A smiling middle-aged couple stands outdoors by a lake, clinking glasses of white wine, enjoying a peaceful moment together in nature with trees in the background.
Aerial view of a serene forest by a calm lake, with two wooden docks and boats. Sunlight filters through dense green trees, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
A large tree with fresh green leaves stands by a country road, next to a yellow house and barn in a peaceful, rural, scenic landscape at sunset.
A rustic wooden dock extends over a calm reflective lake, flanked by green trees. Two canoes rest peacefully, one on the dock, one upside down.
A solitary deer stands quietly in a sunlit clearing, surrounded by lush green bushes and tall, dense trees, embodying tranquility in the peaceful forest scene.
Delicate bluebell flowers bloom among tall, thin grass in a soft, dreamy meadow scene. The gentle light creates a peaceful, enchanting atmosphere filled with nature’s beauty.
A serene forest landscape features tall pine trees reflected in a calm lake, surrounded by lush greenery. Mist covers distant hills, creating a tranquil, peaceful atmosphere.
Sunlight streams through tall trees, casting radiant beams onto a peaceful forest pond. Reflections shimmer on water, surrounded by lush greenery and floating lily pads. Serene atmosphere.
A tent and hammock set up among tall pine trees on a grassy shore, overlooking a calm lake with clear reflections and scattered yellow leaves floating.
A person relaxes in a hammock tied between trees in a sunlit forest, surrounded by greenery, casting peaceful shadows on the forest floor, enjoying nature.
Sunlight reflects on a calm lake, framed by trees and branches. Grasses grow in the shallow water, under a blue, partly cloudy sky. Peaceful nature scene.
A person sits in a canoe on calm water at sunset, facing away, paddling gently. Trees line the distant shore under a softly glowing sky.
A person is kayaking on peaceful, blue water toward a rocky island covered with tall, green pine trees under a clear, bright blue sky.
A winding dirt road curves through a dense, green forest. A moose cautiously emerges from behind tall trees, blending into the natural, tranquil woodland scenery.
new host  

Experience nature and permaculture gardening with a local family in Dalsland, Sweden

Profile information

  • rating

    Host rating

    Not yet rated

  • feedbacks

    Feedback

    -

  • Email verified

    Email verified

Country info

If you are not an EU Citizen and planning to visit Sweden to work, volunteer or study, YOU WILL NEED THE CORRECT VISA. To find out more information please contact the embassy in your home country BEFORE travelling.

Badges (1)

Email verified
Give the gift of Workaway
read more

Find your perfect host

View the full host list

Availability

  2026 

 Min stay requested: at least 1 month

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

What's this?

Details

  • Description

    Description

    Welcome to our little corner of Dalsland, Sweden!

    Hi everyone, we're Jakob and Christina! Until recently we lived in Friesland, the Netherlands, where we created a small green paradise of fruit trees and a wildflower garden, buzzing with insects and birdlife. Since January 2026 we've called Dalsland home, also known as "Little Sweden" for its countless lakes, endless forests and abundant wildlife.

    We're both retired and thoroughly enjoying life in the Swedish countryside. You'll often find us hiking, swimming, canoeing or foraging for berries and mushrooms. We're energetic people who love a good chat over coffee or dinner, swapping ideas, stories and experiences.

    We live right on Östra Silen, one of Europe's most popular canoeing destinations, in a peaceful hamlet with just six other houses, tucked between forest and water. It's a place where you can truly reconnect with nature. Besides our workawayers, our most regular garden visitors are badgers, foxes, deer, moose and the occasional wild boar.

    Because we've only just arrived, there's still plenty to do, and we'd love to turn this beautiful spot into something even more special. We've also picked up a new hobby: hunting for second-hand treasures to make this place truly ours. We regularly go vintage hunting at the typically Swedish ‘loppis’, flea markets and vintage shops or stalls, often run from people's own homes. Giving old furniture a new life is something we enjoy, and if you do too, you're very welcome to join in.

    What we're looking for: enthusiastic, energetic nature lovers who are creative and not afraid to get their hands dirty. Not sure if your skills match what we need? Just get in touch, we'd love to hear from you anyway!

    What we offer:
    - A stay in the middle of nature, 20 minutes from Bengtsfors
    - Free use of our canoes and bikes, plus our shared spaces
    - Accommodation: space for tents or campers, an off-grid log cabin at the edge of the forest, or a guest house next to our home (cabin and guest house each sleep two)
    - No car? Arriving by train? We're happy to see if we can pick you up from a nearby station

    We speak Dutch and English, a bit of German, and we're currently taking Swedish lessons (don't expect much yet ).

    We'd love to share this special place with you. Hope to meet you soon!

