Welcome To Cummari®
Sicilian Travel House | Retreat Space
An inspirational, matriarchal space for well travelled women.
Since 2020, Europe's first coliving house designed for solo women travelers — stay, connect, and become part of an international community.
WELCOME
Cummari® is a boutique, women-only travel house and retreat space, five doors from the Ionian Sea. It was created by Michelle Titus — a community builder, feminine anthropologist, and former international correspondent who spent two decades as a trusted advisor to change-makers and leaders in Asia, Europe & the Americas.
Michelle built Cummari as the soft landing she always wished for in her own travels: a place for women who seek comfort, slow travel, inspiration, and the rare feeling of being truly cared for.
Cummari sits in Riposto, a historic Sicilian wine port, at the foot of Mount Etna — Mamma Etna — just 30 minutes by direct train from Catania International Airport.
*Cummari is an inclusive environment. Historically many groups of people especially persons who identify as female, have not always been/felt safe when traveling alone and for this reason we prioritize such persons as our guests.
Cummari has been featured for its pioneering role in redefining spaces for women
“One of the most interesting projects in Sicily is Cummari.” Lonely Planet Sicily
“Whether you’re in need of a restorative break, a place to finally write that book or just to reflect on what you really want from life, Cummari provides a soulful, supportive environment to spend a short or long stay.” Citizen Femme
'‘Cummari in Sicily, are targeted specifically at women travelling solo, but often result in guests becoming friends beyond their stay. “There is no greater reward than seeing women who were a part of Cummari spending time together in other parts of the world,” says founder and international correspondent Michelle Titus. “Often, people who didn’t even stay at the same time, but are part of our community, end up meeting up in London, Amsterdam, or most recently in New York. I have former guests who are now helping each other write manuscripts or obtain citizenships or visas. It’s extremely rewarding to see.” Harper’s Bazaar
Fall Workshops & Retreats
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New Tools For Women Leading the Way - REtreat
November 4th to 10th
8 SPACES LEFT: Co-Hosted by Inez Aponte, founder of Growing Good Lives and Beautiful Economies— an educator and artist who has spent yearshelping leaders, communities and organisations ask a more honest question: what does it actually mean to thrive?
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Beyond the Good Woman - Retreat
November 15th to 20th
6 SPACES LEFT: What becomes possible when you stop performing and start belonging to yourself? Co-hosted by Kristina Kyser PHD - a 5 Night Women’s Retreat at Cummari
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The Women's Almanac - Community Experience
February 2027 to February 2028
PRE-REGISTER FOR 3RD EDITION: A 12-month, online community experience where a small group of women are supported to align with the natural rhythms of the seasons — rhythms that nurture your true self and support your unfolding journey.
The Cummari Concept
Cummari is a deeply feminine space, the kind of place whose feeling you don't quite register until you've slowed down enough to feel it.
The women who come here tend to be open-minded, well-travelled, a little hard to categorize. That's exactly who belongs. Our community spans the world and the decades, from women in their late twenties to their seventies.
Michelle designed every room herself, around the thing she never found in years as a correspondent: somewhere comfortable in the way that keeps you at the kitchen table for three hours without noticing.
The art on the walls is original — work by international artists she tracked down because it had something to say, not because it matched a color scheme.
If you've been waiting for a place to make your “home away from home” in a gorgeous culture and location - this is it!
“Cummari provides a sacred space for women who are traveling on their own in Sicily. I have encountered so many amazing multi-cultural women with one core essence in mind, soul growth and coming together in Sicily as a community of powerful women.”
— Nicole
“Michelle captures the magic and meaning of cummari providing a one of a kind travel and authentic Italian living experience. Each of us solo travellers arrives a stranger and leaves a cummari. Even the volcano and the region became my cummari.”
— Louise
Cummari’s Host & Founder
Cummari® was founded in 2020, by Michelle Titus (Miche), a community builder in Sicily, human rights activist and feminine anthropologist.
From 2006 to 2019, she worked around the world, first as an international correspondent for the South China Morning Post of Hong Kong and then as co-founder of female led publishing companies in China, Brazil & North America. She moved every four months, living in temporary housing with other female colleagues… along the way, she started to dream of spaces intentionally designed for women vs. the generic white and grey corporate flats without a soul.
Finally, after capitalism nearly crushed her soul, she began to long for a more grounded life. So she shifted her focus entirely to Cummari and building & sustaining community.
About Cummari
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Cummari normally books out at least one to two months in advace, to inquire about your preferred dates fill out our booking form here.
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Discover Riposto, a refined seaside town on Sicily’s east coast, between Catania, Taormina, and Mount Etna. Ideal for women traveling solo or independently, it offers safety, authenticity, and calm. Enjoy slow coastal living, local cuisine, and easy day trips—always returning to a peaceful, welcoming atmosphere.
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Founded by an international correspondent who retired her suitcase , Miche set out to create what she felt the world lacked—a place with soul, truly made for solo travelers. Read More.
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Cummari is an inclusive environment. Historically women have not always been/felt safe when travelling solo and for this reason we prioritize guests who identify as female. With that being said, all genders and identities are welcomed and are vital to supporting Cummari's vision and existence. Learn more.
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Women from around the world have called Cummari their home away from home in Sicily. Read reviews here.
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Michelle specializes in group retreat planning in Sicily, feminine anthropology and entrepreneurial mentorship. Email miche@cummari.com.