Farm Stays in Italy (2023)

Agriturismo Pratalbino is a beautifully isolated farmhouse on a hillside surrounded by nature near Bagno di Romagna in the Emilia-Romagna Region of Italy. It’s about a half an hour from the city of Arezzo, while also being conveniently near Rimini and Federico Fellini Airport. Their very comfortable, rustic B&B rooms all come with private bathroom, a flat-screen TV and WiFi and there is a nice shared lounge and dining room downstairs where they serve a great Italian breakfast every morning. The area surrounding the farm is peaceful and lovely and a great place for long country walks, and bikes can be hired from the farm too for exploring a bit further afield. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “All beautiful!!!!! The owner welcomed us divinely, giving us also many indications on what to see in the surroundings! A dream house, a wonderful outdoor space immersed in the peace of the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines !!!!!!! Also the beautiful trails in the surroundings, we did a very long walk, escorted (a little by chance) by the very nice dog of the landlady !!!!! Highly recommended!….” “Exceptional: The kindness and care shown by the staff at all times. Varied and abundant breakfasts. The tranquility and peace of the place…..” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO PRATALBINO: READ MORE

Masseria Torre Spagnola is a luxury agriturismo near Matera, Basilicata, Italy, in a unique, beautifully atmospheric 16th Century manor house. It is surrounded by a large working wheat and dairy farm and is walking distance from the city of Matera. All their very spacious and comfortable air conditioned rooms come with private bathroom, WiFi and flat screen TV and they have a unique, rustic ambience which is shared by the whole property both inside and out. There is an on-site bar with a good range of drinks and snacks and they serve a fantastic breakfast every morning. The nearest airport is Karol Wojtyla Airport about a half an hour’s drive away at Matera and a shuttle service can be arranged to and from the farm. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Italy at its finest. Superb location, stunning buildings, interesting history, this place was created with love to showcase rural Italy. Outstanding….” “Wonderful! Staying in a 16th century castle close to the beautiful city of Matera is a dream come true….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT MASSERIA TORRE SPAGNOLA:   READ MORE

In the heart of the vineyards around Greve in Chianti, Tuscany, Italy, and near to both Florence and Siena, Agriturismo Podere Campriano is a beautifully rustic, family owned organic farmstay that produces some quality wine and olive oil and offers cooking classes and winery tours. It is very much a peaceful little oasis but yet only a 5 to 10 minute walk to the town of Greve in Chianti itself. THE ACCOMMODATION: All their B&B suites and rooms (you can check your options on the booking page here), and their self catering apartment, are clean, spacious and tastefully furnished, and all have WiFi throughout. While outside in the gardens you’ll find plenty of space to relax, with a salt water swimming pool and barbecue facilities. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews & more photos on the booking page here. THE FARM, THE WINE & THE FOOD: Guests are welcome to wander the hillside vineyards and olive groves, and can also arrange guided tours of both the farm and the winery, to learn a bit about the production process and partake in tasting sessions. Their winery produces some quality organic wines as well as Bolero elixir, a unique type of grape syrup that they have been making at Agriturismo Podere Campriano for generations. The farm stay also has some helpful daily cooking classes where you can learn how to make some of the local specialities that make Tuscany, and Chianti, so famous in culinary circles. THE LOCATION: Tuscany might just claim to be Italy’s most admired region and if so Chianti could easily claim to be the Tuscany of Tuscany, so to speak. It is the very heart of the region and has a rural charm that manages to defy the masses of tourists that visit it every year. It is a place of winding roads, gentle green hills and fertile land that has been producing some of the world’s best wines and olive oil since at least medieval times. Dotted among this lovely countryside you’ll also find some classically beautiful Tuscan towns, none more so perhaps than Greve in Chianti itself, the gateway to Chianti, and the location READ MORE

Cavril Agriturismo near Milan has stunning views over Lombardy’s Po Valley, and provides B&B accommodation in an old Italian manor farmhouse that has been upgraded and updated to offer the best in modern comfort and standards. All their rooms have air conditioning, a fridge, private bathroom and a balcony, and some come with a kitchenette. Wine, olive oil, and grappa are produced on the farm, tasting sessions can be organised with the owner and every morning they serve up a great Italian style organic breakfast. Cavril Agriturismo is just outside the village of Sotto il Monte Giovanni XXIII. About 20 minutes outside the city of Bergamo, and about an hour from Milan. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Exceptional. Warm hospitality, beautiful views, great price. Lovely organic breakfast with farm fresh eggs. We ate at the restaurant both nights and were impressed each time….” “Wonderful property and beautiful accommodation not far away from Bergamo! The whole property was immaculate and the view from the bedroom was stunning. We also ate in the restaurant which was very nice and tried the wine from the estate. The owner was really sweet and helpful. Highly recommended!…” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO CAVRIL:   READ MORE

Tenuta di Petriolo is a gorgeous vineyard hotel situated in Torrita di Siena, Tuscany, conveniently near to both Siena and Arezzo. The estate dates back to the 1700s and the imposing manor house has beautifully decorated interiors; wood beamed and frescoed ceilings, antique furniture and ancient wine cellars which resonate history and an old fashioned sense of class and style. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a range of spacious B&B rooms, ranging from doubles to quadruples. All of them are classically decorated in keeping with the historical atmosphere of the property, and offer style and opulence belonging to a different era, though with modern conveniences like flat screen TV and WiFi. All the accommodation is B&B and the buffet breakfast is generous, varied and fresh. The manor house is large and there is plenty of common space to explore with lounge and dining space and even a lovely little chapel. And also externally where you’ll find patios, well tended gardens, a swimming pool and rows of vines and olive trees. There are fifteen acres of Sangiovese grape vineyards in total that have, since 1974, been supplying Chianti DOCG Colli Senesi and Chardonnay. You are of course welcome to sample some, and to buy to take home, and you can also arrange tours of the vineyards and the wine cellars in the company of the friendly and enthusiastic staff and owners. THE LOCATION: Tenuta di Petriolo is just outside the town of Torrita di Siena in the heart of Val di Chiana. (You can read more about the area here) This is a particularly lovely part of rural Tuscany and is a convenient base for visiting some important historical towns and cities, being just 45km from the city of Siena, 18km from Pienza and just 12km from the town of Montepulciano. There are also many other historical towns in the surroundings, too many to mention really, and the whole area is a pleasure to tour around, though of course you may also be tempted to just stay put at the hotel such is the beauty of the place! The nearest airport is Perugia San Francesco d’Assisi Airport, but both Florence and Pisa airports are also READ MORE

Family run Agriturismo Orrido di Pino has a stunning mountain setting for its beautifully rustic farmhouse near Naples on Italy’s Amalfi Coast. In terms of location it is near to Amalfi town, and to Salerno and Sorrento too, though be aware that the scenic but winding mountain roads will make the journey somewhat slow. Apart from the incredible views to be enjoyed what guest rave about the most with this agriturismo is the fantastic food on offer, with a great range of organic ingredients coming fresh from the farm; fruits, vegetables and various herbs and spices. THE ACCOMMODATION: The have just three rooms at the agriturismo and the place has an intimate, friendly atmosphere.  There is one double and two triples rooms which each contain one double bed and one single. They are quite minimalist in decor, super clean and the whole property has a nice rustic farmhouse feel. The beds are very comfortable, there is air-con, WiFi and flat screen TV, and some nice en-suite bathrooms. The view, as mentioned are absolutely beautiful, looking into the mountains and down to the Amalfi Coast below. There is a terrace outside, and a garden, where you can relax in the evening and really soak it all in. Around the gardens you’ll see lots of fruit and vegetable plots. They grow quite a lot here, everything from figs, squash and zucchini to cherries, pears and plums. Plus lots of herbs and spices too; rosemary, sage, chamomile and fennel to name but a few. The gardens are organic and much of what they produce goes into their superb food. The accommodation is B&B and the breakfast is generous, fresh and full of variety.  Make sure to enjoy some of the fabulous evening meals at the restaurant too where you’ll have a great choice of traditional Amalfian, Campanian and Italian food. THE LOCATION: Agriturismo Orrido di Pino is about 35km south of Naples just inland from one of Europe’s most revered stretches of coastline, the Amalfi Coast. There is a huge amount of great scenery to be enjoyed in this area and having a car would be a good idea, both in getting to READ MORE

Baglio Occhipinti is a peaceful rural retreat near Comiso Airport in the famous wine producing region of Ragusa, southern Sicily, known as the Cerasuolo di Vittoria. It offers stylish accommodation in a renovated 19th century manor house/winery that retains all of its rustic, traditional charm. Outside there are lovingly tended gardens with a swimming pool and the farm’s own vineyards and olive groves. You’ll find a cosy, family atmosphere at Baglio Occhipinti – they like to look after their guests – and there is some great home made organic food to be enjoyed too. THE ACCOMMODATION: The large farmhouse is a nice example of a traditional Sicilian manor house but one which has been carefully renovated, and with a great flair for interior design. It is spacious and minimalist, with lots of the old features showcased; wood beamed ceilings, exposed stone walls and some lovely pieces of antique furniture. They have seven rooms in total, mostly doubles, and all B&B. All of them are vintage style, comfortable and spotlessly clean, and have WiFi, central heating and air conditioning. In the main living room there is a large fireplace and plenty of space to relax and socialize with the friendly owners and the other guests. As mentioned before, the food is excellent here, from a generous fresh breakfast to some lavish evening meals. All of it is organic and home made with much of the ingredients coming from the farm itself. The menu is solidly traditional Sicilian and if you would like to recreate some of it at home they run daily cooking classes with the chef. And of course there is the wine, Baglio Occhipinti has its own selection of wines and they can be enjoyed with every meal. Outside there is a terrace area where you can also dine, manicured lawns and a swimming pool. Beyond that guests are free to wander around the farm and vineyards and to help themselves to the various fruits growing from the trees; oranges, figs and mandarins. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews & more photos on the booking page here. THE LOCATION: The flat plains of this area of southern READ MORE

Agriturismo Cervano, on the Lombardy side of Lake Garda, has a range of rustic self catering accommodation on its organic olive farm which has magnificent views over the lake and the surrounding mountains. There is much old fashioned charm at Agriturismo Cervano; the property has a rustic, traditional feel and you’ll find a homely, friendly, ambience. THE ACCOMMODATION: There is a huge choice of accommodation from a studio apartment to sleep two to a six bedroom maisonette that can sleep up to twelve. All of them are self catering but you will be supplied with basic breakfast provisions and the friendly owners can help you get to the nearest grocery shop. The fixtures and fittings are for the most part very much traditional but you have modern conveniences too; WiFi, TV and well equipped kitchens. Feel free to wander the olive groves from where the same family has been making organic olive oil for over 200 years. At the moment they have three varieties;  Gargnà, Casaliva and Minìol, all of which you can sample and buy some to take home if you wish. Otherwise you can choose to spend your days relaxing in the gardens enjoying the view, or going for long walks in the surrounding countryside. The hills behind the farmhouse are particularly worth the effort, with the views from there being even more spectacular. THE LOCATION: The location is the undoubted highlight of Agriturismo Cervano; sitting as it does on a hillside above the fabled Lake Garda. Lake Garda is Italy’s largest lake, spreading over 370 square kilometers of three regions Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige, and is undoubtedly one of the most famous lakes in the world. The surrounding mountains and national park make the lake special and there are wonderful hiking trails and mountain biking opportunities to be explored (you can hire bikes for free from the farmhouse). Many lovely villages surround the lake, 25 in total, with the nearest to Agriturismo Cervano being Vecchia Provinciale just down the winding mountain roads. There are quite a few excellent restaurants in the surrounding area which the owners of the agriturismo can recommend and there is a golf course nearby too READ MORE

In the heart of lovely Umbria, Italy, Agriturismo Istrice Innamorato has self catering accommodation in a charming, classically Italian hillside farmhouse with gardens and an outdoor swimming pool. Their traditional style apartments have a lounge with TV, a full kitchen with coffee machine, a patio and barbecue facilities available in the gardens outside. The farm produces its own olive oil of which guests are welcome to sample and their breakfast is typical Italian style with pastries, croissants and good coffee or tea. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Great location. pool, nearby towns and villages. Quiet location, very peaceful and relaxing. Beautiful setting and pool….” “Exceptional: The hosts were perfect, excellent breakfast, perfect view and sunsets, the farm produces excellent olive oil and jams!…” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO ISTRICE INNAMORATO:   READ MORE

