Join the Summer Rural Coliving Safari

A Rural Coliving Safari is a discovery trip through nomad-friendly villages. We have scouted and curated villages where there is all what you need for coliving and coworking while enjoying good life in nature. Extremely authentic rural locations with free coworking spaces, authentic village houses, amazing and affordable restaurants and tones of folklore. The summer Safari will last for 5 weeks stopping in 7 Spanish villages in Catalonia, Teruel, León and Galicia. This time, main part of the Safari will happen on the road (August 15- September 1). We made it up very flexible so you can pop up by days or join the full road trip, up to you :)! On the way we will be able to work remotely, take part in festivals, do water sports, volunteer in local NGO's, meet the locals and interact with rural entrepreneurs.

We will keep this safari intimate for friends and partners but few more will be invited to come on-board

 

 
 

What is this and what to expect?

A Rural Coliving Safari is a unique opportunity for re-connecting with yourself, with others and nature in a unique innovative environment. Get immersed in the unknown rural areas of Spain and get some fresh inspiration from the amazing rural settlements and local projects.

 

A hand-picked tribe of startup founders, nomads, makers and life-hackers 

7 stages/villages, an initial and a final weekend and a 17 day road trip in the middle of it

 

10 different stays in typical stone made houses in rural villages, nomad caravans and campers

 

+ 10 festivals, parties and discovery activities 

Along the way, we will stay and explore astonishing Middle Age villages, soak in emerald beaches and rivers and  join a broad rage of additional activities. And you know what? Most of them are included in all plans! 

 

Get ready for...

✓ RURAL COWORKING & EXTREMELY REMOTE WORK

✓ COLIVING IN ECO-FARMS AND ECO-ALDEAS

✓ VISITING ABANDONED VILLAGES

✓ INTERACTING WITH LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS & NOMADS

✓ VOLUNTEERING IN RURAL S & NGO'PROJECTS

✓ SWIMMING IN CRYSTAL WATERS AND DAMS

 

✓ OFF THE GRID DIGITAL DETOX

✓ JOINING FESTIVALS THAT REVIVED VILLAGES  

✓ MEDITATION AND YOGA

✓ LOCAL PARTIES SHARED WITH LOCALS

✓ FULL IMMERSION IN RURAL FOLKLORE & CULTURE

✓ DIVING, KAYAKING, HIKING & SPORTS IN NATURE

 


STAGE 1

 Maker Hackaton in an abandoned village      

- First Assessment trip -

SOLANELL, ALT URGELL, CATALONIA (AUGUST 5-7) 

We will start the Summer Safari with a maker assessment trip in the village of Solanell. We will invite makers experts in water, permaculturists and other hardware experts to analize the viability of making Solanell water self-sufficient in the mid term. You can take part of the assessment activities and learn from the maker technologies during the whole weekend. This Stage is specially cool for hardware geeks willing to upgrade their maker knowledge. The plan after this first assessment is organizing Maker Hackaton in order to solve the water issue in Solanell. 

80% of the village is collapsed but they have already rebuilt a main basecamp and a youth hostel. Next step will be getting high speed wifi to the village and turning the church into a coworking space

 

Take part in the rebuilding of Solanell (optional)


Soak in a mineral water river


SLEEP IN AN ABANDONED VILLAGE

The last inhabitant of Solanell abandoned the village in 1972. More than 50 years later, an architect from Tarragona decided to make the reconstruction of Solanell his life's work. Solanell is strategically located on the Cathar Catalan route and managed by a coop. In the first stage of the Safari you will have the choice of sleeping in the brand new launched youth hostel (6 dorm room), in a twin room or in a double room. 

 

Hike to the neighbour abandoned village of Sendes


Meet the very first inhabitants of Solanell


Services and facilities

  • 2 night cozy accommodation in stone made houses

  • Wifi is poor but you can have your own usb router

  • All yumi typical catalan meals, drinks and snacks included

  • Bed linen and blanket included

  • Bring your own towel

  • We can advice you shorting out transportation (you can get the village sharing the ride by car, BlaBla Car or by bus from Barcelona)


The road trip starts here

During 17 days (August 15-September 1) we will be crossing the Peninsula Iberica and stopping in strategical rural settlements on the way. The road trip will involve from stages 2 to stage 6 of the safari. In depending of how many are we, we might be roaming by caravan between our accommodations in the villages. You can join the road trip with us or simply jump into an specific moment and place. But if you really want to make the most out of this,  So get ready for an old school nomad traveller journey!