    Jakob & Christina

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Light gardening
    Creative DIY projects
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    Light maintenance
  • Interests

    Interests

    Vegetarian or vegan
    Sustainability
    Pets
    Carpentry
    Cooking & food
    Photography
    Languages
    Gardening
    History
    Music
    Plant care
    DIY & crafts
    Books
    Art & design
    Animals
    Nature
    Camping
    Water sports
    Mountain
    Cycling
    Hiking
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    You'll get a real taste of the Swedish forest life, and we're happy to share what we're still discovering ourselves.

    -Swedish nature: We love being out in it, and you're welcome to join us hiking, canoeing or foraging for berries and mushrooms.
    - Wildlife and nature knowledge:We can tell you plenty about the nature and wildlife around here. We know where the beavers are, and we often see moose, deer, foxes and badgers close to the house.
    - Swedish habits: Come along to a loppis (a typical Swedish flea market, often at someone's home) and see how we give old furniture a new life.
    - Hands-on skills:gardening, working with wood and building things in the forest.
    - Dutch language:If you'd like, we're happy to teach you some Dutch. Jakob was a teacher for over 35 years, so plenty of experience.
    - A good conversation: Over coffee or dinner we like to swap stories, ideas and experiences. We'd love to hear about your country and your travels too.

  • Help

    Help

    Here are some of our projects:

    Forest path: creating a natural 600 m trail from our house, through our own woods, to the canoe jetty, using the big boulders and surrounding nature as part of the route
    Forest thinning for firewood
    Creating a generous (permaculture) vegetable garden with greenhouse
    Loppis finds & furniture revival: searching for second-hand gems and giving old furniture a second life

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Dutch: Fluent
    German: Intermediate

    This 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

    We have space for tents or campers, an off-grid log cabin at the edge of the forest, or a guest house next to our home (cabin and guest house each sleep two).

    We are happy to provide meals. Where and how we eat is something we'll work out together. For the cultural exchange we think it's nice to share lunch and dinner, but not every day, so we'll agree on that along the way. Breakfast is up to you, so you can start your day at your own pace.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    Plenty of space. Our garden is uphill, but there are some perfectly flat spots available.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

    Tibbe

Host ref number: 297978136275

Website Safety

Photos

Aerial view of a serene forest by a calm lake, with two wooden docks and boats. Sunlight filters through dense green trees, creating a peaceful atmosphere.
A smiling middle-aged couple stands outdoors by a lake, clinking glasses of white wine, enjoying a peaceful moment together in nature with trees in the background.
A large tree with fresh green leaves stands by a country road, next to a yellow house and barn in a peaceful, rural, scenic landscape at sunset.
A rustic wooden dock extends over a calm reflective lake, flanked by green trees. Two canoes rest peacefully, one on the dock, one upside down.
A solitary deer stands quietly in a sunlit clearing, surrounded by lush green bushes and tall, dense trees, embodying tranquility in the peaceful forest scene.
Delicate bluebell flowers bloom among tall, thin grass in a soft, dreamy meadow scene. The gentle light creates a peaceful, enchanting atmosphere filled with nature’s beauty.
A serene forest landscape features tall pine trees reflected in a calm lake, surrounded by lush greenery. Mist covers distant hills, creating a tranquil, peaceful atmosphere.
Sunlight streams through tall trees, casting radiant beams onto a peaceful forest pond. Reflections shimmer on water, surrounded by lush greenery and floating lily pads. Serene atmosphere.
Show all photos
A tent and hammock set up among tall pine trees on a grassy shore, overlooking a calm lake with clear reflections and scattered yellow leaves floating.
A person relaxes in a hammock tied between trees in a sunlit forest, surrounded by greenery, casting peaceful shadows on the forest floor, enjoying nature.
Sunlight reflects on a calm lake, framed by trees and branches. Grasses grow in the shallow water, under a blue, partly cloudy sky. Peaceful nature scene.
A person sits in a canoe on calm water at sunset, facing away, paddling gently. Trees line the distant shore under a softly glowing sky.
A person is kayaking on peaceful, blue water toward a rocky island covered with tall, green pine trees under a clear, bright blue sky.
A winding dirt road curves through a dense, green forest. A moose cautiously emerges from behind tall trees, blending into the natural, tranquil woodland scenery.

Feedback

Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in Sweden Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in Europe Family Sweden Last minute Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in Sweden
Come and enjoy living close to nature in Karlshamn, Sweden
House sitting while getting love from our cat in Öjersjö, Sweden

Your next adventure begins today

Join the Workaway community today to unlock unique travel experiences with over 50,000 opportunities around the globe.

Join Now