Just outside the beautiful hilltop town of Pienza, Tuscany, Italy, Agriturismo Casapicchiata is a very highly rated farm stay that has comfortable B&B rooms in a traditional Tuscan farmhouse surrounded by acres of wheat fields, olive groves, lavender and cypress trees. The views are tremendous too and it is in a perfect location for further exploration of this fabled sub-region of Tuscany; Val ‘Orcia. THE ACCOMMODATION: All the rooms are rustically stylish, with tiled floors, antique furniture and classic bed frames, and they all come with nice private bathrooms. This farm stay comes with lots of other niceties too; a spa & wellness center with massage services, a fitness center, a small indoor swimming pool, a hot tub and a solarium. They know how to look after their guests here and they can also provide a number of other, more practical, services; babysitting, laundry and maid services for example. Their food is tremendous, and not only the breakfast; the friendly owners cook up some great locally sourced food (Much from their own farm) in the evenings too which can be shared with other guests in the farm’s ‘family and friends only’ informal restaurant. THE LOCATION: The lovely Pienza is of course very much on the Tuscan tourist trail and there are innumerable other lovely small towns nearby too; Bagno Vignoni, Montacino, Rocca d’Orcia to name just a few. In between too of course you have some classic Val d’Orcia/Southern Tuscany countryside to enjoy (you’ll find a special section on Val d’Orcia on this page). You can hire bikes from the farm to head out exploring if you wish, and/or they can also arrange some wonderful horse riding trips which take you around the local area and some of the more hidden, less touristy areas of Val d’Orcia. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Amazing location right at the heart of Val d’Orcia, within driving distance of many central locations of Tuscany. Beautiful place with warmhearted owners….” “Excellent property, the owner was very kind and helpful. The breakfast was great and we fell in love with the location (and the dog!)….” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO READ MORE

Agriturismo Domus Magna is a beautifully renovated 15th Century farmhouse on a lavender farm very near Udine in the Fruili-Venezia-Giulia region of Italy. THE ACCOMMODATION: It has comfortable B&B rooms with private bathroom, TV and WiFi and outside there is are 12 acres of grounds, including a large garden with barbecue facilities and an outdoor pool. Then there is the lavender farm from where they produce their own lavender oil and lavender honey. You can expect a great Italian breakfast every morning at Domu Magna with some of the best local produce; ham, cheese, yoghurts and cereals. After that if you’re feeling active, the surrounding area is popular for hiking and cycling and the friendly owners can provide free bike hire. They also have horses at the farm which you can take out on horse riding trips, and lessons can also be arranged. THE LOCATION: The agriturismo is situated in the lovely little village of Belvedere di Povoletto, just a few minutes north of Udine, Fruili’s regional capital. Some other places of note in the surrounding area are the UNESCO World Heritage site of Cividale, originally founded by Julies Caesar, it was the 8th century capital of the Duchy of Fruili, one of the Lombard Duchies. The popular seaside resorts and spa towns of Grado and Lignano and the lovely medieval towns of Gemona and Venzone are also nearby and worth a look. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “This is one of the nicest places we have ever stayed in. If you are looking for beautiful surroundings, tranquillity and excellent service then this is the place. I wish we could have stayed longer and I hope we will return someday. It’s a great location for exploring the area….” “Highly recommended. Very friendly staff, nice and huge garden and clean and nice pool. An incredible place to be with kids. It was a pity we couldn’t stay more days….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO DOMUS MAGNA:   READ MORE

Tenuta Le Cave is a luxury agriturismo vineyard hotel perched on a hillside near Verona, Italy, with gorgeous views over vineyards, olive groves and the beautiful wooded valley below. The property is quite stunning with some fabulous interior design on display, their fine wines are organic and biodynamic, as is the food at their excellent restaurant. You can pamper yourself at the on-site spa, tour the vineyards & winery or just lounge outside around the outdoor swimming pool with those fabulous views all around. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have some beautiful rooms and suites on offer, all of them quite uniquely designed and decorated, and with an artistic flourish. They are all spacious, especially the suites, obviously, which also have a comfortable seating area, and they all come with a patio or balcony. One of the suites is a two bedroom, to sleep up to four, while the others are all doubles. Tenuta Le Cave is a luxury agriturismo and you can expect the highest levels of comfort, facilities and service. There is a very nice spa at the farmhouse with a good range of treatments and facilities; various massages, spa bath, Turkish bath, hydro massage, salt cave etc. The gardens are lovely too, with the swimming pool area taking the best spot for enjoying the fabulous views. The agriturismo produces organic and bio dynamic, own label, wine including Amarone, Ripasso & Valpolicella. You can take a stroll around the vineyards yourself or go on a guided tour which also includes wine tasting and cellar tours. Enjoy too some great locally sourced food at the restaurant, which is also organic and biodynamic as much as possible. THE LOCATION: Tenuta Le Cave Agriturismo, though conveniently near to the tourist cities of Verona, Vicenza, Padua and, a little farther to the east, Venice, is still surrounded by beautifully peaceful, deep green, countryside. The area of Veneto is well known for its wine and food, much of it you can taste at the agriturismo’s own restaurant, and examples of which include the classic Verona wine; Valpolicella DOC, soppressa; Verona’s regional twist on Italian salami, Marrone di San Mauro chesnuts, Monte Veronese cheese, Lessini black truffles, and also READ MORE

Masseria Agnello on Sicily’s west coast, is quite simply a very special property. The grand stone building is the first thing that strikes you, an aristocratic farmhouse villa from the 19th century, it is stately and imposing from the outside, and on the inside very tastefully styled and furnished, with its modern touches at ease on the traditional Sicilian farmhouse canvas.  The grounds are something of a fertile oasis too, with the green lawns, lush palms, carob, citrus and olive groves a striking sight against the barren hills that surround. THE ACCOMMODATION: The have a range of rooms and suites to sleep up to four people, some of which have their own terrace and all of which are spacious, clean and super comfortable. There is a curated mix of old and new in terms of furniture and decor, but the rooms, and the whole building in fact, retain the charm and atmosphere of a bygone era. You can expect luxury hotel standards at Agnello and all the rooms come with flat screen TV, WiFi, mini bar etc., plus some very plush en suite bathrooms. The grounds have a series of very attractive gardens with various flowers and aromatic plants and herbs, like rosemary, lavender and thyme. There is an outdoor swimming pool too and the views from all around the property are stunning, especially towards Realmonte and the sea beyond. There is a fine restaurant at the Masseria, where you will be treated to an excellent breakfast, and where you can sample some great local food for lunch and dinner too. If the food appeals so much that you may miss it at home, you can also arrange daily cooking classes with the chef! PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews & more photos on the booking page here.  THE LOCATION: The agriturismo is on the west coast of Sicily, the lesser known coast, quite a bit away from the major urban areas of the north and east. Therein lies its charm though, much of the west of Sicily has an isolated, almost other worldly feel to it, and the coastline can be spectacular. The one place that READ MORE

Allegro Agriturismo Argiano, near the ancient Etruscan city of Arezzo, is a wonderful place to relax and unwind in the heart of some typically gorgeous Tuscan countryside. It’s a hillside farm so the views are lovely and being surrounded by rows of olive groves, orchards and old woodlands it feels, and very much is, close to the peace of nature. It’s very much a family farm too and they make some quality food stuffs, extra virgin olive oil and various jams for example, and also Vinsanto, a traditional Tuscan sweet wine made from raisins. THE ACCOMMODATION: The accommodation is in the form of  two two bed apartments just off the main farmhouse, both of which have one double room and one twin. They are cosy with well equipped kitchens and nice lounge areas with fireplace. They have central heating and air-con, and the interiors will impress all round with some beautiful design and decor on display, very much in keeping with the historic, traditional, nature of the farmhouse. The exteriors are wonderful too, nice terraces and gardens with seating, an outside dining area, and a swimming pool too. All of it is surrounded by hundreds of fruit, cypress and oak trees, and overlooked by the lovely Tuscan hills. It’s a family owned agriturismo and you’ll find the family friendly and helpful. THE FARM: The owners are enthusiastic about their busy little farm, with the main work being in the production of fruit, and a huge variety of fruit at that: Strawberries, blackberries, figs, walnuts, cherries, apricots, apples, grapes and olives. There will always be some little home made goodies to try, their fresh fruits of course, and also their previously mentioned Vinsanto wine and extra virgin olive oil. You can buy plenty of their farm produce to cook with in the apartment and to take home with you afterwards. THE LOCATION: Tuscany can get pretty busy with tourists, especially in Summertime and though the agriturismo is just 3km from historical Arezzo, within walking distance really, it is a very peaceful oasis of calm. There is 40 acres of woodland surrounding the farm and is a lovely place for a quiet READ MORE

This lovely farm stay is situated on a working, vegetable producing, farm in the heart of the Valle D’Aosta in the Italian Alps. It’s a 15-minute drive from the centre of Aosta and only about 20km from the closest lift to the Pila ski resort. Courmayeur and the Mont Blanc cable car are about 40 km away, while Châtillon is half an hour away by car. Their Italian Alpine-style apartments are tastefully furnished with TV and private bathroom and with wooden, mountain view balconies. There is a ski storage room and they also have barbecue facilities in the large gardens. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The perfect stay. Beautiful location, very warm and helpful owners , extremely clean and tidy apartment , excellent view and a really peaceful place….” “We had the most wonderful week at Plan d’Avie. Patrick and his family are kind and hospitable people. The view around the farm is magnificent and the apartment was perfect for our family with spacious kitchen and bathroom….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO PLAN D’AVIE:   READ MORE

Farmstay Palazzetto Ardi has top quality, pet-friendly accommodation in Torri di Confine, between Vicenza and Verona in the Veneto region of Italy. They have their own restaurant serving the finest local food, with some of it coming from the farm’s own organic vegetable plots, vineyards and orchard groves. They have a small farm shop too so you can buy some of their various organic produce to take home, which include extra virgin olive oil and a range of organic wines,  jams, tomato sauce, pickles and liqueurs. And to really take the experience home you can arrange cooking classes during your stay and learn some fabulous local recipes from the farm’s resident chef. All their rooms have a flat screen TV and WiFi throughout, and come with views of the garden or the surrounding mountains and some come with a seating area. They have plenty of nice outdoor space too, with a swimming pool in the garden, and the surrounding area is great for exploring, with hiking, cycling and golfing popular nearby (Free bicycle rental at the farm). WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “A wonderful experience. The hospitality was just amazing. Carlo and Micheala were just wonderful, they couldn’t do enough. An amazing place to stay, eat, drink and make new friends. We would love to go back and would recommend a stay….” “Everything! Carlo & Micheala are wonderful and make you feel at home and very welcomed. We loved that everything eaten is from an organic source and farming. Micheala is a wonderful chef and meals are exceptional. Homemade organic wines are spectacular! 🙂 A must stay place….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO PALAZZETTO ARDI:   READ MORE

In the peaceful heart of Maremma, Southern Tuscany, Italy, Agriturismo Sant’Egle has an enviable location that is equally matched by the quality of its accommodation, food and hospitality. Its approach is very much eco-friendly and organic and it offers guests a pathway to a relaxed and healthy mind and body. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a selection of rustically stylish rooms at the farmhouse, all with private bathroom and entrance, and the whole building displays a nice mixture of contemporary art and antiques. They have an organic farm shop at the property too where you can buy some of their varied food and non food products to take home. You can sample some at their excellent buffet breakfast too, and throughout the day at the highly regarded restaurant. The friendly owners are equally welcoming to those with dietary restrictions and will do their best to accommodate. The surroundings are lovely; there is the farm, the gardens with an outdoor pool, and a ‘holistic space’ where you can organize yoga classes. It’s an eco-friendly property; the 17th-century farmhouse has been carefully renovated to be as environmentally friendly as possible. Note: Only children over 7 allowed! THE FARM: The farm is ostensively a sheep farm but they grows a range of vegetables, fruits, nut and herbs too. All of it is certified organic.  and the farm, like the farmhouse, designed to be as eco-friendly and bio diverse as possible. THE LOCATION: Further afield this richly rural and historical part of Tuscany can be easily explored on foot, by car or by bike, from the farm stay you’ll be within distance of   such iconic southern Tuscany towns as Pitigliano, Sorano and San Quirico. You can rent bikes directly from the farm and the owners are always happy to advise on what to see and do in the local area, and they can also organize tours. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “It was amazing and romantic. Will return….” “Definitely a place to relax and be restored. Much to do in the area in terms of walking and sightseeing and the hosts were most helpful with tips and directions….” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & READ MORE

Agriturismo I Moresani has quality accommodation on its 200 acre family-run organic farm near the lovely Cilento Coast, south of Naples, & Salerno, Campania. The farm is a busy place with cows, pigs, goats, horses and hens, and produces a huge range of organic food products including extra virgin olive oil, salami, sweet and salty sausages, goat’s cheese, pasta, liqueur, wine, tomato puree, honey, biscuits, flour, pulses and more. It’s an extraordinary selection and all are available to try at the farm restaurant and to buy at the farm shop. THE ACCOMMODATION: The range of accommodation at the agriturismo is equally broad and consists of three separate buildings with a total of 9 rooms (doubles, triples and quadruples) and three self catering apartments. You’ll find all clean and comfortable and with a nice rustic Italian farmhouse feel. In the grounds outside there is a swimming pool surrounded by gardens and of course beyond that the farm where you can wander through the olive groves, vineyards and vegetable gardens enjoying the peace and quiet, and all the time surrounded by the rolling green hills of this very lovely and very underrated area of rural Italy. Food is of course a major part of the experience of Agriturismo I Moresani; the breakfast is fantastic, organic and can be adapted to suit dietary restrictions. You’ll be well advised to try the restaurant in the evening too too where you can enjoy to the full some fantastic meals; genuine home-made, slow food, with most of the ingredients coming fresh from the farm itself. Active types will appreciate the horse riding (They have their own horse riding school) and various activities and excursions can be arranged in the surrounding area including hiking tours of the Cilento National Park,  visits to the Unesco World Heritage archaeological sites of Paestum and Elea-Velia, boat trips around the lovely Cilento coast, cooking classes and more. THE LOCATION: Though many areas of Italy may claim such a title the Cilento Coast is a firm candidate for rural Italy’s best kept secret. The world famous Amalfi Coast draws almost all of the foreign tourists in these parts but those in the know will also take the READ MORE

