Tuscan village revival project based on the principle of sharing in Tuscany, Italy

Italy

Favourited 587 times

Host rating
Feedback
70
Last activity
08/04/2021
Reply rate
96.2 %
Average reply time:
within 7 days
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Availability

2021

Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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What's this?

Details

Description
Hi I am Raymondo an English guy living in Italy and that is my dog Sibi, a Russian princess in canine format. I own a site here I want to use as the seed plot for the regrowth of community, international, planet-friendly and cooperative. Our place is in a small village surrounded by abandoned fields and houses in a quiet corner of Tuscany. We are looking for idealists to help re-make or repair the world, a process the Zohar calls 'TIKKUN' or fixing the shattered vessels of existence. If you agree the world needs some serious repair and that we should craft more sustainable, local-based lifestyles based on love and solidarity between people, respecting the land and all creatures get in touch. We need you and the planet needs you.. I'd like to invite volunteers of all ages, singles, couples and people with children to share our space and contribute their skills and energy. We value practical and artistic skills to beautify our home as well as the usual things like cooking, garden work, tidying-up and so on. If you are looking for somewhere to make a possible ongoing commitment to all the better. Our long-term goal is to help re-populate this beautiful stone village and return abandoned lands to cultivation in a self-sufficiency direction. Children very welcome. Our slogan is 'Heal the land, heal yourself'.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Babysitting and creative play
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Farmstay help
Help with Eco Projects
Help around the house
Animal Care
Language practice
Art Projects
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
UN sustainablity goals this host is trying to achieve
...
...
What's this?
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We are part of village life so you can interact with friendly people and learn about new and old ways of living in the Italian countryside. We have an on-going history and art project to illustrate and research the the place which includes a 12th Century watchtower, a cave used by the Roman Mithras cult and part of the Roman road to Rimini used for carrying salt (Via Salis). You can conveniently visit many of Italy's 'Art Cities' from here such as Anghiari, Urbino, Gubbio, Perugia and nearby Sansepolcro.
Help
As we are in large rural buildings, and have some land and trees to look after any help is welcome. It would be great if you could go down to the local markets and do some shopping and help look after our animals, a Borzoi dog and a long haired cat, brushing and taking for walks. PLEASE BRING STRONG SHOES OR BOOTS FOR WORKING AND WALKING IN THE WOODLANDS.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
Yiddish: Fluent
Catalan: Intermediate
German: Intermediate
Portuguese: 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
You will be able to stay in the Casa della Musica or the old Tower (not haunted), the caravan or camp out in our private wood. We will share meals where possible.
What else ...
If you are accepted as a volunteer please confirm every two weeks you are coming as some volunteers don't tell us if their plans have changed.

We trust you to bring something amazing and have your own ideas on how to help us offer our friends and visitors more and to advance the cause of sustainable aware and joyful living. Animal nuts are especially welcome and happy here because apart from our companions there are always wild creatures around from porcupines to wild boars to deer and the birds that light up the air. UPDATE SUMMER 2020 we want someone to make a documentary or just clips about this place, its history our goals.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Currently our wifi is good mobile internet, works for most things but its not unlimited or very fast!
Space for parking camper vans
any size campervan can be accomodated
Can possibly accept pets
We have a friendly calm dog and three cats used to dogs so you can bring a calm dog.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Photos

The Tower Complex

La Polenta fatta da Clara, una volontaria bravissima

the forest path, part of the ongoing art project about the towerland

Raymondo and Sibi at nearby Castello

Old House and Tower

Show all photos

Sibi the Borzoi is in charge of volunteers

our village

a guest bedroom

nearby town

Feedback left by and about host (70)

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile:
(4.7)

Cultural exchange:
(4.9)

Communication:
(5.0)

22/02/2021

Left by host for Workawayer (Agnese)

Agnes is a hard and skillful worker with many practical and human skills.

(Excellent )

09/02/2021

Left by host for Workawayer (Teréz)

Tereza is a kind and practical young woman. Very good at organising things and places as well as being a strong fieldworker.

(Excellent )

11/10/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Rosa)

Rosa is a helpful and very nice person and doesn't need to be told what to do, just gets on with things.

(Excellent )

11/10/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Juliane)

Julianne did a beautiful mural painting for us. She is also an able cook and enthusiastic general helper.

