Italy Ecovillage Tour
10 DAYS | Max group size: 18
A journey through the eco-communities of Northern Italy
Dreaming of Italy? Go beyond postcard-perfect vineyards and towns to meet the changemakers cultivating a regenerative future. Visit communities growing organic food, restoring historic villas, and experimenting with cooperative living.
You’ll visit world-renowned communities like Damanhur and Torri Superiore, as well as hidden villages in the hills of northern Italy. Along the way, you’ll learn about natural building, solar energy, water systems, group decision-making, and communication tools that help communities thrive.
This guided Ecovillage Tour invites you to slow down, savor real connections, and experience how Italians are weaving sustainability into daily life. Whether you’re seeking inspiration for your own project, considering a move abroad, or craving a more meaningful European getaway—this journey offers a deep, intentional way to experience Italy.
We are thrilled to welcome back guides, Safir and Giovanni, to lead the second annual Italy Ecovillage Tour!
Italy Ecovillage Tour
Next tour dates:
Sept 29 - Oct 8, 2026
Please note: Tour itinerary still being finalized. All communities and activities subject to change.
Tour Highlights
What you can expect to experience during your time in Italy.
Please note: The second annual Italy Ecovillage Tour itinerary is still being finalized. All communities visits and activities are subject to change.
Visit 7+ communities over 10 days: From hidden villages to world-renowned ecovillages, meet the people reimagining what it means to live well—together.
Savor local beauty and culture: Step off the typical tourist path to explore Northern Italy’s hilltops, castles, and breathtaking landscapes—plus a cross-border visit to the azure beaches of charming Menton, France.
Travel in a guided group: Ecovillage Tours has partnered with RIVE (The Italian Ecovillage Network), and Consapevoli Assieme (creators of Silent Steps), in collaboration with local guides who have been leading groups through Italy for years. This partnership offers authentic access to Italian communities.
Discover the secrets of community living: Explore what helps communities truly thrive with special sessions facilitated by leaders in the Italian ecovillage movement.
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A Day in the Territory of Arca Tentyris
Explore real-world sustainability solutions—from bio-construction and solar energy to water systems and innovative off-grid living practices. The visit includes a guided meditation on sacred rocks (indoors if needed) and a session on the role of dreams and trauma healing in community life.Facilitator: Macaco Tamerice. A sociologist, trauma specialist, and long-time Damanhur leader, Macaco is a globally recognized voice in community building, leadership, and personal transformation. She has taught over 20 Ecovillage Design Education (EDE) courses and is a certified educator with GEN and Gaia Education.
Group Dynamics & CLIPS
An interactive session introducing the CLIPS (Community Incubator) method—used across Europe to support new and existing community-led projects with proven tools and strategies.Facilitator: Lucilla Borio, co-author of CLIPS and founder of Ecovillage Torri Superiore.
Social Permaculture & Film Screening
An intro to social permaculture—designing systems for human and ecological wellbeing—followed by a screening of Learning from SPARROWS, a documentary on youth-led regenerative education.Facilitator: Massimo Candela, founder of the Italian Permaculture Academy.
Featured Communities
2026 communities still to be confirmed. Below are the communities visited during 2025.
Torri Superiore
Nestled in the Ligurian hills near the French border, Torri Superiore is a beautifully restored 13th-century stone village. This ecovillage and cultural center began in the early 1990s and exemplifies sustainable living through ecological restoration and community engagement. Visitors can explore its labyrinthine architecture and participate in workshops on permaculture, natural building, and community living.
Website: torri-superiore.org
Federation of Damanhur
Damanhur is a federation of 30 communities, known as "nucleos," located in the Valchiusella valley in northern Italy. These communities collectively comprise around 600 residents. Each nucleo focuses on specific areas such as solar energy, organic agriculture, education, and healing practices. Damanhur is renowned for its underground Temples of Humankind, a series of hand-carved chambers dedicated to spiritual and artistic expression. The community operates with its own constitution and emphasizes values like sustainability, spirituality, and collective living.
