Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
21 Jun 2025
Reply rate
85.0 %
Usually responds within 5 days
Feedback
47
Email verified
Badges (3)
Give the gift of Workaway
read more
Details
Description
Hello! We are a family of three and we live in a restored farmhouse in the beautiful countryside of Tuscany, only 6 km from the Mediterranean sea. Our house is immersed in the olive groves and vineyards, the garden is overlooking the ancient village of Castagneto Carducci.
I run a cooking school that I opened almost 20 years ago to spread traditional-Italian cuisine in Italy and abroad. I like to share my vision of HOME FOOD, the old traditional recipes, to use and emphasize seasonal products.
During May, June, Sept, and Oct I'll be very busy teaching cooking classes and I will need help in the kitchen, cooking, helping in the house, doing house chores, help out in the garden. During the other months, I also work on different house projects, including painting (indoors and outdoors), priming/plastering, gardening, and general upkeep of the house.
I have a nice 25 years old daughter, a french husband who loves ice cream and wine, 2 dogs, and 3 cats. We are all easygoing and people persons.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Gardening
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The area where I live is famous for wine and biking and if we have time we would love to bike with you ! If you want to share your life with me and my family contact us and we'll give you more information !
Help
Help in the kitchen (cooking and cleaning)
Help in the garden
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: FluentThis 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
Guest room or apartment
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Host ref number: 3572893964e1
Feedback (27)
2 Nov 2023
Left by Workawayer (Chelsie) for host
This review is so late (stayed back in April) but I wanted to come on here and rave about my time with Chicca and Arnaud. This was my first workaway experience and it was nothing short of amazing. I stayed with them for 3 weeks and they were warm, inviting, and very generous. Their property is beautiful and the area evokes such a sense of calm and… read more
25 Sep 2023
Left by Workawayer (fatimalessiter) for host
My stay with Chicca and Arnaud was short and sweet. Her classes did not start until 3 days after I arrived and the days were spent organising their beautiful home in preparation for the groups, food shopping, harvesting tomatoes from the garden and collecting apples from the backyard for our sage and apple tea. The classes were a delight as the… read more
9 Jul 2023
Left by Workawayer (Peipei & Drew) for host
Chicca and Arnaud are workaway veterans! They know how to make workawayers feel right at home. We spent about three weeks with them in June and couldn't have been more grateful that we found them and they let us into their beautiful Tuscan home. Both Chicca and Arnaud have lived interesting lives and have many amazing stories to share. We enjoyed… read more
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
2 Nov 2023
Left by Workawayer (Chelsie) for host
This review is so late (stayed back in April) but I wanted to come on here and rave about my time with Chicca and Arnaud. This was my first workaway experience and it was nothing short of amazing. I stayed with them for 3 weeks and they were warm, inviting, and very generous. Their property is beautiful and the area evokes such a sense of calm and… read more
25 Sep 2023
Left by Workawayer (fatimalessiter) for host
My stay with Chicca and Arnaud was short and sweet. Her classes did not start until 3 days after I arrived and the days were spent organising their beautiful home in preparation for the groups, food shopping, harvesting tomatoes from the garden and collecting apples from the backyard for our sage and apple tea. The classes were a delight as the… read more
9 Jul 2023
Left by Workawayer (Peipei & Drew) for host
Chicca and Arnaud are workaway veterans! They know how to make workawayers feel right at home. We spent about three weeks with them in June and couldn't have been more grateful that we found them and they let us into their beautiful Tuscan home. Both Chicca and Arnaud have lived interesting lives and have many amazing stories to share. We enjoyed… read more
19 Apr 2023
Left by Workawayer (Connor & Cassandra) for host
What an incredible experience! We stayed with Chicca and Arnaud for about 3.5 weeks in March/April. They welcomed us into their home and made it easy to transition into their routine.
