Living the Dream: My Remote Work Adventure in an Italian Medieval Village

What It’s Really Like to Work Remotely in a Medieval Village in Italy: A Real Life Dolce Vita Story

By: A Dolce Vita Coliving Guest

🌿 Swapping Deadlines for Olive Trees

There’s working remotely… and then there’s working remotely from a medieval village perched in the hills of Umbria. Forget the screech of traffic and the blinking of neon signs—instead, imagine beginning your day with chiming church bells, sipping espresso as the sun rises over a 13th-century stone tower, and finishing tasks with a view of green valleys that stretch as far as the eye can see.

I’m Sofia, a UX designer from Berlin, and I spent three months at Dolce Vita Coliving in Vallo di Nera. It changed how I view remote work, community, and what it really means to live the “slow life.” If you’re curious about what day-to-day life is like in a restored medieval village turned coliving paradise, here’s my guide to the experience that blended productivity with la dolce vita. 🇮🇹✨

🏰 The Charm of Coliving in a Real Village

More Than Just a Coliving—It’s an Entire Medieval Town

Dolce Vita Coliving isn’t a shared apartment or a converted villa—it’s a whole medieval borgo that becomes your playground.

From my stone-walled studio apartment nestled near the old piazza to coworking in a centuries-old monastery-turned-workspace, every inch of this place told a story. Even daily walks to the village bakery (yes, there is one and it’s divine) felt like stepping into a timeless postcard.

Working under wooden beams with birds chirping outside your window adds a whole new level of calm and creativity. I found that my productivity actually soared here—less burnout, more balance.

💻 Practical Tips for Remote Work in Umbria

Here’s what makes working from Dolce Vita actually work:

- Wi-Fi you can trust – Don’t let the rustic charm fool you. The internet is fast and stable (yes, even in 12th-century rooms).
- Coworking spaces designed for focus – Quiet, beautiful, cozy. Think high ceilings, natural light, and antique touches.
- Time zones & collaboration – CET actually worked well with my Berlin team and even with my New York clients (just adjust your deep-focus hours).
- Work breaks = nature escapes – The Valnerina valley is literally at your doorstep, perfect for mid-day hikes or bike rides.

Pro tip: Bring fewer shoes (the cobblestones are unforgiving), but more notebooks—you’ll want to write everything down.

🌟 Living the Slow Life: Daily Rituals & Real Community

Every evening, something quietly magical happened here. Someone would call: "Aperitivo time?” And like clockwork, we’d all drift out of our WiFi-bubble, wine glass in hand, to gather in the town square.

Dolce Vita Coliving attracts curious minds and kind souls—creatives, entrepreneurs, freelancers, healers. From group dinners in a rustic trattoria to locals inviting us to their family-run oil press, the sense of connection is real and heartwarming.

Traditional Umbrian dishes like strangozzi pasta with truffles or ricotta-flavored lentil soups often found their way from grandma’s kitchen to our communal table. And of course, red wine from the nearby Montefalco region flows like warm conversation.

🎭 Activities & Seasons: Living the Village Calendar

One of my favorite things? Letting the rhythm of the seasons guide my experiences.

- Spring (March – May): Flowering hillsides, truffle hunting, and enjoying the Primavera in Valnerina festival. Perfect for hiking and exploring.
- Summer (June – August): The village comes alive with music, food fairs, and starlit feasts. Don’t miss Festa della Lavanda, a celebration amid purple lavender fields.
- Fall (September – October): Olive harvesting season! 🍃 Participate in the pressing process with locals, then taste the freshest oil of your life.
- Winter (November – February): Surprisingly peaceful and inspiring. Shorter days mean more focus, cozy evenings, and fewer distractions.

📍 Places to Explore on Your Days Off

Umbria is the “Green Heart of Italy,” and you’re in one of its most beautiful corners. Here are a few gems to visit nearby:

- Piedipaterno – A charming hamlet nearby with gorgeous river walks and surprising art tucked away in chapels.
- Cascata delle Marmore – One of the tallest man-made waterfalls in Europe, made by the Romans! A great weekend escape.
- Spoleto & Norcia – Great day trips offering historic wonders and culinary surprises (hello black truffles and cured meats).

🍷 A Taste of Italian Village Life: What to Eat & Drink

If you're a foodie (like me), prepare your tastebuds for joy:

- Strangozzi with truffles – Local hand-rolled pasta, earthy and rich. Pure Umbrian magic.
- Lentil stew from Castelluccio – Hearty, comforting, especially with a drizzle of fresh olive oil.
- Norcia salumi & pecorino – Sample at a picnic spot above the valley.
- Montefalco Sagrantino wine – Full-bodied, deep red. Perfect for village sunsets and fireplace chats.

💬 A Final Word from Sofia: Why I’ll Be Back

What surprised me most wasn’t just the beauty or the pasta (though, both exceeded expectations!). It was the stillness that gently arrived in my everyday. The quiet joy of walking to the local fountain, the friendships built over shared focaccia, the balance between productivity and playfulness.

Remote work doesn’t have to be isolating. In fact, it can bring you closer—to yourself, to others, to life. Dolce Vita Coliving in Vallo di Nera proved that.

🚀 Your Turn—Live the Dolce Vita

Whether you’re looking to break free from the city buzz, reconnect with nature, spark your next big idea, or simply breathe deeper—Dolce Vita Coliving is waiting.

Come join us. Cowork from a medieval hilltop, share stories over wine, and rediscover slow living in Umbria’s most enchanting villages.

📅 Book your stay for spring, summer or fall—each season has something new to offer.

✨ Ready to embrace la dolce vita for yourself?

👉 Visit dolcevitacoliving.com or follow us on Instagram @dolcevitacoliving for the view from the borgo.

📸 Photos in the article feature actual guests & spots in and around Dolce Vita Coliving. Come write your own story here.