In 2001, travel writer Lisa Alpine was on a trip to northern Italy.

She was meeting up with other writers, even teaching a dance workshop.

But after a few days of wine and pasta and tiramisu, Italy. Lisa was craving a more spiritual experience.

And she'd heard about this place nearby.

This place called Dominar.

It was a sort of self-contained eco-spiritual, artistic community slash commune outside of Turin.

So she thought she'd check it out.

I took a train from Bologna and then a taxi from the small town nearby to Domainhor,

and I get to the front reception desk.

And this man introduces himself.

He goes, hello, my name is Plotipus.

And I was wondering, what? What did he just call himself? I said, could you please repeat that? Plattipus. As it turned out, everyone in

Dahmanhur gives themselves a new name, plant or animal, to help symbolize their oneness with the natural world.

So that was just my introduction to how very unusual this place was. And they have their own

currency. So platy course then instructed me at the front desk to use my ATM card in their ATM machine,

which would give me Domain Hurrian coins.

Platypus gave Lisa the keys to her room, but before she could see it in person,

Platypus looked out the window and saw a tour bus idling outside.

Quick, he said, go join them.

So, Lisa climbed on the bus.

And they were all British psychics, older women in lavender and little flowery hats.

And I just got thrown into their tour.

...