Near the hilltop town of Volterra, Tuscany, Rifugio Dei Sogni is a warm and homely agriturismo B&B with a swimming pool and superb panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and of Volterra itself. The farm produces its own organic wine and extra virgin olive oil which you can sample, and buy to take home, and every morning you can look forward to a fabulously fresh and tasty Tuscan breakfast. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have five double rooms and one triple to choose from (check your options on the booking page here). All are in classic Tuscan farmhouse style but with modern comforts, WiFi, flat screen TV, air-con and mini bar for example. Outside they all have some semi-private space including table and chairs. The views from the property are stunning. The gorgeous Tuscan countryside is laid out before you with the ancient Etruscan town of Volterra looking down from a nearby hilltop. There is plenty of space around the gardens to lounge around in and to enjoy the great views from, and there is a nice outdoor swimming pool there too. It is a working farm and produces eight different wines, extra virgin olive oil and fruits such as cherries, lemons and apricots. All of it is organic and the owners are also committed to sustainability practices; solar panels, harvests of rainwater for irrigation etc. They are enthusiastic about organic, eco-friendly farming and are always happy to show guests around and to teach them a little on what goes in to the production of their wine and olive oil. The breakfast at Rifugio Dei Sogni is fresh, varied and generous, including some excellent, freshly ground coffee. There is a bar at the farmhouse too where you can enjoy some of their wine and other drinks plus various homemade snacks and small dishes throughout the day. THE LOCATION: The agriturismo is just a kilometer and a half from the gorgeous hilltop town of Volterra, one of the most famous hilltop towns in Tuscany. It was an important Etruscan city, with origins dating all the way back to the 8th century BC. It maintained its importance right through medieval times when most of READ MORE

If you came to enjoy Liguria’s magnificent Cinque Terre coastline but want those amazing sea views to be just between yourself and Mother Nature, then Il Nettare Agriturismo is the place you really want to stay. The scenery right outside your door is absolutely incredible and enhanced by the natural wild feeling of the immediate surroundings, where the host family grows grapes, olives and lemons and makes their own organic limoncino, extra virgin olive oil and honey products, which include some very lovely sweet liqueurs. THE ACCOMMODATION: The accommodation is in the form of very quaint and rustic cottage studios. They have one double bed in an upstairs mezzanine area and a single sofa bed downstairs so can sleep up to three people in total. The studios could never be described as spacious but they have a cosy charm, and very much give you the feeling of living in a traditional, and quite remote, Italian farmhouse. This feeling will be supported by the lack of WiFi (the nearest WiFi is in a bar/restaurant a short walk away), but you do have modernities too in the form of satellite TV, air con and central heating. There is a kitchenette with a hot plate, sink, fridge and various bits and pieces including a capsule coffee maker. There is a small lounge area too with table and chairs and a sofa, which, as mentioned, can also double up as a spare bed. The space is small but the beds are super comfortable and the bathrooms are very nice indeed. The agriturismo owners are super helpful and friendly and though not strictly a B&B they are generous enough to leave your fridge stocked with basic foodstuffs as well as some homemade treats for breakfast and snacks, and in an especially nice touch they leave fresh bread outside your door every morning. So for that we put it in both the Farm B&B and the Self Catering categories. The main thing about any stay at Il Nettare Agriturismo though is the outside space which includes your own private patio with table and chairs and from where you can watch the sun go down over the sea READ MORE

Agriturismo Villa Cefalà, near Palermo, Sicily, is just a stone’s throw from the beach and its hillside location allows some really stunning views over the Mediterranean and some nice sea breezes too. The farmhouse is a classic old Sicilian mansion, in this case from the 18th century, and a place where the nobility of Palermo used to spend long leisurely summers. The building has an aristocratic, elegant feel, and the grounds are gorgeous too, there is a swimming pool and some lovingly maintained garden areas surrounded by rows and rows of citrus and olive trees. They also have a great restaurant on site where you can enjoy a generous, fresh, breakfast each morning and some thoroughly enjoyable evening meals on the outdoor terrace. THE ACCOMMODATION: Agriturismo Villa Cefalà has both B&B rooms and apartments. All have a nicely traditional Sicilian feel to them, with wrought iron bed frames, tiled floors, wood beamed ceilings and antique furniture, but they are modern hotel standard in terms of comfort and facilities; en-suite bathrooms, WiFi, Satellite TV, mini bar and safe, plus some nice little touches like a complimentary beauty kit in each of the bathrooms. The rooms are all double rooms and have plenty of space with a separate seating area included. The apartments have also one double bedroom though are slightly larger with a small kitchenette and lounge area included. In the grounds there is an outdoor swimming pool and various terraces and extensive gardens where you’ll also find a small children’s playground. The food is fantastic at this agriturismo, their traditional breakfast is large and tasty, and has a very nice selection of home made delicacies for you to try; pastries, breads, cakes, cheeses and yoghurts, washed down with freshly squeezed orange juice straight from the farm and of course some great coffee. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner too, where the quality of the food & wine, and the beautiful surrounds, attract many local visitors too, which is always a good indication. They have excellent cooking classes at the agriturismo, in case you would like to try your hand at making some of their dishes yourself at home, READ MORE

A family run vineyard & agriturismo, Baglio Vecchio offers peace, tranquility and rustic old world charm in the wilds of North West Sicily. The property is an 18th century baglio, a traditional Sicilian farmhouse, which has been respectively restored and retains the atmosphere of a bygone era without sacrificing modern comforts. The food here is consistently excellent, you can sample some fine Sicilian traditional dishes with most of the ingredients coming from the farm, and all accompanied by the agriturismo’s very own wine. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have ten rooms in total, two quadruples, one triple, six doubles and one single, in the main farmhouse building and six self catering apartments in the nearby renovated storehouse to sleep up to four people each. They all have a rustic vibe with soothing pastel coloured walls and and some nice antique furniture, but they also have air-con, satellite TV, private bathrooms and WiFi for example, and you’ll generally find the accommodation super comfortable, and clean. The 50 seat restaurant, as mentioned above, has some terrific traditional Sicilian food & wine on offer and they are happy to cater for guests with dietary restrictions. Outside in the grounds there is a swimming pool and the whole property is surrounded by olive groves, grape vines and a beautifully peaceful, nearly 30 acre, stretch of old woodland that is lovely to wander around. You are also welcome to join in some of the activities around the farm such as, in season, harvesting the olives or grapes, and you can also try your hand at the ancient lawn bowling sport of bocce, play ping pong, go horse riding or take one of the farm’s bikes to explore the surrounding area. THE LOCATION: Tucked away near the coast of north west Sicily, the journey from Palermo should take less than an hour and a half, from Trapani less than an hour and from Marsala, less again. Rural Sicily has a wealth of ancient ruins and the area surrounding the agriturismo is no different. The ruins of the ancient Greek city of Selinunte, are just 10 km away on the coast with Segesta too being just 40km away. Both are READ MORE

Agriturismo Nurazzolas has highly rated self catering accommodation in a wonderfully peaceful location just minutes from the the east coast of Sardinia. The farm is eco-friendly and organic, producing extra virgin olive oil, various vegetables as well as keeping animals; donkeys, goats, peacocks and chickens. THE ACCOMMODATION: The main farmhouse is divided up into four apartments each with a living room, fully equipped kitchen, one or two bedrooms (to sleep up to four, ie. with one double and two single beds), and each comes with nice private terrace area with views of the surrounding countryside and the sea in the distance. The Nurazzolas farmhouse has been designed along eco- friendly principles; their electricity needs come from solar panels and they have a wastewater purification and recycling irrigation system in place. Their farm is also organic and though the accommodation is self catering they provide you with fresh organic ingredients to make your daily breakfast with. Their goats produce milk which goes into home made yoghurt which you are welcome to try, the same going for their organic extra virgin olive oil and vegetables. The views are splendid from the farmhouse, and from around the farm, and you are just minutes away from the warm, welcoming waters of the Mediterranean. THE LOCATION: This quiet, unassuming, countryside and villages around Agriturismo Nurazzolas have much historical heritage; the 700 year old hilltop Castle of Quirra and the nearby Tower of Murtas, which have stunning sea views, for example, or the sacred well of Is Pirois and the Romanesque, riverside, 13th century church of San Nicola, to name but a few. The coastal area here, around Porto Corallo, is interesting and diverse with a long sandstone interrupted by the River delta of the Flumendosa with numerous creeks where once coral fragments were found. There is some very nice hiking to be found around here, both inland and along the coast, and you are also close to some of the more well known tourist centres and beaches of Sardinia’s east coast; Costa Rei, Capo Ferrato, Arbatrax, Villasimius and Dorgali to name but a few. The owners of Agriturismo Nurazzolas know the area well and will have READ MORE

Take a step back in time at Fabbrica Di San Martino, a luxury agriturismo near to both Lucca and Pisa in western Tuscany which has self catering accommodation in a beautifully restored, over 250 year old, manor farmhouse. The property is palace like, and truly gorgeous, as is the location; set high among green hills it offers lovely views over the surrounding countryside at every turn. It is an organic & biodynamic agriturismo which makes its own quality wine and olive oil and promises a healthy, relaxing rural retreat but with easy reach of the popular tourist cities of Lucca and Pisa. THE ACCOMMODATION: The stunning property has top quality suites and apartments, which can sleep up to four, and blend the rustic charm of an 18th century farmhouse with 21st century standards of comfort. Check your options on the booking page here. The floors and the wood beamed ceilings are all original and much of the well chosen antique furniture dates back to similar eras. All the units come with TV, WiFi and a well equipped kitchenette. They are spacious too with good sized sitting areas and have some lovely design touches; you’ll find nice lighting and traditional furniture and fittings which lend a cosy, rustic Tuscan farmhouse feel. The grounds are large with an outdoor swimming pool and plenty of space for relaxing, dining or just wandering around, and you’ll find beautiful views at every turn. The accommodation is self catering but you can also order a fresh breakfast to be brought to your suite every morning. There is no restaurant at the agriturismo but there are a few good restaurants, cafes and shops just a few minutes away. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews & more photos on the booking page here. THE FARM: Lucca is famous in Tuscany for the quality of its olive oil (The gold of Lucca) and this agriturismo doesn’t disappoint in this regard, producing nearly 500 litres of premium organic and biodynamic extra virgin olive oils from its 10 acres of olive groves. All the olives are hand picked and milled within 12 hours of harvesting and are of the READ MORE

This very much luxury agriturismo near Florence, in the heart of the Chianti hills, Tuscany, has a history going back to the 14th-century, and a gorgeous hillside setting surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a broad range of accommodation from standard doubles to family rooms that can sleep up to five and some extra spacious suites. Check out your options on the booking page here.  Even the most basic of rooms have a whiff of luxury with the only major difference really being the amount of space on offer. All are chic, clean and comfortable, and their mixture of modern and rustic interior design complement the wood beamed ceilings and frescoed walls. Every morning you’ll be treated to a great Tuscan style buffet breakfast including cold meats and cheeses, pastries and jams. Agriturismo Salvadonica also has its own small restaurant which serves some quality local food for lunch and dinner and using the farm’s own olive oil and wine. There is a large garden outside which has lovely views over the Chianti Hills, an outdoor swimming pool, and plenty of space for relaxing and dining. If you’re impressed by the food, and most people are, you can join their daily cooking classes where a professional chef will teach you how to create full three course traditional Tuscan and Italian meals. You’ll have access to a tennis court and fitness center at the farm stay too, and they can also organize a whole host of services including massage, concierge, laundry services, business meeting rooms, bicycle rental, bicycle tours, horse riding and hot air balloon trips. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews & more photos on the booking page here. THE FARM & VINEYARD: Salvadonica has a long history as a farm and a manor, with the farmhouse having been lovingly restored in recent years. The farm itself has five acres of olive groves, four acres of vineyard, and over 15 acres left semi natural as park and woodland. It is a beautifully relaxing place to wander around but it’s also a working farm & winery, producing its own wine and a range of extra READ MORE

In the town of Manoppello, Abruzzo, Italy, about a half an hour outside Pescara, this very popular B&B farm stay & vineyard is on a working farm that produces its own wine, olive oil, jam and cheese, all of which guests are of course free to sample, to buy to take home, and receive a few tips on their production. They have a range of rooms and suites, and one self catering apartment with kitchenette, all of which are clean and comfortable and come with private bathroom, flat screen TV and WiFi as standard. And as well as a very good free Italian breakfast in the morning for an extra fee you can arrange evening meals too, all of which are quality and are made with the finest local ingredients. There is a shared lounge and a nice garden at the property too, and a range of services are provided by the farm owners; from packed lunches to child minding and free bike hire. Abruzzo has much to offer the visitor, with Pescara and the Adriatic coast just a half an hour from the Agriturismo, plus there are two beautifully wild national parks even closer; Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga and Parco Nazionale della Majella. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Wonderful experience. A beautiful place to stay in a beautiful setting. Perfect for a relaxing getting away. Wonderful breakfast selection and friendly staff….” “Very nice place, friendly hosts, great location the countryside, with great views towards the Abruzzo mountains….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT IL CASOLARE DI NONNO MARIO:   READ MORE