 


STAGE 2

Exploring the Caribbean side of Ebro River 

RIBA-ROJA D'EBRE, TARRAGONA, CATALONIA (AUGUST 15-18)

Riba-roja d'Ebre is one of the first villages in Spain with high speed fiber internet and rural coworking space. We will have time to work in Zona Líquida, take a boat so visit the  the sunk village of Fayón, interact with expat entrepreneurs, eco-farmers and party in the local festivities.  

The Ebro River is one of the longest ones in Spain. We will explore the more deserted corners where water is so clean that you can see the bottom

 

Boat trip to the sunk village of Fayón


Meeting the organizers of Riba-Rocks Festival and other local entrepreneurs 


 

Expedition and picnic to Matarraña, the part of Caribean Ebro


Dancing "Jota" and getting crazy in the local parties                                                                         


COLIVING IN AN ECO-FARM

During our stay we will be coliving at Sarah and Chris eco-farm, the organizers of Riba-Rocks Festival.  They have set our accommodation in tepee,  a large caravan is available plus, a VW camper van and a stone made little house. They will also sort our transportation to and from the village

Services and facilities

  • 3 nights in a typical nomad accommodation or in stone made houses

  • Free Coworking space with high speed fiber internet

  • All yumi vegetarian meals, drinks and snacks included

  • Bed linen and blanket included

  • Bring your own towel

  • We can advice you shorting out transportation (you can get the village easily by train from Barcelona)


STAGE 3

A vibrant rural entrepreneurial hub hidden between rocks

MOLINOS, TERUEL (AUGUST 18-21)

Hidden in the mountain range of Sierra del Maestrazgo you will find the majestic village of Molinos. It is a place full of history and mysteries, but also an innovation hub for rural entrepreneurship and depopulation experts. It's not just coincidence that the Maquis chose this as their hideout during the Spanish Civil War. During our stay we will cowork in the Maestrazgo Association offices, visit the cristal caves, soak in the river and connect with local rural entrepreneurs.

Molinos is literally carved between two rocky and split in two by a cristal water river 

Walking the Maqui's route to their main settlements where they hide from Franco Army during the Spanish Civil War.


Coworking in the Innovation Hub of Maestrazgo offices and connecting with local entrepreneurs


Visiting the astonishing dam of Gallipuen                                                 


Diving in the crystal caves and experiencing total darkness for 1 neverending minute


TRYING OUT THE ECO-ALDEA LIFE-STYLE

This time we will stay in a very particular location. A peaceful Masia where they practice the real eco-aldea philosophy. A project devoted for sustainable life. This is a house-center for experimenting, learning and sharing ways of simple and conscious life in harmony with nature. A place to stop, retreat, reflect, change habits, grow, be.

 

Services and facilities

  • 3 nights in a masia in the woods 

  • Free Coworking space with high speed fiber internet 

  • All yumi vegetarian meals, drinks and snacks included

  • Bed linen and blanket included

  • Bring your own towel

  • We can advice you shorting out transportation 

 

STAGE 4

Godfather an olive tree and party with locals

OLIETE, TERUEL (AUGUST 21-25)

In the midst of the arid Teruel, there is a place where the water bursts from every corner. This place is called Oliete. Swamps, olive trees, Iberian villages, natural swimming pools, rivers, cenotes, lakes... Our friends at the NGO Apadrina un Olivo are reviving this villages by recovering the olive tree. They just finished a super successful crowdfunding camping and need a hand rebuilding an olive oil press.

Oliete is a very curious settlement. It is suffering from really quick depopulation losing children in the school every year but yet, it is the frequent rural escape for senior management youngsters who hold strong family and emotional roots with the village. 

