Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
12 Jun 2026
Reply rate
94.9 %
Usually responds within 3 days
Feedback
15
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Email verified
Country info
Badges (5)
Details
Description
Hello folks, I’m Mattia, and I’m from Varazze (SV), in the northwest region of Liguria, Italy.
About the place
In 2021, I took stewardship of my grandfather's land, a 1.5-hectare field that had fallen into neglect over the years. Since then, much of the property has been brought back to life. Today, the land is home to around 300 olive trees and seasonal vegetable gardens that provide fresh produce throughout the year. My garden follows a no-dig gardening approach — compost-based, using self-produced heirloom seed varieties
My life project
I am developing a food forest based on permaculture and agroforestry principles. The heart of this project involves creating a network of interconnected ponds across the terraced fields. Some will serve as natural swimming oases for relaxation and recreation; others will support cultivation and irrigation. Together, these water features will form a living system that enhances biodiversity and transforms the landscape into a thriving, self-sustaining ecosystem.
About me
My connection to this land runs deep, I spent my childhood in close contact with nature. Before taking on this project, I spent my summers working as a lifeguard at the local lido, and since 2013, I have been traveling extensively through Australia, Asia, South America, and the US. Along the way, I trained as an holistic operator, studying crystal therapy, Reiki (second level), dowsing, Culinary Therapy, and yoga. Having been a Workaway volunteer myself, I understand firsthand what makes the experience rewarding—and what makes it challenging—so I am committed to creating a welcoming, balanced environment for those who come to help bring this land to life.
About you
I am looking for volunteers who are genuinely interested in land stewardship and want to contribute to a living, evolving project. Your help will focus on daily tasks that support my food self-sufficiency—not commercial production, but personal use only.
What you'll help with:
Olive grove & land care – seasonal pruning, harvesting, and general maintenance
Gardening- planting, transplanting, harvesting, and mulching using compost-based methods and self-saved heirloom seeds
General upkeep – housekeeping, small renovations, and possibly light construction projects
This is a hands-on experience with varied work depending on the season. No prior experience is necessary—just a willingness to learn and a genuine interest in sustainable living.
Tips for good practice
Please be mindful of water and electricity use. I rely on a phyto-remediation water system with limited filtering capacity, and water is heated electrically—so it is important to switch the system off when not in use. Please also take care of the house, plants, and tools.
I welcome first-timers and beginners, though I have a strong preference for those with some experience who can bring valuable insights. I believe dialogue is the foundation of good relationships, so I am looking for people willing to build a genuine connection and exchange.
Phone rule: This experience is not suited for people heavily dependent on phones and technology. I keep my own use to a minimum to foster a deeper connection with the land and the people around me, and I invite workawayers to do the same—keeping devices in a phone box and checking them only when necessary. I am looking for people who would rather walk in the fields than scroll on their phones.
Be serious: Please contact me only if you are motivated, interested, and serious. This means maintaining clear communication, replying to messages in a timely and serious manner, and working together to arrange the best possible experience for both of us. When someone contacts me, I reply as soon as possible to arrange a video call so we can get to know each other better.
Meals: I generally share one main meal per day (in the evening), but workawayers are welcome to use the kitchen and prepare any additional meals on their own.
Hours: Help is needed for 5 hours per day.
Accommodation: There is space in front of the house to pitch a tent, park a camper van, or sleep in my van parked on the property. Alternatively, there is a bedroom in my parents' house (second floor with private bathroom) within the property.
I live alone in a house with my two dogs (Dafne and Zeus) and my cats (Marilù and Pistillo),.The house is located at the top of a hill, just a 10–15-minute walk from Varazze, and offers a beautiful sea view. My parents live in a separate house on the same property.
Great! If you've read this far, I'm sure you're very interested in my project—so please reply with the message: Hakuna Matata."
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Light gardening
Creative DIY projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
Light maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
Culture
Sustainability
Self development
Pets
Farming
Performing arts
Plant care
Photography
Music
Languages
Hitchhiking
History
Gardening
Drawing & painting
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Carpentry
Books
Astronomy
Art & design
Architecture
Animals
Yoga / Wellness
Outdoor activities
Nature
Mountain
Hiking
Camping
Beach
Adventure sports
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I can offer a staying in a beautiful place with a marvellous view of the sea. The area is characterised by many small costal towns with nice beaches and blue water, as well as trekking on the surrounding mountains.
Travellers will have the possibility to work close-contact with nature, mainly by working with olive trees, saffron fields and garden. They will be exposed to permaculture farming principles, that I have learned in specialised trainings.
I am also an open-minded person who likes to share experiences with new people, and acquire new points of view bout the world. As I love cooking and yoga, travellers can exchange their knowledge, ideas and interests in such activities too.
Help
Tasks may vary depending on the needs of the season. Travellers should be prepared to work in warm temperatures during summer and colder conditions in winter.
Olive tree care – pruning, harvesting
Saffron cultivation – picking and cleaning the delicate flowers
Gardening – transplanting, harvesting, mulching, and other hands-on work.
Occasional tasks – general maintenance, small renovations, and housekeeping
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
Accommodation consists in a queen bed in a private room in my house. Otherwise it is possible to set a tent outside the house. The place consists of a kitchen, a bedroom and a bathroom, while outside there is a lovely dining area. From everywhere you have an amazing view on the sea and the town.
What else ...
The area is part of the UNESCO site "parco del Beigua" characterised by typical Mediterranean wild plants and wild animals like foxes, wild pigs, and more rarely wolfs.
The place is 45 minutes by train from Genova, the major city in Liguria, and 15 minutes from the city of Savona. By train you can easily reach the world famous cost of the "cinque terre".
There are beaches all along the cost, some of which are in 10-15 minutes walking dinstance from the accommodation.
The region is well-known for its mountains, with many trekkings, walks, montain bike routes and climbing walls.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
You can set up a laptop either on a desk in the private bedroom or outside on the patio. The Wi-Fi is accessible and works well.
Space for parking camper vans
We have a private parking
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
My animals / pets
Dafne (8 years)
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (9)
matti is the embodiment of what he values - natural living to the deepest level. it was inspiring to see his deep love for the land of his… read more
We also share in the end of the days interesting… read more
Working in the farm… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
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:
(4.7)
matti is the embodiment of what he values - natural living to the deepest level. it was inspiring to see his deep love for the land of his… read more
We also share in the end of the days interesting… read more
Working in the farm… read more
Hanna is a fast learner and warm-hearted person who… read more
We didn’t spend so much time together cause of my lifeguard work and our disagreements. Maybe we just didn’t find… read more
She gave me a great help with a permaculture garden and looking to the animals. Every task was a new opportunity for her to learn and get closer with sostenibile way to leave and a real pleasure for me share this… read more
The work wasn't that hard, we cooked a lot of good food and always felt comfortable and welcomed around him and his amazing dogs.
You can reach Varazze and the beach by walking and… read more
