A lot of terraces in need of of a new destination
Catania
A paradise between Etna and the sea; 40 min to Catania and 15 min to Taormina. 5.5 hectares of mostly terraced land, bordered by a river and 2 creeks. The river is dry most of the time but it is just a beauty to climb the big boulders in it and hike the river bed. Roaming semi-wild cows and pigs & all kinds of wildlife. I bought this land approximately 3 years ago and have been mainly busy renovating the houses. The property is planted with all kinds of trees: approx 300 olive trees, figs, oranges, lemons, nuts, etc., producing too much to be processed. Delicious wild asparagus and mushrooms. After the renovations the farm needs a new idea for production, the possibilities are endless. One side thing could be to create basins for cultivating fish. Plenty of water available to realise this.
A lot has been done but there’s plenty of work and options left. Because, at the moment, I’m a one-man show, with help and new energy & ideas, all kinds of new projects could be realized. Some ideas: a tree house in one of the oaks looking down to the river, building a solar field on the terraces, planting new crops, general maintenance of the land, cutting some trees for firewood, other trees that need care, … Perhaps we start some of these together. A lot to do in your spare time: a beautiful beach 15 min. away, climbing options and Catania is within reach either by train or a 40 mins car drive. Lots of little villages and bicycling is big here.
I can say I am a good cook. I cook every day and sharing food and stories would be nice. Simple rule: who cooks doesn’t clean. Lived on my sailing boat for 15 years and this was a rule that worked. You’ll be staying in a very little but very nice stone house approx 80 meters from the main house overlooking the river. It has its own bathroom and a terrace.
I am normally in the fields till noon and then have lunch. Lunch takes more or less 2 hours (preparing, eating ,cleaning up). It all depends on the weather. If it is better to eat more at dinner than we do so. In spring and autumn, it all shifts more to lunch, and in summer more to dinner. There is a pool and in summer the lunch time is much longer. It's getting too hot and the pool and hammock are better. I would say we play by the needs and circumstances. If I can count on about a half a day of your time I will be fine. If we do more on some days then you will get some days off to explore the island if you want.
I was a photographer for 25 years, first lived in Munich, then mainly in Miami. Bought a sailing boat after I quit and cruised for 15 years. Now I am getting older and found this place. Not bad. I have a passion for design and my place here is inspired by the 80’s. Have a special interest in lamps. My collection grew quite big.
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***PARLO SOLO INGLESE E TEDESCO***
Un paradiso fra l'Etna ed il mare a 40 minuti da Catania e 15 da Taormina. 5,5 ettari di terra prevalentemente terrazzati e delimitati da un fiume e due canyon. il fiume è per lo più secco ma è fantastico arrampicarsi sulle pareti a strapiombo o risalire il letto fra grandi massi ed oleandri. Mucche e maiali presenti in giro per la zone insieme ad ogni tipo di fauna selvatica locale.
Ho avuto sempre un cane nella mia vita, per il momento no ma da un momento all'altro un cambiamento è possibile.
Ho comprato questa proprietà circa tre anni fa e sono stato occupato, prevalentemente, nella ristrutturazione dei ruderi Sono presenti alberi da frutto di ogni tipo e circa 300 olivi con una grande produzione che da solo non riesco a seguire. Deliziosi asparagi selvatici e funghi.
Finita la ristrutturazione è necessaria una nuova idea di organizzazione della produzione. Le possibilità sono infinite. Un'idea ulteriore potrebbe essere anche un piccolo allevamento di pesci. Abbondante acqua è disponibile per realizzarlo.
Molto è già stato fatto ma c'è ancora tanto lavoro e tante possibilità.
Qualche idea: una casa sull'albero che guardi giù verso il letto del fiume, una distesa di pannelli solari, sui terrazzamenti, manutenzione generale della proprietà, tagliare legna per il fuoco, curare le piante e gli alberi ecc ecc
Nel tempo libero non mancano le attività: una bellissima spiaggia a 15 minuti, Catania a 40 minuti anche in treno oltre che in macchina. Villaggi tutto intorno e grande movimento di ciclisti nella zona.
Posso dire di essere un bravo cuoco, cucino ogni giorno e sarebbe bello condividere cibo e due chiacchiere. Una regola semplice: chi cucina non pulisce: Ho vissuto in barca per 15 anni e questa regola ha sempre funzionato. Alloggerete in una piccola e bella dependance con bagno privato e terrazza.
Io sono di solito in giro per i campi fino a mezzogiorno e poi pranzo (circa un paio di ore per preparare, mangiare, pulire). La lunghezza della pausa dipende dal tempo e dalla stagione e dalle circostanze. Se si dedica più tempo alle attività per alcuni giorni non avrei nessun problema con qualche giorno di pausa per scoprire l'isola, se lo desiderate.
