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We are a family of 4: Matteo (italian), Ane (Basque) and 2 kids Oihana (born in 2007) and Asier (born in 2010).
We live in the Basque Country, in the countryside, in a 300 years old rural house that we are renovating.
We are running a guest house (you can google Abatetxe) and always trying to improve our guests experience.
The house is quite isolated (1 hour walking in a mountain path or 15min by car from the nearest village).
So if you are looking for a relaxing place, this is your place!
We are easy going people that enjoy simple things like natural landscapes, a walk in the mountain or a good chat with a glass of wine.
We grow up our own vegetables in our organic veg-garden and around the house we have 2 hectares of land that we are tidying up. So there is quite a lot of work to do outside.
We also have some animals: donkeys, rabbits, hens, dogs and cats...
Here you will have a totally "off-grid" experience: electricity only from solar panels, spring water and heating with a firewood boiler.
At home among us we speak Italian and Basque but we can also speak English and Spanish.
We both work outside, so we usually are not at home from 8.30AM to 6.30PM during the week.
We have been quite active on other sites, so we are used to host people at home and we love to have cultural interchange.
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
You will live in our house, share with us the everyday life, learn local culture.
We can share what we are learning about eco-farming and animal care.
You can learn the local language. You'll have spare time to visit our Country and to go to the beach/mountain. Have a look to The Official Tourism Website of the Basque Country to have an idea.
We look for a person that could help us with the house chores (cleaning up, washing machine, etc..) / building (helping building stone walls, basic plumbing, carpentry etc..) / gardening (cutting grass, taking care of the veg garden).
We could also ask you some help in cleaning the guest house.
You don't need to be a professional. We'll teach you how to do each task. but of course any of your relevant skills will be put to use!
Working time: at least 5 hours a day, 5 days a week. There is no scheduling so we can plan the jobs together according to our needs and to your free-time plans.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Basque: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
This host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
Please contact them directly for more information.
You will have your own private room with a double bed in our house. In the house there are 2 bathrooms that we'll share.
Smoking not allowed inside the house.
We have no TV and limited WIFI but usually there is a good mobile phone coverage.
The house is quite isolated. It would be better if you have your own car, bike or good legs.
Our daughter is coeliac, so at home we always have gluten free food if you need.
We live in the heart of the Basque Country, at 40 minutes by car from the 3 main cities: Bilbao, San Sebastian and Vitoria.
20min by car from the nearest beach (Deba).
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
The WiFi in our house is not really good.. But it works.
This host can provide space for campervans.
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
Two
5 hours a day, 5 days a week. Timetable is flexible.
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Accuracy of profile:
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Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
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