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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
20 Apr 2025
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Description
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We’re a warm, adventure-loving family with deep roots in Italy, and every summer, we make our way there to soak up the sun and work on our dream farmhouse renovation! This year, we're planning our trip from mid-June to mid-August—and we’re looking for the right person (or people) to enjoy our home and care for our beloved dogs while we’re away.
About Our Home & Lifestyle:
Located near the waterfront in the stunning Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, our property is a peaceful oasis just a 1.5-hour ferry ride from Vancouver. With spacious decks for sunset lounging, a gourmet kitchen for food lovers, and plenty of guest space, it’s the perfect place to unwind.
We live a laid-back lifestyle, splitting our time between work in Vancouver and home life here. Evenings are for relaxing on the deck, while our days are filled with work, outdoor adventures, and quality time with our dogs.
Your Summer Getaway Includes:
✅ A cozy guest room with a private bathroom
✅ Full access to our gourmet kitchen and family spaces
✅ Bikes to explore nearby Bramberton Park & the Galloping Goose Trail
✅ Use of a car for extra trips
✅ Food costs covered (just keep receipts!)
Before we head off, we’ll spend a few days together so you can get to know our home and meet our personality-filled pups! We’ll also be easily reachable from Italy in case you need anything.
What We Need from You:
🐾 Love & care for our home and dogs while we’re away (2-6 weeks, TBD)
🎨 Optional: If you’re handy, we have a couple of rooms that could use some painting—totally up to you!
If this sounds like the perfect summer setup, we'd love to hear from you! 🌿✨
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
Animal Care
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We welcome light projects: house painting, gardening and exploring the trails, biking
Help
Dog care ( 4) , weeding , cutting lawn and pruning are the main need in our garden. Possibly some indoor/outdoor painting. Hi there! we are looking for a couple that would be comfortable staying for 2 -4weeks or more .
Keeping the garden not getting to look like a jungle and occasional projects of upkeep. MOST of your stay would be to look after our dogs and house sit while we are in Europe. While we are away we can provide a car for your use: and full use of the house, ( provided you have a current international driving license) .
You also would have an large bedroom to yourselves ( with visits from the dogs. of course) and you can cook for your self or join us for meals: while we are here before we leave.
We have FOUR dogs of varied sizes and personalities and LOVE OF DOGS is what you need to be with us.
Work away typical day
Of course all of our house will be at your use: dance room, weight room, craft room and more! On your time off you have free reign on : paddle boards, kayaks and floaty things, bikes and car
Your typical day would be :
1. Let the dogs out in to the fenced back yard : enjoy your morning breakfast> periodically though the day let them out or leave the door open to the fenced part as you are in the garden: they are pretty easy going and two of the four come back when they are called but the one who has some pointer in him needs to be leashed at all times because he tends to run /swim/ chase any creature (deer, geese, racoons , seagulls, …yes all seen on or around our property) he sees…but we can school you on his favourite thing : ball throw on a 50 ft training lead if you are by the sea. Otherwise ALL the dogs enjoy our large back yard with area big enough to do free ball throw.
2. In the morning, afternoon and/or evening take the dogs for a walk in the neighbour hood or on the seawall or in town or beach play ( if the tide is low) counts for another hour of your time
3. We are slowly painting the inside of our house: we have only a hallway, and our bedroom and bathroom that could use some paint. Weather permitting, would love the window trims outdoors to be painted …all things that are optional
Let me know if this sounds good for you.
PS: Of course there is the 24 hr /day need to love our dogs as they will love you :)
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
French: Intermediate
Accommodation
QUEEN large bedroom in private room with private bath. With own tv and extra pull out couch. Use of the entire house: gourmet kitchen, complete with good WIFI, huge family TV, fitness /dance room, two terraces, large garage, green house. Propane fire pit and outdoor lounge areas.
What else ...
Time off can be spent on the many golf courses , mountain bike trails and parks and hiking trails. Swimming and boating, take up much of the summer. Picnics and nature centres can be had. Shopping and sight seeing in Vancouver only a ferry ride away. We will provide a car if the proper international driving license is had -
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We both work from home and have functioning coverage and lots of TV subscriptions
Space for parking camper vans
We have space in our side and back yard for a smaller camper van
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (9)
The dogs were so much fun! Each one so different, full of quirks, and just great to be around. We loved spending time with… read more
Ivana and her family are really welcoming, kind, smiling and energetic! They have immediately given us trust and that meant a lot for us! They went on vacation and we took care of the house but especially the dogs which we totally felt in love with! They are sweet and lovely! The place is just unbelievable, having the… read more
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The dogs were so much fun! Each one so different, full of quirks, and just great to be around. We loved spending time with… read more
Ivana and her family are really welcoming, kind, smiling and energetic! They have immediately given us trust and that meant a lot for us! They went on vacation and we took care of the house but especially the dogs which we totally felt in love with! They are sweet and lovely! The place is just unbelievable, having the… read more
The property ist beautiful with options to go kayaking, swimming or to take a walk in the nearby park (Hidden Groves). The Sunshine Coast in general is really beautiful with many amazing spots to… read more
We help take care of the dogs (funny dogs), cut the grass (it grows!), paint some walls and had a great time at the beach!!
Ivana is a strong woman, paints, dances, speaks ten languages (almost) and cooks like an authentic Italian… read more
Unfortunately as Ivana has mentioned, some unforeseen medical issues arose for their family changing the initial plan for everyone last minute.
In saying that we worked with Ivana, and Paul to secure the best outcome for all parties as our stay was cut from 4 weeks, to the… read more
