Duende Immersions
Live Like a Local in Europe
INTRODUCING
Ever dreamed of living abroad?
(But don’t want to give up your life back home?)
Spoiler: living abroad isn’t always la dolce vita. The dream is effortless charm and slow, carefree mornings, but real life — as you know — comes with complications.
Not everyone has the luxury of buying a bolthole abroad. And even if you can, owning property is a responsibility — one that comes with maintenance, logistics, and ties to a singular place. Building a circle of friends in a new country can take years. We know, because we’ve done it (more than once).
Duende Immersions is our answer to having the best of all worlds:
keeping your life back home and spending meaningful, extended time in a dreamy destination — experiencing it on a deeper level versus just passing through.
Enjoy curated experiences, and ready-made community, without the hassle of homeownership, visa headaches, or the lonely work of starting from scratch socially.
How It Works:
The Immersion Design
Learn the Language
Before your trip, opt into a language program with native speakers, designed to build confidence, connection, and cultural fluency from day one. (Language component is optional and go at your own pace.)
Boutique Apartments
Stay in fully-furnished, conveniently-located accommodation, exactly where you want to be. Each chosen for its elegant, refined style, expect high-thread-count linens, artisan furnishings and your own ensuite bathroom.
Handpicked Experiences
Each week holds something new: enjoy expert-led tours, discover creative ateliers, go on designer shopping excursions, attend talks with local experts and take part in day trips to wineries; all curated for the traveler who values depth over trends.
Ready-Made Community
Stay a week or stay a month - you’ll be part of a like-minded community of other travellers craving fun connections and joyful experiences.
Learn the Language
Start your journey before you even depart
Enjoy access to intimate, small-group sessions led by native speakers, designed to build confidence, connection, and cultural fluency from day one.
These conversational classes focus on real-life language — ordering at cafés, navigating markets, and engaging with locals — so you arrive not as a visitor, but already a little at home.
Activities, Day Trips & Excursions
Your days unfold through handpicked experiences
Private cooking sessions with local chefs, expert-led art history tours, visits to creative ateliers, and Tuscan wine-tastings.
All curated for the traveler who values depth, culture, and having fun with newfound connections.
Home Sweet Home
Feel at home before you even cross the threshold
Boutique, fully-appointed apartments and townhouses in the heart of Florence
— each chosen for its refined style, comfort, and authentic Italian charm. Expect high-thread-count linens, artisan furnishings, and twice-weekly cleaning services to keep everything fresh.
New friends await
Designed for like-minded women —
solo travelers, creatives, early retirees, and remote professionals — who crave meaningful connection.
Enjoy hosted gatherings: welcome dinners, rooftop aperitivos, book salons, creative circles, and guided city walks. An on-site dedicated host ensures introductions and friendships bloom naturally.
The Duende Immersion Experience
Moments of Discovery and Connection, all curated for you.
Discover Local Artisans
Engage with the city’s living history through Renaissance art walks led by local historians and hands-on workshops in historic ateliers—from the craft of leather to the alchemy of perfume-making.
Tuscan Culinary & Countryside Journeys
Venture into the hills for a convivial day in the Chianti countryside, featuring sommelier-led tastings and an Italian aperitivo masterclass designed to deepen your connection to local flavors.
Social Atmosphere & Local Life
Beyond the planned itinerary, enjoy optional guided nights out at authentic hot spots and relaxed social moments, from rooftop aperitivos to creative circles within the group.
Your Weekly
Experience
The weekly plans we have pre-organized for you is just the beginning! There will be other events happening in your chosen destination and we will provide you with all the info before your trip begins so you can make your own plans as well.
Out of Town Day Trips
Savour lunch and tastings at a local cheese farm, then explore the Renaissance beauty of Pienza with its panoramic views and charming streets.
Discover Local Artisans
Take a day trip to the striking hilltop town of Orvieto, known for its Gothic Duomo, artisan shops, and lunch at your leisure.
Delve into History
Visit the lively, cosmopolitain capital of Umbria, wander its medieval core, experience local culture, and enjoy lunch before returning to the villa.
24/7 Support Concierge
From airport pick up, a welcome orientation tour to insider restaurant bookings, a dedicated on-site Duende concierge is there to help.
Weekly Pricing
Your 6-night Duende Immersion Experience includes:
A refined, historical private residence in the heart of Florence, with your own beautifully appointed bedroom and ensuite bathroom. (Pricing available upon request for private apartments.)
A warm arrival with airport transfer and welcome aperitivo
A signature welcome dinner with wine, designed to bring the group together in style.
A hosted Florence orientation and neighborhood introduction.
A weekly curated program of cultural immersion, including private guiding, artisan discovery, and a Tuscan culinary experience
A convivial Chianti or Tuscany countryside day out
Optional social moments throughout the week, from aperitivo evenings to relaxed group dinners.
Dedicated on-the-ground support by English-speaking Duende staff
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Stay in a centrally-located, shared boutique apartment with beautiful furnishings and high-quality linens and bedding. Your private room has its own ensuite bathroom. £4100 per person (pro-rated pricing available upon request for multiple weeks)
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Stay in a centrally-located, shared boutique apartment with beautiful furnishings and high-quality linens and bedding. You and your roommate have your own ensuite bathroom. £3100 per person (pro-rated pricing available upon request for multiple weeks)
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Find your own accommodation but enjoy the benefits of the planned activities, group dinners and excursions. £1800 per person per week
FAQs
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This is for the curious minded, slow-traveller who wants to take her time and get to know her surroundings and those she’s sharing it with. While men are welcome, we envision 99.9% of our immersion clientele will be female.
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Yes. When you register and pay your nonrefundable deposit, you can opt into setting up a payment plan.
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Deposits are nonrefundable unless there's a waiting list and someone would like to take your spot. In the case we are able to sell your spot, you will be refunded your deposit, less £250 admin / transaction fees.
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The full itinerary will be sent to you about a month prior to departure. If you have specific questions regarding the excursions, please do reach out to us.
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Absolutely. We have separate apartment accommodations options specifically for couples.
Please note, however, unless your husband or partner will also be partaking in the program they will not be allowed to join the activities, meals and excursions as those are reserved for the Duende Immersion community.
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Yes, absolutely. We offer custom, add-on itineraries for those who'd like to spend a few days in Rome, Florence, or even the Amalfi Coast on either end of the trip. You can opt in during the registration process or write to us at duende@duenderetreats.com and we'll help with a bespoke itinerary suited to exactly what you're looking for.
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Yes, we have a separate price point for self-sourced accommodation.