Website: damanhur.org
Communities within Damanhur we’ll visit:
Arca Tentyris
Arca Tentyris is one of the four core communities within the Federatiåon of Damanhur. This intentional community is dedicated to experimenting with alternative social models that emphasize communal living, environmental sustainability, and spiritual growth. Residents engage in various projects, including renewable energy initiatives, organic agriculture, and the development of eco-friendly infrastructures.
Website: arca.tentyris.itTerre di Oropan
Part of the Damanhur Federation, Terre di Oropan is a vibrant spiritual community in northern Piedmont where daily life blends food, art, and beauty to inspire collective healing and human evolution. With five distinct housing cores, each home to 10–20 people, the community nurtures a deep connection to nature and shared purpose.
Website: terredioropan.itDamjl
Founded in 1979, Damjl is the historical heart of the Damanhur Federation and a spiritual center built on sacred land. Reclaimed and cultivated by volunteers, it is now a lush space filled with art, meditation paths, and sacred architecture. The community is made up of eight unique housing cores, all contributing to shared spiritual and ecological goals.
Website: damjl.org
Alpe Pianello
Situated near Lake Maggiore, Alpe Pianello is an ecovillage emphasizing low-impact, minimalist, and self-sufficient living. The community offers opportunities for visitors to engage in activities like yoga, meditation, and permaculture, fostering a deep connection with nature. This growing community is open to new members!
Website: alpepianello.it
Villaggio Verde
The Villaggio Verde is an ecovillage project conceived in the early 1980s by Bernardino del Boca, as an experimental center for the evolution of consciousness, a free laboratory of living by seeking harmony with oneself, others and nature.
There is no political or religious inspiration, nor strict regulation: everyone is free to participate in the common activities according to his or her availability and inclinations, according to the needs of the group and to his or her individual conscience and responsibility.
Currently there are about 20 inhabitants who are members of a housing cooperative close to the concept of cohousing, which holds undivided ownership of 12 apartments made in the shape of a semicircle around a pond, other communal buildings and the land, amounting to about 8 hectares, most of which is forest and 1 hectare cultivated for years according to organic farming standards.
La Casa Rotta
In the Piedmont region, La Casa Rotta is an evolving ecovillage combining communal living with sustainable agriculture. The community focuses on restoring the land through biodynamic farming and offers a model for economically sustainable and replicable living practices.
Website: lacasarotta.com
Cohousing Numero Zero
Based in Turin, Cohousing Numero Zero is a pioneering urban cohousing project developed by the CoAbitare Association. It aims to foster a collaborative lifestyle while respecting individual privacy, emphasizing participatory design and shared responsibilities among residents.
Cohousing Montesole
Located in the hills near Torino, Cohousing Montesole is a community of individuals committed to shared living and sustainability. The residents focus on creating a supportive environment that balances communal activities with personal space.
Website: facebook.com/CohousingMontesole
Trip Details
Explore detailed trip information to prepare for your adventure.
Included
All ground transportation from tour start and end point
All lodging in shared rooms (Private surcharge for single room upgrade)
All meals, except when you choose to eat separately or purchase extra drinks
All entrance and tour fees
Not Included
Transportation to/from country
Insurance of any kind
Alcoholic beverages (except during wine tours)
Optional gratuities to guides
Laundry fees and items of a personal nature
Pricing
Click “Book Now” to see current pricing and available discounts. Payment plans available. Pricing subject to change, but your rate is guaranteed with your deposit. All prices listed in USD.
$1,999 + $500 deposit Super early bird through Jan 5, 2026 (save 20%)
$2,249 + $500 deposit Early bird through July 1, 2026 (save 10%)
$2,524 + $500 deposit Normal price
Travel Logistics
We encourage you to book your flight as soon as possible, as the better deals are often found in advance. We recommend flying in and out of Milano Malpensa Airport (MXP).
Our tour will begin at the MXP Airport. Participants are asked to plan their arrival at the airport to be before 3pm local time on the tour start date for pick up. Or, alternatively, plan for pick up at the Milano Centrale railway station before 1pm local time (the train is connected to the LIN and BGY TRN airports).