La Mezzaluna Fra Le Mura is a friendly farm stay agriturismo near Perugia, Umbria. It has self catering apartments at its hillside farmhouse with some lovely views and a swimming pool in the large gardens. THE ACCOMMODATION: There is a choice of 3 self catering apartments in the rustic farmhouse that can sleep up to four people. All of them have a lounge/dining room and kitchenette and there is plenty of outside space to explore, with nice gardens, a swimming pool and views over the farm and the surrounding hills. The friendly owners also offer cooking classes where you can learn how to make various traditional recipes. The food is excellent; they serve up a great buffet breakfast in the morning and you can order meals throughout the day at their informal farm restaurant. THE FARM: It is a working farm with various animals including cows, pigs and hens. They also grow olives on the farm and make their own olive oil, and some nice traditional home made jams too, which you are of course welcome to sample, and to learn how to make. THE LOCATION: The location is a major attraction with this agriturismo, it is surrounded by the typically Umbrian rolling green hills, with olive trees and orchards all around. It’s about 5km from the shores of Lake Trasimeno and its natural park, which is a popular weekend day trip from Perugia. Perugia is about 45 minutes by car and there are many small villages and town around that are worth a visit. Less than 3 km down the road in fact is the lovely hilltop town of Panicale; it’s small place, with a population of only about 500, but it has a rich medieval history and a grand 17th-century theatre that is still going strong; Teatro Caporali. Another similar town about 20km to the south west is Città della Pieve, It too has a nice hilltop setting and is also famous for being the birthplace of the renowned Renaissance era painter Pietro Perugino. Castiglione del Lago, on the shores of Lake Trasimeno, is just about 13km from the agriturismo, and is yet another beautiful little town. There are many more, READ MORE

Tenuta Santa Tecla is a serene organic agriturismo in a wonderful location outside the town of Acireale, near to both Taormina and Catania, Sicily, and close too to the Mt. Etna National Park. It sits on a hillside just 2km from the Mediterranean and has some stunning sea views. The farm itself produces a huge range of certified organic fruits and vegetables, including mandarin oranges, lemons and grapefruit and it also makes its own very good brand of extra virgin olive oil. They also have farm animals which guests are welcome to meet including hens, geese, donkeys and a few rare, in this part of the world anyway, Tibetan goats. THE ACCOMMODATION: There is a choice self catering apartments and B&B rooms and suites, all of which are boutique hotel standard in terms of style, comfort, cleanliness, as well as facilities which include air con, mini bar, satellite LCD TV’s, and stylish bathrooms with walk in showers. One room, the ‘deluxe room’ also comes with its own whirlpool spa bath. The apartments can sleep up to four people and have all the above plus a spacious lounge area and a fully equipped kitchen. There is also a wellness centre at the property which includes a sauna/Turkish bath, a yoga area and massage services. Out in the beautifully tended traditional Mediterranean gardens there is a swimming pool, plenty of sun loungers and seating, a children’s play area and an archery range. The breakfast at the agriturismo is top class, much of their organic ingredients come fresh from the farm, and they are always happy to cater for dietary restrictions and special requests. THE FARM: Originally the agriturismo’s main focus was their extensive lemon orchards, this they extended in later years to include many other types of citrus fruits, and vegetables. All of their produce is certified organic and being keen gardeners, as well as farmers, the owners also have a botanic garden where you can see a huge variety of native and non native plant species, all of which are carefully marked and described individually. There are animals on site too; donkeys, goats, hens and geese, with a mini petting zoo which READ MORE

Agriturismo Bannata is a lovely, rustic masseria farmhouse hotel in a great location in central Sicily, Italy. It is near both the spectacular city of Enna and the historic, artistic town of Piazza Armerina with its UNESCO world heritage site Villa Romana del Casale. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a choice of 6 B&B rooms for up to four people per room in their very elegantly restored traditional Sicilian farmhouse. The rooms are spacious, clean and comfortable, and the whole property has much nice antique furniture and a beautifully rustic style, in all the rooms and in the common lounge and dining areas. There is plenty of space to enjoy outside too around the farm, the gardens, and the swimming pool The food here is excellent, and not only breakfast, they serve really good lunch and dinners too, with a wide variety of Sicilian and Italian food and wine. They include plenty of vegetarian options and a good deal of the ingredients come fresh from their own farm. The friendly owners are always happy to organize cooking classes too, just ask! PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews & more photos on the booking page here. THE FARM: The farm has olive and almond trees plus various other fruits, vegetables and crops. As mentioned before they use a lot of their own ingredients in the food they serve at the farmhouse, and they also produce olive oil, almonds and cereals. THE LOCATION: The agriturismo is just 6km from the lovely, historic town of Piazza Armerina, in the very heart of Sicily. Many tourists pass this way to see the 4th-century Romana del Casale, a UNESCO world heritage site which has over 3,500 square meters of mosaic floors, but there is plenty more to keep the discerning visitor in the area. There is the city of Enna, less than a half an hour from Agriturismo Bannata, it is Italy’s highest provincial capital and a spectacular sight, sitting on a hilltop 900 meters above sea level. It has a long and important history too once being the main site of devotion to the Roman Goddess Ceres and with its strategic position being coveted by READ MORE

Very near Florence in the famous town of Vinci, Tuscany, this is an idyllic luxury agriturismo B&B set in a 16th-century Medicean Villa. It is surrounded by acres of vineyards and olive groves from which the owners produce their own award winning wines and olive oils. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have two double rooms and two larger double luxury suites at the farmhouse (check the booking page here), all of which are very comfortable and elegantly decorated in classic Tuscan style. Each come with private bathroom, WiFi and satellite flat screen TV, while the larger suites also have a separate lounge area. Outside there is plenty of space to relax in the gardens and guests are free to wander the estate and the ancient wine cellars, and can of course arrange wine and olive oil tasting sessions, as well as Tuscan cooking classes, at the villa. Their wine making tradition dates back to 1700 and their wines have won numerous awards, the most well known being their Chianti Dianella which is served in many top restaurants and taverns all over Italy. Their food is fabulous too at their informal restaurant and a generous and healthy buffet breakfast will await you each morning, to be served in your room, in the dining hall or outside in the gardens. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews & more photos on the booking page here. THE FARM & VINEYARD: For those of you in the know of such things, the estate is located in the western Montalbano Chianti DOCG area of Tuscany and has about 25 hectares of vineyard stretched over gentle hills with a south to south west exposure. They grow a variety of grapes here; Cabernet Sauvignon, Vermentino, Sangiovese, Colorino and quite a few more. There are also about 15 hectares of olive groves, growing varieties such as Leccino, Pendolino, Frantoio and Moraiolo which go into the making of their branded Dianella extra virgin olive oil. They are passionate about both and have even a small wine museum in the ancient cellars of the villa. Tours are offered too of course, of the farm and the cellars, as well as wine READ MORE

Very near the famous town of San Gimignano, Tuscany, Italy, Agriturismo Macinatico is a wonderful rural escape that has great views of the town’s iconic medieval towers and of the surrounding countryside. It makes its own top quality extra virgin olive oil and wine which you can enjoy sampling in some beautifully tended gardens or lounging by its outdoor swimming pool. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a total of self catering apartments are large and spacious with varying numbers of bedrooms that can sleep up to ten people. They are also clean and very comfortable, with private bathroom, flat screen TV with satellite channels, full kitchen and a lounge area. The owners are very hospitable and friendly and you’ll be welcomed on your arrival with a food hamper containing some basic essentials, bread, coffee etc. plus some nice home made pastries, biscuits and other treats. Outside in the lovely gardens you’ll find barbecue facilities, a kids playground and an outdoor swimming pool with views of the San Gimignano towers. The views from the farm stay are spectacular; you can lay back and enjoy the San Gimignano towers, the vineyards, and all that gorgeous Tuscan landscape while just sitting back at the edge of the pool. THE FARM & VINEYARD: The have acres of vineyards and olive groves surrounding the farmhouse. They produce their own quality cold pressed extra virgin olive oil and various wines here, and they have a small farm shop which sells both, with wines such as Vernaccia Macinatico and Massi DOCG, Toscana Bianco and Rosso IGT, Chianti and Disciplinare Chianti, to name just a few, plus many other good local foodstuffs. You’ll find the owners friendly and enthusiastic and very much experts on the subject of food and wine. Make sure you ask them for a free tour of their vineyards and production lines. THE LOCATION: Just 6 km from one of Tuscany’s most popular tourist towns, San Gimignano, but still gorgeously silent, peaceful and rural, Agriturismo Macinatico has an undeniably good location. For those of you not yet familiar, this very historic town is on the itinerary of pretty much every visitor to rural Tuscany, so much so READ MORE

Pietra Campana is a very highly regarded agriturismo farm stay B&B with a stunning setting; a 17th-century hillside manor farmhouse overlooking the town of Orvieto, Umbria, Italy. They have a selection of modern comfortable suites and apartments, each having a lounge area with flat screen TV and DVD players and the apartments having a full kitchen. All the accommodation options, self catering included, come with a great Italian breakfast buffet including some of their own home made organic cakes and jams. There is free WiFi throughout, and small pets can come and stay but you’re asked to let them know before you arrive. The farmhouse is surrounded by acres of olive groves which you are welcome to wander around, and from where you can also enjoy more of the lovely views. The friendly owners make their own olive oil at the agriturismo, as well as various jam and soaps, all of which you’re welcome to sample and of course to buy to take home if you so wish. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Amazing magical place with the most accommodating, friendliest and thoughtful hosts!…” “The view of Orvieto from our room was spectacular! The space was beautiful and perfect for our family. Little extras made it feel very special. Frederica was fantastic and made sure everything was perfect for our stay. Wish it was longer, such a beautiful area….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO PIETRA CAMPANA:   READ MORE

On a hillside surrounded by fruit and olive groves just outside Buggiano Castello, and near to both Pisa and Lucca, this 13th century Tuscan agriturismo farmhouse makes for a luxurious holiday experience, with its outdoor pool (From March to November) and sun loungers, hot tub, bowling green, football pitch and playground. The interior is rustic with a variety of suites and rooms, all with mini bar and air-con and all with antique furniture, old stone walls and beautiful terracotta and wood ceilings. Breakfast at La Piana Hotel is a generous Tuscan buffet served on the terrace in summer and in the cosy fireplace breakfast room in winter. The farm produces its own extra virgin olive oil which is of course available to taste and to buy to take home. The helpful staff offer maps and advice about the local area and they can arrange entry to local museums, events and attractions, like the nearby hot springs at Montecatini Terme. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “What a lovely place: staff is super friendly and welcoming; rooms are very nice, cozy and comfortable; location is perfect; it has a great terrace and pool. We joined one of Luciano’s pizza nights and it was wonderful. Staying here felt like being at home. We loved it! Can only recommend!…” “Beautiful location, amazing views, set in wonderful surroundings. Bedroom beautifully furnished. Fabulous swimming pool. Owner very welcoming, happy and friendly staff. Really enjoyed our 4 night stay….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO LA PIANA:   READ MORE

In a picture perfect, hillside setting outside the town of Castellina in Chianti near Siena, Agriturismo Querceto Di Castellina has self catering cottages on a busy, eco-friendly, working farm which produces high quality organic wines, grappa and extra virgin olive oil. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a great choice of rustic 15th-century cottages, all with kitchen, lounge and dining area, WiFi and flat screen TV with satellite channels. In the grounds you will find a nice outdoor swimming pool too and well kept gardens surrounded by the farms acres of vineyards and olive groves. It has its own boutique winery and a feature of a stay here is their excellent wine tasting sessions. The food too is highly rated, as are their popular cooking classes at the farmhouse where guests can learn how to prepare a whole host of traditional Tuscan dishes. They have various snacks and small food items available throughout the day too at their wine and cheese bar. Pets are allowed at no extra charge, they have an outdoor play area for children, and have a range of extra services like bicycle hire, breakfast delivered to your room, special diet menus etc. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews & more photos on the booking page here. THE FARM & VINEYARD: This family-run is in the finest Tuscan agriturismo tradition, it offers top quality service while also keeping busy producing organic wines and olive oil. Its vineyards are high on a hilltop in ideal conditions for producing its highly rated organic Chianti Classicos; L’aura Chianti Classico and Sei Chianti Classico Gran Selezione. Their vineyard and boutique winery can be visited and you can learn a lot from the owners about what goes in to producing top quality organic wines. They produce some good grappa and extra virgin olive oil too which can be sampled at the farmstay and you can of course, just like the wine, buy some to take home. THE LOCATION: The famously beautiful countryside of Tuscany and especially Chianti has been enticing visitors both domestic and foreign for generations now. Its fertile farms have been producing a lot of Italy‘s best wines for hundreds READ MORE

