Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
27 Oct 2025
Reply rate
82.4 %
Usually responds within 9 days
Feedback
29
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
Events, festivals, courses, bio-building, creative construction, gardening and community by volcano Etna, Italy
Since 2019 a small group of friends has been based in an isolated area, in the Alcantara Valley, by the suggestive medieval village of Castiglione di Sicilia, under the Etna volcano.
We are rebuilding an ancient villa from the 1800s, organizing cultural events, and being a hub for creativity and culture in the valley of the Alcantara River. Immersed in nature we work hard to further our goal of creating an artistic community, self-sufficient, eco-sustainable and creative. We work a lot with reclaimed materials and we organize courses to spread knowledge on herbs, natural food and agriculture, building in eco-sustainable ways, music, and much more.
We are looking for long-term volunteers with skills in all kind of buildings and plumbers, hard workers or just people full of energy and ready to learn and get responsibilities in a multifaceted cultural, agricultural and construction project. You will be working in a stimulating environment with plenty of young, international volunteers.
We normally know volunteers for about 10 days and after we confirm the stay for a minimum one month.
A common dormitory is available but tent stay is also possible, we have room for campers and vans.
We take care of about 3 hectares: a vegetable garden, aromatic plants and many varieties of trees to pick, to plant and take care. We do preserves, dry food, natural cosmetics, hospitality, events sometimes beekeeping, screen printing and much more. It's a non-profit community.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR LONG-TERM VOLUNTEERS ONLY
(depending on which project we have to do, read above).
Minimum 2 weeks - up to 1/2 months
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Videography
Vegetarian or vegan
Self development
Sustainability
Farming
LGBTQ
Events & social
Culture
Music
Plant care
Photography
Languages
Performing arts
Gardening
Drawing & painting
Carpentry
Cooking & food
DIY & crafts
Books
Art & design
Animals
Dancing
Camping
Nature
Outdoor activities
Hiking
Cycling
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will learn about country life, permaculture, Sicilian culture, food production, Italian language and culture, self-construction, gardening
Help
A type of help that is always requested is the one to take care of the house, clean and organize the common spaces, cook lunches and dinners.
The other activities changes a lot depending on the time of the year. It can be fruit and olive harvesting, food production, screenprinting, diy and restoration projects, gardening, events and workshop organization ( set up, dorm prep, performance, decorating) and much more!
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
French: BeginnerThis 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
Bed in dormitory
Tent
We have space to welcome campers and vans
What else ...
Our place is in the middle of the countryside between Francavilla di Sicilia and Castiglione di Sicilia. 2km from Francavilla. Around here there is so much to see, visit and enjoy. 300metres from Alcantara river! Not very easy solutions with public transports but connected with Catania, Fontanarossa Airport.
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
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Niru
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (24)
We've also had so many wonderful times, with meals, musical evenings and soft moments… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.4)
We've also had so many wonderful times, with meals, musical evenings and soft moments… read more
The work is varied, and you help out about 5 hours a day with tasks like gardening or construction. They’re doing… read more
I spent a month helping with olive harvest, making chocolate cream, sorting and tasting nuts, self made olive oil, oranges, pomegrades, mushrooms and much more, learning about local food and… read more
Tutte le persone che la abitano sono entrate nel mio cuore. Ho potuto partecipare alla raccolta delle olive, al laboratorio di serigrafia, all'organizzazione degli eventi. È un ambiente dinamico, se vi piace essere sempre in movimento e in mezzo alle persone non rimarrete… read more
We got to do some really nice construction projects and got the… read more
Maybe easier with some notions in italien. Thanks again for everything :)
Thank you for having me!
I had some difficulties because of the language. I don't speak italian and many times I did not know what's going on or could not catch up or join in to conversations. But I learned a lot, not only italian, but about the plants, animals, life. Taking part in festivals'… read more
Grande Zara!!
I stayed here for five weeks, and experienced so much I’m not sure where to start… I arrived just in time to prepare for the big festival, which was so much fun. I made many beautiful friendships, did many, many diverse things, saw incredible places in the valley and beyond, listened to the best music.… read more
In questo bel progetto i lavori da fare ci sono tantissimi in quanto alla varietà, noi principalmente abbiamo fatto lavori in legno, di… read more
Sometime you will go helping Pipo (Friend) in his beautiful and amazing house !
Have good time !