 

Spending a full day swimming in the sweet water beach of the dam       


Try out the craziness and foklore of the local festivities

 

Volunteering with Apadrina un Olivo recovering olive treees and learning how to produce olive oil


Visiting a 20m fall cenote

 

STAGE 5

Take part in a festival that revived an abandoned village

BARRIOS DE SALAS, LEÓN (AUGUST 25-28)   

This time we will stop at Los Barrios de Salas, a group of 3 small villages whose Historic Site has been recently declared BIC (Well of Cultural Interest). During our stay we will attend Villar de los Mundos Festival, a yearly happening that attracts people from elsewhere in Spain and the main Spanish TV channels. The festival has been the way for the local community to revive the village that was once abandoned. This 4th edition of the festival is dedicated to the Middle East, bringing music, plastic art, cinema and talks of a broad range of artists coming from countries in the cradle of our civilization. 

The local community managed to turn an abadoned village into a town that is so picturesque that resembles the typical scale model of Edward Scissorhands

 

August 26-27 we will be at Villar de los Mundos Festival. Concerts, dj sessions, films and talks will be held in the main historics buildings 


Trek to the neighbour abandoned villages and communities restoring villages such as Palacios de Compludo in the Bear Valley

 

Discover the worldwide rewarded wines of Bierzo on a visit to the wineries near to the village 


Get immersed in local cermonies and traditions

 

STAGE 6

Digital Detox in an off the grid eco farm

  O'COUSO PROJECT , GALICIA (AUGUST 28 - SEPTEMBER 1)

This will be the last stop of the road trip in the Sumer Safari. Will end up in an abandoned village being restored by a small community where there is no water, electricity, gas nor wifi. Yes, we are challenging hyper connected geeks to be fully off the grid for 2 days. During our stay we will also visit other villages in the area of where more than half of the 3.200 abandoned towns in Spain are located. 

Do you dare? 

 

Experience coliving with a tiny village community 


Relax,  yoga and meditation in the woods every day 

 

Walk a short way of the infamous Camino de Santiago


Visiting the stunning church of Gundriz, a neighbour village that has been recently abandoned 


The road trip finishes here - Back to Barcelona

on SEPTEMBER 1


STAGE 7

 The Location Independent Movement goes Rural

MONTSENY, CATALONIA (SEPTEMBER 5 - 7)

The Summer Safari will finish with a mixture of national and international digital nomad communities.  We’ve teamed up with Coworkation and Codino to provide you an immersive weekend in a small village next to a rebuilt covent of the XI Century in Montseny. You will have plenty of choices for workshops on how to become a more independent professional, swims in the infinity pool, walks and inspirational activities.  If you still hadn't tried how it feels melting coworking and vacation or if you simply hadn't done it in a rural location in Catalonia, here you are a great value-packed coworkation opportunity! 


STAGE 8 - INVITATION ONLY

 Interacting with startups in a successful Rural  Startup Incubator

COSTA BRAVA, CATALONIA (SEPTEMBER 13 - 14)

The Summer Safari will finish with a mixture of national and international startups.  This time we teamed up with Nexes Forallacs, La Rectoria de Sant Climent  and TV1 "Tinc una idea" Show for a 1,5 pop up workation day for startups in a small village next to Costa Brava emerald beaches. We will interact with the startups being incubated in Nexs Forallacs Space, have dinner and party in Pals Aerodrom and visit the Roman Ruins of Empuries. This is a workation plan for invitation only startups of our own community.

Visit to the beach and the Roman and Greek Ruins of Empuries

Sunset, dinner and drinks in Pals Aerodrom


Coworking and interacting with Startups in Nexes Forallacs Coworking and Startup Incubator



Why Joining the Rural Coliving Safari?

Discovery

Get access to a selection of rural areas and villages, chosen for their beauty, authenticity and pioneering in rural revitalization

 

Inspiration

Take part in life-changing festivals, events and acivities held in rural areas. Let nature inspire you and become smarter than ever

Connections

Get plugged into a global community of 1,000+ startups, makers and digital nomads

 

History

Uncover some of the most well-guarded secrets of Spanish history in each of the locations


How does it work?

1. Request invite

Join a Rural Coliving Safari from 20€/day or become a member fro 98€ year and get discounts in a growing netowork of rural coliving and coworking spaces

APPLY

 

2. Choose a stage

Once you've sent your request,  we will get in touch soon with more details on how to book your slot

 

3. Invite a friend

Traveling alone is always exciting. But if you want to introduce to the nomad life style to a friend, this is probably the best opportunity to do so in Spain. You both will get a special on-boarding present :)

 

A long list of perks...

