Hospitality exchange in Calabria – Hi, my name is Daniele and I live in a small town called Marina di San Lorenzo near Reggio di Calabria. I have travelled a lot by bicycle through Spain and Portugal. Unfortunately, my grandfather passed away last summer and left me a whole building of 9 flats to restore. I have never used this platform but you can see my Couchsurfing profile.

Here is the link: https://www.couchsurfing.com/people/daniele-borrello

I live alone and need to work every day so I’m never at home.

I’m looking for volunteers

I would be happy to host travellers and volunteers to help me with some manual work:

• Masonry
• Electrical installations
• Water installations

I have a whole building of 9 flats. Maybe in the future, I will build a solar panel system. There is also a small garden so sometimes work is required there.

The idea is to rent out the flats in good condition during the summer and get on with repairing the others.

The work of the volunteers is something mixed, “hybrid”: from typical hostel tasks (cleaning, care and welcoming guests) to building and gardening.

So I would need one person to help me clean. Another one to help me build and restore objects/things. Finally, other people to help me take care of the vegetable garden and the garden.

A team of volunteers

The idea is to create a team as a family to work and have fun together. The area is so beautiful, with the view of the mountain. I also have a boat and on weekends we can go on excursions to different places.

How many hours of voluntary help is required?

I would ask for about 5 hours, 5 days a week, usually starting in the morning from about 8 am.

Board and lodging

I will offer you free accommodation with your own bedroom (one bed with your own wardrobe), internet connection, food and all facilities at home. Feel free to come to my house. I live only 40 minutes by train and bus from the centre of Reggio Calabria. Near my house, there are a pharmacy, bar, supermarket. It is a small town but it has everything.

More information

Basically, my situation is this: I inherited from my Grandfather a whole building consisting of about 6 flats plus a 3-storey rustic to be renovated in a hamlet of San Lorenzo in the province of Reggio Calabria (about 200 inhabitants).

I have about 5 beds per flat and I want to create a sustainable care system. In the surroundings, there are plenty of ghost villages like Pentedattilo and Roghudi Vecchio. I recommend you to see some photos on the web. You can make excursions both in the mountain area (see Amendolea Condofuri) and by sea. I have a boat.

Internet

As for the internet, I’m relying on my neighbour. I’m in the process of putting it in place, as I need it to manage the whole business (rentals during the summer period, announcements with volunteers, etc.). I plan to create a close-knit group of people who enjoy themselves and have the opportunity to explore the area.

More

It is full of ancient Greek artefacts and an area full of history. In some areas, ancient Greek is still spoken. If you need more photos, I can easily send them to you on WhatsApp.

Visa

I cannot offer VISA nor pay for your travel costs. Similar requests will be ignored.

Cultural experiences offered

• Meet new people
• Local excursions
• I can teach Italian to foreigners
• Sharing kitchen tasks and exchanging new recipes
• Bicycles available for use
• Vegan friendly
• Must like cats
• Suitable for vegetarians
• Own transport of helper recommended
• Internet access

Contact details 🔍📧