They are both very friendly people, and they went above and beyond to make us feel at home. Arnaud took us on beach walks every morning — a great way to start the… read more
They are both very friendly people, and they went above and beyond to make us feel at home. Arnaud took us on beach walks every morning — a great way to start the… read more
10 Apr 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Connor & Cassandra)
We would give Cassie and Connor 10 stars if we could! They are a polite, discrete, super hardworking couple, not to mention all their skills, from gardening to cooking. They spent 3 weeks with us, and we felt they were the perfect fit for our family from the first moment. They fit perfectly into our daily routine: early morning walks with the… read more
(Excellent)
24 Nov 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (James & Ariana)
James and Ariana spent about two weeks with us before the pandemic hit this world. They were the last helpers we hosted since then, and still remember the time with them. Very hard workers, they accomplished any type of given work: from stacking wood (and it was a lot!), to help in the yard, and other digital help. Always curios about history,… read more
(Excellent)
11 Oct 2020
Left by Workawayer (James & Ariana) for host
This description of our experience (my partner Ariana and myself) is long overdue! We stayed with Chicca and Arnaud for roughly two weeks in February/March of 2020 right before COVID-19 became a global pandemic. We were staying with them when the cases started rising in the North, but it did not impact our stay.
The Etruscan coast and part of… read more
The Etruscan coast and part of… read more
9 May 2019
Left by Workawayer (Natalie & Lawrence) for host
Where do I begin? Our stay with Chicca and Arnaud was extremely enjoyable and rewarding. They are kind, thoughtful, warm and considerate. They took us to visit the surrounding towns and villages, the wine producers and local shopkeepers, restaurants and food producers. Both are very knowledgeable about the culture and history of this corner of… read more
25 Apr 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Natalie & Lawrence)
Natalie and Larry spent only 2 weeks with our family, they perfectly fit with our day life and helped to get many things done! They are both hard workers, very active and willing to finish any given chore. Besides all the work around the house and in the garden, Natalie was a great help to edit my website, she has a lot of skills in marketing and… read more
(Excellent)
9 May 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Rowan & Sally)
Rowe and Sally are two amazing persons full of skills and life! They spent about 3 weeks with our family and it was not enough! They have a lot of skills, they almost know how to do everything: from weed-waking to painting, to general maintenance to cooking. Rowe is an electrician (or a sparky!) so he is very handy for many things. Whenever I was… read more
(Excellent)
29 Apr 2019
Left by Workawayer (Rowan & Sally) for host
What a wonderful workaway with Chicca and Arnaud!
We spent 2.5 weeks in the lovely village of Castegneto Carducci helping Chicca in her off season; work consisted of gardening, house maintenance and assisting with one cooking class.
For those who love cycling, this workaway is a dream. There are plenty of great cycle trails and no short supply of… read more
We spent 2.5 weeks in the lovely village of Castegneto Carducci helping Chicca in her off season; work consisted of gardening, house maintenance and assisting with one cooking class.
For those who love cycling, this workaway is a dream. There are plenty of great cycle trails and no short supply of… read more
7 Dec 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Rachel)
Rachel! This young, interesting, smart, kind woman spent only 2 weeks with our family and she really fitted right away into the flow! She is a very hard worker, organized and not scared of any tasks that she accomplished all alone. She was a great help with the cooking classes, always kind with the guests, a fast leaner in the the kitchen, ready… read more
(Excellent)
7 Dec 2018
Left by Workawayer (Rachel) for host
Two weeks was too short a time! I cannot recommend working with Chicca enough. The "work" itself is wonderful – I really enjoyed going to the market with Chicca, trips to the (in)famous butcher, prepping the meals, and of course the classes themselves. I wouldn't describe it as hard, because I had so much fun, but if you're with Chicca during the… read more
27 Nov 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Tyler & Kylee)
How can we express our deep gratitude to these special human fellows? Kylee and Tyler lived with my family for about two months and we shared our daily life with lots of laughing, cooking, talking, cycling and doing many many things. I think they are super stellar helpers, two generous and loving souls always ready to do any type of chore given to… read more
(Excellent)
26 Nov 2018
Left by Workawayer (Tyler & Kylee) for host
What can we say about Chicca?! She and Arnaud are FANTASTIC hosts. They are hilarious, caring, interesting, talented, and so so fun. Truth be told, we cannot say enough great things about our time at La Casa Toscana. Chicca is incredibly warm and generous, inviting us into her life the moment we met her. After our time with her, we have truly… read more
13 Jul 2018
Left by Workawayer (Jola & Darek) for host
We stayed with Chicca for 2 months. It is really hard to describe in words the experience we had. Chicca is very warm, fun and generous person and her family is lovely too. The place is magical . Old but beautifully renovated farmhouse surrounded by vineyards and olive groves overlooking old village on the hill.
