Explore Tuscan culture and get to know the villagers near Rufina, Italy

Details

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  Description

  We are a private homestead with 700 olive trees, producing olive oil for our own consumption and to share with friends and family. We are two Americans living in Tuscany with our pit bull and five cats.
  
  Outside of farming, I am a yoga and meditation teacher of the Himalayan Tradition, and my fiancee is in the nautical industry. Though American, we adore the Tuscan lifestyle. Our friends and neighbors are all Italian and we do our best to assimilate into our local culture and community. The harvest is our favorite time of year. We find great joy working with the land, working with our neighbors, and gathering with community members of all ages and walks of life at the press to celebrate our bounty together. It's also my favorite time of year to prepare large family-style meals to enjoy picnic style under the trees, at our large dining table on the terrace outside of the house, or on chillier days right next to the fireplace.
  
  If you choose to stay with us, we would welcome you into the family, most of whom are furry and four-legged. We have a three bedroom farmhouse, so you would have your own room. I love to cook and bake, so you would be welcome to join me in the kitchen, or just for the meals.
  
  We live at the top of a hill. When I can, I would be happy to run you into town or you can walk (about ten minutes) to the village. We are fairly near a local train which can bring you to Florence quite quickly and easily.
  
  As I mentioned, I am a yoga and meditation teacher, so if that is of interest to you, you would be welcome to join in any classes I am offering during your stay. My community of students are predominantly international and we gather online, but this autumn I am hoping to finally begin offering in-person practices to our local community.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Light gardening

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house
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  Interests

  

  Politics / Social justice

  

  Pets

  

  Culture

  

  Self development

  

  Farming

  

  History

  

  Music

  

  Plant care

  

  Books

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Gardening

  

  Writing

  

  Animals

  

  Nature

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Sailing / Boating

  

  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

  We love to go wine tasting at the local castle/wineries, we often enjoy dinner in our village, we go to the olive press about once per week during the harvest. We also enjoy horse riding and often go for lessons or treks at a nearby stable. We are only 30 minutes by train outside of Florence, as well, so you would have easy access to the city on your days off. Additionally, if you enjoy food and cooking, you are welcome to join me shopping at the small local stores and stalls, and preparing traditional Tuscan recipes for ourselves and whoever is helping or also harvesting that day. And, of course, though yoga isn't terribly Italian, it is a specialty and passion of mine - so I would be very happy to share that with you, as well.
  
  I love connecting with people from different backgrounds, with diverse stories and lived experiences. I love sharing my home with new friends. It is my dream-come-true and I like to inspire other people to pursue their own dreams relentlessly.

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  Help

  We will be helping side by side throughout the harvest. It will be myself, my fiancee during the times he is not away for work, and sometimes other friends that are visiting, or neighbors who can help on the weekends. This is only our fourth harvest, so while we do have a good sense of what we're doing, we are also still learning a tremendous amount from our neighbors and friends. We can all learn together!
  
  The olive harvest includes tasks such as carrying and placing large nets, handling the 'harvester,' which is essentially a large rake attached to a battery which shakes the olives branch by branch from the trees. Other tasks include gathering the olives from the nets, putting them into baskets, carrying the baskets, possibly some hand-harvesting as well. You would be welcome to join us at the press, though that wouldn't be required.
  
  We have about 300 trees ready to harvest this year, so we will likely go to the press four times, roughly once a week. We harvest as quickly and efficiently as we can for four days, take the olives to the press at the end of the fourth day, then rest for a few days before doing it all over again.
  
  Additionally, I may need help bottling our oil, cutting the grass, clearing an overgrown hillside, and if there is time, planting a winter garden. Much of this depends on timing and how long you plan to stay.
  
  In terms of housework, I would simply ask that you help me keep the space clean. I won't ask you to do anything I am unwilling to do myself.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Italian: Intermediate
  Spanish: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  I am actively working on my Italian and it would be wonderful to spend time with someone who is willing to practice speaking with me. With that being said, I also speak a bit of Spanish and enjoy learning to communicate with whoever I am fortunate to spend my days with.
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  Accommodation

  We live in a three bedroom, two story farmhouse with two bathrooms. All of the bedrooms are on the top floor of the house, so they are fairly close together. We would ask that you be somewhat quiet, very clean, and considerate of the people around you. You would have your own bedroom. There is a bathroom upstairs with a bathtub, and a second one downstairs with a shower. We will be sharing, so again the cleanliness and consideration of others' time and space is a necessity.
  
  This house brings me a tremendous amount of joy. I take a lot of pride in keeping it beautiful and clean, while also being very cozy, welcoming, and comfortable to completely relax in. It definitely has Tuscan-country charm in a very authentic way. We can thank the former owner and her husband for that.
  
