Experience one of the most beautiful times of the year in Umbria, when vineyards come alive with the excitement of the grape harvest and the countryside is filled with the colors of early autumn.

The Wine Harvest Solo Women Experience offers the opportunity to enjoy authentic Italian life while staying in your own private apartment at Villa Solisera. Together with a small group of just four women, you'll experience the slower rhythm of the season, where local traditions, village festivals, and vineyard life take center stage.

One of the highlights of your stay will be participating in the grape harvest at a local vineyard, followed by the chance to celebrate the season alongside the people who make it all happen.

There is no fixed itinerary. Instead, our days unfold naturally with visits to local markets, nearby hill towns, wineries, and seasonal events, balanced with time to relax, enjoy the villa, and simply soak up the beauty of Umbria.

This is not a retreat or a tour. It's an invitation to experience Italy through one of its oldest traditions—sharing the harvest, enjoying wonderful food and wine, and creating unforgettable memories in good company.

• A private stay in your own fully equipped apartment

• A small group experience with four solo women

• A relaxed, informal way of living in Italy

• A balance of privacy and optional connection

• Slow travel without a fixed schedule or programme

• A chance to experience local life, not tourism

Some days may include gentle outings to nearby towns, markets, or villages. Other days may be spent quietly at the villa, in Todi, or simply enjoying time for yourself. There is no structured itinerary and no pressure to join anything.

• A retreat or wellness programme

• A tour with daily organised sightseeing

• A hotel or resort with full service

• An all-inclusive experience

• A structured group itinerary

• A place where every day is planned for you

If you are looking for a fully guided travel experience with constant activities, this may not be the right fit.

Unlike many group trips or co-living experiences, every guest at Villa Solisera has her own fully furnished one-bedroom apartment with a private bedroom, bathroom, living room, and kitchen.

This is your personal space to relax, read, cook, work remotely, or simply enjoy the peace and quiet whenever you wish.

There is no shared accommodation, and you are always free to spend as much or as little time with the group as feels right. Many women tell me this balance of complete privacy and natural connection is what makes Villa Solisera so special.

Many women tell me they dream of visiting Italy but don't want to:

• Travel completely alone
• Rent a car or drive unfamiliar roads
• Worry about planning every detail
• Stay in a hotel where they never meet anyone
• Join a busy tour with a fixed itinerary
• Share a room or kitchen with strangers

Instead, they choose Villa Solisera because they can enjoy the comfort of their own apartment while having the companionship of a small group, local knowledge, transportation, and the reassurance that someone is there when they need it—without ever giving up their independence.

Your stay includes your own fully furnished one-bedroom apartment, complete with a private bathroom, living area, kitchenette, and air conditioning. It is your personal space to relax, recharge, and truly feel at home during your stay.

You'll also enjoy:

• A welcome basket with fresh fruit, bread, breakfast items, and a few local treats

• Full access to the swimming pool, gardens, and shared outdoor spaces throughout the estate

To welcome you to Villa Solisera, we'll begin with a relaxed aperitivo on arrival day, followed by a home-cooked welcome dinner. During your stay, I'll also prepare two additional home-cooked meals for us to enjoy together.

The rest of the meals are intentionally flexible. Every apartment has its own kitchenette, giving you the freedom to prepare your own meals whenever you like. Many guests enjoy shopping at local markets, cooking together from time to time, or stopping for lunch, coffee, an aperitivo, or dinner while we're out exploring nearby towns and villages.

Dining out in Umbria is generally very affordable, and discovering small local restaurants is all part of the experience.

(Meals outside of the three included home-cooked meals are paid for individually.)

One of the greatest advantages of the Solo Women Experience is that you can enjoy Umbria without renting a car.

Your stay includes:

• Round-trip airport transfers from Rome Fiumicino Airport on the designated arrival and departure days

• Transportation to included outings and activities

• Trips to local grocery stores and weekly markets

• Personal hosting throughout your stay

• Local recommendations, guidance, and support whenever you need it

• Opportunities to meet local residents and other international women living in Umbria

Since we don't follow a fixed itinerary, every experience is a little different. Our days are shaped by the season, the weather, local events, and the interests of the group.

Depending on the time of year, we may enjoy:

• Exploring beautiful hill towns such as Todi, Orvieto, or Montefalco

• Visiting local markets

• Wine tastings

• A visit to the famous ceramics town of Deruta

• Gentle hikes through the Umbrian countryside

• Seasonal activities such as the grape harvest, olive harvest, or truffle experiences

• Local festivals and community events

The Solo Women Experience is intentionally limited to just four guests, creating a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of flexibility, personal attention, and meaningful connections.

• Enjoy having your own private space while sharing occasional moments with others

• Prefer slow travel over rushing from one attraction to the next

• Want to experience everyday life in Italy rather than simply sightseeing

• Appreciate genuine conversation, good food, and meaningful connections

• Like the reassurance of having someone local nearby without giving up your independence

• Would rather spend ten memorable days with three other women than travel as part of a large tour

This experience may not be the best fit if you're looking for a structured retreat, an all-inclusive holiday, or a fast-paced tour with a full daily itinerary.

