Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
23 May 2026
Reply rate
75.0 %
Usually responds within 54 days
Feedback
32
Facebook verified
ID verified
Email verified
Country info
Badges (5)
Details
Description
Hello everyone,
Since 2017, the place has been an ecological and community living project located in Contrada Portelle, a small corner of paradise in the Sicilian countryside.
We are just 10 km from the sea and 4 km from Noto, a splendid baroque city and a UNESCO World Heritage site with approximately 24,000 inhabitants.
We are not a farm, a B&B, or an agritourism.
We are a country house where we are building, day by day, a more sustainable, supportive, and conscious lifestyle.
We are looking for motivated volunteers who want to share this journey with us. The help requested is not related to commercial production, but to the care and improvement of the house and land.
The Property
21,000 sq m of land
Renovated 400 sq m main house, divided into two independent apartments of 100 sq m each
A ruin to be restored
2 large workshops
2 natural caves
Workshop equipped for mechanics, carpentry, and art
Large room with musical instruments (perfect for music, parties, meditation, meetings, and events)
We care for the land using the permaculture method: we are creating gardens, vegetable gardens, cultivation areas, biodiversity, and common areas.
Eventually, we would like to build more cohousing units and lay the foundations for a small ecovillage.
What we're looking for
People who want to:
Help with home and building maintenance and improvements
Help in the garden and vegetable patch (permaculture)
Share everyday moments, meals, conversations, and shared projects
Bring their skills, creativity, and positive energy
If this slow lifestyle, respectful of the Earth and human relationships, resonates with you, write to us and tell us a little about yourself!
We're in Contrada Portelle, Noto (SR) – southeastern Sicily.
Because life can be simpler, more beautiful, and more authentic. Vita Ecologica e Comunitaria in Sicilia
Ciao a tutti,
dal 2017 è un progetto di vita ecologica e comunitaria situato a Contrada Portelle, un piccolo angolo di paradiso nella campagna siciliana.
Siamo a soli 10 km dal mare e 4 km da Noto, splendida città barocca patrimonio dell’UNESCO con circa 24.000 abitanti.
Non siamo un’azienda agricola, un B&B né un agriturismo.
Siamo una casa di campagna dove stiamo costruendo, giorno dopo giorno, uno stile di vita più sostenibile, solidale e consapevole.
Cerchiamo volontari motivati che vogliano condividere con noi questo percorso. L’aiuto richiesto non è legato a produzione commerciale, ma alla cura e al miglioramento della casa e del terreno.
La proprietà
21.000 mq di terreno
Casa principale restaurata di 400 mq, divisa in due appartamenti indipendenti da 100 mq ciascuno
Un rudere da recuperare
2 grandi laboratori
2 grotte naturali
Officina attrezzata per meccanica, falegnameria e arte
Ampia sala con strumenti musicali (perfetta per musica, feste, meditazione, riunioni ed eventi)
Ci prendiamo cura del terreno con il metodo della permacultura: stiamo creando giardini, orti, zone di coltivazione, biodiversità e aree comuni.
In prospettiva vorremmo realizzare altri alloggi per cohousing e gettare le basi di un piccolo ecovillaggio.
Cosa cerchiamo
Persone che abbiano voglia di:
Aiutare nei lavori di manutenzione e miglioramento della casa e dei fabbricati
Lavorare in giardino e orto (permacultura)
Condividere momenti di vita quotidiana, pasti, conversazioni e progetti comuni
Portare le proprie competenze, creatività ed energie positive
Se ti risuona questo stile di vita lento, rispettoso della Terra e delle relazioni umane, scrivici e raccontaci un po’ di te!
Siamo a Contrada Portelle, Noto (SR) – Sicilia sud-orientale.
Perché la vita può essere più semplice, più bella e più vera.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
Sustainability
Pets
Movies & TV
Farming
Plant care
Music
Gardening
Cooking & food
Carpentry
Water sports
Adventure sports
Mountain
Nature
Beach
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The workawayers will have the opportunity to learn the principles of country life, restoration and construction of furniture, mediterranean cuisine, and permaculture.
