend this farmstay to everyone.

John (England)

I am writing this review two days after finishing a 3 week stay with John & Sarah in their Cortijo. The location is in the wonderful Sierra Nevada Mountains and is remote being 6km from the nearest village which is about an hour there (downhill) and an hour and a half back. Nearby is the town of Purullena where there is cave house museum and our hosts were happy to drop us off there and pick us up after we had taken in the sights which goes to show how well they treat their guests.

During my time there I found that the work was varied from helping to construct a vineyard to cleaning out the swimming pool and working in the garden weeding or collecting fresh fruit and vegetables. John is very considerate and will vary start times to suit weather conditions and I can't praise Sarah and her culinary skills enough.

Evenings are spent chatting over a meal with a glass of home made wine or two or taking in a film on the computer I can highly recommend this for anyone who wants to meet nice people in a rural retreat. Thank you both for sharing your home with me. I hope to return in the future

Paul (England)

Staying with John and Sarah was an excellent choice for my first farmstay experience. The location of their home is absolutely stunning. I was there for 2 weeks in September to help with the Almond harvest (I think we ended up collecting twice the mass of the sun). Sarah and John are both very welcoming and great fun at both work and dinnertime. Sarah is in charge of the cooking and I think it was the best two weeks of food I’ve ever enjoyed; I even learned a few “cooking” skills whilst there, including how to make a mean coleslaw and how to create a pizza from scratch (delicious!).

In summary: Beautiful location, fantastic food, good company (including the other volunteers; one of whom I continued to travel with), and a rural experience that will make it very difficult for you to return to urban life!

Sam (USA)

I spent 18 days with John and Sarah and had a truly wonderful stay. I cracked almonds and walnuts, cleaned the pool, strimmed around the huerta and property, picked berries, pruned and tied tomatoes, weeded beds, and helped with meal prep, cleaning, and maintenance projects. The work was fair and fun, and all tasks were clearly explained. During the work week there was a defined structure and rhythm to each day, which I really benefited from. The five working hours are broken up by tea time, free time, meals, and siesta, and we never worked in the full heat of the day. It is a beautiful place, and you can wander down the road into the hills and see some beautiful bits of nature. John and Sarah are great hosts because they are fun, funny, sharp witted, open minded, and considerate. They are great teachers and interested in learning new things. They want to share their life and experiences while hearing about yours, during work and over meals, tea, beer/wine sobremesa. I left the huerta a week ago and already miss watching the evening primroses bloom during supper and looking at the night sky. I hope I go back to visit!

Micha (Germany)

Right from the beginning everyone was super friendly and made my stay heart-warming. The work was fair and not too hard and just what I expected. The best thing about my stay was that while we were eating super delicious food, we talked and discussed about so many different things and exchanged stories from our life. This and the fact that we did many cool things together with the other helpers from hiking to visiting the nearby cities made this farmstay a highlight in 2019 for me and I can highly recommend spending time with John and Sarah.

Aine (Ireland)

I can't say enough good things about my three weeks with John and Sarah. They are incredibly generous with their time, knowledge and wine.

Juliane (Germany)

I spent 4 weeks with John, Sarah and four other helpers on their farm. It was my first farmstay experience and I couldn’t have a better host for the beginning! Our main tasks were the almond harvest and cutting the olive trees and I did interesting translations about Granada every day. We became a great team and had always a lot of fun while working. John and Sarah offer a great working atmosphere and varied tasks. Our days were well structured because of their fixed timetable. We had enough time to go on small trips in the afternoons and to spend time on their big pool.

The meals were always fresh and unbelievable good! On the weekends John and Sarah offered us different trips for example to Monachil, Guadix or Almunecar. John and Sarah have a great sense of humor and are very friendly and kind. We always spent the evenings together drinking tasty wine, listening to good music and had a lot of fun while playing games like head’s up or having interesting discussions about several topics.

