Enjoy an unforgettable time at our non-profit riding centre in the Etna national park in Sicily, Italy

  • Favourited 1625 times
  • Last activity: 28 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 1 month

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Details

  • Description

    Description

    Benvenuti! Welcome! Willkommen! Bienvenue!
    We are an open-minded German/Italian family (67, 56 , 27 and 24 years old). We live in the Etna Nature Reserve (since 2013 World Cultural Heritage of the U.N.E.S.C.O.), enjoying the beautiful view on the the largest active volcano in Europe.
    Actually, our farm is on 900 meter above sea level, and nature is proving us pure, nice and fresh air.

    We are running a small riding center which, amongst other things, offers you horseback riding, trail rides, vaulting tuition and guided walks around the volcano. Furthermore we can help you to organize trips on Etna, to the ocean and to different ancient cities like Catania, Syracuse, Taormina and Palermo.

    As we live in our own center, we are available all the yearlong and we try to help Workawayers and guests in realizing one's artistic or professional inclinations,such as wood-processing, painting and various hobby and art craft courses.
    For our family needs we produce jams, marmalades, with our own organic products and handmade gift items and utensils.
    We organize family celebrations, birthday parties, adventures and summer programs for kids "around the horse", carriage rides, barbecue, music sitting around a pit fire,table football competitions and so on.
    Our riders and guests are mostly Italians, Germans and Americans, but also from other nations. That's why we are looking for people with at least are quite fluent in English.

    On the property you will find our two cottages and a small log cabin surrounded by chestnut-, olive- and fruit trees. From up a private hill you enjoy a magnificent view over Catania plain and the Ionian Sea. Looking north you can see the volcano Etna and it's main craters.
    About our animals fiends, we currently have eight safe horses/ponies, a drolly sheep and a small zoo with chickens, guinea pigs and turtles. Our family friendly dog and a fluffy cat are always around. They all need a lot of care.

    During the four seasons of the year we harvest mulberries, and figs, apples, nuts, almonds, chestnuts, olives and turn it to oil, jam, canned goods, cakes and cookies, for our family and guests needs.
    In wintertime our houses are heated by fire place and stoves, so during the year a lot of fire wood has to be cut and chopped.
    From February to March we need to trim the olive and fruit trees. There is to cut grass, to weed the flowerbeds and to take all the dry leaves away, which we use mostly for the stables.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Language practice
    Help with Eco Projects
    Elderly Companionship
    Teaching
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    We offer food (mediterranean cuisine) and lodgings, horse riding lessons, trail rides, hiking and mountain and sea excursions. We tell you about Sicilian culture, and we can also show you some of important monuments and the colorful, Sicilian market of Catania. Of course you can practice and improve your Italian, but you are free to talk in German or English as well.

  • Help

    Help

    We are looking for open-minded and dynamic people who would like to help us in the garden ing and structure maintenance and, the most important task to help with our 8 horses ( to clean, to feed them and to keep clean the stables and paddocks). We have even a lot of children coming for horse riding or for vaulting lessons. For adults we organize different trail rides. We have Italian, English an German people and kids, so basic knowledge of that languages would be for advantage.
    We also need some help on the ground and with the trees (cutting branches and making fire wood).
    Cooking and dish washing is welcome .

    Other tasks may include activities like painting iron gates and wooden tables, chairs and so on. If you feel like bring in your own ideas and projects.

    We prefer non-smokers.

  • Languages spoken

    German: Fluent
    English: Fluent
    Italian: Fluent
    French: Intermediate

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Our nice wooden log cabin and a cosy caravan with bathroom with shower are available for you.
    During working days you share the main meal (lunch) with our family. Breakfast and dinner: During the working days it's up to you cooking in the Clubhouse kitchen.
    On you days off food is not on the house, and you are supposed visiting Sicily. But if you want to rest and spend your time at the farm you are free to buy everything you need and cook by yourself in the kitchen.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Most of the time one or two of our family members are at on the farm.
    So you can ask for help anytime. We can give you a lift to the next supermarket or village or to the next bus stop (4 km). From there the bus will take you to Catania or other main towns of Sicily.
    In summertime sometimes we organize event parties you can join.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    This host can provide space for campervans.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 385425381912

Feedback (40)



Feedback

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile: (4.9)

Cultural exchange: (4.8)

Communication: (4.9)