Who You’ll Meet at Our Italian Village Coliving

Real people. Real stories. Real village life.

Nestled among the rolling green hills of Umbria, Dolce Vita Coliving is more than a place to stay—it's a restored medieval village that’s become home to people from all over the world in search of inspiration, connection, and a slower pace of life. Meet five of our favorite faces who have passed through—and left their stories echoing in the cobblestoned streets of Vallo di Nera.

1. The Mindful Meditator – Anika from Copenhagen

A yoga teacher and mindfulness coach, Anika came to Dolce Vita seeking stillness—and found it beyond her expectations.

"There's a special energy here,” she smiles, sitting cross-legged beneath an olive tree, fresh lavender tucked in her journal. “The quiet isn't empty—it’s full of birdsong, church bells, and my own thoughts settling like dust in sunlight.”

Each morning begins with her sunrise meditation by the village chapel, followed by herbal tea from the local nature paths. Evenings are often shared in small circles of laughter under starry skies.

Fun fact: Anika now leads weekly movement sessions by the river for fellow colivers.

Don't miss: A walk to the abbey in Castel San Felice at golden hour—a hidden gem she swears resets the soul.

2. The Ultra-Productive Remote Worker – Leo from São Paulo

A UI/UX designer for a tech startup, Leo keeps a tight schedule—but traded his big-city backdrop for stone walls, trattorias, and forest views.

"My meetings are still intense,” he laughs, typing rapidly at the coworking space in an old grain mill. “But after work, I’m biking through ancient trails with colleagues-turned-friends. I finally feel awake.”

He appreciates the high-speed internet (“faster than my apartment in Brazil!”), but what he didn’t expect was how much his creativity would skyrocket with all the fresh air and fresh food.

Fun fact: Leo learned how to make "strangozzi" from Franca in the village — and now hosts Thursday night “Strangozzi Jams.”

Try this: Pair your brainstorming session with pecorino and truffle honey from Norcia, served at their local Osteria Cacio Re.

3. The Spiritual Traveler – Nyasha from Cape Town

Nyasha, a writer and dream coach, came to Italy on a sabbatical. What was meant to be a one-week stay turned into three.
"This place pulled me into presence,” she says, seated on a sun-warmed step, sketching scenes from the village fountain. “I’ve seen parts of myself in every winding alley and every neighbor’s kindness.”

She draws inspiration from valley hikes, firefly-lit nights, and impromptu jam sessions led by fellow creatives.

Fun fact: Nyasha’s dream circle in the village piazza night has become a beloved weekly ritual.

Happening not to miss: Evening storytelling at dinner, where travelers and locals swap tales over Umbrian Sagrantino wine.

4. The Eco-Conscious Chef – Milo from Melbourne

Milo arrived with a backpack and a love for slow food. Within days, he had befriended every local gardener and started whipping up plant-based feasts from wild ingredients.

"I forage with the shepherd's wife,” he grins over a bowl of nettle risotto. “She knows the land like a symphony.”

He’s started a “zero-waste kitchen” challenge among colivers, and his dishes now tell the delicious story of Umbria’s seasons.

Fun fact: Milo once traded a vintage wine bottle for homemade sourdough from a neighbor’s cellar.

Food to try: Strangozzi with Norcia sausage, cream, and truffle, called Umbricelli alla Norcina.

5. The Rewilding Coder – Yuki from Tokyo

A minimalist and remote software engineer, Yuki came to Dolce Vita tired of screens and noise. Now, she’s coding with squirrels running around.

"At first, I was nervous the village would be ‘too quiet,’” she admits. “But it’s the first time I’ve truly heard myself think.”

When not working on her climate-data app from the terrace of an old abbey, she’s sketching the surrounding valleys or watching the local beekeeper harvest honey.

Fun fact: Yuki gave suggestions to improve a website for one of the artisan cheesemakers as a thank-you for introducing her to ricotta fatta a mano.

Place to visit: The medieval frescoes of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta—mystical and hauntingly beautiful.

Ready to meet your tribe in a medieval paradise?

Trade isolation for inspiration and city chaos for olive groves. Come create your own story at Dolce Vita Coliving.

🌿 Book your stay today at: dolcevitacoliving.com/book
Let the village welcome you home.