This pet friendly agriturismo farm stay near Perugia, Umbria, Italy, offers rustic, atmospheric, B&B & self catering accommodation in a unique setting; an ancient Benedictine Abbey complex with a history going all the way back to the twelfth century. All their spacious rooms come with WiFi, flat screen TV and private bathroom. They serve a really great breakfast, and for the rest of the day you are free to cook for yourself in the shared kitchen. The Abbey itself is stunning and full of historical intrigue, and your hosts will be happy to show you around. Various activities and workshops are also available at the farm; natural cooking courses, herbal dying, massages with olive oil and reiki treatment, painting lessons and soap making demonstrations. The surrounding area is beautiful too and well worth exploring, and you can hire bikes for free direct from the farm to do just that. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Exceptional: To start with, the welcoming owner/manager. The architecture of the property, the ceilings with frescoes, the decoration of the patio and the stairs. The garden outside, with every detail. The overall feeling of the property….” “This place is spectacular. We had a great time walking around the beautiful abbey and relaxing in the garden with a bottle of wine. The room was clean and comfortable, and Sara is a fantastic host. Highly recommend!…” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO ABBAZIA SETE FRATTI:   READ MORE

On a hillside just outside Cividale del Friuli, and near to Udine,  Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, Italy, Agriturismo l’Uva e le Stelle has very nice self catering accommodation in a 19th Century traditional stone farmhouse. The property is surrounded by the farms own vineyards and olive groves, which the guests are welcome to explore and get to know a bit about farm activities. And there is also a small spa in the garden, including a sauna and Turkish baths. All apartments come with a nice balcony and the ceilings are the traditional exposed oak-wood beams typical of a 19th Century farmhouse. There’s a dining/lounge area too, with a kitchenette, WiFi and satellite TV. The garden has barbecue facilities and plenty of garden furniture including sunbeds. And though the accommodation is self catering the friendly owners provide all guests with a free breakfast basket pack for the first two days. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Wonderful escape in nature: Everything was great, from the lovely position to the very kind staff. The flat was spacious and with all the comfort you need. The complimentary wine from their own vineyard was an extra pleasant surprise….” “Wonderful agriturismo with a beautiful pool and the most amazing setting….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO L’UVA E LE STELLE:   READ MORE

Agriturismo Le Fontane has an absolutely stunning setting on the shores of Lake Iseo, near Brescia in Lombardy, northern Italy. It is very much a boutique hotel with just four rooms to choose from, and you can enjoy gorgeous views from the terrace outside your door, from the gardens or from the infinity swimming pool just in front. It is very much a place for lounging and relaxing but there are plenty of activities to enjoy too; the beach is just three minutes walk away and you can also enjoy guided tours of the farm, fruit and vegetable picking, nature walks and hikes along the Antica Strada Valeriana, and of course boat tours around the lake and to the stunning Monte Isola Island. You can also enjoy the excellence of the in-house chef who uses the best locally sourced ingredients to great effect, from breakfast to lavish evening meals and washed down with some of Brescia’s and Lombardy’s finest Franciacorta wine. THE ACCOMMODATION: The agriturismo accomodation, just four B&B rooms in total, is lake side and just away from the main farmhouse where the restaurant is located. The rooms are set around the swimming pool with the gardens just to the side, and they all have fabulous, almost uninterrupted, views over the lake and the island. The block is modern, and internally has more in common with a modern city hotel than a stereotypical rustic agriturismo. Facilities are also what you would expect from a modern hotel, WiFi, flat screen satellite TV and some nice spacious private bathrooms. All the rooms are bright, clean and super comfortable, and all are supplied with nonallergenic soft furnishing and bedding materials. They also come with a small terrace seating area outside, from where, not to press the point too much, the views are a real treat. The small farm produces various fruits, vegetables and herbs and is surrounded by hazelnut and olive trees. You’re welcome to stroll around the farm and you can also arranged guided tours with the always friendly farm owners and/or the chef. The food here, as mentioned previously is another major attraction. It is traditional but creative and beautifully READ MORE

Agriturismo Antichi Granai is a scenic rural retreat between Palermo and Trapani in the depths of rural west Sicily. The hillside accommodation is that of a stylish and minimalist, traditional Sicilian farmhouse, the food is excellent, as is the homemade Nero d’Avola wine, and the hosts are enthusiastic, warm and welcoming. THE ACCOMMODATION: The have a choice of rooms and suites to sleep up to in the rustic farmhouse which dates back to the early 1900s. All  of them are spacious and clean and come private bathroom, WiFi, air-con, central heating and lovely views of the surrounding countryside. Outside there are terrace and garden areas which are beautifully designed and maintained with plenty of lounging and al fresco dining space. There is a swimming pool in the gardens too and all around you can enjoy the same lovely views. There is a large working farm here too of course which you are more than welcome to take a look around, and do some horseback riding too. If you so wish, you can also join in some of the activities; harvesting the olives or wheat for example, or helping to collect some of the great array of vegetables and fruit which go in to the fine food at the farmhouse restaurant. THE LOCATION: Though just over an hour from Palermo and roughly half that from Trapani this agriturismo feels very much in the middle of nowhere. From its hilltop setting you have really tremendous views over the miles and miles of rolling hills that surround. There is barely a hint of urbanization in these parts with the exception of the picturesque little town of Calatafimi Segesta, so it will doubtless be a welcome break for many, especially if they’ve just arrived from Palermo. As a result it’s startlingly quiet and peaceful, with the stars at night appearing as bright as you can ever imagine. So it might be a place to relax but there is still a lot to do and see locally and the hospitable agriturismo owners can arrange all sorts of tours and excursions for you. You can arrange day trips to the city of Trapani, and to its surrounding, READ MORE

Near the city of Florence and nearer still to Leonardo’s home town of Vinci, Chianti, Tuscany, Agriturismo Colle da Vinci is a classically rustic hillside farmhouse surrounded by organic olive groves and enjoys some stunning views of the Montalbano Valley, especially from the ideally placed swimming pool in the gardens. THE ACCOMMODATION: There are five pleasantly old style self catering farmhouse apartments, which can sleep up to four with one double bedroom and one double sofa bed in the lounge and children’s cots can also be provided if needed. You can check your options on the booking page here, and be advised there is a two night minimum stay. They are all spacious and well equipped and you’ll find them bright, airy and comfortable. Though the bathrooms err on the side of modern the general feel is of a homely, rustic Tuscan farmhouse, with wood beamed or brick ceilings, tiled floors and crisp white walls. WiFi and satellite flat screen TVs feature too though and the standards of comfort and cleanliness are certainly of the modern age. Outside they all have their own semi private space with table and chairs and with the agriturismo having such a wonderful hillside location there are wonderful views of the Montalbano Valley to be enjoyed from all around. The well tended gardens have a swimming pool from where you can also admire the views and in general there is plenty of space to lounge around or dine al fresco on the terraces or around the gardens. There’s a barbecue area too, and a play area for kids. The main business of the farm is in the making of organic extra virgin olive oil which guests are welcome to sample and of course also to buy to take home. You can also learn about farm work from the friendly owners; the processes involved in the growing and pressing of the olives etc. THE LOCATION: Agriturismo Colle da Vinci  is just outside Leonardo’s home town of Vinci (which is still, for historic reasons, actually a city) and also lies within the Montalbano Natural Park, which was once named Barco Reale, a famous hunting ground created by READ MORE

Agriturismo Maurerhof just outside Vipiteno, Trentino in the heart of the Dolomites, is a working farm that produces cheese, eggs and jam. Their Alpine-style apartments all come with private bathroom, kitchen and seating area, and a balcony which gives lovely views of the surrounding mountains. On the farm you can meet some of the locals, including ponies, chickens, goats and horses. The surrounding area is fabulous for hiking and winter sports are very nearby; The Racines ski area is just 14 km away for example. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “We (2 adults, 2 children + 1 dog) were very impressed by the Maurerhof. The landlords are warm, nice and helpful. The location was great. Absolutely recommended!!..” “Exceptional. Eggs from the farm, fresh milk every morning, perfect service….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO MAURERHOF: READ MORE

La Fattoria Delle Tartarughe/The Tortoise Farm is a friendly, homely agriturismo near the city of Cagliari, and also some of Southern Sardinia‘s best beaches. It is an eco-friendly, organic farm which also doubles as an animal sanctuary with donkeys, ponies, sheep, pigs, goats, rabbits, a range of exotic birds, and of course tortoises, from where the farm gets its name. It is a very sociable place with a family type atmosphere; a place to enjoy long, lazy evening meals in the company of your hosts and all the other guests. The farmhouse is quaint and homely and all in all the experience is very much an antidote to a modern, sterile city hotel. THE ACCOMMODATION: The farmhouse itself is a quaint, old style farmhouse but with some quirky interior design that gives the place a very nice homely feel. The rooms are colourful and inviting, as well as being comfortable, spacious and clean. The home made food at this agriturismo is a major highlight; a lavish breakfast awaits you in the morning and on many evenings there are great meals to be enjoyed in the company of the other guests. Much of their organic ingredients come fresh from the farm, and, if you find you like the food so much, you can arrange cooking classes too. You’ll find the hosts friendly and welcoming and an informal, family like atmosphere pervades throughout. You will very much be made to feel at home here but with added extras, like massage services, yoga spaces and mediation rooms and of course the chance to interact with the large number of friendly animals they keep on the farm. THE LOCATION: Conveniently near Cagliari and its international airport, this agriturismo has also the added attraction of being near some Sardinia’s best beaches.  The journey by car from Cagliari should take no more than a half an hour, and there is also the option of the no. 106 bus from the centre of the city which can drop you off a couple of minutes walk down the road, but which takes an hour end to end. Be aware though that once there the setting is quite isolated READ MORE

In the rural hills of Basilicata, Italy, Taverna Centomani farmstay has a range of comfortable B&B rooms on a working sheep and cattle farm near the city of Potenza. THE ACCOMMODATION: All their rooms come with private bathroom, WiFi and flat screen TV and the hospitable owners serve a very good Italian style, sweet and savoury buffet breakfast in the morning, with some of the produce direct from the farm. And for lunch and dinner there are a number of good quality restaurants in the surrounding area. THE LOCATION: Though very near the city of Potenza the area feels beautifully remote. There are quite a few really lovely hiking trails in the surrounding hills, and there is a local horse riding stable from where horse riding trips can be arranged. Or if you prefer to cycle you can rent bikes from the farm, and winter sports lovers can visit the nearby Sellata ski area. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Absolutely outstanding! The homemade food, the hospitality, the warmth of Maria…what a very special place….” “Great hostess, clean mountain air, all organic, sustainable farm, wonderful dinner offered….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO TAVERNA CENTOMANI:   READ MORE

Just a few minutes from San Gimignano, the 17th century era Agriturismo Mormoraia is consistently among Tuscany’s most highly rated agriturismi. It is a beautiful property surrounded by organic wine and extra-virgin olive oil producing farmland, it has gorgeous views of the San Gimignano towers and surrounding countryside, elegant, luxurious accommodation, fabulous food, an outdoor swimming pool, and a spa and wellness centre. Among the animals that call the farm home are horses, ponies, donkeys, goats, sheep, ducks and hens, and guests can enjoy activities such as horse riding, e-biking, hiking, cooking classes, wine and olive oil tasting. THE ACCOMMODATION: The Agriturismo has 30, very tastefully renovated, units varying in size and features from their entry level 16 m² (172 square feet) Classic Doubles to 70 m² Family Suites to sleep 4 and a 110 m² Self Catering 3 Bed Villa to sleep up to 6. Their most romantic suites, most might agree, are the Deluxe Double Rooms with Jacuzzi. None of the accommodation at Mormoraia will disappoint though: even their most basic rooms are thoroughly elegant affairs and come with all modern luxury hotel conveniences. FACILITIES & THINGS TO DO: Their breakfast is an enormous buffet with a mix of Tuscan, Italian and international, including some delectable cakes and sweet stuff. The property’s restaurant is open all day and mainly serves Tuscan traditional accompanied by a selection of the farm’s own organic wines. In the summer dining goes al-fresco on the terrace to create a quintessential Tuscan scene with the towers of San Gimignano in the distance Wine tasting, cellar and vineyard tours are available as are olive oil tastings and cooking classes. You can also go also horse riding, hiking and e-biking at Mormoraia and tour their extensive farm. Other facilities include a swimming pool in the beautifully tended gardens, a sauna, a Turkish bath and a beauty and wellness centre with a menu of various massages and health and beauty treatments. LOCATION: Mormoraia is equidistance between Siena and Florence, at a little under an hour from each, and just minutes away from the spectacular town of San Gimignano. The agriturismo is not served by public transport, but READ MORE

