Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
7 Feb 2025
Reply rate
97.1 %
Usually responds within 3 days
Feedback
61
Email verified
Badges (2)



Find your perfect host
Details
Description
Benvenuti! Welcome! Willkommen! Bienvenue!
We are an open-minded German/Italian family (67, 56 , 27 and 24 years old). We live in the Etna Nature Reserve (since 2013 World Cultural Heritage of the U.N.E.S.C.O.), enjoying the beautiful view on the the largest active volcano in Europe.
Actually, our farm is on 900 meter above sea level, and nature is proving us pure, nice and fresh air.
We are running a small riding center which, amongst other things, offers you horseback riding, trail rides, vaulting tuition and guided walks around the volcano. Furthermore we can help you to organize trips on Etna, to the ocean and to different ancient cities like Catania, Syracuse, Taormina and Palermo.
As we live in our own center, we are available all the yearlong and we try to help Workawayers and guests in realizing one's artistic or professional inclinations,such as wood-processing, painting and various hobby and art craft courses.
For our family needs we produce jams, marmalades, with our own organic products and handmade gift items and utensils.
We organize family celebrations, birthday parties, adventures and summer programs for kids "around the horse", carriage rides, barbecue, music sitting around a pit fire,table football competitions and so on.
Our riders and guests are mostly Italians, Germans and Americans, but also from other nations. That's why we are looking for people with at least are quite fluent in English.
On the property you will find our two cottages and a small log cabin surrounded by chestnut-, olive- and fruit trees. From up a private hill you enjoy a magnificent view over Catania plain and the Ionian Sea. Looking north you can see the volcano Etna and it's main craters.
About our animals fiends, we currently have eight safe horses/ponies, a drolly sheep and a small zoo with chickens, guinea pigs and turtles. Our family friendly dog and a fluffy cat are always around. They all need a lot of care.
During the four seasons of the year we harvest mulberries, and figs, apples, nuts, almonds, chestnuts, olives and turn it to oil, jam, canned goods, cakes and cookies, for our family and guests needs.
In wintertime our houses are heated by fire place and stoves, so during the year a lot of fire wood has to be cut and chopped.
From February to March we need to trim the olive and fruit trees. There is to cut grass, to weed the flowerbeds and to take all the dry leaves away, which we use mostly for the stables.Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Elderly Companionship
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We offer food (mediterranean cuisine) and lodgings, horse riding lessons, trail rides, hiking and mountain and sea excursions. We tell you about Sicilian culture, and we can also show you some of important monuments and the colorful, Sicilian market of Catania. Of course you can practice and improve your Italian, but you are free to talk in German or English as well.
Help
We are looking for open-minded and dynamic people who would like to help us in the garden ing and structure maintenance and, the most important task to help with our 8 horses ( to clean, to feed them and to keep clean the stables and paddocks). We have even a lot of children coming for horse riding or for vaulting lessons. For adults we organize different trail rides. We have Italian, English an German people and kids, so basic knowledge of that languages would be for advantage.
We also need some help on the ground and with the trees (cutting branches and making fire wood).
Cooking and dish washing is welcome .
Other tasks may include activities like painting iron gates and wooden tables, chairs and so on. If you feel like bring in your own ideas and projects.
We prefer non-smokers.Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
French: IntermediateAccommodation
Our nice wooden log cabin and a cosy caravan with bathroom with shower are available for you.
During working days you share the main meal (lunch) with our family. Breakfast and dinner: During the working days it's up to you cooking in the Clubhouse kitchen.
On you days off food is not on the house, and you are supposed visiting Sicily. But if you want to rest and spend your time at the farm you are free to buy everything you need and cook by yourself in the kitchen.What else ...
Most of the time one or two of our family members are at on the farm.
So you can ask for help anytime. We can give you a lift to the next supermarket or village or to the next bus stop (4 km). From there the bus will take you to Catania or other main towns of Sicily.
In summertime sometimes we organize event parties you can join.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (45)
She is a very friendly person and was immediately accepted by everyone, and she was always ready to help wherever it was needed. We had good conversations together, and spent time to explore the surrounding area, on horseback, by foot or… read more
To take care of the horses every day, the olive harvest, collecting wood in the forest, plant olive… read more
And I… read more
During my time on Petra’s farm I’ve learned a lot about working with horses and children as well as various tasks of crafts… 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:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.9)
She is a very friendly person and was immediately accepted by everyone, and she was always ready to help wherever it was needed. We had good conversations together, and spent time to explore the surrounding area, on horseback, by foot or… read more
To take care of the horses every day, the olive harvest, collecting wood in the forest, plant olive… read more
And I… read more
During my time on Petra’s farm I’ve learned a lot about working with horses and children as well as various tasks of crafts… read more
Petra and Gaetano truly make sure that you feel at home with wonderful cooking, kind words and a beautiful home. I’ll never forget about the excellent lunches… read more
Petra and her partner Gaetano gave me.horse riding lessons and took me out for trail rides. we shared good food together and it's possible to get a ride to town… read more
Nico spent five weeks at our farm and it was a real pleasure to have him around.
In these weeks he learnt how to ride a horse and how to deal with horses and other animals.
He helped us to make firewood, to build a new wooden fence, to get ready our guesthouse and much more.
