As an Italian, I’ve always been deeply connected to the charm and allure of my homeland. Italy, with its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes, is more than just a tourist destination. Italy is a Destination for Exploration and Transformation, a place that invites you to immerse yourself in a lifestyle that values community, tradition, and a deep-rooted appreciation for the simple pleasures of life..
Our mountains, from the snow-capped peaks of the Alps to the rugged beauty of the Apennines, offer a different kind of experience. They provide a sense of peace and solitude, a chance to reconnect with nature and enjoy the awe-inspiring landscapes that make Italy so unique.
Our coastline is a paradise for those who love the sea, whether it’s the unique beaches of Sardinia, the dramatic cliffs of Sicily, or the charming coastal towns of the Amalfi Coast. It’s a place where you can relax, soak up the sun, and enjoy the refreshing breeze of the Mediterranean.
But beyond its tourist attractions, Italy is a country that invites you to slow down, to immerse yourself in its lifestyle, its traditions, and its communities. It’s a place that encourages you to live la dolce vita, the sweet life.
THE RISE OF SMART WORKING AND THE NEED FOR A NEW WAY OF LIVING, ITALY IS A DESTINATION FOR EXPLORATION AND TRANSFORMATION
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift towards remote work or “smart working”, as it’s often called in Italy. Here, the number of people working from home has seen exponential growth in the past year, and the tendency is deemed to grow, with more and more companies allowing their employees to work from home some weeks, sometimes even months, per year.
This shift has brought about an organizational and cultural revolution, with benefits such as the reconciliation of personal needs and work, reduction of travel costs, and decrease in pollution. It has also highlighted the need for a balance between work and personal life, and the importance of community and connection.
THE FUTURE OF EXPLORATION IN ITALY, A DESTINATION FOR EXPLORATION AND TRANSFORMATION
Exploring Italy is no longer just about visiting its famous landmarks. It’s about immersing yourself in a community that values sustainability, well-being, and personal growth. It’s about experiencing the Italian way of life through a new lens, one that values connection, collaboration, and co-creation. It’s not just about seeing the sights, but about immersing yourself in a community that values well-being, connection, and sustainability. It’s about experiencing the Italian way of life from a new perspective, one that values the power of community and the importance of living in harmony with nature.
In this new era of exploration, the focus is shifting from the individual to the collective, from the material to the experiential. It’s about understanding that our actions have a wider impact, that our choices can contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world. It’s about recognizing that we are part of a larger community, and that our well-being is intrinsically linked to the well-being of others and the planet.
In the pursuit of safety and protection, asylum seekers in Italy plead for refuge from the Italian state. This quest for protection leads them to a center that supports their integration journey, providing professional training and language learning opportunities. This center becomes a lifeline, offering food, lodging, and the space to focus on integration, and plays a crucial role in helping those who have fled persecution and uncertainty in their home countries. During our Coliving & Coworking Retreat in Pontremoli, we were invited to an event on international refugee day by our local partners, the Cooperativa Torrano Domani, and got the chance to learn about the inspiring work of the SAI program, formerly known as SPRAR and part of the Circle Arci organization, dedicated to supporting asylum seekers in Italy, A Destination for Exploration and Transformation. Join us as we delve into their journey and the profound impact they have made over the last decade, shedding light on the challenges and transformations they’ve faced along the way.
COLIVING EXPERIENCES: A SOLUTION FOR THE MODERN EXPLORER
Coliving experiences in Italy offer a unique opportunity to live and explore the country in the most authentic way. They provide a platform for cultural exchange, for learning and growth, and for building meaningful connections with people from diverse backgrounds. They allow you to immerse yourself in the local culture, to participate in local traditions, and to contribute to the local economy.
Italy, with its small towns and villages, its rich traditions and its vibrant local economies, is a perfect setting for coliving experiences. These initiatives not only provide a sustainable way of living and traveling, but they also help to keep local cultures and traditions alive, support small economies, and contribute to the revitalization of rural areas. They offer a way to explore Italy that is respectful of its people and its environment, and that enriches both the traveler and the host community.
