Slow Living and Remote Work in Vallo di Nera

Recharging from Bustling London to Peaceful Umbria
An Expert Guide to Finding Balance in the Timeless Village of Vallo di Nera

From Underground Rush to Silent Stone Paths

London: city of ambition, velocity, and thriving energy. Days begin with the shrill ring of your alarm, the race for the Tube, and navigating crowds with coffee in one hand and your to-do list in the other. But even the most dedicated creatives and remote professionals eventually hear the call—they crave stillness, connection, and balance. That’s when a different rhythm begins to whisper: one that comes from the mountains of Umbria, from cobblestone paths lined with lavender, and the warm hum of life in a medieval village that has stood the test of time.

Welcome to Vallo di Nera, a place to recharge your battery while keeping your laptop open—if you choose.

The Magic of Vallo di Nera: A Medieval Time Capsule

Tucked away in the green heart of Italy, about 60 km southeast of Perugia, lies Vallo di Nera, a village suspended between the past and your peaceful, productive future. As one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia (The Most Beautiful Villages in Italy), Vallo di Nera invites visitors to slow their pace and immerse themselves in a centuries-old lifestyle without sacrificing modern needs.

Here, high-speed internet hums beneath stone walls built a thousand years ago. Coworking happens in lovingly restored spaces, once chapels or farmhouses, and energy isn't drained—it multiplies through the stillness all around you.

Slow Coffee, Stronger Connections

In London, coffee is about function—fast, hot, and caffeinating your day. In Vallo di Nera, it’s an act of joy. Begin your morning with a short walk through winding alleys to the village café. There, espressos are sipped slowly on a terrace that overlooks the dramatic Valnerina Valley, where green hills roll beneath a big Umbrian sky.

Conversations with locals and fellow colivers replace emails for a while. There’s no rush. And that’s exactly the point.

Nature that Nurtures

One of the biggest differences between life in London and life in Vallo di Nera? The air. Clean, pine-scented and laced with wildflowers, it wakes you up better than any alarm clock. The moment your feet hit the trails surrounding the village, the urban overstimulation melts away.

Hike through the Sibillini Mountains, cycle to the neighboring borgo of Scheggino, or picnic next to ancient hermitages hidden in the hills. The rhythms of Umbria speak to your body—and your spirit.

How to Experience the Dolce Vita Workation
Practical Tips for Your Stay in Vallo di Nera

• Pack Light, Work Smart
  Bring your laptop and hiking boots, but leave the stress behind. Our coworking spaces offer high-speed WiFi in atmospheric buildings where you’d never expect to find it.
  

• Stay Awhile
  Short visits are charming, but the real magic comes with slow travel. Plan for a few weeks—or months. Our coliving program is ideal for digital nomads and creatives looking to immerse deeply.
  

• Live Like a Local
  Join pasta-making workshops with local nonnas, harvest olives in the nearby groves, and attend village festivals that celebrate ancient traditions with joy and pride.
  

• Nourish Yourself
  Enjoy delicious Umbrian cuisine, from wild boar ragù to locally-aged pecorino, paired beautifully with bold Montefalco red wines or crisp white Grechetto. Don’t miss tagliatelle al tartufo—the region’s prized black truffle dish.
  

• Unplug Intentionally
  While you can work remotely, Vallo di Nera is also the perfect place to log off intentionally. Use your weekends to hike new trails, sketch hilltop vistas, read in the sunshine, or meditate under olive trees.
  

Recommended Day Trips & Hidden Gems

• Norcia, birthplace of St. Benedict, is a scenic 30-minute drive away, known for its cured meats and strong Catholic heritage.

• Valnerina, the surrounding valley, is dotted with hermitages, hiking paths, and medieval towns untouched by time.

• Cascata delle Marmore, one of the tallest man-made waterfalls in the world, is a stunning sight—and just an hour’s drive through the countryside.