The stay was a good opportunity for me to improve my English and to learn a lot new things about gardening and farming! “Meg” the cat and “Shep” the dog are really sweet and love to cuddle and to play! I had great walks with Shep in the afternoon and Meg always cuddled me.

The Cortijo is a great place for people who love the nature, are really sociable and like working outside.

Thank you for this fun and unforgettable time John and Sarah! Wish you all the best for the future.

Roelie (Netherlands)

In December 2014, I stayed with John and Sarah for the olive harvest, which I very much enjoyed! It's physically a hard job, but not too hard and when the weather permits, varied with other tasks. John and Sarah enjoy having people around in their living place which is a kitchen, living-room, cosy fireplace, office, cookbook-library, pickle&preservation storage room and movie at the same time. Both are interested in people, customs, new experiences and recipes. Though the work schedule during the harvest has to be clear, they invest time, energy and patience to give you great, funny, relaxing, new or instructive experiences... I came back as a better cook, ate fruit I didn't knew existed (kaki), grew muscles, know how to conserve olives and enjoyed learning to make goat cheese. We had fun with pizza baking outside in the stone oven, pressing apples for cider and the volunteers were lucky with a weekend-break in Granada. Initially impressed by their direct, straightforward way, I got to know John as a genuine, enthusiastic, active and cheerful man with a lot of ideas. Sarah is a splendid cook, genuine, hearty, humoristic and cheerful. Both people I would love to meet again. I will miss the company, the tasty meals, Shep (the dog), the physical work, the chilly sunny days, mountain views, stunning sunsets or –rises. Thanks for staying on the cortijo and in the casa!

Kate (England)

I couldn't have asked for more from my first farmstay experience! The cortigo is nestled in beautiful mountains which we were free to explore when we had free time. The work was physical but rewarding, I felt in good shape when I left, and so I should as we made a record olive harvest!! The property is beautiful and has an extensive veg patch and fruit trees. Sarah always cooked a fantastic Spanish lunch and we were able to cook using mostly food from the garden! The days were beautiful and sunny but the nights cold, John ensured we were all cosy at night by making sure the fires were blazing in the house. I learnt so much here, like how to make cheese and wine. And also I was able to receive a lot of guidance from their experiences which I still follow in my life today. I loved the evenings where we would drink local Tinto vino and talk!
They were also kind enough to let us stay in their house in Granada which had spectacular views. 
And of course there was Shep (dog) and Meg (cat) who were always around for some comfort!

Highly recommend you experience this place for the harvest! It is mucho tranquilo!!!

Ania Sobczyk (Australia)

I stayed with Sarah and John for the Olive picking season (December 2014). It was a fantastic experience, one that i still often reminisce about. Not only did we pick a record olive harvest but we also made goats cheese, pear wine and cooked amazing feasts everyday from ingredients from the garden. I loved working with John and Sarah and the two other helpers. We made a great team. I also loved waking up to a different view of the valley every morning. Every time you look out into the valley things would look different, and we swear the mountains kept shifting on the horizon! Thank you for an unforgettable experience and one that's inspired me to live a more self sufficient life back at home :)

Alice (New Zealand)

We had a wonderful time at John and Sarah's! They are a hilarious couple. The work was extremely well organised with a good variety for everyone. They also provide old clothes if you don't want to ruin your own too! We enjoyed the hard work and LOVED the amazing lunch spread Sarah would cook, super nutritious and basically everything from the garden. We had our own house equipped with a fully working kitchen, fireplace, balcony and bathroom. It was awesome eating the delicious homemade muesli every morning and overlooking the mountains. John and Sarah own a few houses around Andalucia which we were fortunate enough to stay in and do some work there. They really made our stay so wonderful and adventurous, even taking us on hikes! They are super relaxed and love a wine and a laugh at the end of the day! Highly recommend!

