Stay in a remote spot in the hills, surrounded by greenery in Murlo, Italy

Details

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  Description

  Hello! My name is Federico, I am 28 years old and I am a project manager and researcher for the University of Bologna in the field of renewable energy and sustainability. I have been living alone in Tuscany for a few years now and I take care of my family home. I am a digital nomad and after years of moving around to different places, I chose the tranquillity and beauty of the Tuscan hills.
  
  My home is located in a very quiet area, in the hills on the border between Val d'Orcia and Crete Senesi, specifically in an ancient Etruscan village called Pompana. We are 30 minutes from Montalcino (land of Brunello and excellent wine), Pienza, Siena and other beautiful Tuscan cities and incredible places and views that we can visit together.
  
  My project is to make my family home a welcoming and tidy place to host tourists in an eco-friendly way, in contact with nature and as sustainable as possible, avoiding waste. In fact, the house is powered by 100% solar energy with numerous solar panels supported by a battery storage system. In addition, it is surrounded by a large garden and an olive grove with 60 trees that I take care of and from which I produce a little oil.
  
  The house was a farm built in the 14 century and then renewed in 1970 by my mother's uncle, from whom she inherited it, and in turn I inherited it from her. Unfortunately, my mother passed away a few years ago, so I decided to continue the renovation project of the house and garden on my own. For this reason, I am looking for people who can help me with their skills and different points of view to implement my project. My ideal Workawayers are people who love nature and country life, simple rhythms dictated by the sun and the seasons, and who enjoy chatting and collaborating on manual projects together.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Interests

  

  Sustainability

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Writing

  

  Art & design

  

  Music

  

  Gardening

  

  Books

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Nature

  

  Hiking
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I can personally teach some typical Italian dishes such as handmade pasta, pizza (we have a wood-fired oven), ragù and other Italian home-cooked delicacies, as well as some basics about energy and sustainability. I can discuss geopolitics, teach Italian, speak English well and often enjoy making art from recycled materials.
  
  ONLY IN FEBRUARY will I have to prune my 60 olive trees, and an expert will come to teach me and explain how to do it. It would be a great opportunity for Workawayers to come and learn how to prune olive trees using the techniques of local experts for polyconic-shaped olive trees, a shape that the olive tree must maintain to maximise production. In addition, they will teach us some basic knowledge about olive trees, and I will be able to tell you about our annual olive harvest, which takes place in October/November.
  
  In general, it will be nature and the Tuscan hills that teach and provide the real benefits of cultural exchange. The house is located in a remote spot in the hills, surrounded by greenery and silence. Apart from my house, there are a few local and non-local neighbours who have houses, but the views and the stars at night will be the real teachers during your stay.

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  Help

  In general, I need help with activities in the garden and outside the house. However, depending on the skills and interests of the Workawayers, I will agree with them, during a video-call to know better each other, on the specific activities to be done each day and during the stay. The activities in the garden will obviously depend on the season and the weather. If it is not possible to work in the garden, we will do activities inside the house or plan future work. All work will be planned and agreed upon before arrival so that we have a schedule of activities to do together and on our own during your stay.
  
  GARDEN AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES may include taking care of flower beds and borders, creating small natural structures with recycled wood, keeping paths clean, collecting branches and maintaining the small woodland, setting up relaxing corners like hammocks, decorating the garden with natural or recycled materials, composting, creating small biodiversity areas (like insect houses or bird feeders), watering and caring for plants, as well as mowing the lawn, cutting wood, pruning ONLY IN FEBRUARY will I have to prune my 60 olive trees, and an expert will come to teach me and explain how to do it), planting flowers and herbs, and helping keep the whole garden beautiful and well-maintained
  
  INDOOR ACTIVITIES: If it is not possible to work in the garden or outdoors (due to weather conditions), there are some activities that can be done indoors. Again, this DEPENDS VERY MUCH ON SKILLS and may vary: cleaning and tidying indoors, painting, digital activities, creating awareness campaigns, purchasing materials and running errands. OBVIOUSLY, keeping your own space clean and tidy is not part of your working hours, nor is cooking or spending leisure time together.
  
  In general, I am looking for people who are already experienced in gardening and working with their hands, but also those who have the skills or interest to help me with digital activities. I am looking for people who are collaborative, curious, and happy to live with me, who are used to being in nature and the countryside.
  
  Workawayers will not be involved in any business-related activities, will not assist paying guests, and will not work in any paid or commercial spaces. All tasks are strictly personal, non-professional, and related only to my private home and garden.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  Italian: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  Depending on how many people are staying, I can offer a shared flat with everything you need, including a kitchen, Wi-Fi, private or shared bathroom, living room to relax in, large garden, swimming pool (if open in summer), and TV. Mainly in summer, the house is available for short-term rentals for tourists, so the accommodation is very welcoming.
  
  The bedroom usually has a double bed or a single bed (depending on availability), but I will send you photos before your arrival so that you can get an idea of where you will be sleeping. If you have a sleeping bag or other sleeping gear, great, otherwise I will provide sheets and blankets (then when you leave, you can help me clean the room and common areas).
  
  For breakfast, lunch and dinner, we usually eat together, but you can also eat on your own, depending on how you feel. If you have cooking skills, it would be great to share some time in the kitchen. I know how to make pasta by hand, pizza, ragù and many Italian 'grandma's' dishes, as well as cakes and much more. I really enjoy cooking and experimenting :)
  
  Outside, there are spaces to relax, read a book on a bench and more, for a perfect Tuscan atmosphere surrounded by nature and silence.
  
  IT IS MANDATORY TO KEEP YOUR OWN SPACES AND SHARED AREAS CLEAN AND TIDY.

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  What else ...

  The nearest town is a 15-minute drive away. There is a dirt road leading to the house: having a car gives you the freedom to explore, but I can also give you a lift if necessary, bearing in mind that I have my own job during the day. Free time can be spent hiking, exploring villages, relaxing in the garden, cooking or enjoying the countryside.
  
  House rules:
  Life is relaxed and friendly. Workawayers help with practical projects, gardening, and the other activities mentioned above, as agreed in advance. Unregistered guests are not allowed. Please respect the house, common areas, and neighbours. Be prepared to work collaboratively and help keep the house tidy and clean at all times.

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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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  Can host digital nomads

  I’m a digital nomad and work remotely. There is always a good internet connection, although during very strong storms it can occasionally slow down, but this only happens a few times a year.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  There is space to park a camper or van inside the property, and there is also a large area to park outside.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

  

  Nerina

  

  Pino

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