Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
9
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
Hello,
My name is Alexandros! My partner, Claire, and I live in the South of Peloponnese in the village of Lagkada between mountain and sea. We moved to the beautiful area of Mani a few years ago with the will to create a village life and we fast started working with olive trees.
We have olive groves located in steep terrain and I'm looking for volunteers to help in the harvest. We have been hosting volunteers since 2019 and the great experiences we have had mobilise us again this year. The olive harvest is a physical work - in a difficulty level similar to the grape harvest - that requires commitment, teamwork, and physical readiness.
The oil produced is for our own consumption and small-scale sales. My main activity is the restoration of Byzantine churches and historical monuments, and Claire's main activity is being an office manager in an architect office. But the olive production is a crucial part of our life as it allows us to be connected to our food consumption. That is why I take a break of 3 months during the winter to dedicate myself to this activity.
We will do our best for you to have an holistic experience of the harvest and local life!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will have the opportunity to learn about land regeneration and maintenance, olive farming, and how to distinguish a good quality olive oil from another.
We both speak English and Claire, being originally from France, speaks French as well. We will be happy to share all about the local food and culture and to recommend our favorite spots in the Mani.
The area of Mani is a peninsula that gathers charming villages on the coastline and the mountain. With its beautiful beaches, hiking paths, and a community of Europeans who live here permanently, it has the perks of being both wild and dynamic and you are of course free to go and discover it by yourself!
Lagkada is located 1h15 by car from Kalamata, where there is an International airport and bus connection between Athens and Lagkada.
In Lagkada, you will find a cafe that gathers villagers at multiple times of the day. In the next village, 15 mins from walking distance, is a good local taverna (our personal favorite).
The closest beach is 11km away by car. On this coastline, you will find other beaches but also the main villages (Agios Nikolaos, Stoupa and Kardamyli) where the local community congregates. There is public transport every day but we will gladly drive you ourselves whenever it is possible.
Help
Volunteers help 5 hours per day and 5 days per week with days off in exchange for meals and accommodation. The days off will not necessarily fall on the weekend (or on sunny days), the harvest being a dynamic activity that depends from the weather. The olive harvest is an intense period so if a volunteer wants to work extra hours in exchange for a payment in kind, it will be a welcomed help.
Although the fields are not certified organic due to the small scale of our activity, we produce exclusively organic extra virgin olive oil. Most of the fields have been abandoned by the owners and I work to bring these fields back to life, first by clearing the jungles of high weeds, then by pruning the trees, and finally by harvesting the olives, which is the only way to ensure that the trees will keep on producing. After a period of 5 years without being harvested, the tree stops producing and it is a part of our gastronomic heritage that we lose because it is a very high quality olive specific to the micro-climate of Mani.
The olive harvest includes the following tasks: pick olives / lay and move nets on the bottom / put olives in bags / burn branches and collect wood / prepare lunch & dinner.
The team spirit is a crucial part of the harvest: when an individual person joins into one team work, the daily effort becomes easier and more joyful.
Languages spoken
Greek: Fluent
English: Fluent
Accommodation
We offer accommodation in a house located in the village, 5 minutes by foot from our own house. The house includes a share bedroom with a double bed and two single beds, a fully equipped kitchen/dining room and a bathroom with bathtub and WC. We can host up to 4 volunteers; it is suitable for couples, friends or individuals. We ask everybody to be responsible for the good running of the house and keep it a clean and livable space.
Food will be provided for breakfast, lunch, dinner as well as for days off and will be cooked by team members. We will share a lunch together during lunch break on the field. Breakfast includes bread, butter, jam, oats, and fruits. Extra beverages (soda, beer, others) and special requests are not included.
What else ...
- We ask people not to smoke in the house or while working.
- Social drinking is accepted but not drug or alcohol habits.
- If you have any mental or physical health issues please let us know so we can assess if this is the right place for you (including allergies, special dietary requirements etc.)
- The work is physically demanding - you will need a certain degree of stamina and proper working clothes.
- The minimum length of stay requirement is 2 weeks.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
The house having WIFI, we can host digital nomads but only if you can follow the same schedule as the rest of the team. Please note also that the house does not have separate rooms to offer you full privacy.
Space for parking camper vans
You are more than welcome to come in your campervan but please note there are no parking on the premises. The closest parking is 50m from the house on the side of the road. Otherwise you will find parking spots at the square of the village, 5mins by foot from the house.
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (4)
Tom's laid-back yet hardworking attitude was a consistent source of reliability. We could count on him for crucial tasks like working the ''lanara'' (a 2.5m long machine that puts down the olives and… read more
Their impact went beyond the physical help; the atmosphere they created helped make each day a… read more
I had a lot of fun with them and the other volunteers, sharing good times and good memories.
Pruning is difficult, but Alexandros is very good at involving and helping you, this makes everything less tiring.
We had long and… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Tom's laid-back yet hardworking attitude was a consistent source of reliability. We could count on him for crucial tasks like working the ''lanara'' (a 2.5m long machine that puts down the olives and… read more
Their impact went beyond the physical help; the atmosphere they created helped make each day a… read more
I had a lot of fun with them and the other volunteers, sharing good times and good memories.
Pruning is difficult, but Alexandros is very good at involving and helping you, this makes everything less tiring.
We had long and… read more
They reached out to help and they very fast became part of the team. Fast learners and hard workers, they fulfilled each day of harvest with strong dedication and enthusiasm.
Their drive to immerse themselves in the local culture amazed me particularly. With their sense… read more
Alex and Claire welcomed us warmly and we had a great time with them and the other volunteers.
Alex taught us so many things about greek history and culture (we loved our conversations during coffee… read more
Due to personal reasons I was only able to stay with them for one week but even during that short period of time I could feel their great hospitality and kind natures.
The work itself was hard physical work but Alexandros always tried to keep everyone in a good mood and… read more
We had the opportunity to help in different jobs and discover most of the olive process!
We also had time to visit this beautiful area, thanks to them, their help and tips !
Wr met beautiful people, shared a very nice volunteer house with a beautiful terrasse and amazing view !
Thank you… read more
They are both dynamic and easy-going people, curious and eager to give a hand. Their help was precious as we introduced them to different works, from sorting out olives and oregano to harvesting olives. Their capacity to adapt and learn made the transition from one… read more
