For some people, the perfect vacation could be summed up as follows: arriving at the airport, checking into a luxury hotel, spending the rest of the time by the pool or on the beach with the latest bestseller. It might be a good way to relax and enjoy a little unstructured time doing nothing, but I’ve always found it a waste, especially when in a foreign country. Not that I’m advocating running around museums or culturally valuable landmarks, especially when the weather is hot and you’re faced with queues and cross kids, but maybe there is a way to have the best of both worlds.
In Italy, one way to experience the authentic flavor of the country, its cuisine and its way of life is to book in a agritourism. This roughly translates to a “farm”, but the type of vacation accommodation you find can range from simple and rustic to a level of sophistication that is on par with any five-star hotel.
In the farm?
To officially qualify for ‘agritourism’ status in Italy, the place must actually be an established farm or agricultural business of some kind. You may not necessarily have livestock, you could grow grapes for wine, organic food, make olive oil, etc., but there should be some direct connection to agriculture. Year agritourism You should also try to offer your guests local food typical of the area and the items for sale in the farm shop must also be produced by the farm itself.
Being Italy, the original definition of a real farm offering food and accommodation is now a bit more, how can I put it, applied flexibly, at least by accommodation providers. You can be offered anything from simply a room with (or without) meals to a country house complete with extracurricular activities such as horseback riding, mountain biking, wine tasting, cooking courses, art or ceramics. An internet search will reveal a wide range of hotels, bed and breakfasts, self-catering villas and apartments mixed with old farms, all under the general heading of agritourism. Read the descriptions carefully to see what is offered. You may find that a rural hotel or B&B in a small village may be exactly what you are looking for rather than the full-blown farm experience.
Food Glorious food (and wine!)
Year agritourism Vacations can be a great way to experience another side of Italy. Of course, staying in a tourist place like the heart of Florence or Rome is unforgettable and exciting. But imagine an alternative, where a walk through a strada bianca (unpaved road) could take you to a small rural village or a local festival, with food and wine supplied by the villagers for a few euros, with music and dancing. Perhaps this white path will take you to a market, where you can buy slices of pork baked over low heat with fennel, a kilo of freshly picked peaches and a bottle of local wine to enjoy later on the terrace of your farmhouse.
A lots of agritourism the owners will be happy to advise you on how to make the most of your stay, suggesting secluded restaurants (run by your cousins or friends or friends of friends) that you would never find otherwise, or organizing a wine tasting or even an olive oil tasting . Yes, there is – sip spicy fresh golden green oil from tiny cups or the crease between your finger and thumb!
Two to try in Tuscany
There are several websites that have assembled collections of agritourism accommodation and one of them is Landscape Properties, which has more than 3000 holiday accommodation providers in its database. You can search by type of accommodation, location, type of vacation or budget and then book directly with the owners.
Here are a couple of examples from Tuscany. The first, Agriturismo Ardene, is located a stone’s throw from the medieval town of Montepulciano (famous for its wine) and is packed with traditional Tuscan features: terracotta floors, chestnut beams, and of course, incredible views. This is an example of a genuine farm with animals that has recently been restored to a very high standard.
The second is Tenimenti della Spinosa on the border of Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio in the beautiful Maremma region, offering self-catering apartments on a series of farms spread over 80 hectares (200 acres) of land. The farm has its own 20 acre DOC vineyard, so it will be fine for wine!
If you look at these properties, you will see that while they maintain the character of the original farms, they also offer swimming pools, internet connection, hot tubs and all the other modern facilities that you might have thought you would have to give up if you are staying at an Italian Farm.
Maybe giving up the lounger by the hotel pool isn’t such a sacrifice after all.