Our story

From Family Roots to farmhouse coliving

After several years of living and working in London, my partner and I felt the call to return to my roots in Sicily—to the place where my family’s history is deeply woven into the land.

In 1922, my great-grandfather, Carmelo Ferraro, built this farmhouse, and exactly 100 years later, in 2022, I, also Carmelo Ferraro, restored it with a new vision: to create a space where people from around the world could experience the beauty of rural Sicily while working remotely and living in a supportive community.

Today, while we are based in Sicily, we continue to work remotely with clients in London, balancing professional fulfillment with the serenity of nature—a lifestyle that inspired us to build Canestanco 18 as a home for digital nomads seeking the same balance.

A Place of Family, Tradition, and New Beginnings

This farmhouse holds a special place in my heart. As a child, I spent summers here with my extended family, learning the rhythms of rural Sicilian life—picking olives, making salsa for the year’s supply, helping my mother and aunt knead dough for wood-fired bread and pizza, harvesting carobs, or simply playing outside, crafting bows and arrows and using prickly pears as targets.

As I grew older, I discovered more of what this beautiful region had to offer—spending days at the local beaches, cycling, hiking, horse riding in the countryside, or enjoying the nightlife in town. The closest city, a UNESCO World Heritage site, remains one of my favorite places to explore.

Our Missions

At Canestanco 18, we want to share this unique lifestyle with others. Our mission is to create a space where digital nomads, remote workers, travelers and creatives can:

🌿 Find the perfect balance between work and life, staying productive while enjoying nature.
🌎 Experience Sicilian culture, from traditional food to local events and breathtaking landscapes.
🤝 Connect with a like-minded community, sharing ideas, skills, and experiences.
🚴 Enjoy outdoor activities, from hiking and cycling to swimming and horse riding.
🔥 Embrace slow living, with pizza nights by the wood oven, barbecues, and evenings under the stars.
🌱Live sustainably in an organic farm coliving, where fresh produce is grown and enjoyed straight from our garden, promoting a healthier and eco-conscious way of life.