Kayley (New Zealand)

It's only been 3 days since I left the cortijo but I miss it already! The location is beautiful and the work is rewarding! I learnt so much working alongside John from planting vegetables, pruning tomatoes, a little landscaping and fruit and nit picking. Now the food, be prepared to eat like a goddess (or God)!! Everyday I would wonder what Sarah was making and everyday my stomach would be left feeling loved and nourished! I also learnt a thing or two from Sarah and intend on making her magical recipes from her blog. As for Shep (dog) and Meg (cat) they are some of the coolest pets I've met. Shep is super friendly and Meg is super cool (not usually a fan of cats). Meg even tries to come for walks which I tried to encourage with little progress.

Emilio (Italy)

I spent with Sarah and John only 10 days, but it has been a wonderful experience! Communication was perfectly clear, and the work was exactly what expected reading the profile. Not to mention that the cortijo is surrounded by nature and the accomodation was more than comfortable.
We always ate excellent fresh food in both lunch and dinner ( y maravilloso tinto de verano ) and i really enjoyed spending time together in which we could speak about any topic freely! It has been amazing, thank you so much for this experience, it almost make me feel that i didn't want to leave the cortijo.

Giulia (Italy)

I have spent with Sarah and John two Amazing weeks. We have spent together a very good time, working, listening to music, eating delicious food and speaking about a lot of things. The work Is not hard, because you have also free time and you can do whatever you want around the cortjio. Sarah and John are so nice and funny, I liked so much being with them and with the other volunteers sharing this experience!!! Thanks for everything!!!!

Inès G (France)

Sarah and John were very nice hosts, kind, funny and very very helpful. I am gluten intolerant and they managed to adapt every meal for me.
They are welcoming people, and the amount of work was exactly as described. I also loved the good atmosphere, always with good music in the background. And the view of the cortijo was amazing, so all of this put together made me enjoy my stay and the experience that goes with it. I recommend them 100%! It was lovely to meet you, thanks again!

Linda Ghio (Italy)

I spent a month with John and Sarah and had a wonderful time! The place is absolutely gorgeous, we also had the chance to visit Granada a few times and John and Sarah were always friendly and helpful in suggesting nice things to do and visit. I fell in love with the cortijo and I miss it a lot! The atmosphere was great, also with the other volunteers. We volunteered in the crops, or on the house they were renovating in Granada, or doing other bits and bobs like cleaning the pool and cracking walnuts.

Absolutely recommended!

Amanda (Canada)

Staying with John and Sarah made for an amazing first experience travelling through Spain. There was always great food and company in a beautiful location. I am still trying to recreate some of Sarah's amazing meals! It was a nice blend of spending time as a group chatting and having your own time to wander or make travel plans. I was interested in the way that they try to grow as much as possible on there own and I liked the fact that we were so close to the food that we were eating. In this way, I liked the work that I was doing and will treasure the conversations and excursions that we had. I felt very happy and healthy. All in all, Cortijo life is the good life :)

Nadezda (Latvia)

It's been such a pleasure and a true luck that my first farmstay has been at John&Sarah's - I've had absolutely brilliant 3+ weeks with them! Breathtaking views, super delicious meals, comfortable accommodation, fabulous time working and chatting with John, Sarah and other helpers - I enjoyed every minute of my staying there. Sarah is a true magician in the kitchen, John is an ideal "boss"- they set up very high level standards of atmosphere and environment as both are fantastic hosts, very welcoming, generous, caring and with a great sense of humour, but Shep (the dog) and Meg (the cat) are very smart and friendly pets. The work was intensive but not too hard or boring at all and scheduled perfectly considering the hot summertime - we worked 3 hours (with a half of an hour tea break) from 9 in the morning and 2 hours from 6 in the evening during the weekdays and helping with mealtimes every day as well.

I've met lovely friends there and spent wonderful free time in Granada where all of us were going once a week to do some work in their other house and also enjoyed Saturday's breakfasts down in the small nice village named La Peza in an hour of walking distance from the cortijo.

