Profile information
Travel information
We are currently
Travelling
Our next destination:
Umbria, Italy - from Oct 2025 until Mar 2026 View all
Description
Hello,
We’re a couple from the Netherlands and we are exploring central Italy during a six month sabbatical (Nov 2025 - April 2026). We’re traveling with our dog, Miles — a calm, well-behaved, five-year-old Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.
Our goal during this time is to experience authentic country life in Umbria, Tuscany, Le Marche and Abruzzo, improve our Italian, and contribute meaningfully wherever we go. We’re both very hands-on and experienced with renovation work — in Dutch we call ourselves 'klussers'. We can take on tasks like painting, tiling, basic plumbing, and plastering (though we admit our plastering style is more “rustic farmhouse” than showroom finish!).
We also have a background in hospitality. In fact, we met nine years ago while working together at a hostel in the Netherlands. Running a reception, preparing breakfast, and ensuring guests feel comfortable and cared for comes naturally to us.
Professionally, Tim is an electro-mechanical systems engineer, and Nina is an interior designer and photographer. We’re both vegetarian (technically ovo-lacto-pescatarian), and we’re always happy with vegan meals as well.
Tim’s parents used to have a small olive grove in Italy, so he has had experience with pruning and harvesting olives.
During our travels, we’re eager to work with animals, learn more about sustainable agriculture, especially permaculture and regenerative farming practices.
We’re excited about the opportunity to connect with kind, inspiring people — to share what we can and grow through every new encounter.
Chat soon!
Interests
Events & social
Fashion or beauty
Culture
Self development
Sustainability
Pets
Charity work
Farming
Vegetarian or vegan
DIY & crafts
Plant care
History
Art & design
Photography
Languages
Cooking & food
Gardening
Architecture
Carpentry
Animals
Camping
Fitness
Nature
Yoga / Wellness
Mountain
Hiking
Outdoor activities
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
Italian: BeginnerMore details about my language interests
We're not language teachers but we are both fluent in Dutch and English. We aim to learn Italian.
Skills and knowledge we'd like to share or learn
We're interested in:
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Animal Care
Charity Work
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
Languages
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Able to teach about:
Hospitality/Tourism
Art Projects
More details about your skills
Hands-on / Technical Skills
- Painting
- Tiling
- Basic plumbing
- Plastering
- Carpentry / furniture building (basic)
- Jewellery making
Creative & Design Skills
- Interior design
- Graphic design
- Photography
- Art and design contributions
Agricultural & Outdoor Skills
- Olive tree pruning and harvesting
- General gardening/land work
- Animal care
Hospitality & Guest Services
- Reception work
- Breakfast preparation
- Guest hosting and care
Communication & Personal Qualities
- English first language (Tim)
- Dutch first language (Nina)
Age
31 & 38
Some more information
Smoker
Driver's licence
Allergies
Special dietary requirements
I prefer not to eat meat