(Excellent )

10/10/2020

Left by Workawayer (Ronja) for host

Had a great time with Ray! Love the house and the tower! Love the dog and the good company! I would recommend (as I did) to stay with a partner or just more people, because it gets quiet very fast (which also can be very calming:))
The area around the house is also very beautiful and the work wasn’t that hard! All around : It was great!!!

(Excellent )

06/10/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Ronja)

Ronja is hard working and led the organisation of the household during her stay even though she is quite young. She tackled different tasks with enthusiasm and her English is very good and she's a friendly, communicative person.

(Excellent )

30/09/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Valeria)

Una giovane donna simpatica e operosa. Bravissima con tutto e tutti, incluso nostro cane.

(Excellent )

17/09/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Alice)

Una donna giovane simpatica e brava, capace di fare tante cose molto bene...

(Excellent )

11/09/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Dorottya)

Dori is a very capable and hard-working young woman who gets on with stuff 'with a will'. An excellent volunteer to have around.

(Excellent )

22/08/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Daniele & Maddalena)

A TALENTED AND ENGAGING PAIR WHO WORKED HARD FOR US AND WERE GOOD FUN.

(Excellent )

22/08/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Alessia)

Alessia is a nice young woman who socialised well and did some great photo sequences for us as well as some tasty cooking

(Excellent )

17/08/2020

Left by Workawayer (daiva & Hereward) for host

Thank you Ray for a wonderful stay!
The area was just stunning with great hiking trails, old monasteries and rivers. Ray is a lovely English man, very knowledgeable and helpful. Work included weeding, cleaning, cooking, painting and building the compost toilet. Accomodation was great, had our own room with bathroom, kitchen with all the… read more

(Excellent )

16/08/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (daiva & Hereward)

Very lovely people who worked really hard and well on our jobs!

(Excellent )

04/11/2019

Left by Workawayer (Tanya) for host

I lived in this place for a month and it became a real home for me for that time. Ray, an intelligent, kind man with a good sense of humour, Sibi, a sensitive and vivacious dog, and a family of cats made the home atmosphere :)
The work isn't hard here - it's feeding cats, walking the dog and brushing her, gardening, cleaning and sometimes… read more

(Excellent )

31/10/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Tanya)

Tanya is both diligent and kind, hard-working, strong and resilient with a quiet charm. A very great person to host!

(Excellent )

31/10/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Edgars & Juta)

Great people, hard workers who enjoyed the outside tasks a lot. Intelligent and good company too! Juta does very good soups, highly recommended.

(Excellent )

30/10/2019

Left by Workawayer (Edgars & Juta) for host

Thank you Ray for these wonderful 2 weeks!
Place is amazing, very calm surrounding, Rays property consists of tower from 12th century and the house from approx same period, all restored, but with medieval feeling and cozy atmosphere. Near the house there is a old Roman way and Ray has stories to share about the village and surroundings.
We had… read more

(Excellent )

12/10/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Emilce Lorena)

Emi is capable and cooperative, warm and amusing, a good person to have around. Parla bene l'Italiano adesso!

(Excellent )

12/10/2019

Left by Workawayer (Emilce Lorena) for host

Sono stato nella casa di Ray per 2 settimane, la verità è che Ray è una persona molto gentile e divertente il lavoro è molto bello e il posto è un posto magico. Siby è una cagna molto buona e affettuosa le passeggiate con Siby attraverso la foresta sono state le cose più belle del mio soggiorno in Montagna.

Mi piacerebbe tornare quando fa più… read more

(Excellent )

10/09/2019

Left by Workawayer (Chloé & Andréa) for host

We spent a very nice week at Ray's place. Ray and the people of the village La Montagna are very warn and caring. We enjoyed gardening, cooking, and hiking with Sibi :) We would highly recommend this place.

(Excellent )

13/08/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Chloé & Andréa)

Great people and great cooks and general helpers. A pleasure to host them both.

