Become part of our family and our countryside home in beautiful Dalarna, Sweden

Informationen

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  Beschreibung

  Welcome to our countryside home in beautiful Dalarna, Sweden!
  
  My name is Annika, I am 62 years old, and I live with my husband Anders, 67, at Isaksbo, a beautiful old country estate in Dalarna, Sweden, just outside the small town of Avesta.
  
  We have called Isaksbo our home since 1999, and it has been a wonderful place to raise our family. We have two daughters, aged 26 and 27, who have now grown up and both live and work in Stockholm. These days, we share our home with our two dogs and two cats.
  
  Isaksbo is a large, historic country property, beautifully situated beside the Dalälven River, surrounded by nature, gardens and peaceful countryside.
  
  We have a spacious garden with plenty of flowers, trees and green areas, as well as a large greenhouse where I enjoy growing vegetables, herbs and other plants during the warmer months. Gardening is one of my great interests, although looking after such a large garden can sometimes be quite a challenge!
  
  Although we enjoy the peace and quiet of country living, we are certainly not isolated. The small town of Avesta is only 3–4 kilometres away, and the train station is within walking distance. Stockholm is approximately 1.5 hours away by train, and Stockholm Arlanda Airport can be reached in just over an hour.
  
  My husband and I are now more or less retired, and although Isaksbo was previously home to equestrian activities, we no longer operate the stables. Today, it is first and foremost our private family home.
  
  We have always enjoyed travelling, meeting new people and welcoming friends and visitors into our home. Over the years, many young people from different countries have stayed with us, sometimes for quite long periods, and we have always appreciated the energy, different perspectives and friendships that these experiences have brought into our lives.
  
  Now that our daughters have moved away and we have a little more freedom in our everyday lives, we would love to continue this tradition through Workaway.
  
  For us, Workaway is not simply about getting a helping hand around the house and garden. It is about cultural exchange, sharing experiences, getting to know people from different backgrounds and giving someone the opportunity to experience everyday life in the Swedish countryside.
  
  We hope that anyone who comes to stay with us will feel welcome, comfortable and very much at home.

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  Arten von Hilfe und Lernmöglichkeiten

  Sprachpraxis

  Leichte Gartenarbeit

  Betreuung von Tieren

  Mithilfe auf einem Bauernhof

  Zubereiten / Kochen von Mahlzeiten für die Familie

  Hausarbeiten

  Leichte Instandhaltungsarbeiten

  Haus- & Haustiersitting
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  Interessengebiete

  

  Karitative Arbeiten

  

  Events & Sozialleben

  

  LGBTQ

  

  Nachhaltigkeit

  

  Haustiere

  

  Farmarbeit

  

  Kultur

  

  Gärtnern

  

  Heimwerken & DIY

  

  Bücher

  

  Sprachen

  

  Gartenarbeiten

  

  Kochen & Backen

  

  Tiere

  

  Natur

  

  Wintersport

  

  Outdoor-Aktivitäten

  

  Wandern

  

  Erlebnissportarten
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  Kultureller Austausch und Lernmöglichkeiten

  We believe that the best way to experience another country and its culture is to become part of everyday life rather than simply visit as a tourist.
  
  By staying with us, you will have the opportunity to experience life in a Swedish country home, get to know our traditions and enjoy the natural rhythm of the changing seasons.
  
  We enjoy spending time together, sharing meals, cooking, talking and exchanging stories about our different countries, cultures and experiences. We are always curious about how people live in other parts of the world, and we love learning from our guests just as much as we hope they will learn from us.
  
  We can also introduce you to some of our Swedish traditions, food and everyday customs. Depending on the season and our plans, there may be opportunities to join us for activities such as mushroom and berry picking, exploring the countryside, cooking traditional Swedish dishes or spending time with our friends and family.
  
  As we both enjoy travelling, nature, culture and meeting new people, there is usually plenty to talk about!
  
  You are also welcome to practise your Swedish with us if you wish, although we are perfectly comfortable speaking English.
  
  Above all, we hope you will experience what it feels like to be welcomed into a Swedish home, with all the little everyday moments that make a cultural exchange special.
  
  And, the good thing is that we will learn just as much from you as you will from us!

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  Arbeit

  A little help in the garden and around our home
  
  When I was younger, I travelled extensively and often had the wonderful experience of staying with local families. Some of my happiest travel memories come from those visits, where I had the opportunity to experience everyday life in another country rather than simply being a tourist.
  
