Now home to The Haven Portugal, ‘Quinta Bela Vista’ sits on picturesque mountain steppes in the little village of ‘Canelas’ and could be translated as ‘Beautiful View Estate in Cinnamon’. Once regarded as the crown jewel of the village, its legacy will be reborn, offering sanctuary, purpose, and peace. What was once a village treasure will become a global refuge.
Overlooking the enchanting, fog-kissed Douro River Valley, this estate is nestled among rolling hills, quaint villages, generational family farms, and echoes of Portugal’s rustic past. Spanning more than five acres of terraced hillside with outstanding views of the valley, this former dairy farm is being transformed into a place of beauty, rest, and restoration. Once home to livestock, vegetables, and on-site laborers who baked bread in a communal oven, the property is now becoming a sanctuary for weary workers from around the world.
In an atmosphere steeped in tranquility—sweet birdsong, the gentle babble of mountain spring runoff, and sweeping vistas of the valley that stir the soul—we are cultivating charming gardens and peaceful orchards, connected by meandering paths to quiet spaces for reflection. Secret gardens, a cozy rustic chapel, and fields bursting with colorful flowers invite shalom-filled contemplative conversation and solitude.
When rest gives way to wonder, there’s fun and adventure nearby: river cruises, kayaking and 4-wheeler rentals, hiking trails, riverside cafés (where you might even spot a river otter!), and the flavors of local cuisine and coffee. Within 45 minutes, guests can step back in time at enthralling castles, cathedrals and monasteries, or explore the action-packed city of Porto, which boasts the enchanting Livraria Lello, famous Majestic Café, fascinating monuments, and the energetic Douro River front, alive with buskers.
The facilities includes two main buildings plus outbuildings. The initial renovations focus on restoring these two structures, one for guest housing and one for the Haven Team residences.
The ‘Great House,’ our primary building, will come to life in phases. The first will restore its upper floors into two serene, fully self-contained guest quarters. This will enable us to begin receiving guests. Over time, the bottom floor will be remodeled to add a third apartment, along with group environments: a large kitchen, dining room, and meeting venues ideal for retreats.
Future plans include sabbatical housing and launching domains in the outbuildings dedicated to fitness, art, and games.
While it now requires extensive restoration, improvement, and beautification, the original allure of this gem will be renewed. As we rebuild, our vision is clear: to create an ‘Eden’ that restores, renews, and refreshes those who have poured out their lives in global work.
We anticipate welcoming our first guests in 2026 into restful lodgings that honor the legacy of this estate and Portugal’s rich heritage, while integrating lovely and updated comforts to unreservedly refresh and renew those engaged in cross-cultural service.