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Stay at our mountain art house and have fun with clay and ceramics on the slopes of Mount Penice, Menconico, Italy

  • Last activity : 30 Jan 2026

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    Host rating

    100 %

  • Last replied

    Last replied

    29 Jan 2026

  • Reply rate

    Reply rate

    100.0 %

    Usually responds within 5 days

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    Feedback

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  • Email verified

    Email verified

Country info

If you are not an EU Citizen and planning to visit Italy to work, volunteer or study, YOU WILL NEED THE CORRECT VISA. To find out more information please contact the embassy in your home country BEFORE travelling.

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Availability

  2026 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    I’m Giorgio, I’m 50 years old, and I live in Italy in the upper Staffora Valley, on the slopes of Mount Penice, in the municipality of Menconico.
    Our house is surrounded by greenery, and we have about one hectare of land. On the property there is an active artisanal ceramics studio; we host artists and ceramics enthusiasts for courses or artist residencies. If you’re interested in art and ceramics, you’ll be able to enjoy working with clay in your free time.
    I (Giorgio) am a ceramist and teacher, and part of the space is managed by Cecca, who uses it for hospitality and tourism.
    During the summer season, Sara and Zoe are also here — they are 26 and 22 years old.
    The area is rich in wildlife: roe deer, wild boar, foxes, wolves, and more.

    Sono Giorgio, ho 50 anni, vivo in Italia in alta Valle Staffora alle pendici del monte Penice nel comune di Menconico.
    La casa è immersa nel verde e ha circa un ettaro di terreno, nella proprietà è presente e attivo un laboratorio di ceramica artigianale; ospitiamo artisti e amanti della ceramica per corsi o residenze d'artista; se ti interessa l'arte e la ceramica potrai divertirti a lavorare l'argilla durante il tuo tempo libero.
    Io(Giorgio) sono un ceramista e insegnante, parte dello spazio è gestito da Cecca che lo utilizza per l'ospitalità e il turismo.
    Durante la stagione estiva ci sono anche Sara e Zoe che hanno 26 e 22 anni.
    La zona è ricca di animali selvatici; caprioli, cinghiali, volpi, lupi, ecc.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Language practice
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    We like to meet people of different nationalities, to work and relate in an open, natural and artistic context. If you are interested in art and ceramics you will have the opportunity to use the laboratory and follow the cycle of ceramic processing. You will be able to learn Italian, follow the rhythm of nature and learn some construction techniques using raw earth and recycled materials.

    Ci piace conoscere persone di nazionalità diverse, lavorare e relazionarsi in un contesto aperto, naturale e artistico.
    Se ti interessa l'arte e la ceramica avrai la possibilità di utilizzare il laboratorio per divertirti manipolando l'argilla e osservando il ciclo della lavorazione della ceramica.
    Se sei interessato ad approfondire l'argomento, chiedi in anticipo, ti posso organizzare dei corsi specifici.
    Potrai imparare l'italiano, seguire il ritmo della natura e apprendere alcune tecniche di costruzione utilizzando terra cruda e materiali di recupero.

  • Help

    Help

    The suitable figures are people of all ages and genders with a minimum of experience in life in the countryside, smiling, active and with a good spirit of adaptation. - gardening and management of green spaces (cleaning, garden care, arrangement and organization of spaces, planting plants, collecting and stacking wood, creating fences. - Cooking - Art and environmental art projects. - Help in the realization of works in self-construction of small and large carpentry and joinery - Help in the care and management of animals (a dog, three cats, two chickens)

    Le figure adatte sono persone di ogni età e genere con un minimo di esperienza nella vita in campagna, sorridenti, attivi e con un buon spirito di adattamento.
    - lavori di giardinaggio e gestione degli spazi verdi ( pulizia, cura dell'orto, sistemazione e organizzazione spazi, piantare piante ,raccolta e accatastamento della legna, creazione recinzioni.
    - Cucinare
    - Progetti artistici e di arte ambientale.
    - Aiuto nella realizzazione di opere in autocostruzione di piccola e grande carpenteria e falegnameria
    - Aiuto nella cura e gestione degli animali ( un cane, tre gatti, due galline)

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    French: Fluent
    Italian: Fluent
    English: Intermediate

    This 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

    Accommodation

    You will be placed in different contexts according to the season in which you will come; during the summer season you will have a tent with everything you need for the night, in the colder season you will be accommodated in a caravan equipped with everything you need. You will have a bathroom with shower and a shared kitchen. As for meals: if you have no food problems or allergies, you will eat what we usually cook (we eat a bit of everything, generally organic products from the network of small local producers). Otherwise we will be able to provide you with a series of foods and you will manage the preparation of meals. Generally we do not accept families with children and if you have dogs, ask first if it is possible to bring them.

