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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
15 Oct 2024
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Description
Dear Workawayers,
Thank you for your interest in helping me. I live on Etna Volcano located 15 mins driving from Ragalna, one of the highest towns on Etna at 1300m. Etna is an active volcano erupting multiple times a year. On my land, there is a vegetable garden, chicken coop, Gina the donkey,2sheps ,many fruit trees scattered around, my main house with 2 bedrooms, a smaller cottage which is being totally renovated, a large patio and outdoor seating area. I try to live as eco friendly as possible so all my water is cleaned rain water and I am working on making a grey water recycler. I try to grow and preserve as much food as possible; in my garden now are tomatoes, zucchini, peppers and various fruit trees and herbs.
My home is a very peaceful and quiet place. I live here with my 3 kids (9,15,15) are here some of the time.
Catania is the second largest city in Sicily and is a 45 min drive or 1 hour bus. The many different beaches are also a 1 hour drive. Ragalna, the closest town is a 5 min drive and Nicolosi and Belpasso (biggest towns) are a 10 minute drive. There are mountain walks very close to the house but the submit is a 20 minute drive.Types of help and learning opportunities
Art ProjectsLanguage practiceHelp with Eco ProjectsGardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareFarmstay helpCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceCultural exchange and learning opportunities
Italian language, Sicilian, Sicilian food and cooking, open fire bbq, mushroom foraging, renovations, craftsmanship, carpentry, trekking, tree care and garden care, building...etc
We also give to our workawayers the chance to get a "wood cutting class" with chainsaw and axe.
Due the Matteo's job (tree climbing, arborist) we are collecting wood for hole winter and we are separating it from tipe and size to create also woodcraft and sculpture.
Sicily is culturally rich which a very specific and interesting way of life. There are not many other places in the world like Sicily and Etna. You will learn what it is like to live on an independent mountain house on Etna.
IM LOOKING ALSO FOR LONG TIME WORKAWAY PEOPLE FOR CIOPERATING SOLUTIONS.Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
There are many different projects that I am working on and have in mind, so what you will do depends on what you would enjoy doing and more importantly what skills you have. I am very open to new ideas and suggestions about things to build and how to improve my land. Some of the things I am currently working on and what you will generally be responsible for are...
Animal care (chickens and dogs; donkey sheps,rabbits)
Yard maintenance
Gardening
Pruning
Maintaining cleanliness in the house
Furniture renovations
Wood cutting
Wood sculpture
Carpentry
Building a new well for rainwater
Laying tiles on rooftop
Fixing/improving driveway
Fire starting
Rebuild fireplace with lava stone
Organization and cleaning of tool shed
...
There are all types of different projects which can fit different people.Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Italian: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.Accommodation
There is a large patio that surrounds the house. The is also a cottage that is being renovated which I will move into when it is ready, then there will be an extra bedroom. The house is on a 7000 sq m property with a panoramic view of Sicily and the peak of Etna. It does get cold at nights so I have a wood fire burner and a fire place. The entire property is available to you.
There Is a common dormitory for you were you can stay an also you can have your space and select the best area were can Park your tends.
The camping area are completely full accessori ed With a firecamp a kitchen and compost toilette .
We can completely joint the 50000 squared Meter around tath they donate ti out project.What else ...
I would be pleased to have a respectful workawayer come and stay with us. I have had a lot of good experiences with workawayers and you guys contribute to improving our projects for Kids.
I can see the work that workawayers have done every day and I am very grateful for that. I love to hear new ideas about different things I can make. Like I said, I am however away for some days a week and would need a workawayer who can manage time if by themselves. I would strongly recommend coming with a car or transportation as there are manyEeeee things to do locally but require a car. If you don't then I have a bike you can use and for longer stays, I can discuss arrangements for a vehicle. There are dogs that are free to roam the yard and the house has wifi and internet connection. This place has a very special energy which I like for people to enjoy......
Notice :
From catania you can jump to the only one bus at day to ragalna (AST company) at 13:00 in front the central railstation.
Other option is to take the bus to belpasso (FCE) every hour or so ,and jump out in borrello bus stop.
I would be glad to come and pick you up.
SUNDAY THERE ARE NO BUS.
We supply the various kind of food for the whole week on friday..
You can provide to cook your meal by yourselves the day we are coming back later from jobs.
We are not buying any meat,fish,tobacco and alcohol .
Please grociers extra deals by yourselfs .
All the question can be clarified by phonecall before you come.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a weeK
Feedback (21)
The farm is peaceful and has amazing views.
We really enjoyed our workaway here.
Thanks Mattao
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(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.9)
The farm is peaceful and has amazing views.
We really enjoyed our workaway here.
Thanks Mattao
i’m sure i will not find this kind of helper easily.
i wish to see them again in future !!!
Dident dissapoint, i went every day to look at the volcano and there was one day with a proper eruption
When i first got there i was a little bit sceptic, becouse the kitchen for the workers… read more
The climate was quite cold and rainy at times, considering that the place is at 1300-1400 m.
Hiking… read more
Matteo is maximally good host, he asks ever what you need… read more
Such an amazine place,people(matteo and family),animals the i will never forget in my entire life and work ahahahah
Have fun
And jah bless u
Trust the pirates
Matteo is a very good guy with open mind and a lot of interesting ideas. It has been a big training for my future travels, learning important skills for carpentry and… read more
Nosotros pasamos 2 meses en lo de matteo y nuestra experiecia fue increible, matteo es muy honesto y atento siempre lo cual eso hace las cosas mucho mas facil para trabajar, convivir y llevar a cabo una buena relacion. en esta experiencia tuvimos la posibilidad de… read more
Tath perfect than i Will use as a sauna instead woodshield.
Those guys are Just magic,and the day they left was a Nightmare for me.
I really Hope to meet them again and i really suggest them to… read more
We could choose our own project from the array that matteo has going on… read more
They really join and took good all the energy from our place! I have no word to say thanks to this amazing couple.
Veronica is an hard worker and such of kind person,totally free of stress and really flexible.
Voja is the best exemple to follow about lifestyle and he is full of… read more