Region: 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.

Region: 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.

Region: 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.

Region: Sardinia

My name is Antonio, I work in social jobs with handicap, using art (mainly theatre)... I live alone in a town of 1500 people, 10 km to the west coast Sardinia's beaches and all around is country sides and mountain (Montiferru Chains). My house is not at all a luxury house, is very simple but cozy, with basic stuffs. There is only my bedroom and a studio where I can host people (and kitchen, livingroom and toilet). I have a garden with vegetables and olive trees, I also cultivate a vineyard with my father (who lives with the family in another house, 200mt from me and sometimes wants me to help him in his farm: he feeds horses, cows, sheeps, donkies and he cultivates and harvests the hay). I have lot of friends and lot of happenings to have fun and not to stay home with nothing to do:-) ... and I like to ride my bicycle!

Region: Aosta Valley

We are a family with 2 children (13 and 2 years old). We live in Aosta Valley, (1441 m) where we run a camp. We are looking for a native English-speaking person for the month of July and August, to help us improve our English and for childcare. We are looking for a sociable person who loves the company, solar, positive that he wants to follow us in our daily routine meal preparation, child care, passseggiate, shopping .... with whom to converse. And 'this what we want to improve their English through mutual understanding. All in a dynamic, lively, welcoming what is the life of a small camping. La Thuile is 45 km from Aosta, less than 10Km from Mont Blanc, 160 km from Turin, 200 Km from Milan and 35 Km from Chamonix-Mont Blanc. It is a little mountain village in the middle of the Alps and in the summertime it get full of tourist and life. In the summertime it offers also hiking, trekking, mountain biking, climbing .... . all in a beautiful landscape and in a natural setting.