  Even after settling down at Isaksbo and raising our daughters, we continued travelling, but we also welcomed many young people into our own home, sometimes for extended stays.
  
  I have always believed that opening your home to people from around the world is, in a way, another form of travelling!
  
  This is very much the spirit in which we would like to welcome Workaway guests.
  
  Living in a large old country house with a spacious garden means that there is always something that needs a little attention. Most of the help we would appreciate is in our private garden, although the activities naturally change with the seasons.
  
  SPRING
  
  Spring is a busy and exciting time in the garden. As the snow disappears and everything starts coming back to life, there is plenty to do. We collect fallen branches, rake leaves and gravel, prepare flower beds, plant flowers, open up the greenhouse and bring out the garden furniture.
  
  SUMMER
  
  Summer is when we spend most of our time outdoors. There are flowers to water, weeds to remove, lawns to mow, hedges to trim and plants to care for in the greenhouse.
  
  I really enjoy gardening and would be happy to share what I know, but I am equally interested in learning from others. There is always something new to discover!
  
  AUTUMN
  
  Autumn is the time to prepare everything for the colder months. We collect leaves – and believe me, with all our trees, there are plenty of them! We also put away garden furniture, prepare plants for winter and clean and organise the greenhouse.
  
  WINTER
  
  During winter, life slows down a little outdoors. Depending on the weather, there may be some light snow clearing, but this is also the time when I like to organise and tidy storage areas and take care of small projects inside our private home.
  
  Throughout the year, there may occasionally be simple DIY or home improvement projects, depending on what needs doing and what you enjoy. We also have two dogs and two cats who are part of our everyday family life.
  
  The activities are varied, and you certainly don't need any special qualifications or experience. A positive attitude, a willingness to lend a hand and an interest in sharing everyday life are much more important to us.
  
  I particularly enjoy doing tasks alongside someone rather than simply giving instructions. We can decide together what to do depending on the season, the weather and your interests.
  
  Above all, I appreciate the company. It is so much more enjoyable to do things together, whether we are planting flowers, working in the greenhouse, preparing a meal or simply having a cup of coffee and a chat.
  
  For us, the experience is as much about the people we meet as it is about the practical help. We hope that our guests will leave Isaksbo with wonderful memories, new experiences and perhaps even a lasting friendship.

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  Sprachen

  Gesprochene Sprachen
  Englisch: Fließend
  Finnish: Fließend
  Swedish: Fließend
  Deutsch: Gute Kenntnisse
  Spanisch: Gute Kenntnisse
  Swahili (Kiswahili): Grundkenntnisse

  Dieser Gastgeber bietet Sprachaustausch an
  Estoy especialmente interesado en el español desde que comencé a aprender español hace unos años.
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  Unterkunft

  Make yourself at home at Isaksbo!
  
  Isaksbo is a large, historic country house with three floors and a basement, so there is plenty of space for everyone!
  
  We have five bedrooms in the main house, and since our daughters have now moved away, we have plenty of room to welcome guests.
  
  You will have your own comfortable bedroom and a private bathroom. We provide bed linen, towels and everything you need for a comfortable stay, so there is no need to bring your own. All the meals are of course included in your stay.
  
  We want you to feel at home here, not like a visitor staying in a hotel. You are welcome to enjoy the house, relax and spend time with us, but of course you will also have your own space and privacy whenever you need it.
  
  Meals and everyday life
  
  Sharing meals has always been an important part of our family life.
  
  When our daughters were growing up, we made a point of eating breakfast and dinner together, and we have continued that tradition.
  
  We enjoy sitting around the table, talking about our day, sharing stories and simply enjoying each other's company.
  
  We usually try to have lunch together as well, although these days, with our daughters living in Stockholm, lunchtime has become a little more informal and spontaneous!
  
  Cooking is also something we enjoy doing together. Everyone is welcome to join in, help prepare a meal or share a favourite dish from their own country.
  
  When we have several people staying with us for longer periods, we sometimes take turns preparing meals by mutual agreement. It is a lovely way to discover new recipes, learn about different food cultures and share the everyday routines of living together.
  
  We hope you will feel comfortable joining in with our family life, while also having the freedom to enjoy your own time and explore the surroundings.
  
  For us, welcoming someone into our home means sharing much more than just a place to stay.
  
  It is about conversations over dinner, laughter in the kitchen, learning from each other and hopefully making new friends along the way.
  
  We would love for you to arrive as a guest and leave feeling like a frie

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  Was noch ...