Ho fatto il fotografo per 25 anni e, originario di Monaco, ho vissuto in giro per il mondo seguendo il mio lavoro, fino a quando ho comprato una barca a vela su cui ho vissuto per 15 anni. Adesso che sono più avanti negli anni ho trovato questo posto. Non male!
Ho la passione per il design e la mia casa ispirata agli anni 80 ed in particolare le lampade di cui ho una piccola collezione, in crescita. Mi piace andare nei negozi di usato ed ai mercati domenicali a Catania. Parto in macchina e porto con me la bici. Catania è una città fantastica, non troppo posh e con tanto da scoprire. Altrimenti sono molto occupato con la proprietà: 4 case da ristrutturare ed una seconda piscina da costruire.
Gli amici vengono a trovarmi prevalentemente in estate. Non tanti, gestibile.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Bakery
Mechanics / tools / technology
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
5.5
Hectares
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13.6
Acres
Peter
Member since 2024
Languages spoken:
English, German
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
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Sat
Response rate: 89%
Response time: typically within 2 days
Catania
Fiumefreddo di Sicilia train station
Reviews
William
United States
•
January 2026
If you are open minded and able to get out of your comfort zone then you will certainly enjoy Peter’s farm. I was there for a little less than two weeks with three other WWOOFers we had a nice thing going. The nature around Peter’s property is unbelievable please take the time to explore. Right next to the complex is a dry river with some of the most incredible boulders I’ve ever seen. Peter’s an interesting guy and fun to talk with. Definitely a place you want to be with other WWOOFers it’s kinda isolated. Peter was kind enough to drive us to Etna and we had an amazing hike up
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Carlo
Italy
•
November 2025
My stay at Peter was excellent. The working hours from 7am to 12pm gave me the possibility get work done and learn new jobs in the morning and then have time to work on my projects in the afternoon. I also liked the fact that Peter would cook for us at lunch and then we would have the freedom to cook for ourselves at dinner. The space is very creative and around the area there are many things to do as well.
Thank you Peter!
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Anastasija
Netherlands
•
October 2025
I spent a wonderful month on Peter’s property in Sicily! We usually worked in the mornings (mostly landscaping — not too hard) before it got too warm, and then enjoyed a delicious lunch together. Peter is an amazing cook!
I highly recommend renting a car — it gave me the freedom to explore the area, visit nearby beaches, and try lots of great local food. You really get to feel like a local, especially because the nearby village feels very authentic and Peter always has great tips on what to see and do.
The property itself is beautiful, with several private sleeping options. It was a truly special experience, and I’d love to visit Sicily again in the future!
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Lorenzo
Italy
•
October 2025
What a journey!
The area where the property is located is very nice. The property is a jewel, wild at the right point. Accomodation almost always very comfortable. Definitely some good taste of Peter made the ambients pleasant.
The work was good, sometime hard, I enjoyed it.
Peter is a man of knowledge and likes to share some of his extraordinary experiences as well as to hear from others.
His attitude can be tough but he's also kind and available.
Fruits and vegetables grow in the gardens and he is a good cook!
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Susan
Germany
•
September 2025
This was a very special time at a very special place. If you really like nature (not only green acres and trees but also insects in your room or gecko-shit everywhere) and are willing to work on Peter's idea, support it with working enthousiasm or maybe ideas - you'll have a wonderfull time. I had good luck with another WWofer the time I stayed, we 3 plus other working hands got along with respect and fun and coffe and conversations after yummy lunch. Enjoyed the cold water bassin after in hot September or jumped into the medit. sea 20 min away. I will certainly come back. Thanks for the opportunity to learn from you passionate people!
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Sunny
United States
•
July 2025
I spent a week WWOOFing at Peter’s farm, and it was a genuinely rewarding experience. From the moment I arrived, Peter made me feel welcome and part of the team. His passion for farming and building shines through, and he was very generous and down-to-earth.
The accommodation was simple but clean and cozy, with everything I needed. Meals were shared and often featured homegrown ingredients, such as zucchini and tomato salad with olive oil, and the food was hearty and delicious. Peter’s cooking — especially the pasta dishes — was a highlight! The evenings were spent chatting or watching the stars, and there was a peaceful rhythm to the days that went quickly. I also got to meet a couple of other WWOOFers during my stay, and it was great to connect with like-minded people from different parts of the world.
If you're looking for a WWOOFing experience that blends meaningful work, a beautiful natural setting, and a host who truly cares about what he does, I highly recommend Peter’s farm.
I had a great time and beautiful memories here, I would love to return one day in the future!
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