Van di Jake

VW Transporter Westfalia that sleeps up to 4 people, equipped with everything you need.

• One double bed that rolls out in the high top section and the backseat bench fold out to make another double bed

• Pilot drivers and passenger seat that spin and create a 4-people dining table area

• Full height kitchen were you can stand and cook

• Bathroom with chemical toilet and sink.

• Safe in the toilet cupboard

• Two hobs gas stove, sink and plug-in cool box in the kitchen area

• Clean and dirty water storage

• Solar panel and leisure battery

• Openable windows on all sides including window in bathroom, upper bed and skylight

• Curtains all around and blackout panels for all windows

• Bike rack

Now that we covered the dry but necessary details of the van specs there’s something else I think you should know. But first, let me ask you something…

Do you want to be a tourist or a traveller? If you are looking for vans to rent for your holiday I think we are already on the right path, so let me stop you to reflect for a moment on why you are coming here on holiday, is it to pose for some cheeky pictures for your followers or perhaps to get in touch with a reality different from yours, whether it is to learn or simply to appreciate it. 

Do you want to come visit the Azores treading the same tourist steps or do you want to immerse in these enchanted islands? We are here not to merely rent you a van but, as cheesy as it may sound, we are here to facilitate you in having some unforgettable experiences.

São Jorge is a refuge of calm, nature and tranquillity. Google reviews haven’t made it this far and you’re lucky to find the opening times for shops online. We like it this way but we recognise that it may be inconvenient for visitors that have limited time and much to discover. 

We are here to assist you from the little things like local recommendations to full-day packages to give you a taste of the island, in the literal and in the figurative sense! All you need to do is ask and together we will cater our offering to best match your interests and curiosity. Our aim is to provide you with the tools and knowledge to make the most of the island and the wonders of nature that bless it.

All our rentals come with a complementary welcome package which include: 

• Digital map of the island marked with shops, bars and restaurants, attractions, WC facilities and showers, water points, suggested spots for overnight stays and roads to avoid. 

• Dinner invitation on your first night at our home, totally optional but indicated to gather those random recommendations that may sprout from conversation.

For the rest of our offering we don’t have set prices because we hope to tailor it to each group, get in contact for more details.

To give you an idea of how we can facilitate your stay, here are some of our offerings: 

• Supply of fresh vegetables picked from our garden

• Packed lunch for your excursions

• Warm dinners (pizza, lasagna and more)

• Boat trips around the island

• Fishing trip on the boat (fishing equipment can be provided)

• Spearfishing trip (equipment can be provided)

• Yoga and breathwork sessions with Maria

• Restorative and relaxing massages with Tiago

For as much as we love the island, she has only adopted us recently and we can’t claim to know all her secrets. At every opportunity we have, we will put you in contact with locals that have grown up with these picturesque backdrops and if needed, we can assist as translators. Amongst the people we know, we can organise excursions along the island trails by horse, rides on donkeys in a faja, trip to Faja de Caldeira de Santo Cristo by quad, fishing trip with local fisherman with BBQ to follow, cooking class to make the typical sweets and bake them in the traditional wood oven, walks along the known and less known trails with local guide, immersion in the local culture in Faja do Vimes and discover the hand-loom carpet tradition and the local coffee production, and last by not least, meet and greet with the island’s protagonists: the cows and the farmers responsible for the award-winning São Jorge cheese.

I’m Maria, I’m Italian but before moving here I spent 11 years in England where I worked as a mechanical engineer and a yoga teacher. My husband, Jake, who is British, also has an engineering background and now living here he has taken a more practical approach to the discipline. We have partnered with our friend Tiago who is an osteopath originally from Porto that landed here in 2018 for the joy of many broken-backed farmers. We want to offer you the trip we wish our friend to have, even if you decide not to rent this campervan do save our contact or find us on Google Maps searching for ‘Portal to Nature’, we strive to help you in whatever way we can.