A Final Thought

Villa Solisera isn't about seeing as much as possible—it's about experiencing Italy in a more meaningful way.

If the thought of waking up in your own apartment, wandering through local markets, sharing a home-cooked meal, enjoying a glass of wine at sunset, and ending the day with good conversation sounds like your kind of Italy, I'd love to welcome you to Villa Solisera.

After moving to Italy, I realized many women dreamed of coming here but hesitated because they didn't want to travel alone or drive unfamiliar roads.

I wanted to create something different—a place where women could have complete privacy in their own apartment while enjoying the reassurance of companionship, local knowledge, and authentic experiences.

Villa Solisera is the kind of place I wish had existed when I first started traveling on my own.

I absolutely loved staying at Villa Solisera! It is an old restored house, with four well equipped and tastefully decorated apartments, gorgeous views, and pool. Christiane made us feel at home, cooking wonderful meals and showing us around lovely Umbria. Villa Solisera is a highly recommended place. Can’t wait to go back!

I am so glad that I found Villa Solisera! The house is in such a beautiful and quiet location in the countryside, but not so far away from the town of Todi. It has been fun to explore nearby towns with the other guests, share some meals, and conversation. Christiane is so helpful in sharing her knowledge about the area and it has certainly helped me to transition to life in Italy smoothly. I would highly recommend it if you love being in nature and want both time to yourself and to be part of a small but supportive community of other travelers.

In October of last year I attended the Women’s Solo Experience at Villa Sollisera in Umbria. It was my first time traveling to Europe alone so naturally, I was nervous. I can assure you that Christiane did everything she could to make me feel comfortable and safe.

Upon arriving to the villa, I was escorted to my apartment, which was absolutely incredible. Christiane did a great job making this space feel so homey and warm and comfortable. It was a very tasteful, modern space yet she maintained the quintessential Italian charm within. The property the villa sits on is so beautiful and pictures do not do it any justice. I thought it was absolutely stunning and peaceful and serene. I felt very safe and comfortable there.

The villa is located just outside of the quaint, small hilltop town called Todi. It is a very charming little town with shops, restaurants, bars, cafes, a church etc.

Traveling solo to Europe is overwhelming in itself. But the best part about this trip was that I didn’t have to worry about planning or organizing anything or scheduling anything because Christiane took care of all of that. All you need is spending money (for dining out, groceries, and any sightseeing you choose to do )and your clothes!

All of the activities/excursions we took were either a half day or a good part of the day with Christiane acting as a personal driver/guide. She took us to very quaint, small hilltop towns that were just charming! We visited other cities such as Orvieto, Asissi, Perugia, Daruta (where they make gorgeous pottery).

We had an amazing wine tasting at a private winery, we went to a chestnut festival and visited a local market. There was also the opportunity to participate in olive harvesting. There was something to do pretty much every day.

Christiane prepared a few meals for us but most of our meals were eaten out. The refrigerator is nicely stocked with some essentials upon arrival and there were plenty of other goodies provided, but Christiane will also take you to the food store so you can pick up a few things that you would like to have if needed so that you have something to eat if/when you’re on your own. Each apartment has a small yet fully stocked kitchen with everything you may need to prepare a simple meal.

I think it’s important to note that this is very laid-back slow travel. There’s no rushing, there’s no getting up super early having to be someplace at any particular time. You go at your own leisure and if you choose to participate in that days activities that’s up to you or you can choose to spend the day on your own enjoying the gorgeous villa and grounds.

So overall I would say this was a 10/10 for me! I met amazing women, made new friends, ate delicious food, drank delicious wine and saw beautiful places, and spaces! If you’re interested in traveling solo to Italy, but you have never done so before then I highly recommend the Women’s Solo Experience at Villa Sollisera, I promise you will not be disappointed!

Getting to Villa Solisera is easy.

I provide complimentary transfers between Todi (Pian di Porto) and Villa Solisera on the designated arrival and departure days.

Most guests travel from Rome Fiumicino Airport on the comfortable Sulga coach, which takes approximately three hours and stops directly in Todi. I'll meet you there and drive you to the villa (about 20 minutes).

Recommended Sulga Bus Schedule

Rome Fiumicino → Todi (Mon–Sat)

• 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

• 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM

• 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Sunday

• 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Todi → Rome Fiumicino (Mon–Sat)

• 8:40 AM – 11:30 AM

• 10:10 AM – 1:00 PM

• 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Sunday

• 9:10 AM – 11:40 AM

Please plan your arrival and departure flights around these bus times.

If your flight doesn't align with the Sulga schedule, you can take a taxi, use alternative train or bus connections (I recommend the Trenitalia app), or arrange a private driver (approximately €290 one way from Rome Airport for up to two guests).