A Rural Coliving safari is more than just a trip. After the experience, you will count on:

  • The chance to live in nomad friendly villages during the whole year with up to a 15% discount in our yearly rural coliving membership

  • Joining an multi-coloured international community of +1000 entrepreneurs, independent professionals and lots of fascinating people

  • Not just one, but many rural sanctuaries and historical settlements where  to disconnect (or to reconnect)

  • Access to a growing network of villages houses  with charm and history 

  • Joining a tribe of impact-driven startups founders, digital nomads and makers 

  • Access to local hosts who will show you the secrets of this rural location

  • Discovering a new, healthier, less stressful life closer to nature


Who's already tried rural coliving?

Thomas Dönnebrink

Ouishare Connector Germany (Berlin)

I spontaneously joined a group spending few days in this beautiful remote mountain village. Interesting people, makers, change makers, entrepreneurs, multilingual from various backgrounds came together in a comfortable rebuilt house in a pastoral village surrounded by a gorgeous landscape. What a peaceful and quiet - and at the same time inspiring and relaxing - environment. The village has also an interesting history to it and an ambitious and highly motivated coop is transforming the once abandoned village into a cool place to be. The perfect setting to have long walks, calm down, have fascinating conversations and inspiring thoughts and just relax. I will repeat the experience for sure. It was special.

 

Mireia Rivero

 Mobile Marketing Social Point (Barcelona)

When I found out about Pandorahub rural programs, something deep down resonated and awoke my curiosity to experience it. I couldn't resist the idea of spending some days in a very special village in Solanell enjoying the beauty of the nature and the company of whole hearted people with inspiring conversations, stimulating meals and walks in the forest, under the stars...  A great combination of wild nature shared with a bunch of open minded people eager to explore ways to spark their personal paths and projects. That was what first brought me to Solanell when I first joined the Cathar program for start-ups. It was a unique out of the box experience with empowering workshops, an international community of really interesting people of different backgrounds and a lot of fun. If this alo resonates you, don't hesitate

 

Astrid Baldissera

CEO y fundadora de at Starting Legal (Venezuela)

I needed to combine work and rest and this weekend in Solanell fulfilled all expectations. The town of Solanell transmits an unexplainable tranquility, surrounded by nature and stories of Cathars is the perfect place to unwind. In addition I was accompanied by makers, foreign and domestic entrepreneurs, and the members of the cooperative whose mission is to revive the village Solanell, sharing stories, walks in the middle of the mountain, games, and discussing ways to improve and impact positively the society. And if that was not enough, we stayed at an amazing house made by the owner, excellent to relax after a day's work and hiking in the mountains, two bedrooms and two bathrooms were we got comfortable accommodation for 6 people


A few of the startups in our Tribe:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 Who is this for?

Nothing is born mainstream. We're starting small, and bit by bit we'll expand to everybody. Now we are doing this specially for...

Startup founder

Managing your own business and curious for start doing it in a remote mode

Digital Nomad

Location independent professional with the freedom to work from anywhere in the world

 

Maker

Hardware problem solver willing to create a positive and permanent impact in deserted villages

 


Our keen collaborators

Every season and every safari, we are expanding our rural coliving platform. We're building a network of nomads communities, organisations, NGO, land and housing experts 

 
 

Are you ready for a rural fairy tale journey?

One thing we can tell your for sure, this experience won't let you indifferent.

We've already set the Safari, found the locations and rallied the tribe. So you just need to choose your plan package.

 

BY STAGE (2, 3 or 4 days Safari Stages)

ANY TIME FROM AUGUST 5 TO  SEPTEMBER 5

Accommodation included

All meals included in the daily budget

Most optional activities included

You solve your own transportation to, from and during the stage  

·

85€ per day ALL INCLUSIVE except transportation

·

2 days Safari Stage 170€  

3 days Safari Stage 255€

4 days Safari Stage 340€

 

 

ROAD TRIP (17 DAYS)

AUGUST 15 - S EPTEMBER 1

Accommodation included

All meals included in the daily budget

Most optional activities included

Portable USB Wifi adapter

Ground transportation to, from and during the stages included

·

64€ per day ALL INCLUSIVE

· 

2 Early Birds for 1.090€ till July 29th

(Later 1.199€)  

TAX/IVA not included in any of the fees