We had the best of everything.… read more
We had the best of everything.… read more
11 Jul 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Jola & Darek)
We were fortunate enough to be able to host and meet Jola and Derek, who stayd with our family for two moths. They are hard workers, always ready to give you a hand, and very helpful inside and outside the house. They have a lot of energy and the skills of people with many experiences in their life. Jola was my gurdian angel during the cooking… read more
(Excellent)
11 May 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Hazel)
Can I give 6 stars to Hazel and Erin? They are two incredible young women, farmers, always smiling, very skilled in whatever chore I gave them, great gardeners, responsible, reliable, strong and capable to get all the things done...I can't stop counting the number of their qualities! They stayed with my family for only one week, and they were able… read more
(Excellent)
7 May 2018
Left by Workawayer (Hazel) for host
My friend Erin and I had a wonderful time staying with Chicca for a week. We spent time working in her garden and building new raised beds for the coming season. We also trimmed hedges and weeded. We shared cooking together, sometimes she cooked delicious meals for us, sometimes we cooked! We borrowed bikes and went to the beach. At the end of the… read more
9 Nov 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Rachel & Alex)
Rachel and Alex spent over two weeks with our family, a too short time because we had such a great time together. They are very responsible and helped in different chores, all accomplished well and fast (sometimes I was surprised!). We could relied on their help in many different things: cooking classes, setting a nice table for the guests,… read more
(Excellent)
8 Nov 2017
Left by Workawayer (Rachel & Alex) for host
This was our first experience using Workaway and the bar has been set very high! We (couple mid 20s) stayed with Chicca and her family for a little over 2 weeks (much too short!) and had the most amazing experience. From the get go, Chicca welcomed us into her home and included us like family in meals, outings, etc. We helped her with yard work… read more
20 May 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Shannon)
Shannon spent about two weeks at our house and since the beginning she was part of our family. She is a great help in the kitchen as she teaches cooking classes back home. She has many skills, she is fast, likes to experiment and we had so much fun cooking. She was a great help also with the classes, very nice with tourists and very organized to… read more
(Excellent)
16 May 2017
Left by Workawayer (Shannon) for host
I can't imagine a better Workaway experience! Chicca and her family welcomed me right in and I felt at home during my entire stay. From the moment Chicca picked me up from the train station with a giant smile and hug to the moment they dropped me off after an amazing lunch and gelato out in town, the family represented genuine Italian hospitality.… read more
27 Apr 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Mark & Carlie)
Mark and Carlie spent about two weeks with our family during their one year trip around Europe. They are a family of three and their little boy Levi is the cutest ! They have many skills and helped out in the garden, painting, weed whacking, moving rocks, cleaning garden furnitures…just to tell some ! It was really fun to have the little Levi… read more
(Excellent)
20 Dec 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (VeronicaNicky)
Veronica has been with my family for about three weeks and it was an incredible help during my cooking classes : she is hard-working, she likes to clean and she does it very well ! Also very organized, I could relay on her in the kitchen for whatever was the task. She has a funny humor, we had so many laughters together :) Despite her profile… read more
(Excellent)
23 Nov 2016
Left by Workawayer (VeronicaNicky) for host
What a wonderful time at Chicca's place!
She is such a good person, very generous and her family is lovely too.
Her property is amazing, and the location has a great scenery!
It is close to the seaside and small villages, and big cities such as Livorno or Pisa are easily reachable by train.
My working schedule could include: some light… read more
She is such a good person, very generous and her family is lovely too.
Her property is amazing, and the location has a great scenery!
It is close to the seaside and small villages, and big cities such as Livorno or Pisa are easily reachable by train.
