Off-grid stonehouse with a view at Lake Como, Italy

Details

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  Description

  The house is a primitive, off-grid stone house in Northern Italy and I live here part-time to have a simple-living, nature-connected and down-to-earth kind of lifestyle.
  I wish to share that lifestyle with others. And i could use some help winther the house and garden.
  
  I aim for this period: 14th of July to the 28th of July 2024 if possible, so we can gather a multicultural team of 4-8 people.
  
  I am a 52-year old woman from Denmark. I run a consultancy company in Denmark (part time)
  
  My children at 26 and 28 come here often.
  So does my friends and family.
  But I also love the solitude and the simple life ❤️.
  And of course I am deeply in love with the Italian people, nature and food.
  This I wish to share too. And give people the opportunity to feel connected through work and basic, daily life.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I will put together a multicultural team, if possible.
  
  You will learn about a off-grid, primitive, self-supplying lifestyle. And get to know the locals in the little village: wonderful, welcoming people. And of course learn some Italian: the local teacher can teach the group som basic language skills, if you wish.

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  Help

  I restore and live part-time in a stone hut with a fantastic view over Lake Como in Northern Italy. There is no communal water, gas, sewage system, electricity or road acces. So we collect rain water, get electricity from a solar panel (enough for cellphones,computers and lights), carry all goods 15 minutes uphill and use the ancient cave as fridge.
  
  The garden and woods surrounding the house needs some maintenance: chopping wood for the fireplace, carrying wood and branches, levelling a path, cutting down small trees.
  The house needs some painting and reparation of the stone walls.
  The external wooden stairs need some fixing.
  
  None of the jobs needs special skills. It is rather plain manual tasks. Some of it includes some heavy lifting - for those who like some outdoor workout/gym/crossfit. ;-)
  
  You will help approximately 4 -5 hours a day, so you still have time to enjoy the beautiful area.
  I have no car, so expect som lovely hiking in the beautiful surroundings, when you go shopping, to a bar, go for a swim in the lake ect.

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  Languages spoken

  Danish: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  Italian: Beginner

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  Accommodation

  The accommodation is simple.
  There will be regular, good beds for everyone in a common outdoor’ish dorm (see picture of low room with wooden floor) or a large tent. Bring your own sleeping bag. Sheets are provided.
  
  Regular toilet with manual flush (water in a basket is used to flush the toilet)
  Outdoor shower with sun-heated water in a simple, outdoor shielding, so you can shower with privacy.
  Outdoor handwashing.
  
  We prepare meals together and eat on the terrace with great view to mountains and lake. Vegan and vegetarian is of course possible.

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  What else ...

  What to do in your spare time:
  
  Visit all the picturesque villages at the lake: Varenna (5 km), Bellagio, Menaggio, Como. Go sailing on the lake. Hike in the mountains or rent a e-bike to explore the area. Or just go for a swim and a drink.
  It is an hour walk down to the lake. You can take a bus or a taxi back up (approximately 17 €) + 15 minutes of walking alone the small mountain path.
  
  I love to walk the BEAUTIFUL path to either Bellano or Varenna to do some shopping, work online at my favourite bar, do some laundry, have a swim.. and grab a taxi back to Gisazio, the small village just 600 from the house.
  Or I get Italian classes or hang out for an ‘aperitivo’ with the locals in Gisazio.
  
  Arriving:
  Arriving by train: head for Varenna-Esino. 5 km from the house. And arrange for the taxi (17€) or walk the 300 height meters up.
  
  Arriving by plane: Any Milan or Bergamo airport is fine. Train to Varenna from there and 10 minutes of taxi

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week