Area: Ontario

My husband and I have a 6 acre property near Guelph, Ontario. We live here with our 3 dogs and 2 cats. We both work full time and can't always find time to complete all our projects.

Area: Sicily - Palermo

Hi, we're a family of four: Raffaella, 36, who works for a cultural services company, Franco, 35, engineer and two kids: Stefano, 3 years old, and Giulio, 3 months old. The Sicily is an island and we'd love our children could learn others languages and others way of life. We're absolutely sure that meeting people coming form other countries is the best way to learn.

Area: Central Portugal

We are a couple - Alan (Irish) & Lara (South African) who moved to Portugal in 2011 to enjoy the "good life". Our smallholding (Quinta) has a vineyard, olive trees and rocky hillside. We have a beautiful view of the Serra d'Estrela national park where it is possible to ski when snow permits. We are currently renovating and renewing a somewhat neglected vineyard and we are planting trees and a vegetable garden in order to enjoy our own organic vegetables. Our new barn has just been completed and we plan to keep chickens, geese, goats, sheep and, later, horses.

Area: New Mexico

We are a couple living on 5 acres that we are developing into an organic garden with orchard and fruiting shrubs. No children, but we have two dogs, a couple barn cats, and a flock of chickens - perhaps one day we'll get some goats! I am American and my husband is originally from West Africa. We eat just about anything, and some of our meat is locally raised and butchered. We are not vegetarians but will have plenty of vegetables fresh from the garden, and can accommodate people who don't eat meat. There are always fresh eggs from our hens as well. We don't smoke but do enjoy the occasional alcoholic beverage. No smoking is allowed in the house, but out of doors is okay. The dogs live inside but are quite friendly and love company.

Area: Ariège Pyrénées

We are a family of 5 with 3 daughters age 8, 11 and 13. We live in a very beautiful and wild area in the Couserans in the Ariege. Our house is a the end of a small road with beautiful views over mountains. We currently have a small gite next to our house and are in the process of finishing renovating a barn to also rent out to tourists. I am a photographer and organise photo workshops /trekking for young people in schools and local organisations. John occasionally gives trainings on intercultural communication in other parts of France and abroad. We have lived and travelled abroad and are used to meeting people from other cultures and all walks of life. We like meeting new people and getting to know them, and so do our children who are used to engage with guests staying in our gite.