Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
23 Apr 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
36
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
Hello there! Brenna and Walter here.
We are a Dutch/American couple that runs a hostel in the beautiful UNESCO-listed town of Gjirokastra, Albania. We each fell deeply in love with this magical place and so have decided to stay and help travelers fall in love too. Gjirokaster is special thanks to its breathtaking mountains, endless hiking opportunities, and Ottoman architecture. While it has a few cool bars these days, it still isn't the place for crazy nightlife. If finding a good party is important to you, then this might not be the best fit. Reach out if you love history, beautiful buildings, and being outside.
We are looking for highly social, motivated, and independent volunteers to help with reception work, some cleaning, and events. You will spend a lot of time interacting with guests to create a warm, fun, and welcoming atmosphere. This can look like spending the evening playing board games with guests, chatting up shy travelers who are looking to connect, or hanging out with a busy crowd. People come to hostels in search of friendship and we would love your help in making sure they find it. The job is also very detail oriented but you will get a thorough and hands-on training if you choose to join our team. Because of this, we do ask that our volunteers stay with us at least a month. Trust us, there is plenty to do and explore on your days off. If you feel like our place is the right fit for you then we would love to have you. To show our thanks we promise you a comfy bed, a hot breakfast, many home cooked staff dinners, and ingredients for you to use to cook lunch and dinner for yourself. Message us if this seems like a set up you would enjoy!
Hope to see you soon!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We will provide you with a comfortable bed, food, drinks and lots of new friends. Volunteering with us will give you a great opportunity to enjoy the beautiful region and its people. You will get hands-on experience with guiding, some maintenance and reception, but you will mainly improve your social skills. The staff is a nice mix of locals and foreigners and would be a great place if you are open minded, honest, curious and interested in both nature and culture.
Help
The help includes reception tasks, interacting with guests, some cleaning and helping out with trips in the city and the region.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
German: Intermediate
Albanian: Intermediate
French: Beginner
Accommodation
Bed in a dorm-room
What else ...
Gjirokaster is a small place and everything is easily reachable on foot, it definetely comes alive in summer and you can enjoy it to the fullest in your free-time. Don't expect a party place, but if you're into unique culture and nature this is the place to be.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (22)
Work was simple, enjoyable and fulfilling, and never felt like a chore.
I’m going to miss the eggs, the puppies and the great work environment.
Wouter and Brenna are the best hosts and made me feel at home in my home away from home, Gjirokaster.
They gave me lots of guidance and patiently taught me how to complete the tasks assigned to me.
They are both great at cooking, I enjoyed yummy cakes, hearty breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
One… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.9)
Work was simple, enjoyable and fulfilling, and never felt like a chore.
I’m going to miss the eggs, the puppies and the great work environment.
Wouter and Brenna are the best hosts and made me feel at home in my home away from home, Gjirokaster.
They gave me lots of guidance and patiently taught me how to complete the tasks assigned to me.
They are both great at cooking, I enjoyed yummy cakes, hearty breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
One… read more
From the moment you arrive you are treated like family. Brenna and Wouter both are very warm and kind people. And they really make an effort to make sure you feel comfortable and like a… read more
We would be happy to have him back anytime!
Which made things very comfortable and allowed me to catch on fast.
If you are looking to experience how a hostel should be properly run and managed I would… read more
Ben, we hope to see you here again in the future. Have a great time with your future volunteering!
Wouter and… read more
I would highly recommend this workaway!
The people… read more
The work didn’t even feel like work. Even the eight hour shifts… read more
Working also felt like a bit of treat. Wouter has an extensive travel background and has translated his travel experience into a complete hostel experience for both the guests and the workers. The work schedule was four days of work with three consecutive days off, allowing plenty of… read more
Pieter is fun to be with, social, versatile and professional. He was quick in picking up the things he needed to know and I felt totally comfortable leaving the operation of the hostel in his hands. To any other 'employers': you won't regret taking this… read more