He is very tidy, a… read more
I've been on Petra's farm for 3,5 months and I personally think that this is a perfekt amount of time to spend in this beautiful place, so you can really feel home at the farm, get to know everyone and everything and get the chance to see some parts of sicily.
For this time I've got the chance to live the real farm life, which of… read more
She learnt a lot about horses, how to feed and take care of them, and she was a good help for the children's' lessons as well.
It was a pleasure to see improving her riding skills day by day .
Johanna was always in a good mood, whatever had to be done, and I appreciated her calm and friendly way of… read more
I stayed for five weeks at Petras place and totally loved it. The surrounding area is absolutely beautiful and there's a lot to see!
The work consisted mostly of taking care of the horses like cleaning the stables and feeding the horses twice a day getting them ready for trailrides or riding… read more
Cam stayed with us for two months and was a great help, and it was a pleasure to have her around.
We wish her all the best for her future.
Petra and family
Always smiling and in a good mood she helped whereever she could: caring of the horses and other animals, helping with painting and garden works or in the kitchen. She entertained the riding kids, and it was always a pleasure to spend time with her.
Highly… read more
From the first moment I felt very welcomed and it didn't take long time when it was more a feeling like being at home, because of Petra, her wonderful family and the sweet animals.
I learned a lot about horses, to take care of animals and we did a lot of other,… read more
He improved a lot his riding skills on different horses and went out with us for long trails. Our riding kids loved him. Communicating with Hassan was always nice and… read more
Ulrike and her husband David stayed six weeks with us at our riding and vacation farm. They are very hard workers, always friendly and their help and presence was just great.
Ulrike has a lot of experience with horses… read more
We had a lovely time with her.
Absolutely raccomanded!
When you are here, time flies by very fast and you spend the whole day outside with the horses! There is always much work to do and I had the possibility to go on beautiful trail rides very often. All the horses and the other animals are friendly, especially Maxine, the cutest dog ever! (I miss her!!)… read more
It was my first workaway experience and I definitely recommend Petra's farm for everyone who love animals, nature and hard work. I spent only one month on the farm but I had so much new experience. I travelled a lot with my friendly roommates (Hi Judith, hi Julia! I miss you both ❤️), I tried the typical Sicilian foods and I… read more
Petra, her family and all the members of her equestrian center are very welcoming and kind. 🥰
I had such a good time during my stay in Sicily, every time pushing my departure. And it was after 2 months at Petra's house that I left with tears in my eyes but I would come back as soon… read more
I stayed for one month and it really felt like home, there were so many lovely people! Petra and Gaetano are very nice and both are so strong and passionate about their job and I always admired their connection with the horses. I had nothing to do with horses before my stay and now I just… read more
It is an unforgettable adventure that you will live if you decide to go there. So don't hesitate no more and GO. Give Petra everything she deserves : assistance, help,… read more
A quick learner, super clean, very responsible, open minded and always willing to help and to learn new things, that is Louise.
We spent five lovely month together on our riding and vacation farm, and we still miss her.
Welcome back whenever you want, dear Louise!
I had the idea to stay maybe 4 weeks and ended up staying 5 months! I really felt like part of the family and very at home on the farm. The people and the animals are incredible, so friendly and welcoming and you are sure to have a lot of fun and laughs.
I learnt so much from… read more
Not so easy, it’s like talking about family, some much to say!
At first Petra accepted to take me quickly because I was in a bad situation in another farm in Sicily.
Immediately I felt at home and everyone was really friendly.
My plans was, in the beginning, to stay 3 weeks and finally I only left 5 months… read more
I was lucky to be there at the same time as "Lauren Paige". She did a very good resume of our daily routine and my time there (see her comment below). My time at the Ranch was unforgettable!
I've lean a lot from Sicilian culture (mmmmh arranchini) and… read more
The mornings started early around 7am where all the animals… read more
He is a very good carpenter, knows how to use all tools and helped me to build a new wood store and a beautiful new wooden fence around the main house.
He chopped a lot of fire wood, got up in the early… read more
Amazing nature, gorgeous horses, friendly and funny people with big life experience, international team of volunteers.
Location: Petra’s house is located in national park at the root of Etna => you will stay among nature with fantastic landscapes but a bit far away from civilization (for whom it’s important).
Host: Petra… read more
I had no previous experience with horses but I learnt so much in my time there . Petra has so much knowledge that she willingly share. She is kind , patient, creative , funny and a great cook ! You will learn not just about the… read more
On… read more
We still miss her!
Petra and Gaetano are the most amazing persons and have helped me so much to feel at home in Sicily. They are super caring and generous, both to people and animals :) The best thing about them is that they always believe in you, I developed my riding skills… read more
We wish her all the best… read more
Petra is a warm hearted women, who's conscious of her surroundings (of her animals and the environment as much as of the people… read more
I was really lucky with the time of the year (May), because of the colorful nature and mainly warm temperatures. The farm and its surroundings are a paradise, there are so many… read more
The job was very easy, simple and funny, as long as you love animals! All… read more
If you want to see the real countryside of Sicily, go to Petra for some workweeks. You will not be disappointed!
They have just open our eyes for… read more
Very hard workers, always friendly, punctually, correctly, ready to learn more and to do everything well.
Thank you for the four weeks spending with us!
Always smiling and friendly, openminded, helpful, punctually, very hard workers.
Thanks so much for the five weeks with us!