A Place for Festivals, Folk Songs, and the Unexpected

Vallo di Nera’s calendar is sprinkled with cultural celebrations rooted in tradition. Time your visit with:

• Festa dei Frantoi Aperti (Open Olive Mills Festival): A celebration of local olive oil, featuring tastings, workshops, and live music.

• Le Vie del Latte e del Formaggio: A delicious food route through Umbrian cheese-making traditions.

• Spontaneous village concerts, artisan markets, and processions that bring medieval stories to life.

Come, Recharge in the Green Heart of Italy

Vallo di Nera is not a tourist stop. It’s a living, breathing place that opens its arms to those longing for deeper connection—to their work, to nature, and to themselves. If you've ever dreamed of working from Italy—not the crowded piazzas of Rome but somewhere real, rooted, serene—this is it.

Whether you stay for a couple of weeks or call our ancient walls home for a whole season, you’ll find what’s been missing: space to think, people to share with, and the freedom to slow down and truly live.

Reserve your place in the village—your village—today. Let Umbria change the way you work, and more importantly, the way you feel. 

Travel Diary from Umbria, Italy

On my first full day at _Dolce Vita Coliving_—a dreamy remote work haven nestled in a medieval village in Umbria—I set out for an ordinary chore: my first supermarket run. I expected the typical stock-up of standard groceries. What I found instead was a total revelation about everyday Italian life.

As I walked into the local commercial supermarket (yes, just your standard chain store) I was instantly drawn to the fruit and vegetable section. It felt more like a farmer’s market than any supermarket I’ve seen in the UK. The vegetables weren’t shrink-wrapped in plastic. They weren’t all shaped the same. In fact, they looked like they came straight from the soil—still earthy, vibrant, and perfectly imperfect.

From plump heirloom tomatoes in a dozen reds and oranges, to deep-green zucchinis and oddly-shaped but sweet-smelling peaches, everything glowed with freshness. It was clear that Italians expect high-quality ingredients every day—not just on market day.

And then, the meat counter. There, you’ll find paper-thin slices of prosciutto crudo expertly folded by the butcher, fresh mortadella with delicate pistachio flecks, local salame, porchetta, fresh ham—it’s not just food, it's culinary art. Don’t be afraid to ask for “un assaggio” (a taste)! The staff are usually warm and generous.

Trip Details

• Stops: Local supermarket in Vallo di Nera area, nearby towns for extra flair—Spoleto, Foligno, and Vallo di Nera itself.

• Duration: 1–2 hours food shopping, or make it a half-day adventure if you include a stop in a nearby historic town for lunch or sightseeing.

• Difficulty: Easy, suitable for all. A basic level of Italian or a translation app helps.

• What to Bring: A shopping bag or two (Italians rarely offer plastic bags), cash or card, and your appetite. If you're staying at Dolce Vita Coliving, a backpack is perfect for the winding cobbled walk back.

Nearby Cultural Stops

After shopping, wander through Spoleto, a historic gem known for the Festival dei Due Mondi and its magnificent Roman theater. Or visit Foligno, set along the Topino river, where the rhythm of everyday life dances between tradition and understated beauty. Of course, Vallo di Nera itself is like walking through time—a medieval village untouched by modern stress, where stone houses and local legends invite slow discovery.

Foods & Drinks to Try

Seek out Pecorino cheese, locally made olive oil, wild boar ragu, and lentils from Castelluccio. Don’t miss a glass of Montefalco red wine or a cold Peroni birra for something lighter. Try truffle-based spreads and fresh egg pasta at nearly any local deli corner.

Living at Dolce Vita Coliving means discovering that even a trip to the supermarket can be part of your Italian adventure. Whether it’s the flavor of a sun-warmed tomato, the friendly smile from behind the meat counter, or a slow-strolling afternoon through historic alleys, this place invites you to rethink your daily routine—one moment of la dolce vita at a time.

Ready to taste it for yourself?

Book your stay now at dolcevitacoliving.com/book and let Umbria feed your soul (and your fridge).