Learn how to be more self-sufficient and experience everyday life in rural Castiglione, Italy

Infos

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  Description

  It all started with the dream of having a piece of land of our own. Land where we could grow our own crops, eat from our fruit trees and live freely in harmony with nature. And so, in the summer of 2022, we climbed into our vintage Hanomag camper van and set off in search of our place in Mediterranean Southern Europe. Chasing our dream of a self-sufficient life!
  
  After more than 15,000 kilometres of travelling around, we found our home and land. At the foot of an old borgo in Lunigiana, Northern Tuscany, two hectares were waiting for us to restore and bring back to life. A neglected olive grove, an abandoned vineyard, a hidden chestnut forest and a house in need of plenty of care… all with a breathtaking panoramic view over the Tuscan mountains and hills.
  
  This is where we have been living since the summer of 2024: Sander, Arachne, our toddler and baby, and our Border Collie, Blitz. In the summer of 2025 we started a mini-glamping, from july until mid-september, where we rent out two tents. This, however, is not what we are looking for volunteers to help with; volunteers will not help with camp stays
  
  In september we close the glamping, which gives us time to work on what we are really here for!
  
  We are happy to welcome volunteers who enjoy helping us with our no-till vegetable garden, olive grove, vineyard and house.
  
  In the surrounding area, you can enjoy beautiful hiking and cycling, with the mountains right on our doorstep. There are plenty of little rivers and waterfalls to discover, and within just over half an hour you can reach the Mediterranean coast.
  
  The Cinque Terre are just 40 minutes away and very easy to reach by train from Villafranca, a small village just 10 minutes from us.
  
  If you are looking for a bit more city life, you can take the train from Villafranca and be in La Spezia in just 30 minutes — a lively city with plenty to do, especially when it comes to nightlife.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Jardinage d'entretien

  Projets DIY créatifs

  Aide dans une ferme

  Aide à la maison

  Petits travaux d'entretien
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Vidéographie

  

  Végétarien ou végan

  

  Ferme

  

  Écriture

  

  Dessin et peinture

  

  Jardinage

  

  Cuisine et alimentation

  

  Bricolage / artisanat

  

  Menuiserie

  

  Nature

  

  Camping

  

  Montagne

  

  Plage

  

  Sports nautiques

  

  Randonnée

  

  Cyclisme
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  Objectifs de développement durable de l’ONU que cet hôte essaie d'atteindre

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  Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  Experience what it's like to live in the Italian countryside in the north of Tuscany, in the region of Lunigiana.
  
  We are building a no-dig vegetable garden where you will be involved in the daily tasks, learning how we take care of the soil and preserve our food, with the aim of becoming as self-sufficient in food as possible.
  
  You can also learn how to prune fruit and olive trees and how to take care of and restore a neglected vineyard. There is plenty to learn and plenty to do, depending on the season and your interests.
  
  We have travelled a lot in and outside Europe, and we enjoy being in a position where we can now host other travellers. We will share lunches and dinners together, and we like to communicate in an open and equal way. Sharing meals is a great opportunity to get to know each other better, and we look forward to hearing about your experiences and the places you have been.
  
  You will also have the opportunity to experience the local area, nature and everyday life in rural Tuscany, while sharing your own culture, skills and experiences with us.

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  Aide

  Helping in the garden, olive grove and vineyard, further creating the vegetable garden, doing odd tasks around the house, and building up a supply of firewood.

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  Langues parlées

  Hollandais: Courant
  Anglais: Intermédiaire
  Espagnol: Intermédiaire
  Allemand: Débutant
  Italien: Débutant

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  Hébergement

  A two person bedroom with an own entrance.
  The room has a sofa, table and chairs and your waking up to an amazing view.
  There is a kitchen that can be used for meals.
  
  You have breakfast on your own, in your own tempo. There is an own kitchen for you to use. We provide the ingredients. Breakfast together is also possible if that is prefered by you!
  
  We have a coffee/tea halfway trough the morning, and a warm lunch together. Dinner will be together or separate, depending on your plans for the afternoon. If you are one a trip, we will save dinner for whenever you get back to our place in the evening.
  
  Food:
  Mostly vegetarian food, Arachne loves cooking and makes the most wonderful dishes. Breakfast and lunch are cared for. Food for dinner is available to cook in your own kitchen.

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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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  Espace pour garer des vans

  No space on our own property, but closeby there is a place to park a camper/motorhome with acces to water.

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  Possibilité d'accueillir les animaux

  Pets by arrangement.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Deux

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  Mes animaux

  Blitz

  Our border collie Blitz is very friendly towards visitors. Always wants to play and loves to join you around the garden.

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