Cultural exchange, wine stories and simple Tuscan living in San Casciano Val di Pesa, Italy

Details

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  Description

  Ciao! I live in a traditional farmhouse in the hills of Tuscany, about 15 km south of Florence. The countryside here is peaceful, with olive trees, cypress-lined roads, and open views in every direction. It’s a place of quiet rhythms—and I enjoy welcoming guests who are curious about a slower, grounded way of life.
  
  This is a space for cultural exchange, not just help. I’m happy to share what I’ve learned over the years, especially around breadmaking, cooking, and 30 years of natural winemaking. I also love learning from others—everyone brings something unique.
  
  You’ll stay in a cozy guesthouse with your own kitchen and bathroom for privacy and independence. I live in the main house with Greta, my gentle schnauzer. My sons visit when they can, and shared meals often arise naturally around the day’s pace.
  
  The kind of help I appreciate is light and seasonal—things like tidying the house, weeding the garden, or basic outdoor upkeep. Nothing intense or rigid; we go with the flow, and there’s space for conversation, silence, and a good pace. Workawayers will not be involved in any business-related tasks, assisting paying guests or visitors, or helping in spaces used by them.
  
  Our meals are home-cooked and mostly flour-based (I bake bread twice a week, and pasta is a staple). Unfortunately, I can’t accommodate gluten-free diets due to cross-contamination risks in the kitchen.
  
  In the next few months, housekeeping and garden care are the main areas I’d love support with. If you’re open-minded, respectful, and enjoy meaningful exchanges, you’ll feel at home here.
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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  Animal Care

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  House sitting
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  Interests

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Culture

  

  Self development

  

  Plant care

  

  Music

  

  History

  

  Books

  

  Cooking & food
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Join Us for a Meaningful Experience in Nature
  
  Welcome to our farmhouse, surrounded by a peaceful forest of oak and cypress trees and a thriving biodynamic landscape. We’re looking for curious, motivated volunteers who want to connect with the land, learn new skills, and be part of a living, breathing rural project.
  
  Here, every day brings something different—help out in the garden, assist with house-keeping or lend a hand with creative and practical tasks around the property. But life here isn’t only about work: we also explore traditional skills like baking bread, making fresh pasta, and fermenting vegetables, all in a spirit of learning and sharing.
  
  Whether you’re interested in sustainability, food culture, or simply seeking a deeper connection with nature, this is a place to grow, contribute, and feel at home.
  Come with open hands and an open heart—we look forward to welcoming you.
  
  ⸻
  
  About Me
  
  My background? I grew up in North Africa, where my family tended vineyards in Tunisia and olive trees in Libya. After studying Economics in Florence, I went to Boston to pursue a degree in musical composition at Berklee College of Music. Then for ten years, I lived in New York City, playing music and selling wine part-time.
  
  In 1999, I returned to Tuscany, where I began making wine and sharing it with people around the world. I speak Italian, French, English, and understand Spanish quite well. I’m excited to share all these experiences—with their mix of cultures, crafts, and passions—with guests and volunteers here at the farmhouse.

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  Help

  I’m currently looking for private help with housekeeping (cleaning, dusting, ironing, etc.) and maintaining the garden and vegetable patch. I value people who bring a bit of experience, a willingness to learn, and a positive, can-do attitude. Workawayers will not be involved in any business-related tasks, assisting paying guests or visitors, or helping in spaces used by them.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  French: Fluent
  Italian: Fluent
  Spanish: Intermediate

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  Accommodation

  Accommodation is generally near the owner’s home or within the same house, depending on the number of guests and ongoing tasks. Shared meals occasionally take place, depending on everyone’s schedule. Each guest has a private room and access to a bathroom, along with basic amenities such as burners, an oven, and a refrigerator.
  Please note that meals here are often centered around flour-based dishes. I bake fresh bread twice a week and frequently cook pasta. From my experience, accommodating gluten-free diets poses significant challenges due to potential cross contamination. As such, we regretfully cannot host individuals sensitive to gluten.

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  What else ...

  Tuscany offers countless treasures, from breathtaking landscapes to a rich cultural heritage. The farmhouse is located in the Chianti Classico area, south of Florence—an art-filled city just 40 minutes away by bus. Siena is 50 minutes away, and Lucca about an hour. While bus travel is possible, it’s not very convenient: the nearest stop is a 30-minute walk from the farm and has a limited schedule. For greater freedom and flexibility, having your own transportation is highly recommended.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  It depends, but as a general rule, we prefer that volunteers do not bring dogs. Interactions between dogs can sometimes be demanding to manage, and dogs in pairs tend to run off. Additionally, there are cats living on the property, and their well-being is a priority. Thank you for understanding.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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