Italy
Favourited 477 times
Hi Workawayers :)
I sometimes need help with gardening/maintenance and/or house-sitting in my villa in Sicily not far from Siracusa just South of Noto, my villa is called 'Villa Vendicari' and you can easily find it online, it's near the sea.
In high season, when we don't use it ourselves, we mostly rent the villa out for a revenue, but in low season I hardly find anyone willing to pay a price that is higher than maintenance costs. Starting middle of November to mid February therefore prefer to have one or two house-sitters or, when I'm there, one or two workawayers for some gardening help (pruning, help with olive harvest or other fruits harvest, etc) and to keep the house well tuned, clean and in good order.
The villa is very isolated, meaning about 2hrs walk to the closest supermarket. I think other than that, or, actually, thanks to that, it's the most beautiful place to stay on your own. It's divided in two villas, you, in case of house-sitting, would use one of them, likely the smaller one, but not necessarily depending on which I may need for myself, friends or possible renters or, in case of workawaying, have one room.
Regarding the renters, it's very hard to rent in the low season and I don't like to rent cheap which I think it's detrimental for a number of reasons, so I don't think it will happen and I will avoid renting the whole property, but in that very unlikely event I will find you another place to stay in the area with the same house-sitting conditions.
The house is self sustainable with solar heated water and solar panels and a solar power accumulator of 14KW, during your stay I would like you to use only solar power and renewables, it's what I do when I am there, perfectly fine, but not 5 star hotels comfort, ie in a cloudy day you may have very little hot water if any, but thankfully it's almost always sunny over here ;)
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Elderly Companionship
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Vendicari is a tourist destination, I'm not sure what to add that isn't already online. I personally like to meet new people, my interests are psychoanalysis, winter swimming, philosophy and some literature.
During the winter I'm interested in house keeping for the villa in Vendicari, Sicily. Some gardening and maybe a little building or maintenance. Still contact me also in other seasons, you never know if I may need help.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
Dutch: 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.
if we find a suitable time frame there should be at least an independent bedroom for the workaway(s)
Vendicari is a tourist destination, I'm not sure what to add that isn't already online but you're welcome to ask
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
I work from home and I have no problems sharing the wifi with workawayers
Sure, I have two hectares of garden and also tents and a tree house, alternative forms of accommodation are actually very welcome
Most of the times I enjoy the company of Igor, an adult male dog, that is the sweetest persona I know, to me and all the other humans (too much of that really, since he can make me feel quite jealous sometimes :), but rather big and often aggressive both to male dogs and cats that trespass 'his' territory, other than that I love pets so let's talk if you're willing to take your own no problem for me (yours should rather talk to Igor first really :)
Two
max 25 hours per week - depends let's talk
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(5.0)
