Support our permaculture garden and retreat space near Fethiye, Turkey

Details

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  Description

  Welcome to our little haven, in the mountains of southwestern Turkey!
  We are a small family project nestled in a 10 decares garden, surrounded by forest, fresh mountain air, and the peaceful rhythm of village life. Our space is a nature-based retreat and living area where we host gatherings, slow-living experiences, and people seeking a deeper connection with nature.
  
  There are two of us living here — myself and Halil. We both left our corporate lives in Istanbul to follow a dream of living closer to the earth. Since 2021, we've been building our own living space from the ground up, planting trees, creating a permaculture garden, and slowly learning how to live in balance with nature.
  
  We collect rainwater, make our own vermicomposting (worm compost), and do our best to live sustainably. Two sweet and loving dogs share this life with us, and they’re very much part of the family.
  
  Most days are spent enjoying the land, gardening, walking in nature, or gathering with friends — many of whom have also made the move from city to countryside. We often host small musical or social get-togethers, keeping the spirit of community alive.
  
  Since we live in a remote area, we usually go to Fethiye once a week for groceries and to meet up with friends. It's our little way of balancing village life with a touch of city energy.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  House sitting
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  Interests

  

  Events & social

  

  Videography

  

  Self development

  

  Farming

  

  Sustainability

  

  Music

  

  Carpentry

  

  Gardening

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Plant care

  

  Hiking

  

  Beach

  

  Mountain

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Nature

  

  Camping
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We often gather with friends in our village and nearby areas — many of whom, like us, have moved from city life to the countryside. We host small social meetups, play music together, and share stories around the fire.
  
  There are also many historical and natural sites in the area that we can explore together if you're interested in discovering the local culture and landscape.
  
  Halil studied International Relations(Political Theory) and has a special interest in history — particularly political history and cultural dynamics — so if you enjoy meaningful conversations, you’ll likely share some fascinating exchanges with him.
  
  I’m trained in yoga and Thai massage, and I’m especially drawn to spiritual practices. I’d be happy to share or practice together if that’s something you’re curious about.
  
  I also love cooking — especially traditional Turkish dishes — and would be happy to teach you if you're interested in learning some home-style recipes.
  
  We’re a couple who love to laugh, connect, and communicate. We enjoy deep conversations, especially about travel and different ways of living around the world. Before settling here, we traveled for 9 months across South America, spent a couple of mounts in India, and took many backpacking trips along the way. I also did an internship in Mexico after university and speak a little Spanish — so if you’re a Spanish speaker, I’d love to practice with you!
  
  And last but not least, we share our home with two sweet, loving dogs. They adore cuddles and are always ready for play or quiet companionship — being around them is like a little dose of dog therapy every day.

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  Help

  Most of the help we need this autumn will be garden-related, as we prepare the land for the next spring season. Tasks may include widening tree bases, collecting stones around the land, doing some light landscaping, and planting new trees and aromatic herbs during the autumn months.
  
  We like to plan everything together, so you'll be part of the process — not just the work. Depending on the day, helping with cooking might also be part of the rhythm, especially when we’re all working together outside.
  
  Because the main focus is on outdoor work, we're especially looking for volunteers who have some experience in gardening, landscaping and working with hand tools.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  Turkish: Fluent
  Spanish: Beginner

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  Accommodation

  We have a cozy guesthouse nestled within our 10 decares garden. It’s fully equipped with everything you might need for a comfortable stay. The house accommodates up to 3 guests and comes with hot water, internet access, and a fully equipped private kitchen — so you can cook and enjoy your meals whenever you like, at your own pace.
  
  We’ll do the grocery shopping for your kitchen while we shop for our own home, so you’ll have everything you need. And of course, there will be days when we cook and share meals together — always a lovely opportunity to connect.
  
  You'll also find a swimming pool, an open-air yoga platform, and a shared outdoor kitchen in the garden — perfect for relaxing, connecting, and enjoying the beauty around you.

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  What else ...

  There’s no public transport in our village, but on our days off, we’re happy to give you a lift to the nearest bus stop.
  
  The surrounding area is full of natural beauty — beaches, ancient cities, canyons, and hiking trails waiting to be explored. On your free days, you're welcome to go on little adventures, either on your own or together with us. And of course, we’ll do our best to help with transportation whenever we can.
  
  We’ll pick you up from Fethiye town center on your arrival day, and on your departure day, we can drop you off in Fethiye during daytime hours.

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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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  Can host digital nomads

  Since we use satellite internet, the connection can vary in strength from time to time. Internet access is available in the guesthouse and nearby areas, but not throughout the entire property. Also, as we live in a rural village, occasional power cuts can happen. If you're a digital nomad who needs to be online constantly, we kindly suggest taking these details into consideration to avoid any inconvenience during your stay.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  We have suitable spots in our garden for camper vans. There’s also a hot-water shower and a toilet available on the property. Guests are welcome to use the shared outdoor kitchen and all common areas in the garden during their stay.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

  

  Vadi (7 years)

  Vadi lives in the garden and especially loves to sit by the entrance, watching the path. He's most active at night, often wandering around the area. Despite his large size, which might seem intimidating at first, he is incredibly gentle and full of love. He absolutely adores being brushed and receiving affection.

  

  Pablo (3 years)

  We adopted Pablo when he was just 2 months old, and since then, he’s been the heart of our home and our source of joy. He gets along wonderfully with people and has formed a great bond with Vadi.
  Pablo lives in our garden, and because he’s still young, we prefer to keep him safely leashed at night so he doesn’t wander into the forest.
  He absolutely loves joining us on forest walks. When we’re working or relaxing in the garden, he usually chooses to nap right by our side. One of his favorite games is tug-of-war with his toy — and he never seems to get tired of it!

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