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6 Jul 2025
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Description
Welcome to my villa in Umbria - with a panorama you'll never forget!
We're all about 'place'...genius loci that's what I fell in love with some +20 years ago when I bought and rebuilt this historic stone farmhouse 1 hour from Rome and 20 min from Orvieto, Umbria. I rebuilt this historic stone farmhouse and restored the abandoned olive groves and planted more to have a 1 ha. organic olive farm from which we produce excellent EEVO .
From my farmhouse you will wake up every morning to breathtaking views over the Tiber River and the WWF Oasis natural park- a paradise for nature lovers, bird watchers & photographers and anyone who wants to reconnect with peace and Nature. The villa has a private pool, antique trees , a garden and a calm, welcoming atmosphere. The property sits on a 'mesa' surrounded by olive groves, wheat fields, green hills (macchia mediterranea) and a castle and you can walk just 1 km to the nearby town of Guardea where there's everything (except shopping malls) and public transport to Orvieto & Rome.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
Interests
Politics / Social justice
Sustainability
Culture
Self development
Farming
Books
Hiking
Yoga / Wellness
Dancing
Water sports
DIY & crafts
History
Plant care
Music
Photography
Languages
Gardening
Cooking & food
Art & design
Carpentry
Drawing & painting
Architecture
Nature
Sailing / Boating
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Local Connections
We are in walking distance from Guardea where you can find just about everything and like all small towns, everyone knows everyone, including me. There are people of all ages who frequent the town center pizza/pastry/coffee shops and the sagras in the piazza.
Below is the WWF Oasis of Alviano, well known for migratory birds it is frequented by numerous wildlife photographers as they have special observatory cabins.
Our local guide Elena Venturi organizes Trekking Monti Amerini outings which are full of local history in Italian.
Meal Preparing and Sharing Italian Style
BBQ's and pot luck dinners are the way I keep in touch with our numerous nearby hilltop town friends. Some come to even play our piano or we have a round of billiards. This year we will also be visting (here and there) with my friend and her lovely helpers at a nearby winemaker near Todi.
Knowledge
Originally I'm from Los Angeles where I studied Architecture but I have travelled all my life and lived, worked & learned; Italian, French, Portughese and forgot my German (second language) . I have been designing (problem solving) and building in all of these countries with different techniques.
I've lived in this area for many years and other parts of Italy since 1985 so I am well inserted into the culture...
...and Skills
Design, drawing, sketching, photography,
Embroidery, quilting
Canning and making jams,
I love to cook, especially for people.
Olives...I have taken several courses of pruning olive trees since 2004 and lately took a year long course to become a sommelier of extra virgin olive oil.
Since 2013 I have been learning and maintaining our property first hand.
Sharing others' stories, experiences, language, even recipes is a way of learning their culture while making new friends who might even enjoy returning.
Help
It's wonderful living in this little paradise - but keeping up with everything can be a challenge! I'm looking for someone who can give me a hand with:
- Occasional help around the property gathering olive trimmings
-Pool upkeep (I'll show you how, no worries if you've never done it before)
-Light garden care - I need to upgrade my composting and prepare future garden so permaculture knowledge is highly appreciated
- Occasional General house maintenance and cleaning
-Depending on the olive harvest (Oct) you could be helping harvesting olives
Nothing too heavy or challenging - I just need a willing hand and someone who appreciates a calm, nature rich lifestyle.
What you'll experience here:
Staying here is not just about helping - it's about living. We're in the heart of Umbria, surrounded by small Etruscan & medieval towns, historic villages and stunning landscapes. In your free time you can explore places like Orvieto, Civita di Bagnoregio, Todi, Assisi, Spoleto, Viterbo, Bomarzo...the list is long.
I also like to spend time with my friends and often organize little dinners, sunset aperitifs or weekend outings - you'd be more than welcome to join! Whether it's a BBQ under the stars, a wine tasting with local friends or a visit to a sheep cheese maker, there's always something going on.
You'll have the chance to immerse yourself in the pool, in non tourist/rural Italian life, slow down, enjoy the rythm of the countryside and be surrounded by beauty - natural, cultural and culinary.
What I offer:
-A comfortable room in a villa with a shared or private bathroom depending on the season
-Delicious meals, (I love cooking and we could cook together if you like!)
-If you are here for the olive harvest you will also be going with me to the frantoio and learning about how EVOO is made, and the best part...tasting!
-A peaceful and inspiring environment
-Free time to explore our three regions which we border (Umbria, Lazio, Tuscany) or simply relax by the pool
-Warm company and real cultural exchange.
-A very peaceful and laid back old border collie who is my shadow.
If you are friendly, open and respectful and you enjoy both solitude and good company, I think you'd feel right at home here.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
French: Intermediate
Portuguese: Intermediate
German: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
I can help you with your English and Italian
Accommodation
For the past twenty years I have been renting out our place as a vacation rental, receiving 5 stars for our hospitality and place. This summer we will remain closed and you will be staying in one of the available suites on the first floor or second floor (above the 'public' ground floor). You will have a bedroom with antique armoir and an ensuite bathroom adjacent to a shared living space. We provide bedding and towels however you will be responsible for washing them and keeping your area clean.
Our utilities in Italy are very expensive so we are very aware of our consumption of electricty, gas and water which is scarce and a blessing. We do not have air conditiioning.
I provide meals made of simple, healthy , km0/local grown food. If you have allergies or a special diet please let me know beforehand.
What else ...
Please take off shoes to go upstairs into the living spaces as they are hardwood floors which don't do well with outside footwear.
No smoking inside the house.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
My animals / pets
Pepe (14 years)
Pepe is a Border Collie.
