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Host rating
80 %
Last replied
20 Sep 2024
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Usually responds within 14 days
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Description
(If you have found me before or are coming back please check out what I need help with which is updated)
Hi Workawayers - Im Dominic and I have bought my family home in Tuscany Italy. A beautiful oasis looking over the hills and set within its own land of woods, olives, garden along with a lovely swimming pool and small gym.
I live here most of the time with my dog and get help from a wonderful Italian couple. However we need more help to get on top of the growing list of work in the garden, woods and around the property.
I am happy to be a little flexible but in essence I am looking for one or two workawayers to come and stay here for a 2-4 weeks at a time. I would even consider someone staying for 3-4 months if they were going to attend the language schools nearby.
In return for a room, food, and a comfortable home near the sea, Florence, Pisa, Siena , and of course the swimming pool, I would like 4-5 hours per day of help around the property - clearing areas in the woods, tidying up, painting etc. Flexibility is important as we do not operate to fixed times and it is about when Massimo is around to help when needed or when you can work on your own.
I am 15 mins drive from Lucca, 20-30 mins bus ride away where trains go to all over Tuscany. The house is 50-60 mins from the sea. A local village has a supermarket, pharmacy and small local bar. Lucca has language schools and is a bustling tourist site from May - October and then still busy out of season.
Useful Skills: general, yard work, gardening, digging, plumbing, carpentry organising and just carrying and moving stuff, digital photography and graphic design, personal training, piano or guitar teaching (complete beginner), physio, singing, cooking.
Key activities over the next few months:
October - November: General help, preparing for the olive harvest, help with olive harvest. General help around the garden, woods and odd jobs.
December - wood, cooking, general. Help around the house.
Digital / Photographic Project - I am keen to find a creative with photographic and graphic skills that might be able to help me with a project. It may be a few weeks.
Around the property I need people that can paint walls (inside and out), clear overgrown areas of land, help put up fencing, carpentry, brick laying or fixing a wall, irrigation experience to name a few. If you have a specific skill such as electrician, plumbing please let me know too.
I am also keen to having someone that can help me - If you happen to want to teach me something then I am open to various things - in the gym, yoga, other fitness ideas, or music keen to learn to read, play guitar, sing. Digitally - if you are creative with photographic and editing skills this is of huge interest too.
In all cases, I am looking for people who are good company, happy to relax watching a movie in the evening or chat after a day of work or exploring.
If improving Italian is what you need then my Italian couple are here each day to practice with.
Your own room, use of kitchen, often food is prepared for you, bathroom, wifi etc all available along with most things you could need.
It is worth pointing out that I am gay and whilst in this day and age it should not be necessary to say, I realise that travellers from some parts of the world or beliefs will be uncomfortable with this.
Anyway…at this point I am curious to see who is interested and what you may be able to bring to my Italian paradise that I am keen to share with others from around the world. Send me a message if you are interested and tell me how you might be able to offer to help. When offering help in an area please do tell me how skilled you are. I have had instances where people have said they can do something and it turns out they had done it once in their life with little real experience.Types of help and learning opportunities
Art ProjectsLanguage practiceTeachingGardeningDIY and building projectsCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceHelp with Computers/ InternetCultural exchange and learning opportunities
Tuscany is one of the most beautiful areas and sitting near Lucca a beautiful completely walled town - once voted one of the best places to live in the world - will give any traverller a fabulous start on Tuscany. Near Florence, Siena, San Gimigano and Pisa there is an endless supply of options. Or go to the language schools in Lucca.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
There is so much to do - clearing the woods, replanting in the garden, painting an outhouse, preparing a field, sorting inside, filing, reorganising office, and more. Just tell me what you can do and we can see if they’re something relevant. My goal is to provide a fair exchange, enjoy a break or explore Tuscany with free board in exchange for help and conversation.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Beginner
Italian: BeginnerAccommodation
Own room, use of own or shared bathroom, kitchen, WiFi, shared sitting room, tv, swimming pool, garden to relax.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
I have a good internet connection - around 100-125mbps download and 10mbps upload. There are spaces around the house and in your room with desks or places to work quietly.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (3)
We spent almost three weeks with Dominic and helped him with all kinds of tasks, in good weather in the garden (digging, cleaning, mowing, painting etc.) and in bad weather in the house (cleaning, sorting). The work was a lot of fun, we could divide it up as it suited, as long as everything was done at the end of the… read more
During his time here he was involved in a range of different projects - clearing bamboos and overgrowth, making cement, filling in ditches and generally helping around the property. Nothing phased him and he was keen to get stuck in regardless of the… read more
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(5.0)
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(5.0)
We spent almost three weeks with Dominic and helped him with all kinds of tasks, in good weather in the garden (digging, cleaning, mowing, painting etc.) and in bad weather in the house (cleaning, sorting). The work was a lot of fun, we could divide it up as it suited, as long as everything was done at the end of the… read more
During his time here he was involved in a range of different projects - clearing bamboos and overgrowth, making cement, filling in ditches and generally helping around the property. Nothing phased him and he was keen to get stuck in regardless of the… read more