Italy
Favourited 755 times
Benvenuti!
We are an open-minded German/Italian family (65, 54 , 25 and 21 years old) and we live in the Etna Nature Reserve (since 2013 World Cultural Heritage of the U.N.E.S.C.O.) with a beautiful view on the the largest active volcano in Europe .
We run a small riding center which offers amongst others , horse riding, trail rides, vaulting tuition and guided walks around the volcano. Furthermore can organize trips on Etna, to the sea and to different ancient cities like Catania, Syracuse, Taormina and Palermo.
During the year we also offer wood-processing workshops and various hobby courses in our own workshop. We also have a small farm shop with our own organic products and handmade gift items and utensils.
We organize family celebrations, birthday parties, childrens' adventures and summer camps for kids "around the horse", carriage rides, barbecue and dancing. Our customers are not only Italians, but also come from other nations, mostly from Germany and the USA.
On the 2 ha property you will find our two rental cottages and a small log cabin surrounded by chestnut-, olive- and fruit trees. To the south you enjoy a magnificent view over the plain of Catania and the Ionian Sea, to the north you can see the mountain massif of the volcano. We currently have six terrain-safe horses/ponies, a drolly sheep and a small zoo with chickens, guinea pigs and country turtles. Our family friendly dog and two cats are always around. They all need a lot of care.
During the seasons we harvest mulberries, and figs, apples, nuts, almonds, chestnuts, olives and process it to oil, jam, canned goods, cakes and cookies.
In wintertime our houses are heated with wood, so during the year a lot of fire wood has to be prepared.
From February to March we have to trim the 35 olive trees and also some fruit trees.
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Elderly Companionship
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
Farmstay help
Help with Eco Projects
Help around the house
Animal Care
Language practice
Art Projects
Help with Computers/ Internet
Teaching
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
We offer food (mediterranean cuisine) and lodgings, horse riding lessons, trail rides, biking, hiking and participation in land, sea, and other excursions. We show you the culture of this very interesting island, the colorful, Sicilian life and teach you the Italian language.
We are looking for open-minded and dynamic people who would like to help us with our horses ( to clean and to saddle them, to feed them and to keep clean the stables). If you have a riding license you can help us to teach in the field. 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 includes painting iron gates and wooden tables and roofs, if you feel like.
We prefer non-smokers!
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
You will sleep in our nice wooden log cabin with bathroom with shower. You share the two mean meals with us at the working days. Breakfast is provided in our Clubhouse, where you are free to help yourself in any time of the day. When you are off the food is not on the house, but you can cook by yourself.
Most of the time one of us is at home, so you can ask for help anytime. We can give you a lift to the next village or the next bus station (4 km). In summertime (June and July) we organize camps for children and teenagers. You are also welcome to join or visit some of the many lava stone caves in the area.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Two
Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(4.6)
Communication:
(4.7)