(Excellent )

31/08/2019

Left by Workawayer (Luana Raissa) for host

Staying with Ray, Sibi and the cats has been a wonderfull experience. Overall the work was easy. Ray is very flexible with working hours, this allowed me to do beautiful hikes and meet other people from the village. This place, Montagna, is wonderfull if you like peace and quiet, and a life away from the cities. Getting from Montagna to… read more

(Excellent )

26/08/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Luana Raissa)

A hardworking young woman who speaks lots of languages and is a good cook too. Friendly and adaptable.

(Excellent )

06/08/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Cecilie & Christian)

A great family who helped a lot! Seriously skillful and energetic, hope to host them again one day.

(Excellent )

23/07/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Shana)

Shana is a friendly, kind and hard-working young woman. She is also a lot of fun to know.

(Excellent )

23/06/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Héloise)

Heloise is a good cook and landworker, quiet and easy to get on with. She is adaptable and has a good attitude as a volunteer.

(Excellent )

23/06/2019

Left by Workawayer (Héloise) for host

I enjoyed the week I spent in La Montagna. It's a charming and peaceful village where people know each other. Raymondo was very considerate to me. He showed me San Sepolcro, the town nearby, and go with me until the bus when I left. We sometimes have supper with neighbours. Sibi and the three cats are cute. It's a perfect place to volunteer if you… read more

(Excellent )

14/06/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Leah)

Info notice: Workawayer cancelled stay or there was a no show at the last minute

(No show)

01/05/2019

Left by Workawayer (Mathilde & Sylvain) for host

Ce fut une merveilleuse expérience que de passer ces quelques jours perchée sur cette montagne, jolie vue garantie au lever le matin ! Montagna est un endroit où règne cette ambiance magique des petits villages où tout le monde se connaît et où chaque porte est toujours ouverte...
La maison et la tour sont deux lieux bien authentiques et bien… read more

(Excellent )

01/05/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Mathilde & Sylvain)

Mathilde has a lot of feelgood personal magic, cooks with brio and panache and did good landwork and art for us! That's a lot. A great volunteer, knows a lot about potatoes too.

(Excellent )

01/05/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Eleazar & Lucila Silvia)

Una pareja muy amable, practica y gentil. Very helpful considerate people with lots of high quality skills, they helped me with fencing, electrics and mechanical things. Not the usual volunteers, very valuable people to have around. Viva Zapata!

(Excellent )

01/05/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Dana)

Dana is a great warm, thoughtful person. Very willing to tackle all tasks. Get her to cook you shuk-shukri a dish with eggs and tomatoes. An excellent teacher who so patiently helped me learn a bit of her mother tongue. She's one in a million!

(Excellent )

26/12/2018

Left by Workawayer (Nettie) for host

Martha and I spent an amazing 2 weeks here and wished we could have stayed longer! Accommodation is comfortable and work is varied and relaxed. I am now very much missing Sibi who is the most beautiful dog I have ever met!! The area itself is very scenic and there are loads of really lovely walks to be done in the mountains, and Ray also provided… read more

(Excellent )

11/12/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Nettie)

Nettie is an enthusiastic hard worker who did some very good land work for us.

(Excellent )

16/12/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Franziska)

Franziska is a charming person, speaks excellent English and is a great musical talent who will be delighted to entertain you with her singing and guitar. She can cook well and did useful yard and land work for us as well as animal care.

(Excellent )

07/12/2018

Left by Workawayer (Franziska) for host

Ray is a very empathic, generous and humorous person. I feel very lucky and thankful for this experience. It was great spending my time there with amazing and creative people, lovley animals and awesome nature. Thank you so much Ray!!!

(Excellent )

06/12/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Nina)

Nina is friendly and good-humoured and did some great mural work for us. She works quickly and without making problems and follows her brief carefully. So glad she came to us!

(Excellent )

04/12/2018

Left by Workawayer (Nina) for host

I had such a wonderful time here. Ray is awesome! If you want to get out of the city and experience something different and be surrounded by beautiful nature and animals and good people then I highly recommend it.

(Excellent )

11/11/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (martha)

Martha is polite, enthusiastic and helpful, ready to pitch in with whatever she's asked to do. Makes very good soup, did yard work and land-clearing for us as well as pet care. A great person to have around.