Near the city of Parma in the lovely green countryside of Emilia-Romagna, Italy, Agriturismo Alba Del Borgo is a family run B&B with pet-friendly accommodation on its 175 acre organic hillside farm. It’s a fully working farm with wheat fields, vineyards, orchards, vegetable & herb gardens, free range hens and some gorgeous views over the surrounding countryside. They have a range of bright, spacious and modern rooms which all come with some lovely private bathrooms, WiFi, air con and flat screen TV. There is a shared lounge area at the farmhouse plus plenty of space to relax or dine outside, from where you can enjoy some of those lovely views. The agriturismo has its own excellent organic restaurant which uses the best of their own and other local organic ingredients. There is also a farm shop where you can buy some of their various farm products to take home; home made jams, preserves, purees, sauces and plenty more. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Unconditional recommendation: Outstanding food in the restaurant with local produce. Modern, clean and comfortable rooms. Extremely friendly and accommodating staff who make you feel very welcome….” “Dinner was exceptional-Excellent food and wine- Amazing chef! Staff was extremely welcoming and very helpful. The rooms were spotless – Absolutely loved this place….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO ALBA DEL BORGO:   READ MORE

Near the town of Muro Leccese, Puglia, Italy and about an hour from Brindisi airport, this very popular agriturismo farm stay has a range of B&B and self catering accommodation in an 18th century farmhouse surrounded by an olive oil and corn producing farm. All their apartments and studios are spacious, clean and comfortable with private bathroom, WiFi, flat screen TV and kitchenette, and outside guests can relax in the well kept gardens which has a swimming pool and a large outdoor dining area. They have a full restaurant on site with a choice of traditional local dishes, and the food is truly superb. They also offer cooking lessons for guests, as well as horse riding excursions, bicycle hire and swimming lessons. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Lovely warm welcome, very friendly staff, excellent food, very relaxing and stunning setting. Great pool too. Lots of excellent beaches and gorgeous towns to visit within a short drive….” “A delightful oasis with spectacular pool and friendly staff- home away from home!…” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT TENUTA SANT ANDREA: READ MORE

Just inland from the Italian Riviera in the beautiful green hills of Badalucco, Liguria, this highly rated agriturismo has stunning views of the surrounding forests and mountains. It has a range of comfortable rooms, a shared lounge, and lovely gardens with outdoor seating to enjoy those views from. You can also enjoy some really terrific home made Italian food. The area is great for hiking, cycling and horse riding while the beaches of the Riviera are just a short car ride away, with Monte Carlo just 40 km along the coast. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “What a gem! This property is just outside Bardalucco with 3 rooms are all beautifully furnished with comfortable beds plenty of space, good showers. Barbara is delightful and a very accomplished chef. We ate there every night, lots of regional dishes with fresh vegetables from their farm….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO IL POGGIO DI MARO:   READ MORE

The very highly rated Agriturismo Arco di Sole has a range of self catering apartments in a converted farmhouse on its olive oil and wheat producing organic farm in the heart of Puglia/Apulia, Italy, just 10 minutes outside the town of Martina Franca. All their comfortable and clean apartments come with air conditioning and WiFi, kitchenette, and a seating area with flat screen TV. Though the accommodation is self catering a fantastic breakfast is provided every morning in the main dining room of the farmhouse. The white limestone house is surrounded by some very nice gardens and guests are welcome to wander around the farm where the friendly owners are always happy to explain about the making of the farm’s produce. They can provide other services too; child minding, laundry, airport/local town shuttle services, grocery delivery, tours etc. etc. And if you tire of the farm eventually the surrounding area is beautiful to explore and for that you can also hire bikes direct from the farmhouse. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Amazing host, very authentic accommodation, felt more like a home, beautiful surroundings away from the crowds. Wonderful experience, will be back!!….” “We absolutely loved the place. The apartment was beautifully decorated and with everything you may need. The owner welcomed us with coffee and water and she even baked fresh focaccia and bought artisan ice-creams for our children. Even the shampoos were organic….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO ARCO DI SOLE:   READ MORE

Just outside Spigno Monferrato, in the beautiful hills of Piedmont, Cascina Bertolotto is a charming Italian farm stay set in a working vineyard which produces its own quality wine. Accommodation is in a traditional 19th Century Italian stone farmhouse with beautifully rustic rooms, all with terracotta floors and old stone walls, and some with lovely views on to the surrounding hills. They serve a great, continental style breakfast which during summer, is served up in their large, well kept, garden surrounded by vineyards. And speaking of vineyards visitors are of course free to explore them, sample the wine and tour the wine cellars. There are bikes available for free to explore the surrounding area which has plenty of good biking and hiking trails. And it is within close reach of the Italian Riviera beaches. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Exceptional! Rustic scenery and tranquil atmosphere. Absolutely fantastic agriturismo stay in Italy! Also wine tasting tour at the wine farm run by the owner is one of great memory there….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO CASCINA BERTOLOTTO:   READ MORE

Agriturismo Casale Degli Ulivi is a top quality farmhouse B&B near Alghero, and the Coral Riviera where you’ll find some of Sardinia’s and indeed Italy’s most beautiful beaches. Their 30 acre farm grows grapes, olives and various fruits and vegetables, their accommodation is modern, clean and comfortable and outside in the well tended gardens you have a hot tub and a swimming pool at your disposal. THE ACCOMMODATION: The farmhouse dates from 1930 but has been completely renovated in 2015 and there they have a range of rooms to sleep up to four people. All of them are quite modern in style though the exposed wood beamed ceilings also give them a nicely rustic farmhouse feel. They are all super clean and comfortable and come with nice private bathrooms too. The property is eco-friendly; the renovations incorporated a photovoltaic system for hot water and heating and overall the building has a A + energy class certificate. Their breakfast is highly rated by guests and it features some of their own farm produce including their own eucalyptus honey and various home made jams. This you can take inside or outside on the lovely veranda overlooking the gardens which have a swimming pool, a hot tub and plenty of space to lounge around or sunbathe. Beyond that there are the grapevines, olive groves and orchards which you are of course free to wander around. THE LOCATION: In the heart of some lovely peaceful countryside, this agriturismo is also just minutes away from the stunning beaches of the Coral Riviera. The lovely, and ever popular, city of Alghero is just 9 km away too, with its international airport even closer at 3 km. Porto Ferro is 4 km away while the incredibly beautiful coastal park of Porto Conte is just 6 km, and there are plenty more beautiful places to see too. You’ll find the friendly owners of Agriturismo Casale Degli Ulivi will have plenty of tips and advice about this wonderful area. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The produce from this farm is high quality and INCREDIBLE! My favorite was the homemade ricotta with marmalade and honey (all grown, raised, and made on the property). Also, Anna READ MORE

Agriturismo Sarrabus is a lovely, traditional agriturismo, less than an hour from Cagliari, on the east coast of Sardinia. The food here is a major highlight; their on site restaurant is the perfect place to experience Sardinia’s rich food tradition with much of the ingredients for their traditional recipes coming fresh from their own, or other farms in the local area. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a range of cosy self catering cottages to sleep up to four people surrounding the main farmhouse & restaurant. They are basic but clean and comfortable and though, because of the quality of the food in the restaurant, you might find yourself never cooking, you will also have a well equipped kitchenette at your disposal. Outside the cottages have a little veranda with tables and chairs and there is plenty of space to lounge around in the lawns and among the lovely olive and orange trees, where you’ll also find some slides and swings for the children. The farm itself produces a variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs which go in to their fresh food as well as keeping Tibetan goats, hens, ducks, rabbits, turtles and even two friendly wild boars. They have horses too and you can bring them out for some lovely horse riding trips around the nearby lagoon and along the sea shore. THE LOCATION: You’ll find the agriturismo down some country lanes near the village of San Priamo in this richly rural part of east Sardinia. The sea is just minutes away as is the Stagno dei Colustrai lagoon, which you can explore on horseback, and there are some lovely beaches around too. The journey from Cagliari should take less than an hour but if you have time on your hands you can take the longer, but more scenic coastal routes. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Brilliant. This place was an experience. Silvia met us with coffee and Sardinian cookies. It was a lovely stay on the farm with perfect hospitality. There was the sweet scent of orange trees in the air. Both dinner and breakfast was served in the large farm style dining hall. The best idea of all was: All READ MORE

Monaci delle Terre Nere has a prime location in the foothills of Mt. Etna between Catania and Taormina. It is a gorgeous property, both the building itself (a beautifully restored 18th century-era villa) and the surrounding estate which comprises organic vineyards, olive groves and vegetable gardens, and has sweeping views over the Mediterranean 10km to the east. The gently elevated slopes that surround Mt. Etna produce some of Italy’s best wines and among them is the produce of the Monaci delle Terre Nere Estate. Under its Guido Coffa organic label it makes whites and reds from local grape varieties such as Carricante, a grape that can still only be found in the Etna wine region, and Nerello Mascalese. THE ACCOMMODATION: It has a choice of rooms and suites at the main building and a number of detached suites and villas, converted from old farm outhouses, dotted around the estate. They range from 27 square meter classic double rooms to a 200 square meter, two-bedroom villa which can sleep up to seven with the help of two sofa beds in the lounge. All are spacious, bright, stylish and elegant, their interiors display a confident mix of the historical and the contemporary, though leaning more towards the latter – modern art trumps classic art on all walls for example – but overall not too much interferes with the grandiose historical charm of the place and having no TVs in any of the accommodation certainly helps. Despite the wealth of space on offer at the villas none have self catering facilities beyond coffee makers, kettles and mini-bars. The food here though is highly praised, and a major focus of the estate – Monaci delle Terre Nere is as well regarded for its food as its wines. It is not cheap though, be advised. Their on-site restaurant, which has a large outdoor terrace and sea views, is also fully organic with much of the ingredients coming fresh from the estate’s kitchen gardens. Their menu is proudly Sicilian and if you feel you might miss it when you’re gone you could join the chef’s regular cooking classes. Guests can also take advantage of the resident READ MORE

This pet-friendly, self catering farm stay accommodation is near Pesaro, in the beautiful, and quite underrated, Le Marche region of Italy, just 6 km from Rossini Opera Festival and 30 kilometres from Federico Fellini Airport. It has a year round outdoor pool in the well kept gardens and its apartments are all comfortable and clean with WiFi and a flat screen TV with satellite channels. The farm itself produces and sells its own wine, as well as olive oil and some fruit, and the friendly owners are always happy to show guests around and teach them a little about the business. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “We stayed in villa with family for a week and we really enjoyed it! The apartment was clean, plenty of space and very quiet. The swiming pool was brilliant with gorgeous view to the mountains! We enjoyed Stefan’s perfect wine!…” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO I CERRI:   READ MORE

Il Segreto di Pietrafitta is a very atmospheric, 15th century era farmhouse just outside San Gimignano.  It is a thoroughly charming place with a stunning hillside location, excellent food and beautifully rustic accommodation. Most people seem to agree with us: it is possibly Tuscany’s most highly rated agriturismo, so be prepared to book in advance. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have mostly double and triple rooms here, plus a self catering apartment, with breakfast and dinner included in the rate. The rooms are gorgeous – think classic Tuscan wood beamed ceilings, terracotta floors, sturdy hand-crafted furniture and colourfully tiled, old style bathrooms. Their ‘Superior Double Room’ is the pick of the rooms we think. It is more spacious and its layout makes it feel just that bit nicer. If you don’t have too much budget constraint, the pick of the accommodation overall is probably the apartment though. It is a beautiful space with a well equipped, stylish kitchen and lounge area and one bedroom with queen size bed, plus there’s a sofa bed in the lounge. It is the most popular accommodation choice though and generally gets booked up very far in advance. All the accommodation comes with standard hotel perks – large screen satellite TVs, WiFi, mini-bars, study desks and tea/coffee making stations. Check out all the details on the booking page here. Note: Agriturismo Il Segreto di Pietrafitta is adults only (16+). Note 2: There is a four night minimum stay. There is a nice swimming pool in the grounds which has sweeping views over the surrounding countryside, including the towers of San Gimignano. The buffet style homemade breakfast and à la carte evening meal (vegetarian options always available) are served in their wonderful outdoor terrace during the warmer months. Both breakfast and dinner are included in the room rate. The farmhouse is surrounded by olive trees and organic fruit and vegetable groves. They make their own branded extra virgin olive oil here which guests are welcome to sample, and they do cooking lessons too. They have regular Yoga sessions (and lessons for beginners) and also provide a range of massage therapies. You can rent out electric bikes at the READ MORE

S.Andrea is a spectacular Tuscan agriturismo in the little hamlet of Fabbrica, a half an hour from Florence. Its villa complex, which dates back to medieval times sits on a strategic hilltop and has incredible views over Chianti. Though they also have 5 rooms in the main building, the majority of its accommodation is in the form of rustic style, self-catering apartments in two separate sites each of which have gardens and outdoor swimming pools. The surrounding 1500 acre farm produces its own Chianti Classico wine and olive oil, and their restaurant is a great introduction to traditional Tuscan, and Italian food. THE ACCOMMODATION: You have a choice of double B&B rooms and various self catering apartments, to sleep up to six, at S.Andrea. The apartments, as mentioned, are not at the reception building which also houses the restaurant, but in their own semi-independent renovated villas. Both are surrounded by beautifully tended gardens and come with a pool, a barbecue and outdoor dining area, and a kid’s playground. The style is very much traditional Tuscan with terracotta floors, wood beamed ceilings and large stone fireplaces, but with all modern conveniences. Check out all the details on the booking page here. They are fully self catering but guests will be very tempted to try the excellent on-site restaurant – Osteria la Capanna del Gallo, and you can also hire a private chef for your apartment. Apart from lounging happily around the property and taking in the views, guests can partake in wine and olive oil tastings, cooking classes, tours of the farm, hire bikes (including e-bikes) or vespas, join a bike tour, and enjoy yoga, massages, reflexology and Ayurveda treatments. Lots of off-site activities can be arranged by the hotel too such as hot air balloon rides, horse riding, tennis, wine tours and tours of Florence and Siena etc. THE LOCATION: Villa S.Andrea dominates the ancient hamlet of Fabbrica, 10 km from San Casciano Val Di Pesa, and close to a great range of historical villages (the staff at S.Andrea will have plenty of recommendations and also offer tours) including Sant’Andrea in Percussina where you can visit the house, now a READ MORE