    Sarai sistemata/o in diversi contesti in base alla stagione nella quale verrai;
    durante la stagione estiva avrai a disposizione una tenda con tutto il necessario per la notte, nella stagione più fredda sarai in una roulotte attrezzata con tutto quel che ti può servire.
    Avrai a disposizione un bagno con doccia e una cucina in condivisione.
    Per quanto riguarda i pasti: se non hai problemi o allergie alimentari mangerai quello che solitamente cuciniamo noi (mangiamo un po' di tutto, generalmente prodotti biologici provenienti dalla rete di piccoli produttori locali).
    Altrimenti ti potremo mettere a disposizione una serie di alimenti e ti gestirai tu la preparazione dei pasti.
    Generalmente non accettiamo famiglie con bambini e se avete cani al seguito chiedere prima se è possibile portarli.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    The area is mountainous, we are about 800 m high; from here there are several paths to be covered on foot, we are on the edge of the natural park of Monte Alpe. The Via del Sale, a famous mule track used in antiquity to transport salt from Genoa to here, passes here in the area. The valley adjacent to ours is the Trebbia valley where the beautiful and renowned town of Bobbio is located and where the Trebbia river flows; with unforgettable and wild views where you can cool off and swim in the summer. We have no shops, bars or other businesses here; the nearest town (7km) is Varzi where you can find all the necessary services (shops, bank, post office, hospital), there are some buses that pass but the times are not very good, however we often get off in Varzi and we can organize ourselves for accompany you. Certainly having the possibility to come with a car helps a lot in getting around. Milan and Genoa are approximately an hour away by public transport.

    La zona e di montagna, siamo sugli 800 m di altezza; da qui si snodano parecchi sentieri da percorrere a piedi, siamo al limitare del parco naturale del monte Alpe.
    La via del Sale, famoso percorso per mulattieri utilizzato in antichità per trasportare il sale da Genova a qui, passa qui in zona.
    La valle adiacente alla nostra è la val Trebbia dove si trova la bellissima e rinomata cittadina di Bobbio e dove scorre il fiume Trebbia; con scorci indimenticabili e selvaggi dove rinfrescarsi e nuotare nelle bella stagione.
    Non abbiamo negozi, bar o altre attività commerciali qui; il paese più vicino(7km) è Varzi dove trovare tutti i servizi necessari ( negozi, banca, posta, ospedale), ci sono alcuni bus che passano ma gli orari non sono molto buoni, comunque noi scendiamo spesso a Varzi e ci potremo organizzare per accompagnarti.
    Sicuramente avere la possibilità di venire con un auto aiuta molto negli spostamenti.
    Milano e Genova si trovano a circa un'ora di viaggio con i mezzi.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    We have space for little vans like ww or Ducato

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    One

  • My animals / pets

    My animals / pets

Host ref number: 418686298285

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Photos

Three round ceramic vases with blue, pink, and white marbled patterns sit on a wooden table, bathed in warm sunlight, creating artistic, organic beauty.
The image features a close-up of tall, dark grass silhouetted against a vibrant yellow sky, with the grass occupying the left side of the frame.
The image depicts a person standing behind a metal cabinet, with their arm extended to open the door, which features Chinese characters and a handle on the right side.
Two round, ceramic vases with abstract black and orange patterns sit on a brown tiled surface. The background features a light reddish brick wall. Artistic decor.
The image features a tall, narrow ceramic vase on a black pedestal, accompanied by a rectangular wall hanging with abstract designs, set against a white wall background.
A man with gray hair and a scarf is sitting outdoors on a wooden deck, leaning on two large, decorated clay pots. Leafless tree behind.
The image depicts a tree trunk and branches set against a clear blue sky, with the tree\'s bark appearing light gray and the branches bare of leaves.
The image depicts a cluttered shelf with various ceramic pieces, including vases and bowls, in different stages of completion, awaiting firing in a kiln.
The image shows a collection of unglazed ceramic items, including bowls and vases, arranged on a table or shelf, with a neutral background and no people or animals present.
The image features a vibrant blue ceramic pot with a spout, containing a small cactus with numerous green stems and white spines, set against a blurred background.
The image depicts a serene winter scene, featuring a snow-covered landscape with a frozen lake, trees, and a small village, evoking a sense of tranquility and peacefulness.
The image depicts a potted plant with long, thin green leaves, surrounded by other plants, set against a backdrop of a wooden fence and a grassy area. The scene is likely a garden or yard.
The image depicts a family of four, including two adults and two children, sitting on a deck with a cat, dog, and chickens, surrounded by potted plants and a serene mountainous backdrop.
The image depicts a serene landscape featuring a river with a gentle flow, surrounded by lush greenery, and a clear sky, evoking a sense of tranquility and natural beauty.

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