My working schedule could include: some light… read more
22 Nov 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (Ariana)
Ariana was at our farmstead just for two weeks, a short time but long enough to understand how incredible this young girl is. She is very responsible, reliable, funny, talkative and whatever was the chore given to her, she was able to do it ! She was very helpful in many different things: writing my website, gardening, helping out with cooking… read more
(Excellent)
13 Nov 2016
Left by Workawayer (Ariana) for host
Where to begin....
As you can probably see from all the wonderful reviews, this is an outstanding workaway family. I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to meet, work, and live with Chicca and Arnaud. They made me feel like I was a part of the family, and for me that is what makes or breaks a workaway experience. Chicca always asked if… read more
As you can probably see from all the wonderful reviews, this is an outstanding workaway family. I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to meet, work, and live with Chicca and Arnaud. They made me feel like I was a part of the family, and for me that is what makes or breaks a workaway experience. Chicca always asked if… read more
16 Jul 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (Joan & Andre )
Joan and Andre are two incredible people that if you have the chance to meet them you’ll never forget ! They are generous and thoughtful about what is around themselves and in the world, and we had many interesting conversation about many things. They became soon a part of our family and an incredible help for all the things to do inside and… read more
(Excellent)
13 Jul 2016
Left by Workawayer (Joan & Andre ) for host
We spent two wonderful weeks working with Chicca, helping around the house with yard work, cleaned out the garrage, planting, etc. We also helped make homemade pasta and many other dishes for a catering job at a magnificent winery. Chicca, my husband Andre, myself and Paul, another work awayer, then catered the meal at the winery, which was… read more
8 Jun 2016
Left by Workawayer (Mike & Allison) for host
We spent nearly 2 weeks at Chicca's home in September and it was by far the
best 2 weeks of our entire year of travelling. Chicca, Elsa and Arnaud are
extremely friendly and welcoming you into not only their home but into
their family as well. Her location is easily accessible from the train
station and she was happy to pick us up. She also… read more
best 2 weeks of our entire year of travelling. Chicca, Elsa and Arnaud are
extremely friendly and welcoming you into not only their home but into
their family as well. Her location is easily accessible from the train
station and she was happy to pick us up. She also… read more
5 Jul 2015
Left by Workawayer (Christina) for host
Ciao future Workawayers!
This was my first workaway experience and it was wonderful. Chicca and her family were very gracious and attentive and made sure my work and experience there was a memorable one. They integrated me into their daily life and it was a great time getting to see what small town life is all about! My daily tasks varied from… read more
This was my first workaway experience and it was wonderful. Chicca and her family were very gracious and attentive and made sure my work and experience there was a memorable one. They integrated me into their daily life and it was a great time getting to see what small town life is all about! My daily tasks varied from… read more
19 May 2015
Left by host for Workawayer (GLD5782)
Paul…he came as a workawayer and then he became an uncle for my daughter, a good friend for us, someone to share my morning tea with chat about life… During his stay we went through many different projects and he worked more then he was requested just because he likes to get things done. So when he starts a project you are sure that it is going to… read more
(Excellent)
19 May 2015
Left by Workawayer (GLD5782) for host
Life Inspiring! I came for 2 weeks and stayed for 7 because living with Chicca and her wonderful family (including Janice, Matise, & Oofa) makes you appreciate living in the present. Whether it was shopping for fresh local ingredients or trekking from 1 village to the next, the essence of the people and Tuscan culture shone through. (The french… read more
28 Apr 2015
Left by host for Workawayer (Workaway member)
Is there any word more then excellent to describe these two incredible people ? I highly recommend Bri and Chad : they are very hard workers, reliable, active, funny and always with a big smile on their faces ! They showed always enthusiasm for any type of work they were asked for, whether was painting shutters or removing olive branches (a lot of… read more
(Excellent)
27 Apr 2015
Left by Workawayer (Workaway member) for host
We had an amazing time with Chicca and her family! We did many different projects like helping with the olive trees, painting, and landscaping to name a few. We were able to meet a lot of Chicca's family and friends who made us feel welcome and comfortable. Chicca has a lot of knowledge about the area and we had a wonderful time exploring around… read more
3 Mar 2015
Left by host for Workawayer (gracerosep)
If I really have to rate Grace excellent is not enough : although she is very young, she is incredible mature, hard working, reliable, knowledgeable, independent. Basically she can do everything, due to the experience she had working on her parent’s farm since she was a child. Interested to everything, she is always open to meet new people and… read more
(Excellent)
23 Feb 2015
Left by Workawayer (gracerosep) for host
I had such a wonderful time with Chicca and her family! I felt immediately accepted as part of the family. They were so kind and caring and the atmosphere of the home was relaxed and open.