  The house was once a watch tower. About 200 years ago the top of the tower was knocked down and the salvaged materials were used to build out the rest of the house. About 40 years ago the house was updated with modern plumbing and electricity and there were additional rooms added to the layout. It is gorgeous. The previous owner of the home had wonderful taste in decor and has made the home incredibly cozy.
  
  We live on 20 acres of land at the top of a hill with gorgeous views and plenty of space to wander and explore. I have a small yoga studio attached to the house, plus there is a small shop for wood working, a barn, and a garden shed. We have a pool, though it doesn't get much use outside of summer. We are a ten minute walk into the village where there is a pizzeria, gelateria, a couple of coffee bars, restaurants, and local shops. It's a fantastic community, fairly untouched by tourism.
  
  We have six animals - one large, incredibly friendly dog, and five cats. It's best if you're not allergic, as they have free range of the house and most adore human interaction.
  
  In terms of food, I will have whatever you like for breakfast available so you can help yourself in the morning. I am often teaching or getting an early start on the day, so I find independent breakfast to be the easiest (fruit, porridge, cake, yogurt, eggs, potatoes, whatever you need).
  
  We usually take about two hours in the middle of the day for lunch. It is typically something hearty like pasta or stew with fresh baked bread. Dinners are similar. I lean into local recipes. We eat meat, cheese, pretty much everything - but vegetarian can be accommodated. We would just hope that you aren't offended by anyone else eating meat around you.
  
  We do enjoy wine with our meals but do not over indulge. We ask that if you are a drinker, that you drink respectfully.
  
  You would not be expected to help with the cooking, but if you'd like to learn some local recipes and help out you would be welcome. I will always appreciate a helping hand with setting the table, washing the dishes, and those kinds of communal things.
  
  Whenever we go into town for pizza or dinner you would be a welcome guest, as well. We will treat you like family (without all the built-in family drama...)

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  What else ...

  Sometimes it will be just me and the animals, sometimes my fiancee will also be present. When it's just me, I'll need quite a lot of extra help. I won't require you to work outside of your allotted daily hours, but I will ask you to work hard. I will be working at least as hard right beside you unless I am committed to teaching at that time. I highly value a peaceful living space. I like quiet, calm, respectful energy - both giving and receiving. Kindness is of tremendous importance to me, so I will certainly extend that to you and will expect you to extend the same - to me, the animals, our friends, neighbors and community.
  
  You can get around by foot and train, but many of the 'off the beaten trail' activities will require a car. If I can, I'll be happy to give you a lift, but please know that won't always be available.

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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 am also a digital nomad and rely on strong, consistent wifi. We have Starlink for this reason. It works very well in most areas of the house, most efficiently downstairs. If you have additional work responsibilities, we would simply need to agree on which hours you are helping me (predominantly during the daylight, roughly 10-12 and 2-4/5), and which hours are yours to do with as you will. I am happy to honor those boundaries.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

  

  Eloise (1 month)

  Eloise is the newest member of the family. She was hand delivered by the gentleman we rented a cottage from in Montenegro. He found her on the side of the road and brought her to us, knowing we would be happy to take her in. Her favorite place to be is on your shoulder. She loves human contact and is still getting comfortable with the rest of the family. She is a goofy little thing who brings delight everywhere she goes.

  

  Dasha (5 months)

  Dasha is quite particular about her engagement with humans, but she absolutely adores the other animals, particularly Sawyer and Finn. She is a little harder to win over, but she is entirely worth it. Such a sweet demeanor, feisty, and sensitive. We adore her.

  

  Chloe (5 months)

  One of Sofie's kittens, Chloe is a sweet little cuddle bug. She loves to be pet and snuggled. She loves long walks through the olive groves and enjoys a good wrestling match with her sister, Dasha.

  

  Sofie (1 year)

  Sofie adopted us when we were wintering in Montenegro. She came to us in the middle of massive thunder and lightning storm, and she never left. Sawyer fell in love with her so we decided to bring her home. Little did we know - she was pregnant! Not Sawyer's doing...but he has ultimately adopted the kittens as his own. Sofie is a sassy little savage. She is a masterful hunter, will only be cuddled on her own terms, and will steal food right off your plate looking entirely innocent all the while.

  

  Sawyer (2 years)

  Our island boy, Sawyer is a rescue from St. Thomas. He is the only male cat among four ladies. He prefers it that way. He is our most mysterious and most needy of love and affirmation. He's a mamma's boy that will never admit to it.

  

  Finn (9 years)

  Finny is an American Pitbull. He is the heart of our family. Protective, loving, gentle, enthusiastic, highly intelligent, and kind. He is very optimistic and regards everyone he meets as his new best friend!

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