Our tour will conclude back at the MXP Airport by noon on the last day of the tour. Lunch and lodging is not included on the last day of the tour. Kindly book your flights for that afternoon or stay on in Italy if you choose.
Weather
In early October, northern Italy enjoys the golden light and crisp air of early autumn—an ideal time to visit. Daytime temperatures typically range from the mid-60s to mid-70s Fahrenheit (18–24°C), with cooler evenings that may dip into the 50s (10–15°C). The weather is generally mild and pleasant, perfect for exploring the countryside and enjoying outdoor meals. Autumn colors begin to paint the hills and mountains, harvest season is in full swing, and the tourist crowds have thinned—offering a quieter, more authentic Italian experience.
If the weather is nice, we’ll also have the opportunity to swim in the beautiful Mediterranean Sea—possibly twice—so be sure to pack accordingly!
Packing
A full packing list will be provided after booking the tour. Laundry service will be available at some of our locations. Due to the limited space in our vehicles, each passenger will only be allowed one suitcase and one day bag.
Plan to pack layers for the changing autumn weather in northern Italy. Bring comfortable, breathable clothing for mild days, along with a warm sweater or jacket for cooler mornings and evenings. A light raincoat or umbrella is a good idea, as occasional showers are possible. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for countryside strolls. We also recommend bringing a bathing suit, beach towel, and beach slippers. A scarf never hurts for both warmth and style in Italy! A cotton scarf is ideal—wool will likely be too heavy for the temperatures we expect—and some summer clothing may still be appropriate (we’ll confirm this before departure).
Meet Your Guides
Embark on your journey with confidence – get to know your experienced guides.
Safir Stagliano
Safir brings over a decade of immersive community living to the Italy Ecovillage Tour, with a heartfelt passion for group facilitation and creating joyful, harmonious ways of being together in alignment with nature. His work draws from a wide spectrum of practices, including Permaculture, Sociocracy, Consensus, Dragon Dreaming, CLIPS, Social Permaculture, Open Space, World Café, Word Circle, Inner Transition, and Nonviolent Communication…
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He has lived and learned within vibrant ecovillages and projects full of life, guided by master facilitators and fellow travelers on the path of community. Since 2012, Safir has been an active member of the Italian Ecovillage Network, where he once served as co-president and now focuses on community relations and organizational development.
His commitment extends globally through his involvement with the Global Ecovillage Network, where he co-facilitates empathic listening spaces at international gatherings. He is also a collaborator with the widespread community of Piumani, dedicated to shared values and mutual support.
Today, Safir works as a facilitator and trainer with both well-established and emerging community groups across Italy. With more than 25 years of exploration in the arts of inner transformation, he brings a depth of insight into body, mind, emotion, and energy—supporting meaningful connection, self-discovery, and collective growth.
Giovanni Sardo
Giovanni brings a rich blend of experience in group facilitation, holistic healing, and conscious living to the Italy Ecovillage Tour. He has led Cerchi di Uomini (Men’s Circles), fostering shared leadership and empowering individuals to recognize their inner strength—a practice that continues to shape his approach to group dynamics…
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A dedicated practitioner and teacher of Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication and its couples-focused adaptation, IMAGO, Giovanni helps others cultivate deeper empathy and connection in their relationships. He is also passionate about Sociocracy and the dynamics of intentional communities, offering valuable tools for collaborative and effective group governance.
Giovanni’s background in holistic health includes training as a Reiki operator, BARS Access Consciousness practitioner, and Ayurvedic massage therapist. He has practiced Transcendental Meditation for over 14 years and shares a variety of meditative techniques, supporting individuals in discovering the practice that best suits them.
Since 2024, Giovanni has served as an Environmental Hiking Guide, integrating his love for nature with personal growth by leading transformative outdoor experiences that connect people with the land—and themselves.
