🇬🇧 Join our farm and restoration project overlooking the sea in Southern Italy
Hi, I’m Elios.
I live and work on my family property in Marina di Marittima, on the beautiful Salento coast of Southern Italy.
The property includes agricultural land, olive groves, traditional dry-stone structures, vegetable gardens, animals, woodland areas and several ongoing restoration projects.
This is a place for people who enjoy creating, repairing, building, learning practical skills and working with their hands.
We are not looking for people simply searching for accommodation near the beach.
This project is best suited to curious, motivated and hands-on people who genuinely enjoy contributing to meaningful projects and community life.
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🌿 What we do
Depending on the season, volunteers may help with:
• gardening and vegetable gardens
• olive harvesting and traditional olive oil production
• tomato harvesting and homemade tomato sauce production
• fruit and carob harvesting
• animal care (sheep, chickens and other farm animals)
• building and repairing animal fences and paddocks
• maintenance and improvement of woodland trails and walking paths
• light woodland management and small-scale pruning
• exterior painting and wall rendering
• woodworking and furniture restoration
• restoration and painting of wrought-iron structures
• restoration of traditional dry-stone walls
• general farm maintenance
• organizing, cleaning and improving outdoor spaces
Every season is different and there is always something new to learn.
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🔨 The type of people who fit best here
We especially appreciate people who:
• enjoy practical and physical work
• are curious and willing to learn by doing
• can work independently when needed
• enjoy solving problems with creativity and common sense
• enjoy sharing knowledge, skills and experiences with others
• take pride in leaving a place better than they found it
• have experience in DIY, gardening, farming, construction, painting, plastering, woodworking, metalwork or restoration
Experience is welcome, but attitude, reliability and willingness to contribute are far more important.
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🏡 Accommodation
Accommodation is simple, rural and authentic.
We try to provide private space whenever possible, although flexibility is appreciated, especially during the busiest summer months.
Breakfast and dinner are shared and we enjoy spending time together after work.
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🌊 The location
The property overlooks the Adriatic Sea and is surrounded by nature.
A beautiful oak-tree path leads directly to Acquaviva Bay, one of the most scenic swimming spots in the area, only a few minutes away on foot.
Volunteers can enjoy swimming, hiking and exploring the Salento coast during their free time.
The sea is a wonderful bonus, but it is not the main purpose of the experience.
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💬 What you will gain
This is not a holiday.
It is an opportunity to learn by doing, work alongside people from different backgrounds and take part in projects that leave a visible and lasting result.
You may gain:
• practical skills in woodworking, restoration, painting, plastering and ironwork
• experience in small-scale farming and food production
• knowledge of traditional rural life in Southern Italy
• experience caring for animals and managing outdoor spaces
• teamwork and problem-solving skills
• cultural exchange, friendships and shared experiences
Many volunteers leave with new skills, new friendships and the satisfaction of having helped create something tangible and lasting.
If this sounds like your kind of adventure, we would be happy to welcome you into our small community overlooking the sea in Southern Italy.
🌿 Elios
Read more
Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Poultry farming
Sheep or goat farming
Forestry
Flower farming
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Bakery
Traditional crafts
Green Building
Methods or systems
Animal drafting
No-till farming
Permaculture
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
2.5
Hectares
|
6.2
Acres
Accommodation
