Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
17 Apr 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
16
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Details
Description
Workaway availability from April Sunday 7th - Saturday 4th May 2024 & October Mon 7th - Friday 1st Nov '24
We have been hosting now for over a year with many wonderful groups of helpers from different cultures and the mix proved to be really successful with a great upbeat atmosphere and we hope to repeat that for this year.
We listened and learnt a lot that will help us to continually improve our level of hosting. We have been renovating our family home, an old mill built in 1734, keeping all of the original artefacts and history that comes with the property, for the last 5 years on our own and it is a real labour of love.
We love for friends and family to enjoy with us the unique ambience & tranquillity of this amazing location and feel we have a welcome base now to also extend this to Workaways from different cultures to help us continuously improve other areas of the mill and it's beautiful surroundings; sharing stories and experiences and helping us with jobs to improve the mill.
We are a family of 4 with a combination of nationalities: Italian, Dutch & Irish. English speakers with 2 sons: 19yrs & 9yrs and 2 Large friendly soft dogs: Dorothy & Phoebe.
We are easy going and happy to impart our professional knowledge from being a Builder & Professional Chef, so meals are always good! 😉 We are looking forward to hosting easy going, trust-worthy & upbeat travellers. We are in a small mountain environment which hosts numerous carnivals and fiestas etc which the whole community participate in. There is a strong soul food culture with countless options to sample the stunning local produce at various events.
Property Description:
Beautiful ancient mill in woodland on the banks of the Sessia River, Italian Alps, Piedmont
Of the 7 floors, 4 floors provide comfortable accommodation, with hot running water, full kitchen & bathrooms. Helpers accommodation received another upgrade this year with a new shower room in addition to the outside compost toilet and large lounge / games room, with TV, sofas, table tennis, pool table & darts. Please remember it is still a renovation project and lots more to do.
The property is nestled right up to the river, with a stream at the side, kayaking river at the bottom and a large natural private swimming lake of water on the right of our garden.
Location:
We are within walking distance between 2 little villages, we have a couple of alimentari [deli’s] restaurants and cafes with lots of walks from our doorstep.
Our nearest town, Varallo [10 mins in the car or local bus] is steeped in history, being a city of art with the UNESCO Sacra-Monte and museums, numerous supermarkets, cafes & restaurants which holds festivals and community events.
Alagna Mountain Resort – part of the Monte-Rosa, is 35 mins by car/local bus
Lake Orta is 35 mins by car
Milan & Turin - 1 hour 15 mins by car. Also train connections
Types of help and learning opportunities
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We are easy going and happy to impart our professional knowledge from being a Builder & Professional Chef, so meals are always good! There is a cooking rota in pairs for the evening meal.
Strong ties in the local mountain community with many local and international friends popping by.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
To help with several roles:
Gardening
General Housework/Cooking & Cleaning
Manual help – cutting, clearing, digging etc
Carpentry
Plumbing
Electrics
Painting
Glazing
Tiling
Tutoring
Sewing/upholstry
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Italian: Beginner
Accommodation
Accommodation:
Fresh white cotton linen and towels provided, no beach towels, please bring your own.
Separate floor and outside access for workers, with views to the forest & river, a separate communal lounge with TV, pool table, table tennis & darts with access to beverage facilities to make tea & coffee. 3 bedrooms: 1 bunk beds with a single & 2 twin/doubles, all with river views and own access for male & female rooms with separate shower room from hosts, in addition to the compost toilet area. Meals are all home cooked had on the sun-kissed terrace when warm.
Amenities:
Breakfast, Morning Break, Lunch & Dinner provided, with a glass of wine.
Separate workers lounge: TV, table tennis, pool table & darts with sofas
Washing machine & drying lines
Hairdryer available
Strong Wi-Fi/ Internet access
2 bikes are available to use.
What else ...
We are within walking distance between 2 little villages, we have a couple of alimentari [deli’s] restaurants and cafes with lots of walks from our doorstep.
Our nearest town, Varallo [10 mins in the car or local bus] is steeped in history, being a city of art with the UNESCO Sacra-Monte and museums, numerous supermarkets, cafes & restaurants which holds festivals and community events.
Alagna Mountain Resort – part of the Monte-Rosa, is 35 mins by car/local bus
Lake Orta is 35 mins by car
Milan & Turin - 1 hr 15 mins by car. Also train connections
Activities:
Walking, a host of water sports including white water rafting, kayaking, hydro speed & canyoning, mountain Climbing, Mountain Biking etc
So sorry, but no vegans - vegetarians welcome! 🙂
Mainly vegetarian menu, with meat a couple of times a week at lunchtimes.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Very good Internet connection.
Space for parking camper vans
Large covered parking area available
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week. Mon- Fri 8.00-13.15
Feedback (8)
Feedback
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:
(5.0)
Really fun time and great hiking trails all around. Unfortunately the bus… read more
He was very keen to help with cooking and eager to learn.
Tom first helped with insulating the ceiling with plasterboard then learnt how to sand the floors, which he said was very satisfying and happy to continue for the rest of the week.
Tom entertained us as a… read more
The beauty of… read more
They got on with everyone at the mill and loved to… read more
They approach every job with enthusiasm and really care that they do a good job. They take the time to really understand what is expected of them before they start gaining clarification on the specifics and always wanting to get it right, never shying away from work, were extremely polite and treated our home… read more
