Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
6 Mar 2025
Reply rate
73.7 %
Usually responds within 10 days
Feedback
7
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Badges (2)
Details
Description
Ciao! We are an open-minded German-Italian family: Tine (mom), Elisa (daughter), Luca (son) and Rufus (dog). We have a 3ha land on the south slope of mount Etna- Europe's highest active vulcano- out of which we are creating an off-grid community space in a self-sufficient manner. Our place is called Time ago it was a vibrant, colourful space in which my parents brought people together for concerts, donkey tours around the Etna. The last 20 years we lived in Germany and now we moved back to work full-time with our hands and heart on the project.
The place has a high-spirited energy, 1400 m above sea level with a beautiful view on the ocean, the city of Catania that glitters at night and an incredible view to the craters of the vulcano, that you don't have anywhere else on the island. A romantic mountain hut and bungalows, mediterranian plants, animals (we have a huge diversity of butterflies. all colors!) , black and red lava stones.
It is a safe and calm space in nature and for those suffering from the heat: one of the coolest places of Sicily, due to the height and shade of the pine trees. Our vision for the future is to have a multicultural, community space where we grow our own food and host workshops, concerts and other conscious, nature-centered events.
We are exited to get to know you!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Sicily is full of treasures, history, culture, people, nature and food. We can share with you our knowledge about Mamma Etna, the sicilian cuisine and as we were growing up with both- the Sicilian and German mentality.
We are happy to give you local tips and recommendations which places visit, which beaches to go and what to eat in Sicily. Together with us we will have minimum traditonal Sicilian meal per day.
We have lots of space for activities of your choice. In your freetime you can relax or read in the hammocks, slackline or go for hike. There are plenty of hiking paths and a beautiful excursion area close by. (For a multiple day hike there are also huts in which you can stay the night for free).
On our terrain we also have , a cave, or better: a lava tunnel from 1983 that you can visit.
We are located directly on the south slope mount Etna on 1400m, 10 km away from the cable car station
(Funivia dell'Etna Sud) that will take you to the craters of the vulcano. From there you can even get as close as you have never been on an active vulcano.
If you like sports and heights we have two parks: a climbing park and a high rope forest adventure park a few minutes driving away. You can also lend mountain bikes at Refugio Manfrè close by.
The closest village Nicolosi, also called "Porta del Etna" (the door to the Etna) is a lively, vibrant village at the foot of the volcano (12 minutes away by car) that attracts many tourists (Italian and international) all year round. In summer there is a full program, offering many events, concerts, open air cinema and fashion shows. Many good restaurants, bars and an active nightlife. A must try in Sicily is pistacchio ice cream, cannoli, arancini.. and the list goes on for many more culinary delicacies.
Help
Do you love nature and want to support us on the daily tasks like feeding the chicken, cooking family meals, washing the dishes and gardening? Ideally you bring some knowledge and previous experience in construction and/or carpentry. We are looking for creative brains, out-of the-box-thinkers and practical hands that help us build with wood, building a compost toilet, outdoor beets, a pavilion, tables and furniture from recycled material, a chickenhouse, herb spiral etc.
Also knowledge in permaculture is highly appreciated as from this year on we are planning to grow our our veggies and herbs.
You should also like to interact with people, as we often have guests and host big dinners with family and friends.
In a nutshell, if you have an open-mind, are easy going, communicative, would like to get your hands dirty, don't expect too much luxury and want to experience alternative living on our vulcano to help us co-create our self-sufficient community and bring your ideas in, whilst learning about Sicilian and German culture we are a match. :-)
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
French: Intermediate
Dutch: Intermediate
Portuguese: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
Interested in learning French and Portugiese. We can help you learn Italian and German, in the past we played games like memory, "Kücken suchen" etc. with our previous workawayers as a fun language learning session.
Accommodation
Our place is simple but beautiful. We have outdoor toilets and showers. Our fridge is a lava cave. To sleep we have plenty of space in the shade and provide you with a tend with awning and bedding. You can of course also come with your self-sufficient camper van. Sleeping in the house, or in one of the three bungalows is also an option. You are immersed in the natural reserve " Parco dell' Etna" and will sleep under an incredible shining night sky and the purest air, you will also hear a lot of unique animal sounds, birds singing, crickets chirping etc.
We have limited wifi (70 GB), there is phone- and 4G internet connection (Italian SIM cards are very cheap, you get 100 GB for 10 Euros per month). So far we bring our drinking water- which is melted ice from the top of the mountain- from a fountain from the closest Nicolosi, but we have a big water reservoir that provides water for showering and washing plates.
What else ...
Many cool places are reachable within short driving distance. There is public transport from Nicolosi to the Etna. Nice if you have a car, otherwise -no problem, we can also pick you up and if available also organise you a bike. Biking is very popular and a great training with stunning views to the Catania and the Sea.
We have plenty of space for Campervans.
We are looking forward to meet you and and have a wonderful time togehter :-)
Sunny greatings from our island,
Tine, Elisa, Luca & Rufus
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
Any size is welcome, we have plenty of space
Can possibly accept pets
Our fluffly friend is called Rufus. He is 3y old and is friendly to all humans and mostly to all other dogs. Feel free to bring him a friend.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (6)
The work is diverse - depending on what's needed - (cutting wood,… read more
They’re all super nice, lovely, funny and open people and I felt immediately a part of the family.
They showed us a lot of beautiful places and where always engaged to show us the typical Sicilian culture, traditions, food… 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:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
The work is diverse - depending on what's needed - (cutting wood,… read more
They’re all super nice, lovely, funny and open people and I felt immediately a part of the family.
They showed us a lot of beautiful places and where always engaged to show us the typical Sicilian culture, traditions, food… read more
I felt at home immediately , after one minute to have knew them.
They provided me everything that they have. Excelent food , highest quality everytime , new stuffs to do camping and always available to take you everywhere.
We were helping with a bunch of travellers , forming… read more
