Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
10 Dec 2024
Feedback
6
Email verified
Host offers payment
Country info
Badges (3)
Details
Description
Ciao! My name is Maurizio and I am the owner of a small biking company operating in the tourism sector on Mount Etna in Sicily. Our main focus is offering biking experiences to clients (both cyclists and non-cyclists) from all over the world.
Our office and workshop is based in Milo, a beautiful, small village located 700 metres above sea level on the slopes of Mount Etna. We are about a 50-minute drive from the city centre of Catania and a 45-minute drive from Catania international airport.
We operate our bike tours on and around Mount Etna volcano but also in other areas of Sicily. We love this island and its nature and we are passionate about introducing it to our clients on a bike, not only as cyclists but also as explorers. Our busy season is generally from April to the end of October and that is when we would like some extra help to join our small team.
Types of help and learning opportunities
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will have the opportunity to live in a beautiful small Sicilian village on Etna and work in a dynamic, exciting environment where you will be interacting with our clients who come from all over the world. You will have the chance to fully experience Italian and Sicilian culture, with its history, art, traditions, beaches and great cuisine.
If you enjoy hiking/biking/skiing in your free time, you will have the chance to go exploring the trails on Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe.Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage
This host offers accommodation and payment.
Help
We are looking for an energetic, pro-active, friendly person to work with us who is into bikes/cycling and is also an outdoor-enthusiast. In particular we will need a person who can be a bike guide with mechanical experience, has a clean driving license and can speak more than one language. English is essential. You must also be good with people and enjoy a chat!
As our season runs from April to November, but the busy months are April - September, we need someone for a minimum of 3 months but ideally 6 months.
Responsibilities will include the following:
- greeting clients and assisting them at the start and end of bike tours
- taking care of the bikes and associated equipment (tools, helmets and water bottles)
- in the case of experienced cyclists there is also the opportunity to work as a guide, after a short training period
- keeping the workplaces clean and tidy
- loading and unloading the bikes on the trailer or in the van
- there may be some driving required
If you have other skills to offer, we will be happy to try and put them to good use! A good command of the English language is compulsory as most of our clients are from abroad. It is not essential to speak Italian but it would be helpful if you want to learn. Other European languages are a plus.
Depending on the skills level of the person, we will pay a monthly wage starting from 600 euro per month in addition to free accommodation.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Italian: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
My first language is Italian but I also speak English fluently. In the office we speak both Italian and English and also with clients.
Accommodation
We offer either a private room or independent flat with kitchen which is within walking distance of the workplace in Milo. We are renting this accommodation for you. The village of Milo is small but famous for its wine. It has a bakery, butcher shop, 3 small cafés, a grocery shop, a post office and some small restaurants which are all within walking or cycling distance. Milo is at the foot of the volcano so many tourists pass through in summertime. In wintertime it is a quiet place.
What else ...
The village of Milo has a population of approximately 1,000 inhabitants and offers a quiet, local atmosphere. It is the perfect place for learning/practising Italian as not many foreigners live there and so you can have a local, Sicilian experience. It is an excellent starting point for discovering the surrounding area, especially for outdoor enthusiasts. There are many hiking and biking trails on Mount Etna and there is also an outdoor adventure centre in Milo.
Public transport is limited but there is a daily bus connection with Catania (to the train station). The nearby town of Zafferana (famous for its honey) has more regular bus connections to Catania. Milo is 40 minutes by bike from the nearest beach (Fondachello/Marina di Cottone).
If you have access to a car there are many beautiful towns to visit such as Taormina, Giardini Naxos, Zafferana, Aci Trezza etc. and of course Etna. If you don't have a car, you can take the local bus to Catania centre and then take a train or bus from there to Syracuse or Palermo as well as many other places around Sicily.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
In the office we have a good wi-fi connection.
Space for parking camper vans
There is free parking on the street outside the office.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
My animals / pets
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (3)
She was able to work… read more
this summer was about first times & new experiences. My first time doing a Workaway & my first time visiting Sicily as well as new experiences on & off the mountain bike.
Thus, I couldn't have been more lucky that it was Maurizio & his beautiful team who welcomed me to join them for 6 weeks! Their good spirit among each… read more
He is very friendly and a hard worker and he was always willing to help out when needed, especially during the busy period of the Etna Marathon MTB race weekend mid-September.
He is also a very skilled… read more
The location is simply spectacular: the majestic… read more
In particular, Theresa was a great bike guide and Michael was a great bike mechanic though they also helped out with many other things at the… read more
my girlfriend Theresa and me have been on a world trip for nearly one year.
In this time we worked for ten different hosts. This was our last host so we made some experience before coming to Sicily.
In short words:
Maurizio was the best host we had on our travel.
In longer words:
Maurizio and his Team (Greetings to… 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:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
She was able to work… read more
this summer was about first times & new experiences. My first time doing a Workaway & my first time visiting Sicily as well as new experiences on & off the mountain bike.
Thus, I couldn't have been more lucky that it was Maurizio & his beautiful team who welcomed me to join them for 6 weeks! Their good spirit among each… read more
He is very friendly and a hard worker and he was always willing to help out when needed, especially during the busy period of the Etna Marathon MTB race weekend mid-September.
He is also a very skilled… read more
The location is simply spectacular: the majestic… read more
In particular, Theresa was a great bike guide and Michael was a great bike mechanic though they also helped out with many other things at the… read more
my girlfriend Theresa and me have been on a world trip for nearly one year.
In this time we worked for ten different hosts. This was our last host so we made some experience before coming to Sicily.
In short words:
Maurizio was the best host we had on our travel.
In longer words:
Maurizio and his Team (Greetings to… read more