(Excellent )

04/11/2018

Left by Workawayer (Maria) for host

What a great stay in Montagna! Ray is a charismatic, generous man and his animals are other very pleasing presences who make the place altogether a lovely home on term. The volonteers are invited to invest their working time in what they think is the best contribution, according to one's skills and likes. I hope to come back soon :)

(Excellent )

08/09/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Maria)

You will find Maria to be a calming presence and she is also a great yoga instructor, cook and pianist. Very caring with people and other animals. More you could not ask for.

(Excellent )

30/10/2018

Left by Workawayer (Yulia) for host

Thanks Ray! it was unforgettable! We had a great fun team, we helped around the house, I mostly did care of animals, cooking and cleaning. Ray took care of us and our leisure time. We got acquainted with a cozy quiet life in an Italian village. Hills, forest, delicious food and conversations. I visited Rome, Florence, Perugia, Pisa, saw many… read more

(Excellent )

28/10/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Yulia)

A lovely person and a GREAT cook! Very kind and skilful with petcare too, always willing to help with everything and good-humoured and sociable too.

(Excellent )

29/10/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Thorarinn & Hjordis Yrr)

A lovely family to get to know. Thorarinnis a great fixer of things and a safe and consistent worker at rural tasks. He put in some lights for me too. Hjordis is very warm and friendly and capable and the kids are delightful and very well-behaved.

(Excellent )

29/10/2018

Left by Workawayer (Thorarinn & Hjordis Yrr) for host

We had a lovely time sleeping in the ancient tower, exploring the countryside and local wildlife, as well as chopping all the firewood we could get our hands on! The old buildings are amazing and Ray was very accomodating. The place is very rural and quiet, yet Sansepolcro is only a 15 min drive away. A very nice experience.

(Excellent )

28/10/2018

Left by Workawayer (Lauren) for host

Raymondo was a kind and gentle soul with an inquisitive mind, who does everything he can to make his Workawayers feel welcome and appreciated. The tasks were varied and easygoing, and not heavily structured...so if you prefer a relaxed and spontaneous pace of life, with plenty of breaks for food and wine and conversation, then this is the place… read more

(Very good )

25/09/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Lauren)

Lauren is hard-working and ready to tackle anything. She's a great vegan cook and did lots of food for me and the other volunteers.

(Excellent )

27/10/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Hanna)

An able, helpful and friendly person, talented and adaptable. What more could you ask for?

(Excellent )

25/09/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (marie & elia)

A nice young couple, energetic and helpful. Elias has some useful horticultural skills and is a great cook. Marie also helped with lots of tasks very willingly.

(Excellent )

13/09/2018

Left by Workawayer (Luisina) for host

This was my first time doing workaway and It was an amazing experience. The place is so beautiful and chill. Sibi the dog is lovely and playful. The tasks I did were watering the plants, take Sibi for a walk, I painted a sign for his house, cooking, cleaning. A good place to do hiking also! 0

(Excellent )

11/09/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Luisina)

Luisina is a great person, always happy to do stuff and very skilled with anything to do with painting and signwriting. Wonderful cook too and looked after our dog beautifully as well. She did us such a great sign for our buildings. Really a great and friendly workawayer, hasta la vista!

(Excellent )

28/08/2018

Left by Workawayer (Mihaela) for host

I had the best experience in Montagna. Ray is a great man, very funny and nice. I also had the opportunity to share my staying there with other volunteers which are really amazing people and to make friends with the locals. But the best part for me was taking care of the dog and the cats. Sibi, the dog, is best dog I ever seen, so lovely. The… read more

(Excellent )

23/08/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Mihaela)

Mihaela is a lovely, helpful person and wise beyond her years!

(Excellent )

24/08/2018

Left by Workawayer (morgan & Gaylord) for host

Very good experience with Ray and the others workawayers. Ray is a lovely person. This place is amazing. We meets the neighbors who are very kind too. Sibi the dog is very cute and friendly. It was nice to be independent for the work to do.
Merci beaucoup Ray

(Excellent )

23/08/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (morgan & Gaylord)

Lovely people, full of talent, energy and skills. Gaylord fitted a lock, made a swing and a parcours for kids with Morgan. Very recommended.

(Excellent )

17/08/2018

Left by Workawayer (Katia ) for host

A calm community with a beautiful landscape to volunteer.
Ray was always great: interesting person with whom it's easy to feel comfortable all time.
The work was very simple and the animals to take care were lovely (specially Sibi, the russian dog).
The neighbors were the kindest.
Will miss the place!