Just a short drive from the city of Alghero and the Costa Smeralda, Sardinia, Agriturismo Il Podere Di Monte Sixeri has stylish cottage and villa accommodation on its 60 acre working farm which produces, amongst other things, classic San Giuliano extra virgin olive oil and keeps animals including donkeys, hens, pigs and horses. Though very near the city the location is blissfully rural and peaceful and the views over the surrounding countryside, and of Alghero itself, are beautiful. THE ACCOMMODATION: The have a huge range of self catering accommodation to choose from studio apartments to four bedroom villas which can sleep up to nine people comfortably. All of them are rustic and traditional in style, having been converted from various old farm buildings on the estate, but they lack nothing in terms of comfort or modern necessities. Even the smallest studio has plenty of space and facilities including at least a well equipped kitchenette, a flat screen TV and a washing machine for example, and all have at least some outdoor space; a balcony or private terrace. Out in the gardens there is loads of space to enjoy with three swimming pools with hydromassage, two children’s playgrounds, and plenty of deck chairs and sun loungers etc. The estate has a nice hillside location and there are hiking trails around that lead higher into the hills that offer even better views than from the farm. Horse riding trips and mountain biking around the local area can also be arranged. You are also welcome to visit the farm of course where you can meet the animals, and take part in guided tours from the ever helpful and hospitable staff and owners who can show you what goes into making their classic San Giuliano olive oil and olive oil paste. The accommodation is self catering and there is a good supermarket just 2km down the road from where you can get supplies and you can collect basic supplies from reception too, some lovely fresh home made bread for example. And as you drive the road between the agriturismo and Alghero you’ll also find quite a few local farmer’s stalls where you can buy quality fresh READ MORE

Agriturismo L’Isola Che Non C’era  is a working farm just a 15-minute drive from the town of Apiro in Le Marche, Italy, and a ten minute drive to the lovely Lake Cingoli. It has a large garden, cute, traditional Italian farmhouse rooms and gorgeous views of the surrounding countryside. Rooms at the L’Isola Che Non C’era Agriturismo all come with a desk, tiled floors and private bathroom and you’ll be treated to a great Italian style breakfast in the morning. The farm stay is roughly equidistance between Ancona and Perugia in neighbouring Umbria: A little less than an hour from Ancona and a little bit more than an hour from Perugia. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “I want to sell up and move here! This was an absolute find during our trip. It is a beautifully reconstructed old farm house with wonderful hosts, an adorable dog, chickens and a goat. It is perched on the top of a hill with beautiful views all around, fireflies at night and a stunning star scape where you can see the Milky Way….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO L’ISOLA CHE NON C’ERA:   READ MORE

Two things make Agriturismo del Sole very special; the first is the hillside location on the quaint Anacapri side of the Island of Capri, Campania, which results in some magnificent views over the island, the sea and towards the island of Ischia to the north. The second is the food; the owners are enthusiastic cooks and you will be spoiled with some fantastic, fresh and homemade, Italian food. Their evening meals particularly are worthy of any of the top restaurants in Capri but with the added pleasure of enjoying them alongside stunning views and a much more informal, homely, atmosphere. THE ACCOMMODATION: There is a choice of double rooms on offer; all of which are traditional Italian farmhouse style. One of them is a particular favourite with guests; the superior double room which has two balconies and incredible views, though to compensate, some of the others have private patios and the tremendous views are never far away. Agriturismo del Sole is a very much unassuming place that feels more family home than hotel, but you’ll have hotel perks; air-con, mini fridge, satellite TV and WiFi for example. All the rooms are B&B and the breakfast is super, with lots of sweet and savory bits and pieces including some very good jams made with fruit from the trees outside. The grow fruits and vegetables in the gardens as well a range of herbs, all of which go into food for themselves and their guests, and, as mentioned before the evening meals are especially good. THE LOCATION: Near Naples, on the famously beautiful isle of Capri, Agriturismo del Sole is on the quieter, quainter, more traditional, half of the island known as Anacapri, a place quite different in character from the more glitzy ‘main’ Capri side. In fact for anyone put off by the crowds on Capri, Anacapri can offer some respite despite being only ten or fifteen minutes away by bus or car. The agriturismo can offer more respite again, being about 800m away from the main square of Anacapri, and the walk up and down takes you along some typically beautiful, winding, narrow lanes. On the way there though if you just READ MORE

Just 5 minutes from the centre of Fabrica di Roma, an hour north of Rome and about 25 minutes drive from Lake Vico in Lazio, Italy, Farm Stay B&B Menica Marta Country House is a beautifully rustic Italian farmhouse offering a beautifully peaceful rural escape. Their air-conditioned studios have an outdoor patio area leading on to the garden, great for dining, and all come equipped with a TV, fridge and kitchenette. Though the accommodation is self-catering they offer a very good buffet breakfast every morning, in either the living room or the garden. Evening meals are available too, where you can choose from a selection of local recipes, with much of the ingredients coming fresh from the farm. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “A wonderful surprise: Everything, from the kindness of the owner to the exquisite breakfast made with quality and genuine products, from the wonderful location to the clean, spacious and quiet studio! All great and recommended to anyone!….” “The hospitality of the hosts, the fantastic location and all the services offered have made our experience unforgettable….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO MENICA MARTA: READ MORE

With spectacular views of San Gimignano, Tuscany, this lovely traditional farm stay has pet friendly B&B rooms and self-catering accommodation on an organic family farm and vineyard. It’s a homely, friendly place which produces quality wine and extra virgin olive oil, and keeps farm animals too. The food though is the real highlight at Fattoria San Donato, they have a traditional, organic, Tuscan restaurant which serves up some of the best fresh food around, much of which comes from their own farm. If you are impressed with the cooking, as you undoubtedly will, you can also arrange some excellent cooking classes with chef and owner, Federica. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have some nice self catering apartments, and B&B double rooms with private bathroom. All of them are spacious and decorated with a rustic, traditional, Tuscan style. The apartments have two double bedrooms, but there is also a sofa bed in the lounge that can be converted into another double for two extra guests. The lounge is large and comes with a kitchenette too. You can enjoy some really fantastic food and wine at the farm restaurant including a lavish buffet breakfast in the mornings and various meals throughout the day. And, as mentioned above, cooking classes can be arranged too. Outside you’ll find a swimming pool in the large gardens where you can also play table tennis and the kids can enjoy the playground. And all of this with really stunning views of the surrounding countryside, including those iconic towers of San Gimignano. There’s a lot going on in their busy organic farm, it has farm animals; goats, pigs, hens and ducks, and grows vegetables, herbs and fruits including olives and of course grapes. Around the edges of the farm there are patches of woodland that lead on into the Castelvecchio Nature Reserve which has some rugged scenery and lots of local wildlife. The family are always happy to show guests around the farm and the cellars, and to show them how they make their wines, oils and various other food products. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to enjoy some tasting sessions too. THE LOCATION: The family are also always happy to READ MORE

La Meridiana is a top quality agriturismo resort conveniently near to the city of Rome, and to both of its airports; Ciampino & Leonardo da Vinci. The building is a classic, rustic, Italian farmhouse with ivy covered walls, and though updated for the modern age it still retains a lovely traditional feel. The grounds are lovely too with large, beautifully tended gardens & lawns, an outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts and the farm’s own vineyards, vegetable gardens, citrus and olive groves from which they make, amongst other things, their own wine, and olive oil. Last but not least they have an excellent restaurant here which serves up some lavish traditional meals with much of the ingredients being home grown. THE ACCOMMODATION: Their hotel standard rooms all have WiFi, air-con, mini bar and en-suite bathroom and all are nicely decorated in traditional Italian farmhouse style with some nice quirky little touches here and there. The large grounds are a highlight at this agriturismo, you can spend all day wandering around the gardens and farm, relaxing on the lawns, having a dip in pool or enjoying a game of tennis. Kids can also be suitably entertained at their, well more than average, children’s playground. As mentioned above the food here is excellent, breakfast to begin with (all the rooms are B&B), and some long, leisurely, evening meals where you can also sample some of their own wine. THE LOCATION: For visitors coming from, or to going to, Rome La Meridiana can be a very nice introduction to the Italian agriturimso concept and is an oasis of calm compared to the bustle of the country’s capital city. It is less than an hour from the centre of Rome, about the same from Leonardo da Vinci Airport and less than half that from Ciampino Airport. The major highlight of the immediate area is the Parco dei Castelli Romani/ Park of the Roman Castles, a 15,000 hectare protected zone with much beautiful scenery, much animal & plant life, hiking trails, two major lakes and a wealth of historical sites including Roman ruins, old monasteries, renaissance era villas and more. Lanuvio Train Station is just 4 READ MORE

Casa Migliaca is a delightfully rustic agriturismo in Pettineo, near the town of Cefalù, Messina, Sicily. It has B&B accommodation in its hilltop farmhouse which comes beautifully shaded with organic orchard groves and has gorgeous views over the surrounding countryside and the Mediterranean beyond. THE ACCOMMODATION: Their rooms are traditional style with wood beamed ceilings, rustic furniture and tiled floors. And all are comfortable, clean and spacious with private bathroom and WiFi. There is shared lounge at the farmhouse too, and a nice dining room. The outside space particularly has a beautifully natural feel; lots of plants and flowers running semi wild around the gardens creating an intimate atmosphere where long leisurely evening meals take place in the summer. Teresa, the owner and head chef, is very enthusiastic about Italian and Sicilian food and farming, and loves to share her knowledge with guests, through informal cooking classes and tours of the farm. The home made meals here are really excellent and many, if not most, ingredients, come straight from the farm outside. THE FARM: The farm is about 12 hectares in size and comes with its own water spring. A third area of the area is left as wild woodland where you can see plenty of local wildlife such as porcupines and foxes. The rest is cultivated using the biodynamic holistic farming principles of Demeter Bund, and has a wealth of fruits, vegetables and herbs; olives, oranges, lemons, pears, figs, almonds, plums, zucchini, aubergines, peppers and many more. Guests are welcome to pick and eat some of the produce themselves and you can also sample much of it too in their previously mentioned fantastic Sicilian meals. THE LOCATION: The views from the farm are simply beautiful, set as it is on its own hill which gets lovely cool breezes in the summer time. It is just outside the village of Pettineo, a typically small, cute Sicilian hilltop town, and within close proximity to Cefalù, a popular but still quite elegant beach town with a grand history dating back to the Norman conquest. This history is highlighted by its centre piece, the Duomo; a great cathedral that towers over Cefalù’s old town. It READ MORE

This lovely family run agriturismo farm stay, about a half an hour north of Brindisi Apulia, sits on a peaceful hillside just outside Ostuni, one of southern Italy‘s most iconic cities, famous for its spectacular location and historical whitewashed houses. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a good selection of B&B rooms and self catering apartments, all traditionally styled, comfortable and clean with WiFi, flat screen satellite TV and private bathroom, plus the self catering apartments come with a kitchenette and lounge. While the gardens outside have a swimming pool, a children’s playground and plenty of space for outside dining or relaxing on the sun loungers and hammocks. Both the B&B and self catering accommodation comes with a fine traditional Italian breakfast every morning and you can also enjoy some great meals throughout the day at the farmhouse restaurant. THE FARM: The small farm produces olives as well as various fruits and vegetables. The owners produce their own extra virgin olive oil as well as various jams which they sell at the farm shop. You can arrange cooking classes at the farmhouse too, learn how to make olive oil, and join tasting sessions. The farm owners can also arrange tours of neighbouring vineyards and wineries, including wine tasting sessions. THE LOCATION: The gorgeous city of Ostuni is deservedly popular with tourists already but the entire surrounding area too is well worth exploring. The beautiful sandy beaches of the Adriatic are just ten minutes drive from the farm stay and a tour of the lovely, beautifully peaceful Puglian countryside is always thoroughly enjoyable, which you can also do by bike with free bicycle rental at the farm. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Exceptionally peaceful, relaxing. Fabulous meals. Lovely, warm family and staff. Perfecto!!!.” “Amazing! This hotel was absolutely perfect. It exceeded our expectations and more! We definitely will be going back….” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT MASSERIA SALINOLA:   READ MORE

