Join me for authentic Marchigian countryside living near Sarnano, Italy

Infos

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  Description

  Hi! I’m Riccardo. After living abroad for nearly 20 years, in 2025 I moved back to Italy, driven by the desire to return to my home country, slow down and reconnect with nature. I now live in the beautiful region of Le Marche, a captivating central Italian area blending rolling hills, pristine Adriatic beaches, medieval hilltop towns and majestic mountains. I am based in the countryside near a small village called Sarnano, in the Monti Sibillini National Park. Here the air is clean, time seems to slow down and every sunset is worth watching until the very last ray.
  
  I live on a property with a ~2,500 sqm garden that needs some TLC: lavender and rosemary beds, broom bushes, 4 olive trees, 2 fig trees, a young cherry tree and other plants and trees. The property also has an independent wooden cottage that I manage on Airbnb, mostly in the summer months, which is where Workawayers can stay during their time here in the spring. The property is also home to Mia and Bea, two friendly little goats that take care of the grove nearby.
  
  My main project is to improve and care for my garden area together with Workawayers: gardening, pruning, clearing some overgrowth and small maintenance tasks around the property. I’m relatively new to gardening, so this is very much a shared learning experience where we work side by side. I especially welcome people with previous experience who enjoy explaining what they’re doing and sharing their knowledge, rather than just “doing a job”.
  
  As a side project, one day I’d also like to start a vegetable garden from scratch.
  Animal care for Mia and Bea is a plus, but not required.
  
  Please note: Workawayers will only be asked to help me with my private home and garden and will not be involved in any short term rental-related tasks.
  
  The independent cottage is yours in exchange for around 3–4 hours/day (up to 5 days/week) of help, from March to April. Exact hours and schedule are flexible and will be agreed together, depending on the weather, what is needed and how we both feel. Your own car is recommended if you want to explore the area on your own, as the property is ~3.5 km from Sarnano. Pizza oven and BBQ for shared dinners included.
  
  I am an avid traveller, very open-minded and quite outdoorsy. I love walks, hikes, running and biking on the trails — happy to share these adventures in our beautiful area.
  
  Hosting people from different cultures is just as important to me as the garden itself.
  I’m looking for like-minded souls who value connection, conversation, and shared experiences — not just extra hands — for an authentic exchange in the Marche countryside.
  
  Shoot me a message and… welcome!

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  S’occuper des animaux

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Politique/justice sociale

  

  Bénévolat

  

  Technologie

  

  Dev. durable

  

  Culture

  

  Dev. personnel

  

  Films et télé

  

  Soin des plantes

  

  Musique

  

  Bricolage / artisanat

  

  Livres

  

  Photographie

  

  Langues

  

  Jardinage

  

  Cuisine et alimentation

  

  Astronomie

  

  Animaux

  

  Yoga / bien-être

  

  Nature

  

  Fitness

  

  Camping

  

  Montagne

  

  Activités en plein air

  

  Randonnée

  

  Cyclisme
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  Join me for authentic Marchigian countryside living and a real taste of small Italian town life!
  
  Expect genuine connection: cooking dinners together (including pizza/BBQ), hiking trails, connecting with locals, exploring spring markets, medieval villages nearby, mountains, countryside and Adriatic beaches — I’m discovering it all too!
  
  I’ll share my home, Italian home cooking and perspectives on slowing down after 20 years abroad.
  In return, teach me your gardening secrets, sustainable tricks and cultural insights — what you do back home, your dreams and travels.
  
  Let’s swap life chapters with a home-made meal and a glass of wine! Perfect for curious souls seeking real connection in unspoiled nature.
  
  The main purpose of hosting for me is cultural exchange and mutual learning. The garden is just the excuse to spend time together, share stories, skills and different ways of living.

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  Aide

  The help is focused on my private home and garden. We’ll be working together on:
  • Caring for the garden (lavender, rosemary, broom bushes, olive and fig trees, etc.)
  • Light pruning, tidying beds, and gradually clearing some overgrowth/brambles
  • Occasional small maintenance tasks around the property
  
  This is not a professional landscaping project but a personal one. I’m still learning, so I really see this as a chance to share skills and ideas together rather than “assigning tasks”. If you have experience with gardening or Mediterranean plants, I’d love to learn from you while we work.
  
  We will plan the days together, adjusting the pace to the weather and energy levels.

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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Anglais: Courant
  Italien: Courant
  Espagnol: Débutant

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  Cet hôte a indiqué qu’il souhaitait faire partager sa propre langue ou en apprendre une nouvelle.
  Contactez-le pour en savoir plus.
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  Hébergement

  Fully independent wooden cottage (~25 sqm) with:
  • Bright living room (sofa bed, table with stools)
  • Kitchenette (single-zone induction cooktop, microwave, mini fridge, all cooking essentials)
  • Bedroom (French-size double bed, wardrobe)
  • Bathroom (sink, shower, toilet)
  • Hot/cold A/C in every room
  
  Outside: covered porch, private garden, parking.
  
  Bedding, towels, shower products, cooking essentials and free WiFi are provided.
  Washer/dryer available on request (shared with me).

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  Autres infos...

  Free time & places to visit:
  Afternoons and 2 full days off each week give you plenty of time to explore! Sarnano's medieval streets are just 3.5 km away (20-min walk or 5-min drive). Daily buses from Sarnano connect to Fermo, Amandola, Macerata and nearby towns — great for reaching Adriatic beaches, the Conero Riviera or bigger cities by train.
  
  Hike Sibillini trails bursting with spring wildflowers, visit hilltop medieval villages (San Ginesio, Amandola, Montefortino, etc), or relax in unspoiled countryside. Perfect for walkers, nature lovers or those seeking peace for meditation/self-reflection. Nearest shop is a 20-min walk; car recommended for full freedom (happy to coordinate drop-offs if needed).
  
  Food & meals:
  On the days when we are actively working together (up to 5 days a week), I’m happy to provide three meals a day – either cooking for you, cooking together or providing ingredients so you can cook for yourself in the cottage.
  On your days off, and whenever you prefer more independence, you are welcome to organise and cook your own meals using the kitchenette in the cottage.
  I like to keep things flexible and fair for both sides, so we can always discuss in advance what works best in terms of meals and hours for the period you stay.
  
  Lifestyle & house rules:
  Simple countryside living — quiet, nature-focused, respectful of each other's space. No smoking/vaping indoors. Quiet hours 10pm-8am. Solo/couples only (cottage fits 2 max). No pets (Mia & Bea territory!). Keep accommodation clean and tidy. Flexible meals: sometimes we cook and eat together, other times you cook independently in the cottage – we’ll arrange what works best for both of us. Basic Italian helps with locals, but I can translate/help. Open communication is key!
  
  Practical notes:
  March-April: mild spring (10-18°C), occasional rain — pack layers, sturdy shoes.
  Work gloves provided as are garden tools.

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  Cet hôte a indiqué qu’il aimait accueillir les digital nomads.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Deux

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  Mes animaux

  

  Mia and Bea

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