Help with renovations and taking care of the land in the heart of Tuscany, Italy

Details

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  Description

  We are renovating a farm in the heart of Tuscany, Italy, with some private room rent.
  
  "We" is my husband, Austrian, and myself, German, we are in the 50ties.
  
  The place is at the little village Orciatico, nearby Lajatico, the hometown of the famous Italian singer Andrea Bocelli. There are two old farmhouses, an all you can dream of a farm in Italy: olives, wine, fruit trees, vegetable garden.
  
  A place to find yourself again. A wildly romantic place of power in the midst of nature.
  
  The project provides a space for inspiration and invites you to relax. Get away from it all, take a deep breath and enjoy the unbelievably beautiful view over the Tuscan Hills. Simply immerse yourself in this idyllic spot and indulge in peaceful country life. It is also a paradise for wildlife – every day there is something new to observe here.
  
  On the estate, we live a life of respect for nature. Our products are grown exclusively organic. We try to be careful with natural resources, and we produce and use solar energy from our roof’s solar system.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help
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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

  The place is a very typical Tuscany farm. The village nearby is unique, with many elderly persons, a wonderful community where everyone helps each other. You can learn about the culture in Italy, we cook molstly Italian.
  As we are German/Austrian, you will also get to know a bit central-european culture.
  
  We are respectful to nature, and adopt our lifestyle accordingly.
  
  We are peaceful people, we pay respect to other attitudes and opinions. Our lifestyle is quiet and calm.
  
  I worked abroad for many year in the field of international development cooperation and got quite an insight in different cultures, which I am happy to share with. My husband is graphic designer and he can introduce to the world of art.

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  Help

  We are renovating the buildings and take care of the land. All was abondend for 10 years.
  
  For the following tasks we need help in the upcoming period:
  - renovating our house where we live in (painting walls, renovating furniture) and fixing the land around (build stone walls and fence)
  - gardening (prepare and move earth, plant plants, cut bushes, renew fence)
  - conserving food (cook marmelade, chutneys, ect.)
  
  It will be alway a mix of the three main areas, depending also on your preferences and skills.
  
  Specific skills which would be extra welcome:
  - making walls from natural stones
  - helping with wood (fix windows, paint them, build simple furniture from old wood, make the construction of a green house)

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  Italian: Intermediate

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  There will be one bedroom provided for you - renovated, clean. There is or an own bathroom, or you have to share the same bathroom with your host (this depends on how construction work is going on)

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  What else ...

  You should be a nature lover and adore silence, otherwise you will not love this stay.
  This place is ideal for someone who loves to be with the nature, who loves reading or similar. There is Wlan in the house (but no TV).
  
  Although there is a little village nearby, there is not much entertainment unless you bring it with you -:) There is a little bar in the village, mostly frequented by elderly persons.
  There is a bigger village 10 minutes drive by car from here, or a little town 25 minutes drive from here. For all this, you would need to come with a vehicle. Without that, you can go hiking, walking in the forest behind the house.
  Public transport: there are only few buses passing in the village (app. 2 per day). But they can bring you to a train station from where you can reach other places.
  
  Food: there is rarely meat on the table. our vegetables we grow in our garden, all bio quality.

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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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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week