Help create a haven of peace at this magical house in the woods

Top Host: This host receives lots of worldpackers and has a high average rating, being recognized by the community as a Top Host.
Help a sustainable project: 9 travelers confirmed that this host is actively contributing to a more sustainable future for everyone!
Connect with nature: 7 travelers recommend this experience for reconnecting with nature
Practice English: 7 travelers recommend this host to practice English
Accepts couples and pairs of volunteers

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What you offer

25h

Hours per week: Help out and collaborate with your host only a few hours per week.

Painting & Decorating: Help with painting or decorating the property facilities.

Building & Repairing: Help with a wide range of repairs or building.

Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens

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What you get

Days off per week: Have some time off for yourself, go explore the city or rest for a while.

Team Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other people.

Breakfast: You are entitled to a free breakfast, every day of your stay.

Lunch: You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.

Dinner: You are entitled to a free dinner, every day of your stay.

Fast Internet Access: High-speed internet for you to work remotely

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

Get free drinks or beverages.: Drink up! Get free and tasty drinks for yourself.

Language lessons: Take free language classes at our place.

Pick Up: We will pick you up when you arrive, and take you to our property.

Support: Get help from the Worldpackers support team in case you need it, at any point of your trip.

Verified Host: This host has been verified by our team before joining the community.

WP Safeguard: Did something not go as planned? Contact our team.; Learn more

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Availability

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Stay at least: 2 weeks

Stay up to: 4 weeks

The Experience

Hi, I am a 60 year old gay man from the UK who recently moved to Italy with my dog Billy. I'm a semi-retired actor and teacher who loves the outdoors, food, music, theatre and film. The property is an early 19th century traditional Piemontese farmhouse on a secluded hectare of wooded land ten minutes from the centre of Asti. It is a magical haven from the world, which needs restoration, landscaping and woodland management.

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Requirements

Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

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Talk to those who have lived the experience

In our community, you can talk to worldpackers who have already collaborated with this host and get your questions answered directly.

You can ask things like:

a) How was your experience with this host?
b) How was your day-to-day routine?
c) How much did you spend on this trip?

UN Sustainable Development Goals

Join the host in pursuit of these goals and contribute to building a better and more sustainable future for all.

Good health and well-being

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Reduced inequalities

Reduce inequality within and among countries.

Life on land

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

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10 Reviews

5.0

Host & Team

5.0

Hours & Tasks

5.0

Farmstay

5.0

Learning & Fun

5.0

How this experience will transform you

7 Get in touch with nature
7 Practicing English
6 Immersing in the local culture
6 Developing environmental awareness
6 Meeting international travelers
6 Meeting locals

This host contributes to Sustainable Development Goals

7 15. Life on land
5 3. Good health and well-being
3 10. Reduced inequalities

juana

Chile

There are many things that I would like to write here, so many anecdotes and good moments that I lived in this beautiful refuge. Stephen is a really interesting person and helped us understand English and also every afternoon after work, he prepared us an incredible dinner (he cooks very delicious). The space where we stayed is very nice and cosy. I also learned a lot about how to take advantage of natural resources for the creation and maintenance of trails, as well as the process of firewood to be able to stay warm at home. Billy is an adorable and very playful puppy. Thanks a lot 🤍🌳

26 days ago

Stephen replied

Dear Junn, such a pleasure to host you! your enthusiastic personality and excellent work ethic were a joy for us. Your skills and commitment have helped transform the land space at Il Rifugio, you really have helped me fulfil my vision for the place. I will try to give you a proper review, awaiting advice from Worldpackers. Much love to you and Billy and I really hope we get to meet you again!

Constanza

Chile

Stephen and Billy are excellent hosts; they welcomed us into their home and made us feel like family. We immersed ourselves in a wonderful project and enjoyed every task we undertook. We wanted to leave our mark on the place, but the place left its mark on us. the farm, Stephen, and Billy are delightful, and what can I say about the meals Stephen prepared for us: absolutely MADONNA! Day after day, we connected with nature, learned new things, and shared with wonderful, friendly people. All of this contributed to a truly rewarding experience.

26 days ago

Stephen replied

Cony, you were an incredible volunteer! Your positive energy and hard work, your ability to make independent decisions and your kindness and loving personality were a perfect fit for the project and Billy and I love you and hope we see you again!
Due to my extremely busy schedule it seems I have missed the deadline for posting a full review, I will contact Worldpackers and ask if there is a way I can leave a review, because you were excellent and I would highly recommend you as a volunteer!

Mateus

Brazil

It was my first experience and I think it couldn't have been better. Stephen is very welcoming; from the moment he picked me up at the train station, he was super attentive and careful. He's always checking if everything is okay or if we need anything. Billy, his dog, is so lovable and is like a little boy. Every night Stephen makes dinner and the food is wonderful. There's always good music playing (I had a musical immersion with Stephen). It was all incredible; when I left I cried because I felt like part of the family. Thank you for everything, Stephen.

about 1 month ago

Stephen replied

It was such a pleasure to host you, you are welcome here any time!

Marcio Mariano

Brazil

Stephen is a very nice host, always punctual, he makes us feel comfortable while doing our tasks, and he even cooks dinner. Thank you, Stephen, for the opportunity to be your volunteer.

about 2 months ago

Carla

Mexico

I feel so lucky and blessed to have met Stephen and Billy. Stephen is the best host, he's always asking if we need groceries and if we're fine with work too. I felt at home at his place with Billy too. I will miss you both. Dinner is simply amazing and the conversations as well. I made friends, I improved my English, I can just say thank you, highly recommend. The place is amazing, there's always work to do so please be pro-active, this project deserves it. Every weekend, I went to a different city, the train station it's few minutes away by car. You can use the bike too and enjoy the sunset

2 months ago

Stephen replied

Thank you Carla, it was a total joy to have you here.
I realised too late that I mistakenly tapped the buttons to say you need improvement in your languages, please forgive me, this was a mistake, your English is excellent, and you are learning more every day.
If there is way I can correct my mistake, please let me know, and I will change it!
I wish you the very best for your next experience and I truly hope we can meet again!

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About the host

Hosted by Stephen

Top Host: This host receives a lot of worldpackers and has a high average rating.
Response Rate: This host usually answers to 30% of the messages
Response Time: This host usually writes back in 3 days
2 published videos: This host has 2 published videos showing a little bit about their place

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