  Discover Dalarna and enjoy life in the Swedish countryside
  
  We think there are lots of wonderful things to see and do around Isaksbo, and we would love for our guests to discover the area.
  
  Living in the Swedish countryside means being close to nature, forests, lakes and rivers. Every season has its own charm, and there is always something different to experience.
  
  SUMMER – Long days and outdoor living
  
  Summer is a wonderful time at Isaksbo. We have a lovely, spacious pool area with an outdoor kitchen where you are welcome to relax, swim, read a book or enjoy the long Swedish summer evenings.
  
  There are also plenty of opportunities to explore the surroundings:
  
  Cycle along quiet country roads from village to village, stopping at small cafés, flea markets and swimming spots.
  
  Go canoeing or kayaking on the Dalälven River or nearby Lake Bäsingen.
  
  Hike in the surrounding forests and enjoy the beautiful nature.
  
  Pick wild berries and, towards the end of summer, mushrooms.
  
  Enjoy tennis, padel, volleyball, skateboarding and outdoor sports facilities in Avesta.
  
  Visit Avesta Art, a fascinating contemporary art exhibition in a historic industrial setting.
  
  Explore local opportunities for horseback riding.
  
  Or simply enjoy a peaceful afternoon in the garden or by the pool!
  
  AUTUMN – Colourful forests and peaceful days
  
  Autumn is one of my favourite seasons. The forests turn beautiful shades of red, orange and gold, and the countryside becomes wonderfully peaceful.
  
  It is a perfect time for mushroom picking, hiking, cycling and exploring nature. Depending on the weather, paddling on the river is still possible.
  
  Crayfish fishing is also a traditional Swedish autumn activity, and there are opportunities for tennis, padel and horseback riding in the area.
  
  WINTER – Snow, skiing and cosy evenings
  
  When winter arrives, the landscape changes completely.
  
  Depending on snow and ice conditions, you can enjoy cross-country skiing, ice skating on safely frozen lakes and beautiful winter walks in the forest.
  
  For the adventurous, there is also the traditional Swedish experience of taking a sauna followed by a refreshing dip in icy water!
  
  And of course, winter is also about cosy evenings indoors, good food and enjoying the warmth of the house when it is cold and dark outside.
  
  SPRING – Nature comes back to life
  
  Spring is a lovely time when the days become longer, the garden wakes up and everything slowly turns green again.
  
  It is perfect for cycling, hiking, exploring the little villages and enjoying the first warm days outdoors. In early spring, there may still be opportunities for skiing, depending on the weather.
  
  Getting around
  
  Although we live in the countryside, Isaksbo is surprisingly easy to reach.
  
  Avesta is only 3–4 kilometres away, and the train connections are very convenient.
  
  From Stockholm Arlanda Airport, the train journey to Avesta takes approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes, while travelling from Stockholm takes around 1 hour and 35 minutes, depending on the connection.
  
  We are happy to help with transport from the station whenever possible.
  
  Cycling is a great way to explore the immediate surroundings, and there are many lovely small roads with very little traffic.
  
  Local buses are available, and trains make it easy to visit Stockholm and other parts of Sweden. Depending on the circumstances, we may also be able to help with car transport or arrange the use of a car.
  
  Our lifestyle and surroundings
  
  We enjoy an active lifestyle and particularly love spending time outdoors, hiking, travelling and enjoying nature with our dogs.
  
  We also have a holiday home in Sälen, in the mountains of northern Dalarna, approximately 3.5 hours by car from Isaksbo.
  
  During winter, we love going there for skiing, and in August and September we often spend time in the mountains hiking and grouse hunting with our dog.
  
  We are also very sociable and enjoy spending time with friends, inviting people over for meals and having interesting conversations around the dinner table.
  
  Although we love our countryside life, we occasionally feel the need for a little city life too!
  
  When that happens, we often escape to Stockholm for a day or two, stay in a lovely hotel, enjoy a good restaurant, visit the theatre or simply wander around the city.
  
  But after a short visit, we are always happy to return to the peace and beauty of Isaksbo.
  
  We hope our guests will enjoy the same balance of nature, activities, relaxation and social life that makes living here so special to us.

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  Etwas mehr Information

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    Internet Zugang

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    Wir besitzen Tiere

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    Familien möglich

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  We have a good internet connection

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  Kapazität - wie viele Workawayer maximal

  mehr als zwei

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  Meine Tiere/Haustiere

  Pirri (5 Jahren)

  Bengan (5 Jahren)

  Norma (1 Jahr)

  Vorsteh

  Igor (10 Jahren)

  Vorsteh

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