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Description
We are a friendly Italian family living in Sannicola, a small and charming town in the Salento, southern Italy, close to the countryside and the Ionian Sea.
We live in a large, old-style family house on three floors, with big bedrooms, shared spaces and several garages. It is a lively home that needs daily care and collaboration.
Our family includes Paola (mum), energetic and kind; Roberto (dad), creative and practical, who loves building projects, animals and nature; grandma Bianca, very lively and full of personality. We also share our daily life with two dogs: a friendly Belgian Malinois and another dog belonging to our daughter Letizia, who is often around.
Letizia is our youngest daughter. She does not live permanently in the house but comes every day for lunch. She has a degree in Environmental Sciences, is passionate about nature and sustainability, and manages our family B&B and the land we own in the village.
We are looking for one or two volunteers to help mainly with housekeeping and cooking, and to share daily family life with us.
Sannicola is a peaceful and authentic town, with a strong local atmosphere, nature all around, and easy access to the sea and nearby towns like Gallipoli.
We offer a warm, relaxed family environment, cultural exchange, and an authentic experience of life in southern Italy.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Pets
Movies & TV
Plant care
Gardening
Carpentry
Cooking & food
Books
Animals
Nature
Beach
Adventure sports
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Volunteers staying with us will have many opportunities to connect with our family and the local community. Every day we share lunch together, which is a special time to chat, laugh, and exchange stories. In the kitchen, volunteers can cook alongside our grandmother Bianca, learning traditional Salento recipes while also trying international dishes in a true cultural exchange.
We also enjoy involving volunteers in local activities, such as town festivals, markets, or walks in the surrounding nature. Animal lovers can spend time with our dogs, and if they wish, they can help or keep company with grandmother Bianca, who is independent but appreciates a helping hand or some company. Volunteers can also take part in Letizia’s projects, such as her Oaseeds initiative, focused on garden regeneration and activities connected to nature and sustainability.
We are eager to share and learn skills and knowledge, from cooking, gardening, and household management, to language and cultural traditions from volunteers’ countries. At the same time, we hope to learn from the people we host, discovering new habits, recipes, ways of thinking, and approaches to life. We believe that the fresh ideas and energy of volunteers can enrich our projects and our daily family life, creating a truly mutual exchange and growth experience.
Paola, Roberto, and grandmother Bianca do not speak English, but they are very friendly and make themselves understood. Letizia speaks English fluently and will help as a translator if needed. This is also a great opportunity for volunteers to practice and learn Italian while experiencing real family life in Italy.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
The main activities will be related to daily house management. This includes cleaning and keeping the house tidy, as well as helping with basic garden care.
Every day, help in the kitchen is also needed. Usually, our grandmother cooks, so volunteers will have the pleasure of cooking alongside a real Salento grandma, learning how to prepare traditional Italian dishes. At the same time, we are very happy to experiment and try international recipes, creating a true cultural exchange through food.
Every day we share lunch together as a family, which is an important moment for us to connect, talk and enjoy time together.
If needed, there may also be the possibility to help or keep company with our grandmother Bianca, who is 94 years old. She is totally independent, but an extra hand or some company is always welcome.
Most of the tasks will be carried out independently, so we are looking for people with good self-management skills, responsibility and initiative throughout their stay. This is especially important because Paola and Roberto work as freelancers (a lawyer and a veterinarian), and their schedules can be busy.
In addition, depending on the period and needs, there may be the opportunity to work together with Letizia on her projects, including a garden regeneration project (Oaseeds) focused on nature and sustainability.
Even though the work is mostly independent, we enjoy sharing moments together, exchanging skills, stories and cultures, and creating a respectful and relaxed atmosphere in the house.
Languages
Languages spoken
Italian: Fluent
English: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
Staying with us is a great opportunity for language exchange. Paola, Roberto, and grandmother Bianca do not speak English, but they are very friendly and make themselves understood with gestures, smiles, and patience. Letizia speaks English fluently and can help translate when needed, making communication easy. This means volunteers will have the chance to practice and improve their Italian in a natural, everyday context — while shopping in town, cooking together, sharing meals, or simply chatting with family members. At the same time, we love learning about other languages and cultures, so volunteers can also teach us words and phrases from their own language, creating a fun and meaningful cultural exchange. We believe that this kind of daily, informal interaction is one of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering with a family, offering both language practice and a deep understanding of Italian life and culture.
Accommodation
Our house is a large, old-style family home spread over three floors. The ground floor includes the garage, the garden, and Paola’s law office. On the first floor, you will find the kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, bathroom, and a terrace where laundry can be hung.
Volunteers will have their own private bedroom on the first floor, while the rest of the house and spaces are shared with the family. We provide clean sheets and towels, and the house is safe, comfortable, and welcoming.
Food is an important part of our daily life. Volunteers will join the family for lunch every day, which is a special time to connect, chat, and share stories. The kitchen is always available for volunteers to prepare meals or snacks. Breakfast and dinner are self-managed, using food available in the house and preparing it independently. The same applies to weekends: meals are usually self-managed, but if we happen to be together, it is always a pleasure to eat and share meals as a family.
In the kitchen, volunteers will also have the chance to cook alongside grandmother Bianca, learning traditional Italian recipes, and to experiment with international dishes, creating a fun and meaningful cultural exchange.
What else ...
We want our home to be a calm and relaxed environment, where everyone feels comfortable and tensions can be eased. We value mutual respect—for the house, for each other, and for our daily routines. Volunteers are asked to be considerate, tidy, and mindful of shared spaces, helping to maintain a peaceful atmosphere.
During their free time, volunteers can explore Sannicola, a charming small town with friendly locals, small shops, cafes, and local markets. The surrounding area offers plenty of opportunities for nature walks, bike rides, and exploring the countryside. The coast and beaches of the Ionian Sea are only a short drive away, as well as nearby towns like Gallipoli, which are great for sightseeing, local culture, and traditional cuisine.
Transport around the area exists, but it is not very well organized.
Transport around the area is easiest by car. Volunteers who have a driver’s license can use a car to reach nearby towns and beaches, and bicycles are great for exploring Sannicola and its surroundings.
We hope that volunteers will enjoy their free time, whether it’s relaxing at home, connecting with nature, or discovering the local culture, always with the sense of respect and serenity that we try to maintain in our family home.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Our house is suitable for volunteers who may need to work remotely or study, as there are quiet and comfortable spaces where you can set up a laptop and focus. The first floor, where volunteers have their private bedroom, also includes shared spaces that can be used as a work area if needed. While most of the work around the house is flexible and can be scheduled around your own tasks, we ask for good communication and time management, especially for activities like cooking or helping in the garden, so that everyone’s schedule can be coordinated smoothly. We aim to provide a peaceful and organized environment, making it possible to balance volunteering tasks with remote work or study, while still being part of family life and sharing meals or moments together.
Space for parking camper vans
There is usually space to park a camper or motorhome in front of or near the house. Please note that this is not a private or dedicated parking area, but parking is generally possible.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
My animals / pets
Gigio
Sakemy
Eva
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