Join us in creating a magical garden in the countryside near Tivoli, central Italy

Infos

• 

  Description

  We are looking for a helper coming in March when I will be finishing pruning the olives trees, and the spring season 's works start, ideally for a stay of at least two months, better if longer. If you’re handy with DIY, agile and have a love for nature, we’d love to have you join us! 😊 This is a chance to experience life on a small Italian family farm, sharing in a productive and cohesive project.
  
  Please read our profile carefully before contacting us and share your WhatsApp number so we can chat daily 🙂✍. We value open communication and would like you to send a brief message about your expectations for your stay.
  
  Our ongoing mission is to transform a piece of land into a magical garden, filled with vibrant flowers, lush greenery, and peaceful spaces. We welcome helpers who are willing to learn, help, and pay attention to detail. Only vaccinated guests who can provide a recent professional COVID test are accepted (no DIY tests, please).
  
  About Us
  
  Hi, I’m Carlotta (61), and I live with Marco (67) and our two dogs in the countryside, 7 km from Tivoli and 30 km from Rome. Our home is a small country house with 4,000 square metres of land. We maintain a balance between caring for our home, plants, dogs, and ourselves.
  
  Our property is divided into three areas: the house, courtyard, lawn, workshop, and patio. You’ll help keep this area tidy. The land also includes olive groves, fruit trees, and flowerbeds under construction, where you’ll assist with both ordinary and more creative projects.
  
  Fifty to fifteen years ago, the land was abandoned. Since then, I’ve worked patiently and mostly by hand to restore it, like a "Little Turtle" 🐢 (Tartarughina), slowly making progress. The terrain is steep, so all the work is manual.

• 

  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Pratique d’une langue

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  S’occuper des animaux

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général
• 

  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  You’ll have the opportunity to learn about Italian culture, food, and language. I’m reasonably good at cooking, so you’ll pick up some tips on Italian cuisine along the way. We speak both English and Italian and will be happy to help you improve your Italian if you’re keen to learn.
  
  While we’re happy to share our knowledge and experience, we are unable to provide a paid position or help you find one.
  
  ________________________________________
  Work Hours
  
  In exchange for 25 in the garden or organising and cleaning projects, plus household and courtyard chores, we offer accommodation, meals, and a chance to be part of a rewarding project. Your free time will vary depending on the weather, and rainy days will likely be your rest days. Helpers are free to manage personal activities between 4:30/5 pm and 7:30/8 pm daily.
  
  Meals
  
  Meals will be shared, and we enjoy cooking with fresh, local ingredients. Breakfast is around 8:00 am, lunch around 4 pm, and dinner around 9 pm. You’ll be expected to help with meal preparation and cleaning up afterward. We appreciate guests who are flexible with food and enjoy a varied diet, as we share everything, including meat. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate vegetarian or vegan diets.
  
  What to Bring
  
  • Shoes: It’s essential to bring sturdy shoes with non-slip soles for working in the countryside. We recommend bringing two pairs in case one gets wet or damaged. Please bring indoor clean slippers.
  • Clothing: Please pack at least two long-sleeved t-shirts that are easy to wash. They will help protect you while working outdoors.
  • Personal Products: You should bring any personal care products you prefer, such as soap, shampoo, and anything you need for your skin. If you’re sensitive to insects, don’t forget to bring your preferred mosquito repellent.
  
  Language Requirements
  
  It’s important that guests are able to communicate reasonably well in either English or Italian. We will than be happy to help you improve your Italian, but you must already be able to interact independently.
  
  Location & Lifestyle
  
  We live in a quiet, remote area, 7 km from Tivoli and 30 km from Rome. The nearest train station is 6 km away, and buses to the station are unreliable. The closest village, about 2 km away, has a bus stop, bar, pizzeria, and a small square where you can meet locals. This is an ideal spot for those who enjoy solitude, nature, and a peaceful environment away from city life.
  
  In your free time, you can explore the surrounding countryside, take walks among olive groves, or visit nearby historical sites such as Villa d’Este and Villa Adriana, both UNESCO World Heritage sites.

• 

  Aide

  What to Expect
  
  Tasks
  
  • Gardening & Outdoor Projects: You’ll help with planting flowers and trees, weeding, tidying flowerbeds, building garden beds, moving stones, and constructing dry stone walls. You may also assist with small DIY projects, such as building wooden steps, welding, and using garden tools like a grass trimmer.
  • Household & General Maintenance: Expect to participate in daily chores, such as setting the table, tidying up after meals, and keeping common areas clean.
  • Animal Care: We have two friendly dogs, and part of your role will be helping to care for them, and to ensure they stay within the garden.
  We need helpers who are comfortable working outdoors and with their hands, who don’t mind getting dirty and enjoy the process of creating something special.

• 

  Langues parlées

  Anglais: Courant
  Italien: Courant

• 

  Hébergement

  You’ll stay on the top floor of our small cottage, with a private tiny room, studio, and bathroom. The space is cosy and comfortable, perfect for retreating after a day of work in the garden. Please note we do not have air-conditioning, and it can get hot in summer.
  We also ask that you bring indoor slippers, as we like to keep the space clean. Smoking is not allowed inside, and no food is permitted in the guest area.

• 

  Autres infos...

  What We’re Looking For:
  
  • Enthusiastic, reliable and agile individuals who love nature and enjoy working with their hands.
  • No prior gardening experience is necessary, just a willingness to learn.
  • Strong and responsible people who respect cleanliness and attention to detail.
  • Guests must be comfortable with dogs, as they’re part of our daily life.
  • You must be vaccinated against COVID and take a professional test before arriving.
  • We host one helper at a time, for stays of one month or more. The longer you stay, the more you’ll become involved in the project!
  
  ________________________________________
  Important Notes
  
  • Internet Access: We have Wi-Fi, but it’s not super fast. Streaming is possible, but there might be occasional breaks.
  • Insurance: Personal travel insurance is required.
  • Schengen Visas: We do not provide support for obtaining visas.
  
  ________________________________________
  We’re looking for positive, cheerful individuals who want to immerse themselves in nature and contribute to a meaningful project. If you’re ready to join us and help create something beautiful, we’d love to hear from you!

• 

  Informations complémentaires

  • 

    Accès Internet

  • 

    Accès Internet limité

  • 

    Nous avons des animaux

  • 

    Nous sommes fumeurs

  • 

    Familles bienvenues

• 

  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Un

Sécurité du site

Feedback (20)