Join us for the olive harvest and enjoy an authentic Sicilian experience in Mistretta, Italy

Details

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  Description

  Hi, I’m Giuseppe,
  
  I’m 45 years old, originally from Milan, but I’ve been living in Sicily for almost ten years. I work as a bank employee and my wife Germana is a psychologist and psychotherapist. In our free time, we take care of our beloved small countryside land near Santo Stefano di Camastra, a beautiful coastal village between Messina and Palermo.
  
  Every autumn we do the olive harvest. The olive oil we produce is only for our family and to share as small gifts with friends – it is not for sale and there is no commercial activity involved. This year we decided not to do it just by ourselves, as usual, but to share this beautiful experience with others through Workaway.
  
  Dates
  We are looking for 4 volunteers to help us with the olive harvest. We have organized two overlapping shifts so that there are always volunteers with us and no days without help, as we also harvest on Saturdays and Sundays.
  
  First shift
  
  - October 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14: Olive harvest
  October 15 and 16: Days off
  October 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21: Olive harvest
  October 22 and 23: Days off
  October 24 and 25: Olive harvest
  
  Second shift:
  October 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16: Olive harvest
  October 17 and 18: Days off
  October 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23: Olive harvest
  October 24 and 25: Days off
  
  What the work involves
  
  You will help with the main tasks of the olive harvest, up to the oil mill:
  
  making the olives fall from the trees with a small electric rake
  
  spreading and arranging the nets under the trees
  
  collecting the olives and filling the boxes
  
  bringing them to the press, where they will be crushed and turned into fresh olive oil
  
  Accommodation
  
  You will be hosted in a large newly renovated villa in the mountains, where the climate is cooler and perfect for resting after a day in the fields.
  
  In the olive grove (by the sea) the climate is mild and more humid: jeans and a short-sleeved t-shirt are fine.
  
  Bring a rain jacket (K-way), your swimsuit and a towel if you like swimming, sunscreen, hat, mosquito repellent, and hiking shoes that won’t get soaked in the morning when the grass is wet with dew.
  
  In the mountains, evenings and nights are cooler: you’ll need a sweater, a jacket, and a warmer pajama (we have heating).
  
  We will provide towels, blankets, soap...
  
  We have the wifi in the accomodation but not in the countryside.
  
  Food
  
  We offer full board and lodging.
  We will all eat together, enjoying typical Italian meals cooked by my wife, with fresh local products. It’s a great chance to taste Sicilian cuisine in a family atmosphere.
  
  Free time
  
  Two days in a week and evenings are free: you can relax, chat, listen to music, read or go for a walk. I recommend getting enough rest, because while working in nature is very pleasant, it is also physically demanding.
  If the weather is good, there is also the chance to go to the sea and swim — the olive grove is right by the coast!
  
  The olive harvest will take place in the countryside just 5 minutes by car from Santo Stefano di Camastra, a seaside town world-famous for its traditional ceramics.
  
  During the day, when you’re not working, you can relax in the countryside, walk down to the sea, sunbathe on a deckchair, or simply enjoy the Sicilian nature.
  
  In your free time you can also explore the surroundings:
  
  Santo Stefano di Camastra, with its ceramic workshops and views over the Tyrrhenian Sea
  
  Mistretta, a mountain village about half an hour away, where we will return in the evenings and where the villa hosting the volunteers is located
  
  
  It will be an experience that combines outdoor work, community life, and the authentic discovery of Sicily.
  
  What we offer
  
  An authentic experience in the Sicilian countryside
  
  Sharing family life and local culture
  
  Accommodation in a comfortable villa in the mountains
  
  Nature, sea, delicious food, and freshly pressed extra virgin olive oil!

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Light gardening

  Farmstay help
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  Interests

  

  Sustainability

  

  Gardening

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Nature

  

  Mountain

  

  Hiking
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We are happy to welcome people from all over the world and share with them a unique experience: the olive harvest, from which one of the most appreciated delights in the world is produced — organic extra virgin olive oil.
  
  You will also enjoy:
  
  An authentic experience in the Sicilian countryside
  
  Sharing family life and local culture
  
  Accommodation in a comfortable villa in the mountains
  
  Nature, sea, delicious food, and freshly pressed olive oil!

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  Looking for 6 volunteers for the olive harvest in Sicily, in our seaside grove

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: 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.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  Accommodation & Daily Life
  
  The villa where you will stay has three shared double bedrooms, so you will share a room with another volunteer. There are two bathrooms for the volunteers, plus another bedroom for me and my wife. The villa also has a kitchen and common spaces where we will spend time together.
  
  Breakfast will be adapted to your taste: a typical Italian breakfast (coffee, milk, biscuits) but also eggs, bread and more if you prefer. Lunch and dinner are included and will be prepared with fresh Sicilian products by my wife, who also takes part in the olive harvest.
  
  Every day we will drive by car from the villa in the mountains down to the olive grove by the sea. My wife and I will take care of the transport. In the olive grove there is also a small house with a bathroom where you can rest if you need a break.
  
  Wi-Fi is available only in the villa in the mountains, where we sleep and return in the evening.
  
  Since we will work in shifts, the group that is free can enjoy walks in the countryside, time by the sea, or simply rest. Life will take place mostly in the countryside, except in the evenings when, if you wish, you can go into the village of Mistretta (where the villa is located) to enjoy a coffee, a bar, or just spend time as you like.
  We will provide sheets, towels and blankets, and we will do our best to host you as comfortably as possible.

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  What else ...

  If you are coming from abroad or from far away, we recommend flying to Palermo airport on October 9th. From there, you could travel by train from palermo central train station to the countryside. The stop is Santo Stefano di Camastra/ Mistretta. I will pick up you at the station.
  
  If you are already in Sicily, you can also reach s.stefano di camastra by train or bus, and we will pick you up there.
  
  For your departure, we suggest leaving from Palermo (airport, train or bus station) on October 25th.

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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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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

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