Chicca is really enthusiastic with her projects, her cooking, her ideas, and life in general. If you are enthusiastic as well and want to learn some… read more
Chicca is really enthusiastic with her projects, her cooking, her ideas, and life in general. If you are enthusiastic as well and want to learn some… read more
14 Feb 2015
Left by host for Workawayer (Rob & Patricia)
Rob and Patri ! Thank you so muche for your help, company, and sharing a little piece of our life together ! You guys fitted my family perfectly ! Always ready to help and to learn with a smile on their face, I do really reccomand them. They are both english teachers, so very easy to get along and comunicate with kids and teen agers. We are still… read more
(Excellent)
13 Jan 2015
Left by Workawayer (Rob & Patricia) for host
We had such an incredible time with Chicca and her daughter Elsa. They are both so much fun and welcoming. We felt very comfortable with them from the first moment and we really enjoyed our two weeks there.
Chicca taught us so much about cooking and she shared her best recipes with us. We have tried cooking them since we got back home and… read more
Chicca taught us so much about cooking and she shared her best recipes with us. We have tried cooking them since we got back home and… read more
11 Nov 2014
Left by Workawayer (Kyle & Lauren) for host
We have truly gained a friend in Chicca. Our experience with her and her family was incredible. They were welcoming and accommodating. The area is beautiful, with many things to do, see, eat, and drink. Chicca's home is in a great location, close to many quaint hill towns and beaches. Some of the bigger cities (Siena, Lucca, Florence, Pisa)… read more
2 Aug 2014
Left by Workawayer (Sascha & Madelaine) for host
Thank you!! The two of us had a great first Workaway experience in Toscana with you and the family. We loved the food, the weather, the work and the animals. Thank you for welcoming us into your beautiful home!
10 Jul 2014
Left by Workawayer (Sam & Rachel) for host
Chicca thank you for such a wonderful stay, we miss you greatly. We learned so much during our time with you and your cooking is honestly incredible! We are already practising the recipes at home with our families. We definitely recommend staying with Chicca and her daughter Elsa, they are such a welcoming, fun and generous family. Castagneto… read more
22 Mar 2014
Left by host for Workawayer (Raewyn)
I had the chance to host and meet Rae and she is a really nice and gentle person. She is aways available to help you and to keep the things moving in the everyday life. We had a very rainy weather by the time she was here and she made me such a good company with all the stories about the adventures of her life. I hope she will be back ! Thanyou… read more
(Excellent)
21 Feb 2014
Left by Workawayer (Raewyn) for host
I am so grateful to Chicca for the opportunity to experience such warmth and generous hospitality in Tuscany, the amazing traditional Italian food often prepared from her Grandmothers recipes. I learnt great tips and take away many ideas and memories.
For three weeks I was very much part of the family, and involved in everyday life and… read more
For three weeks I was very much part of the family, and involved in everyday life and… read more
13 Dec 2012
Left by host for Workawayer (James)
Ciao James,
thank you very much for your help in the house. Especially with the wood ! I'm sure that your italian will improve soon.
Ciao
Chicca
thank you very much for your help in the house. Especially with the wood ! I'm sure that your italian will improve soon.
Ciao
Chicca
(Very good)
7 Nov 2012
Left by Workawayer (James) for host
Chicca, Elsa and Arnaud were wonderful hosts. I had a great experience in Tuscany! Thanks for helping me with Italian and the great food. I hope if we meet again my Italian will be much better and that I will be talk about Philosophy more eloquently in Italian :)
Good luck with the book, let me know if you need some help with the English
Ciao,… read more
Good luck with the book, let me know if you need some help with the English
Ciao,… read more