AGAIA COLIVING
This is where AGAIA Coliving comes in. AGAIA is not just a place to live and work. It’s a community that promotes well-being, sustainability, and personal growth. It’s a home where individuals can realize themselves socially, mentally, and physically within a group that values authentic communication and collective growth.
AGAIA Coliving is built on the understanding that we are interconnected, with ourselves, with others, and with nature. It addresses the loneliness and isolation often associated with remote work by providing a space for individuals to connect, collaborate, and create together. It’s a place where work-life balance isn’t just a concept, but rather, a reality.
THE IMPACT OF AGAIA COLIVING: SUSTAINABILITY AT THE CORE
AGAIA is also making a sustainable impact on a local level. By establishing a sustainable living concept, using existing and shared resources, and consuming local and seasonal food, AGAIA Coliving is striving to create a lifestyle in harmony with nature. It is also investing in and actively supporting local projects, contributing to the revitalization of local economies. This strong integration with local communities ensures alignment with local needs and promotes a mutual exchange of culture and traditions.
By promoting a lifestyle that respects nature and utilizes shared resources, AGAIA is striving to create a community that lives in harmony with the environment. This commitment to sustainability extends beyond the coliving space, with AGAIA actively supporting local projects and contributing to the revitalization of local economies.
EMBRACING THE COLIVING LIFESTYLE AND THE POWER OF COMMUNITY. ITALY, A DESTINATION FOR EXPLORATION AND TRANSFORMATION
Coliving is more than just a shared living arrangement. It’s a lifestyle choice that reflects a desire for community, connection, and shared growth. At AGAIA, coliving is seen as a way to enrich personal and professional life, to foster a sense of belonging, and to create a balance between work and personal spheres. It’s a response to the isolation and work-life imbalance that can come with remote work, offering a solution that nurtures both individual well-being and community cohesion.
At the heart of AGAIA’s coliving concept is the power of community. It’s about creating a space where individuals can grow and thrive together, where every member contributes to and is enriched by the community. It’s about fostering connections that go beyond the superficial, creating a sense of belonging and shared purpose that can help alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation.
OTHER INITIATIVES
In addition to AGAIA, there are other noteworthy coliving initiatives in Italy that are worth exploring:
Kino Italy: Kino Italy is a popup coworking project in different rural Italian regions (currently Puglia, Tuscany and Sicily). It offers a unique blend of professional and personal development opportunities, with a focus on creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. It provides a space for digital nomads, entrepreneurs, and creatives to live, work, and connect with like-minded individuals.
Outquarters: Outquarters offers a unique “slow living” experience in the beautiful town of Agropoli. It provides a platform for remote workers and digital nomads to immerse themselves in the local culture, participate in local traditions, and contribute to the local economy. It offers a range of activities, from cooking with local grandmas to biking, swimming, and even taking a zip-line flight during sunset.
Lamìa Feedel: Located in the heart of Puglia, Lamìa Feedel is a coliving and coworking space that offers a new work-life balance for digital nomads. It provides a space for individuals to work, explore, unwind, and live like a local. It also hosts a range of events and activities designed to help individuals discover the southern lifestyle, get to know the culture, relax, and have fun.
Italy, with its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes, has always been a destination for exploration. But the future of exploration in Italy is not just about visiting its famous landmarks. It’s about immersing yourself in its lifestyle, its traditions, and its communities. It’s about experiencing the Italian way of life in a way that is sustainable, equitable, and enriching.
AGAIA Coliving is a testament to this new way of exploring Italy. It’s a project that is not just transforming the way we live and work, but also making a positive impact on local communities and the environment. It’s a project that is keeping traditions alive, supporting small economies, and contributing to the revitalization of rural areas.
If you are looking for a new way to explore Italy, consider the path of coliving. It’s more than just a place to stay: it’s a place to grow, to connect, and to transform. It’s a place that shows us that a different way of living is not only possible, but also deeply rewarding. It’s a place that embodies the true spirit of Italy: a spirit of community, sustainability, and la dolce vita.