(Excellent )

16/08/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Katia )

A very clever, energetic and willing person with perfect manners. A pleasure to host.

(Excellent )

02/08/2018

Left by Workawayer (Clara) for host

Sono stata a casa di Ray per circa un mese.
È stata una grande opportunità per mettere in pratica quello che avevo imparato fino ad allora.
Ray mi ha sempre lasciata libera di sperimentare, e ha accolto ed incoraggiato le mie proposte in cucina, nella pulizia e riordino della cucina...e in qualsiasi altro progetto di costruzione o nel giardino /… read more

(Excellent )

25/07/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Clara)

Clara stayed with us for most of July 2018 she is a quiet, resourceful person, good cook, knows some horticultural lore and is willing to tackle all tasks. Likes to apply her artistic sense to tasks, a beautiful outcome guaranteed!

(Excellent )

31/07/2018

Left by Workawayer (Camilla ) for host

This was my first workaway and a wonderful experience! Sansepolcro is a beautiful and cute city, especially the mountain region. Ray was an amazing host, he's very patient, caring and he has lots of experiences to share. He helped me with English and italian. Sibi is the best dog that I have ever met, she's very sweet and intelligent dog. I ate… read more

(Excellent )

25/07/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Camilla )

Camilla is a delightful person and very willing to tackle anything she is asked to do. Can provide a Brazilian spin on vegetarian food and is especially fabulous with animals, grooming and befriending them. Also good at outside work. A pleasure to host her.

(Excellent )

30/07/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Milton)

Milton is a very handy and resourceful guy and helped a lot at our place. He'll willingly do what you ask of him but also find things that need doing, so you can relax. He put up two hammocks so the relaxation could be intensified. Hasta la vista Milton y Clara

(Excellent )

30/07/2018

Left by Workawayer (Milton) for host

I had a great time at Raymond's! He is definetely a great host and does his best to make you feel comfortable. He took care if me, provided with great organic food, introduced me to his friends from the village and took me to nice trips around the the area and even to the beach (quite a long trip but worth it!). His property and project are… read more

(Excellent )

30/06/2018

Left by Workawayer (Ann-Sofie) for host

Raymond has been a very easygoing, generous and fun-loving host to have. I enjoyed sharing my art and music in his beautifully located place and felt very appreciated for my contributions in general. I also enjoyed meeting and taking care of Sibi who is such a tall, sensitive cutie and Dino the cuddly kitty.
Something else I won’t forget is that… read more

(Very good )

27/06/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Ann-Sofie)

A charming and talented person who played and sang beautifully for us as well as helping with gardening, sewing, animal care and house cleaning, all done very well. We also have one of her amazing drawings as part of our art collection.

(Excellent )

07/06/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Raquel)

A really great volunteer (and person), willing, highly skilled and clever. Very good with animals and children, we enjoyed hosting her and hope to see Raquel again one day.

(Excellent )

17/05/2018

Left by Workawayer (Lucy & David) for host

We REALLY enjoyed our time in la Montagna with Raymundo.He was the perfect host for us - kind/ open to job suggestions/ interested and interesing/ good fun. We were able to work in tandem with our children's needs. We were priveledged to meet and share meals with Raymundo's local friends. The place is rich in history and readily available… read more

(Excellent )

14/05/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Lucy & David)

A great family to host, Lucy is very creative and had interesting solutions to patios, steps and all sorts of outside work. Dave is a real keen worker and an interesting conversationalist too. Kids are nice and they managed them very well so as to get on with stuff for us. bravo!

(Excellent )

04/05/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Noel )

Noel is a hard-working and cheerful young man who turned his hand willingly to whatever he was asked to do. He even wrote a song for the dog! Hasta la vista!

(Excellent )

04/05/2018

Left by Workawayer (Noel ) for host

Ray is an amazing and chill hombre... I had the pleasure of looking after his tower, dog (Sibe) and cats (Dino & Scaredy).

I helped by cleaning, doing a bit of wood chopping and enjoying the welcoming community of Montana. If you're into beautiful scenery, great organic food and Italian culture this is the place. Local farmers markets with the… read more

(Excellent )

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