Area: Lower Normandy

** We are looking for help with gardening and shed repair during June** We are a Kiwi family living in historic Normandy, renovating our amazing 400+ year old farmhouse whilst perfecting our French and generally immersing ourselves in French life. We are returning the house to it's traditional majestic beauty by reinstating the thatched roof and exposing it's stone and oak features, whilst at the same time adding modern twists of glass, metal and bold colour, and the occasional 'kiwi twist'. We are a couple who have travelled and worked in many different countries and enjoy learning about different cultures. Here in France, we have a simple but good life enjoying the outdoors in our pool, jacuzzi, trampoline, kids play area, etc. We are in the countryside just outside an active village, our 6 year old son goes to the local school (a 3.5km cycle to the center of town), we're close to all the historic D-day sites, actually on the D-day 'route-de-libertie', the evocative Abbaye d'Hambye is 5 mins away, it's 40 mins to the famous Le Mont St Michel, and we have easy access to port and airport connections to the UK etc. We're in the midst of an extenstive ecological project to rethatch and insulate our chaumiere. This involves many preparatory phases such as paving and decking terrassing and drainage, exterior insulation, lime repointing and double glazing. Additionally we are in the midst of many other projects - the construction of oak spiral stairs and mezzanine extension; instillation of wooden kitchen worktops and repair of 300 yr old o ak flooring; planting of a New Zealand garden; and several craft projects includingthe polynesian/celtic inspired carved facing boards for the new thatch roof (a great project for anyone with a passion for wood carving / wood carver). We use natural traditional products where ever possible and have a simple organic vegetable garden and we are looking for enthusiastic generally capable people who would enjoy helping us in exchange for access to this fantastic part of France. We are of course happy to assist those wishing to improve their French and/or cultural understanding of France and assist you with access to tourist sights where we can.

Area: Midi Pyrenees

I am currently restoring an old french farmhouse using the same materials it was built with and making the materials by hand whenever possible. The house is on five acres, mostly pasture, some oak woods. There is a tumulus, an ancient burial mound, on the land from which there are fantastic views of the Pyrenees mountains and Spain. There are two organic vegetable gardens and a young orchard. I also do bronze casting. It is a very quiet and peaceful spot and the yurt, see accommodation below, is a great place to relax. From here it is possible to spend the day swimming in the Mediterranean or surfing in the Atlantic or hiking or skiing in the Pyrenees. In the area there are pre-historic caves, roman ruins and various medieval fortresses to visit.

Area: Eastern Townships, Quebec

We are starting a cultural centre and auberge that will function out of a lovely old chapel and a seven bedroom farm house in the beautiful Eastern Townships of Quebec. The studio has no religious affiliation. Volunteers will work with us on both the house and church as well as the surrounding property, which is located in a peaceful village in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. The official opening date of Staycation Studios is the first of July, 2012.

Area: Pacific coast

Our project is a beautiful Peruvian Pacific coast ecological, artistic community founded on Vaisnava principles, strategically located on a beach, in the district of Aucallama, in the province of Huaral, one hour by bus or car (63 km) north of the capital city, Lima. We live together according to principles of non-violence, simple living and elevated thinking, and visitors can learn and experience how it is possible to live happily in harmony with nature, others, and themselves. We are looking for people that are basically open-minded and want to practice tolerance, compassion and patience.

Area: North East 45 k north of Veliko Tarnovo

There is myself, my husband Neville and seven various dogs all rescue dogs, very excitable but very lovely. So it's a good idea that you really do like dogs. Oh and we have one cat that pops home every now and then. He has only three legs. We need help to weed that garden, clear a field, help with erecting a fence and maybe some painting..Also some cooking if you feel like it. Any help at all , doing anything that needs to be done. We have a small bedroom with two single beds, and although we are not great cooks we do manage to survive.I am good at Baked Beans on Toast ,,,if I don't burn the beans!!! Neville was very ill earlier this year and is not quite up to being able to do some of the work that he could do before. he is trying hard but is struggling...so we could do with a bit of ! If you feel that you could spare us a week or even two we would be forever grateful.... Sushitsa is a small agricultural village,Nine shops, a library, post office, doctior's surgery and dental practice. There are three buses a day but at night it is a taxi which are cheap and reliable. We have English TV as well as Bulgarian..also the internet