Praise for Giovanni and Safir
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Safir and Giovanni accompanied us with great professionalism and expertise through wonderful territories. Thanks to them, I had unique experiences, discovering places and meeting special people. Every moment was enriched by the silence of nature, play, challenge and shared affection. An unforgettable experience that I will always carry with me.
—Indra
Guys [Giovanni and Safir], I thank life that brought me to you. Together you are perfect, you complement each other and have a beautiful energy.
—Ilaria M.
I am very happy with this experience because it allowed me to learn about community realities on my doorstep. It was very enriching. I really appreciated the choice that Giovanni and Safir made to take us on paths that were not too beaten. I would recommend this trip to those who want to discover different parts of living together and experiencing nature and sociality.
—Matteo S.
**A Transformative Journey Through Italy’s Eco-Villages** This eco-village trip was nothing short of a fantastic journey through some of the most beautiful Italian landscapes I’ve ever encountered. Over the course of our travels, we discovered more than 10 different eco-villages, each one revealing the wonderful differences that make these communities unique, while also highlighting the beautiful commonalities that unite them in their vision for sustainable, intentional living. The trip was exceptionally well-organized, who curated experiences that went far beyond simple tourism. Every detail was thoughtfully planned, from our accommodations to our daily activities. The food alone was worth the journey – we were treated to wonderful, organic local Italian cuisine that celebrated the regions we visited. Each meal felt like a gift, connecting us to the land and the people who nurture it. What made this experience truly special was how the organizers created space for our small group to transform into a temporary living community. Rather than remaining mere observers, we became participants in something meaningful. We shared meals, conversations, and experiences that fostered genuine connections among travelers who started as strangers. This trip was profoundly inspirational. In a world that often feels fragmented and disconnected, witnessing these thriving eco-villages and being part of our own micro-community gave me renewed hope in humanity. It reminded me that people are actively building alternatives, creating spaces where sustainability, cooperation, and mindful living aren’t just ideals – they’re everyday realities. I would highly recommend this journey to anyone seeking not just a travel experience, but a transformative one that nourishes both the soul and the spirit.
—Orsi N.
Is this tour right for me?
On the fence? Discover if this tour is meant for you.
Choosing to embark on an ecovillage tour is an investment in your journey into intentional community living. Thanks to years of relationship building with community founders, we’re able to give you an experience that’s simply not available to the regular traveler.
Still unsure?
Explore if this tour is right for you…
This tour ideal for those who want to:
Join intentional communities: Engage directly in projects that focus on environmental and social regeneration, creating vibrant, sustainable spaces for communal living.
Explore sustainable living: Dive into the world of ecovillages as a lifestyle choice, integrating principles of ecological balance and community harmony into your daily life.
Network with regeneration leaders: Forge deep connections with key figures in the regenerative movement, gaining inspiration and momentum to advance your life's purpose.
Get a true eco-vacation: Embark on adventure travels that support ecovillages, choosing experiences that contribute positively to the planet and align with your values.
Learn from successful projects: Observe and study the approaches of others, applying their strategies and innovations to develop your own land or community initiative effectively.
Why choose this tour?
Knowledgeable guides: Led by experts in ecovillages and intentional communities, as well as experienced group facilitators.
Authentic experience: We partner with local communities for a genuine and unfiltered experience.
All-inclusive: From eco-friendly lodging to local cuisine, we've got you covered.
Small group size: We limit the number of participants to ensure a personalized and intimate experience.
Hassle free travel: We cover all the logistics, so you can get the most out of the experience.
What’s the alternative?
You could try visiting intentional communities on your own, except that…
Many communities are not open to the public and, if they are, the founders will not give you their undivided attention as a just normal passer-through.
Figuring out the logistics of getting yourself around is a headache and you’ll have no immediate support if something goes awry.
Traveling alone isn’t as nourishing or nearly as fun journeying with a small group in an intentionally held container for connection.
It’ll take years of relationship building and financial investment to even come close to the experience that Ecovillage Tours is able to offer… because we’ve done all that work for you already!
Still have questions?
We are happy to help!
Ready to go?
The communities are excited to welcome you.
Let your adventure begin.