Why I Chose to Live in the Italian Alps — and Why It Changes You
Ready to explore the Gran Paradiso Nation Park on snowshoes - Aosta Valley, Italian Alps
People often ask me why I chose to live here, in the Aosta Valley.
At first, it might seem like an easy answer — the mountains, the views, the nature. And yes, waking up every day surrounded by peaks, fresh air, and open space is something I never take for granted.
But over time, I realised it’s something deeper than that.
Life here moves differently.
There is a slower rhythm, a natural flow to the days that you don’t always notice until you step out of it. People take time. Meals are not rushed. Seasons are felt, not just observed. Nature is not something you visit — it becomes part of your everyday life.
It reminds me a lot of my childhood.
Spending summers with my grandparents, being outdoors all day, helping in the garden, picking fruit, baking, playing until sunset — simple moments that felt full without needing anything more.
And somehow, living here brings that feeling back.
Family and Friends - participating a beneficiary event at Pila Ski Resort, Aosta Valley
My boys are growing up in this environment — skiing, playing outside, moving, exploring. Just like I did, they spend their time in nature, not on screens. There is space here for that kind of childhood, and I feel grateful for it every day.
Over the years, this way of living has also shaped the way I work.
As a Bowen Technique therapist and retreat host, I see how much we all need this simplicity again. Not something complicated or extreme — just space to breathe, to slow down, to reconnect with ourselves.
This is what I try to create through our retreats.
Not an escape from life, but a gentle return to something more natural. Time in the mountains, movement that feels good, conversations that matter, and moments where you can just be — without needing to do anything.
Many women arrive feeling tired, busy, or simply disconnected.
And often, after just a few days here, something shifts.
Not dramatically, not instantly — but quietly.
They breathe a little deeper. Sleep a little better. Feel a little lighter.
And sometimes, that’s all we really need.
If you’ve been feeling the need to pause, to step away for a moment, or to reconnect with yourself, this might be the place.
The mountains have a quiet way of holding space for that.
With love from the mountains, Anita