Everything's been just awesome - I would highly recommend the cortijo and I can't say thank you enough to John and Sarah for such a brilliant unforgettable experience and also for having me back for another couple of weeks.

Catherine Duffy (Ireland)

A big thank you to John & Sarah for having me stay at their cortijo in the mountains (and at their home in Granada twice). The peace and tranquillity and amazing scenery was the perfect start to a great month. The accommodation is also great. Sarah's food was second to none every lunch and dinner, delicious. Definitely using some of your recipes. Thank you Sarah. John is a great guy to work with. The working hours are nicely spread out. 9 - 11.30, tea break, 12 - 12.30. Then 6 - 8. He is a hard grafter and with you every step of the way. Always willing to listen to new ideas or suggestions, as well as sharing his (endless) knowledge. Cheers John!

Speaking of Johns endless knowledge, that brings me nicely on to lunch and dinner conversations. You'll be surprised at what you can cover during an hour or two chatting around the table. Hilarious!! It was a great laugh with John and Sarah and the super group of 7 volunteers I was lucky enough to cross paths with during my stay there. Cheers guys. If you are lucky enough to be offered some time with these guys, TAKE IT....... Thanks again. Catherine.

Lara (Netherlands)

I stayed 3 weeks with Sarah and John in the beautiful Spanish mountains. When I look back I'm very happy that I came and stayed. The first week it took me some time to get in to the work and get the hang of everything but after a bit I really enjoyed everything. Sometimes the work is hard but always rewarding, you feel great after you've done something that maybe you not just to and it always pays off with the amazing meals Sarah makes (and a splash in the pool!). I thought it was really great that the working hours where in a routine day, you knew when to chill out and when to work. The conversations in the evening where often hilarious, there was always so much laughter. Especially because John and Sarah have very dry humour! But there where all kinds of conversation, and this in such a beautiful setting under the stars. (I also saw my first shooting star! And Sarah saw lots of plains). The other helpers where truly amazing, I feel so grateful to have met such great people. Even though at the beginning I had a bit of a hard time to keep up with conversation. I think as the weeks went by my English improved as well. I wish Sarah and John all the best, and I highly recommend this farmstay to everyone!

Joe & Kate (England)

We had a great time getting to know John and Sarah on their farm in La Peza. We spent a couple of weeks there working mainly in the fields weeding/planting. The working day is split into a bit of work in the morning and the rest in the evening. Sarah's food was always delicious, during our stay they were experimenting with vegetarian recipes which were always nice and we will definitely be recreating some to eat at home! We really enjoyed our nights sat around the table drinking Johns home made pear wine and chatting with John and Sarah about anything and everything, during our stay we feel we got to know them really well....and even ended up going to a Bob Dylan gig together in Granada!

All in all we have a great few weeks here and in beautiful area of Spain, we are sure we will be back again one day in the near future! Until then, take care and thank you for everything :)

Ruth (England)

I stayed with John and Sarah for just over 2 weeks and loved every minute of it! They were fantastic hosts, very welcoming, and the work was hard but enjoyable. There was a brilliant atmosphere, and meal times especially were great fun. If you like the outdoors you could not be bored here - it is a beautiful setting with lots to do. The food was incredible. I can't recommend John and Sarah enough!

Josh (USA)

John and Sarah should write the book on volunteering! The endless number of comments all speak for themselves- you will have an amazing experience! My favourite part was the conversations at lunch and dinner. It could be the script for a TV show..or a podcast! When it's time to work, it's business as usual. When it's time to relax John and Sarah are hilarious! Will truly, genuinely miss them and the other volunteers I bonded so well with. Cheers!

Jade (USA)

Spending two weeks with you in your lovely home was an amazing experience that I will never forget! The work was hard in the summer heat, but so rewarding. The cortijo is beautiful. I learned a lot about cooking and different vegetables. I didn't enjoy cooking before I stayed with John and Sarah (to be honest, I never really cooked before) and today, I love to cook!

P.S. Give Shep and Meg a squeeze from me!