They will also discover the countless historical and natural beauties that offer the surrounding areas, as well as experience the Sicilian traditions and culture.
I workawayers avranno modo di imparare i principi della vita di campagna, del restauro e costruzione di mobili, della cucina mediterranea, della permacultura.
Essi potranno inoltre scoprire le innumerevoli bellezze storiche e naturali che offrono le zone circostanti, nonchè vivere le tradizioni e la cultura siciliana.
Help
The tasks requested with the highest priority are the restoration of the house and the rehabilitation of the vegetable garden, followed by the normal kitchen and cleaning chores. In addition, the craft workshop, with various tools, allows guests to free their creativity.
I lavori richiesti con maggiore priorità sono il restauro della casa e il risanamento dell'orto/giardino.Poi ci sono i normali lavori di cucina e pulizia. Inoltre il laboratorio artigianale, con diversi attrezzi, permette di liberare la creatività degli ospiti.
Languages
Languages spoken
Italian: Fluent
German: Intermediate
English: Intermediate
Spanish: IntermediateThis 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
Single, Double Rooms.
Stanze singole, doppie .
What else ...
Connections between major cities and airports are numerous and timely, while bicycles, bikes and cars are available to explore and discover natural beauty, archaeological sites and nearby towns and cities.
The city of Noto offers many leisure opportunities both during the day and evening with pubs, restaurants, exhibitions, concerts ...
I collegamenti tra le principali città e gli aeroporti sono numerosi e puntuali, mentre per visitare e scoprire le bellezze naturali, siti archeologici e le vicine città e paesi sono disponibili biciclette, moto e auto.
La città di Noto offre molte occasioni di svago sia durante il giorno che la sera con pub, ristoranti, mostre, concerti...
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
Juve
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (18)
Lo consiglio vivamente agli host che hanno bisogno di aiuto e di una compagnia tranquilla, affidabile e rispettosa.
He and his partner Silvia are both very open, friendly and hearty people. Even though there was a bit of a language barrier between us because I sadly didn't speak Italian, after he picked me up from Noto I immediately felt welcomed and very comfortable around him.
His… 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:
(4.2)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.8)
Lo consiglio vivamente agli host che hanno bisogno di aiuto e di una compagnia tranquilla, affidabile e rispettosa.
He and his partner Silvia are both very open, friendly and hearty people. Even though there was a bit of a language barrier between us because I sadly didn't speak Italian, after he picked me up from Noto I immediately felt welcomed and very comfortable around him.
His… read more
Nos encontramos con un lugar increible, lleno de naturaleza.
Alessandro se portó de maravillas, cumpliendo con todo lo acordado.
El trabajo resultó agradable, ya que siempre lo hicimos en equipo, con intercambio de ideas y procurando por nuestra seguridad y… read more
Alessandro is really friendly and kind person. he provided us food, wine - really good local one - and a nice place to stay in… read more
I’ve stayed 2 weeks total with Alessandro in the Vila which has plent places to hike and lay down for a sunbath and camp! Alessandro since the beginning was extremely kind, giving me a ride from Noto, showing me the sea house (where we spent 2 nights) and always around to chat, listen some music and playing something… read more
La raccomandiamo.
Elisa is a nice and graceful woman. Has life experience in ecovillage and community realities. Elisa is fine cooking. It is… read more
The place is really nice, full of plants and trees and very quiet.
It… read more
Laura e Francesco sono due persone giovani, simpatiche e colte. sono molto disponibili a… read more
Carla is a great woman, she perfectly keeps the house tidy and the garden clean. She cooks wonderfully, keeping evrerything tidy with sense of responsibility because you don’t need to tell her much or gibe her directions, she understands what needs to be done and helps everyone. Therefore even in absence of the host you can be sure the house in… read more
I had the opportunity to meet some amazing people while I was there and I got to sample all the local delicious foods.
Be prepared for the walk into the old town and plan lots of… read more
