Description

"Multicoloured ladders looked great among the olives. The sound of olives cascading down these ladders sounded like a tribal rain making instrument." - Richard, volunteer

Something a bit different! Join us and our Italian friends for the traditional olive harvest - the end of this year's work at the villa and the perfect holiday for anyone looking for a touch of comfort in the stunning hilltop surroundings of Umbria.

And for lovers of real Italian food, we're looking forward to fantastic lunches, the famous last night's supper, and bringing home enough of our own cold-pressed organic olive oil to last until next year.

Who we're working with
The association MATILDE PIANCIANI is a small cultural association founded by the new generation of family owners to care for the large historical complex of this stunning Italian villa, the annex and the surrounding park.

Much of the work in the parklands has been carried out in collaboration with BTCV but the complexity and the extent of the project demands a lot of care to research and restore it to its original state.

Where we're working
A few kilometres from the town of Spoleto, this beautiful villa and park is nestled amongst olive groves atop a small hill, affording spectacular views of the rolling Umbrian countryside. An Italian national monument built as a summer residence for Count Alessandro Pianciani in the late 18th century, the Villa Pianciani Delizia is as delightful as its name.

1hr 30min from Rome and 2hrs from Florence, Umbria is one of the few landlocked Italian regions, sometimes referred to as 'Italy's Green Heart'. Dotted with splendid medieval hill towns this region gives you a chance to flee the crowds and escape to the isolated valleys and mountains.

What we'll be doing
Over the past few years BTCV has been working to assist with the restoration of the landscaped grounds of the villa. As the year comes to a close, we'll take our serious hats off and join our friends at Villa Pianciani to help with the olive harvest. All done in the traditional way - with sticks and sheets and glorious coloured ladders, this is a fun sociable project in the finest surroundings.

It's not all frivolous though - the olive groves that surround the villa represent an important and characteristic part of the landscape. The organic groves, unimproved over the years, are not commercially viable and without these projects, wouldn't get the maintenance and use they need to survive.

As well as picking and pruning, we'll be able to watch the processing of the olives and bring home enough cold-pressed organic olive oil to last us until next year.

And essential for hard work is great food - while we toil, fantastic home-cooked Italian lunches are rustled up for us and ready for our well deserved break - the highlight of every working day!

Benefits of our work
The groves in which the villa is set are an ancient and traditional part of the landscape. These are increasingly suffering as realistically it is not economically viable to maintain them, and until now, much of the potential harvest has gone to waste. The work will not only provide you with the best stories to tell as you serve your salads, but ensures the continued survival of the groves and their important role within the landscape setting.

Where we'll be staying
The Villa Pianciani Delizia dominates the landscape, with a 360 degree view with Assisi and Spoleto in the distance. The entire Villa complex is an Italian National Monument, under the jurisdiction of the Italian State Superintendence of Historical and Fine Art Treasures.

We'll be staying in a beautiful old stone farm cottage within the grounds. It has been completely renovated and has double, twin and three-bed bedrooms, several bathrooms and showers, a cosy kitchen and living room both with hearths, a large veranda and patio with a marble table and panoramic views of the countryside and distant Spoleto. We'll mainly be self-catering as a group but with delicious all Italian lunches provided.

The house was originally the home for the family working the olive groves, and still retains the flavour of its original function.

Highlights

This is a place to relax and enjoy the peace of life. Wander the historical park taking in gorgeous scents and views. Explore the rose garden with its two vast iron 'gazebi' (symmetrical canopies in wrought iron). Take a gentle amble in the beautiful surrounding hills, olive groves and Mediterranean woods. Or just sit on the verandah with a pile of good books and a glass of wine.

Many stunning mediaeval hilltop towns dot the hills and valleys of Umbria. The bus to Spoleto goes from the main road at the bottom of the hill - stay there and explore the famouse Roman Ponte delle Torri, gellati in hand, or strike out further by train for a grand day out. Assisi, Montefalco, Perugia, Norcia, Todi and Deruta can all be reached easily. Not included in the holiday price, but easily arranged at a reasonable rate if enough are interested would be a minibus to make the most these places.

On arrival we'll share 'l'aperitivo di benvenuti' (welcome aperitif) to meet each other and to introduce the week's plan. On the afternoon of the final day, depending on period and local circumstances, we'll take a trip out for some oil or wine tasting, to visit ancient and modern oil mills or wineries and vineyards, or visit historical olive groves, followed by the now legendary 'arrivederci' supper!

Don't take it from us..."the surroundings were paradiselike, being out there in the grove on the hills, the view was wonderful, the work was lovely as were all the other olive harvesters. The day off to Assissi was a good balance to have some 'culture' amongst our nature week."

"A great experience in this season with sun and pleasant temperatures. A delicious combination of outdoor life and treat for the inner man."

Qualifications

You must be over 18. Previous experience not necessary

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

445 GBP

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Conservation
• Eco-tourism
• Environment
• Natural Resources
• Organic Farming

Age Range

18-80

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of up to 9

Application Process Involves

• Other

Typically The Application Process Time is

n/a

BTCV's Mission Statement

A better environment where people are valued, included and involved. Mission: To create a more sustainable future by inspiring people and improving places. Values: BTCV's values are integral to all our work. They have been developed through four decades of a 'hands-on' approach to conservation activities. During this time we have adapted to meet the changing needs of communities, we care about people, the communities in which they live and the quality of their environment.

Year Founded

1959