Live, work & PLAY in an authentic tuscan town by the sea
CO-HAVEN CO-WORKING, PIOMBINO
Haven: Safe port; Co: A co-working experience
Co-Haven Founders: Eva Saragosa & Lars Brunken
Upon graduating from university in the Netherlands, Eva Saragosa’s first job in Milan was a remote one. Unfamiliar with the digital nomad lifestyle at the time, she sought out others within the community and travelled to Tenerife to spend time with other remote workers as well as with locals. “It was before the mass nomadism happened, when some areas of the islands were still pristine and before rents were out of control,” says Saragosa. “When a place becomes famous in the digital nomad world, there often is the tendency to spoil it.”
Suddenly, the low-cost living appeal is gone and the place inevitably loses its charm due to the constant influx of people not “livin’ la vida local”. Having seen this downside with her own eyes, Saragosa wondered if more places were organized to welcome the many people who live or desire this lifestyle were needed.
Around that time, she had moved back to her native Tuscany and accompanied her mother while she was house hunting for a secondary home by the sea. Much to her surprise, she bought a home in Piombino, a Tuscan port city, not on the tourist radar that is often dismissed by Italians themselves.
After spending some time exploring the seaside city and discovering the warmth and hospitality of the locals, it became clear to her and German boyfriend, Lars Brucken, that it was the perfect place to create a co-working space and welcome an international community of digital nomads.
With its first two-month pilot project launched this spring, the CoHaven founders’ theory has already proven correct. “By talking to many digital nomads I can say that they look for authenticity and beauty. Piombino has both. It is a great chance for people to be living in Tuscany, right in front of the archipelago, but still on the mainland, with the opportunity to explore the region,” says Saragosa.
Known as the pitstop to get to Elba Island, a mere 10 kilometres away, as well as ferries to Sardinia and even Corsica, this medieval Etruscan town was once coined “My little Paris” by Napoleon’s sister. Saragosa and Brucken hope to put Piombino back on the map as a place to hang your hat and stay a while.
Elba Island is just a short ferry ride away from Piombino
The co-working space, Caffe’ Letterario, is situated on a hilltop overlooking the sea. Part of an archeological museum, participants work alongside Etruscan statues in glass display cases and walls that were designed by Leonardo Da Vinci. The furnishings strike a balance between modern design and classic architecture, you can also move your workspace to the terrace and let the view of where the Tyrrhenian meets the Ligurian sea inspire you.
Accommodations are all located in the same building with private or shared apartments, depending on your preference. With a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 20 people for each community experience, and at least three planned group activities weekly from aperitivo with locals, cooking class, wine tasting, hiking and water sports or yoga, Saragosa assures that there is a balance between private time and group activities.
““If you are looking for a place to relax, enjoy good food and have an international crowd to explore Tuscany with, CoHaven is definitely a great place to be.” ”
Wondering if this seaside town is for you?
“If you are looking for a place to relax, enjoy good food and have an international crowd to explore Tuscany with, CoHaven is definitely a great place to be,” confirms Saragosa. “It is not for those who want to party every night, but if you love nature, outdoor sports, fun with the community and locals, this is definitely the place for you!”
For more information, go to www.cohaven-piombino.com
PHOTOS COURTESY OF COHAVEN COWORKING PIOMBINO