Agriturismo Humile offers true romantic escape, in the heart of the Val d’Orcia, near Siena. The property is a restored 18th century farmhouse in a classic Italian rural idyll and, with just three boutique suites on offer, the atmosphere is one of great peace and tranquility. The farmhouse is beautifully designed and decorated and retains a lovely rustic ambience while not compromising on modern comforts and facilities. Outside you have a swimming pool and a hot tub at your disposal in the nicely tended gardens. The entire property is proudly eco-friendly and the farm is fully organic, producing extra virgin olive oil as well as various vegetables and herbs along permaculture principles. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have three very lovely suites to choose from, all of which are extremely spacious, clean and tastefully decorated. There is a double bed in each plus a seating/lounge area very nice private bathrooms. Two of the suites are downstairs and have their own private entrance with one being upstairs, accessed through the farmhouse, which has the advantage of having nice views over the surrounding countryside. The thoughtful interior design works beautifully in the suites and throughout the property. It is very much a boutique hotel, while also maintaining strongly its rustic farmhouse essence, and though classically minimalist it has lots of lovely little touches and careful attention to detail throughout. The agriturismo is very environmentally conscious and so they forgo air conditioning for fans (though they do have central heating in winter) and don’t have for example TVs and mini fridges in the rooms (though you are of course very welcome to use the fridge in the farm kitchen) The gardens outside are equally nice, with plenty of seating space, a swimming pool and a hot tub, and is surrounded by the olive groves and vegetable gardens that make up the farm. THE FARM: The farm is fully organic and is maintained on permaculture principles. They grow a range of fruit and vegetables here as well as herbs and medicinal plants and they produce their own excellent quality organic extra virgin olive oil. They make some great fresh fresh food at this agriturismo, their breakfasts are READ MORE

Costa di Faraggiana is a luxury agriturismo near Cinque Terre, Liguria, and a place to spoil yourself a lot. You can have the full Italian Agriturismo experience on the organic farm with vineyards, olive trees and the finest of food, while also enjoying a full range of spa and wellness treatments; Turkish bath, sauna, sensory shower, various massage and beauty treatments etc. The views are stunning from the farmhouse and there is a nice, and very well positioned to enjoy the view, infinity swimming pool and hot tub, and you’ll find the rooms and services on offer very much luxury hotel standard. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a range of rooms and suites to sleep up to four people. You’ll find them all very comfortable, spacious and beautifully decorated with pastel shades and nice antique pieces throughout. Every room has a seating area, study desk, and a very plush bathroom. And all of them will have access to some of the beautiful views that surround, with some of the more expensive options coming with a private terrace or balcony and outside seating. All the accommodation is B&B and there is a fantastic organic breakfast to look forward to, with lots of interesting sweet and savory options, many made with ingredients from their own gardens, and dietary restrictions will be well taken care of too. Between spending your time enjoying the infinity pool or hot tub and the fabulous food, you can also avail of some of their many spa, wellness & beauty treatments. THE LOCATION: On a hillside overlooking a lush green valley Agriturismo Costa di Faraggiana has an enviable setting. For the energetic amongst you the hills surrounding make for some wonderful hiking with, in some parts, tremendous views over the town of Levanto and the Cinque Terre coastline. The agriturismo owners can arrange horse riding trips for you in the local too and they also have mountain bikes and scooters for rent. Levanto, at the edge of the Cinque Terre, is less than 3km away from Agriturismo Costa di Faraggiana and you can avail of the free shuttle service to and from there and the beach. From there you can set READ MORE

Is Cheas is an organic, eco-friendly agriturismo farm stay near the beautiful beaches of the Sinis on Sardinia’s west coast. It has unique accommodation in the form of traditional Sardinian shepherd’s huts known as Pinettas. The small, 12 acre, farm produces citrus fruits, mushrooms, various vegetables & herbs They also keep some horses and have a small organic vineyard too. THE ACCOMMODATION: The unique accommodation is an updated version of the ancient Sardinian shepherd’s hut, the Pinetta. In the olden days they were of course basic, and no more than functional on the inside, but the ones at Is Cheas Agriturismo are beautifully designed and furnished, and they all come with private bathrooms, air-con, WiFi and mini bar. They can fit up to four people and are both thermally and acoustically insulated, making for a wonderful nights sleep under the rustic wooden vaults and branch roofs. You can be assured of comfort inside and the gardens outside are beautifully kept with lawns, flower beds and an outdoor swimming pool. There is an excellent restaurant at the agriturismo too with a range of Sardinian and Italian dishes made from locally sourced organic ingredients including their own. THE FARM: The agriturismo owners are enthusiastic about sustainable agriculture and though the farm is small it is carefully managed using crop rotation techniques and produces a lot of the ingredients for the restaurant’s fine food. There is a vineyard from where they get their home made reds, white and rosè wine, vegetable gardens, a citrus orchard and aromatic herb gardens, and they also keep some horses too. You are welcome to tour the farm and the friendly owners are a great source of information about eco friendly farming and food production. THE LOCATION: Is Cheas Agriturismo has a tremendous location for nature and beach lovers. Some of Sardinia’s best beaches are nearby including Sa Rocca Tunda, Su Pallose, S’anea Scoada and Putzu Idu, the latter being especially popular with surfers and from where you can take a speed boat to the little island jewel of Isola de Malu Entu. The coastal nature reserve of Oasi di Seu too is not to be missed. It is an untouched READ MORE

Near the city of Pisa, Tuscany, and with easy access to the Florence-Pisa highway, La Lecceta has luxury self catering farmhouses to rent on the grounds of the famous Fattoria Varramista Wine Estate. The farmhouses have two, three or four bedrooms, to sleep up to eight people, with a minimum stay of three nights. All of them are beautifully decorated in rustic Tuscan farmhouse style and are spacious, comfortable and well equipped. The estate does a full program of wine tourism which guests are welcome to join and the large estate is lovely to wander around, with acres of vineyards, woodland and gardens which include a nice outdoor swimming pool. The views are pretty special too; open countryside for miles around and the city of Pisa away in the distance. THE ACCOMMODATION: Their spacious farmhouses range from two to four bedrooms to sleep up to eight people (check your options on the booking page here, and note there is a minimum stay of 3 nights). All are tastefully decorated to accentuate the rustic farmhouse ambience with contemporary facilities; WiFi, satellite TV, air con etc. alongside the wood beamed ceilings, tiled floors, antique furniture and pastel shaded walls. They have well equipped, modern kitchens plus plenty of space for dining, and drinking some of the fabulous wine that is made on the estate. All the accommodation has a semi private outdoor area too with table and chairs. The estate is vast and there is a lot to explore. There is an outdoor swimming pool in the beautifully tended lawns and all around are vineyards, olive groves and woodland. It is classic rural Tuscany; lovely to wander around and somewhere you can usually spot some local wildlife in the quiet of the evening, deers, wild pigs and rabbits for example. Whether wine is an interest of yours or not a vineyard and wine cellar tour at the fattoria is interesting and educational. You can also buy some of their excellent wines (reds from sangiovese and syrah grapes), grappa, extra virgin olive oil and nocino (walnut liqueur) to take home. The accommodation is all self catering and there is no restaurant at the READ MORE

In lovely Abruzzo, Italy, L’Orso e L’Ape B&B is a highly rated agriturismo just outside the popular seaside town of Giulianova. It has a busy working farm which produces its own wine and extra virgin olive oil and has fabulous views over the Adriatic and the surrounding countryside. All their rooms have air-con, private bathroom, satellite TV and WiFi, and the hospitable owners serve a great breakfast in the morning, full of the finest homemade food. And they’re always happy to show guests around the vineyards and olive groves and have a look at how wine and olive oil are made. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “A pearl on the way from Bologna to Bari. Excellent spot in the middle of vineyards and olive trees. A family run B&B hotel with a stunning view, comfortable, home feeling rooms and a good breakfast. You will be greeted warmly!….” “Beautiful property and wonderful staff. It is also in a fantastic location….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO L’ORSO E L’APE:   READ MORE

Near the village of Sorano and the town of Pitigliano, Tuscany, Italy, this is a classic Tuscan farmhouse stay on a working farm that produces some award winning extra virgin olive oil. The setting is quite isolated, not a lot of tourists come to this part of the region, and Poggio dell’Olivo has a reputation for providing a more genuine example of Tuscan rural life than many of the luxury type agriturismos that prevail in the more touristic parts. THE ACCOMMODATION: Their clean, comfortable self catering apartments are in a traditional Tuscan style and come with kitchen, bathroom and lounge. There’s plenty of outdoor space too with a lovely terrace, garden, barbecue and swimming pool just outside your door. The accommodation is self-catering but you can arrange a nice Italian breakfast from the hospitable owners for a small extra charge. Feel free of course to wander the farm and inspect some of their quality, home made, extra virgin olive oil. You can also buy some to take home if you wish. Note: There is good WiFi coverage around the reception and the restaurant but the signal in the accommodation can be quite weak. THE LOCATION: Beyond that there is some beautiful Tuscan countryside to explore and you can hire bikes for free at Poggio Dell’Olivo to get you started. There is a also a horse farm nearby which offers horse riding. The nearby hilltop town of Pitigliano is the obvious star attraction of this part of Tuscany but generally you’ll find the surrounding area free from the tourist hoards who descent on the region, especially in Summer, thus this agriturismo is well suited to see the more hidden ‘real side’ of rural Tuscany. Other nice days out in the area include the Saturnia thermal baths, and a little farther away the lovely Bolsena Lake. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Very nice location, if you are after an isolated farm out of the city and away from the swarms of tourist groups. Can give you the true Tuscany experience….” “This is a little paradise! What a beautiful place. In the amazing area of Pittigliano, Sovana and Sorano….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE READ MORE

The homely Agriturismo Fattoria La Prugnola has a great variety of accommodation, including glamping style yurts and a tree house, on an organic, eco-friendly olive farm in the gentle hills of Montescudaio, near Pisa in Tuscany’s upper Maremma/northern Maremma region. The location is idyllic; it is very much surrounded by nature and in its isolated setting you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding countryside all the way down to the famous Etruscan Coast and the sea beyond. THE ACCOMMODATION: There really is a great choice at this agriturismo with cottages, apartments, yurts and a tree house available for up to eight people per unit. So much so that to describe them all individually would take some time but suffice to say that they are all charming in their own way. You’ll find them well equipped, comfortable, clean and cosy, and all have all a nice rustic, Tuscan farmhouse feel to them, with much antique furniture, wood beamed ceilings and soothing pastel shades. Their 5 yurts are not by any means traditional Tuscan of course but they are beautifully put together, spacious and homely. And they are also nicely furnished, blending well some of those same rustic farmhouse touches with the more colourful and exotic ‘walls and ceilings’ of the Central Asian origin yurt. Four of them can sleep up to four people, using one double bed and one double sofa bed, while the largest of them can sleep up to five people with the help of an extra sofa bed. They all too have their own external, private bathrooms. The cosy, romantic tree house is a special property too, and very much sought after, be aware that minimum stay restrictions apply over the summer; in June to September the minimum stay is three nights while in July and August it is one week, from Saturday to Saturday. The treehouse is made entirely of wood and built around a large oak tree. It is small with just a double bed, a bedside table and wardrobe but it also has a very nice outdoor terrace with table and chairs, which offers some unique views of the woods and if you’re lucky READ MORE

In a very charming 16th-century Umbrian farmhouse near to both Perugia and Lake Trasimeno, Umbria, Italy, La Posta agriturismo has a range of lovely, rustic style, rooms and apartments to choose from. Outside you’ll find some beautifully tended gardens, an outdoor swimming pool and all with great views over the surrounding countryside. The ancient farmhouse is surrounded by some almost equally old Dolce Agocia olive trees as well as younger Frantoio, Leccino & Moraiolo trees. They produce organic extra virgin olive oil and a range of jams at the farm, and the owners are always happy to give guests a tour and offer tasting sessions. And they can also arrange visits to local wine cellars. All their accommodation comes with a nice breakfast full of locally sourced ingredients. The owners are very good cooks, you can arrange evening meals and they can also arrange cooking classes for guests on a range of local specialities. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “A great place to relax and enjoy the Umbrian summer: This place is so peaceful and has such a nice ambience and view that we ended up spending most of our time at the property…” “A relaxing and comfortable stay in a beautiful place. The apartment was comfortable and tastefully appointed and the staff were very helpful; they went out of their way to do those little things that made our stay feel very special…” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT LA POSTA DI CONFINE: READ MORE

Beside the village of Paola, near Cosenza, Calabria, Italy and about 35 km from Camigliatello Silano, this beautiful B&B has comfortable rooms on a small farm that produces its own olive oil, fruits and vegetables. It also has a great hilltop location that allows magnificent views over the Tyrrhenian Sea below. All their rooms come with private bathroom, a flat screen TV and WiFi. And there are barbecue facilities and a terrace in the gardens outside. There is also a restaurant and bar on site serving some really good local food, including some straight from the farm. There is also a shared lounge at the farmhouse and a 24 hour reception where the friendly staff can organize room service, child minding, airport shuttles etc. and can give good advice about exploring the surrounding area, an area which is one of Italy’s hidden gems. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Unique hotel – great place to spend a night. It was our halfway point driving from Sicily to Amalfi….” “Absolutely amazing. Excellent service, excellent staff, room was clean, spacious with big terrace with amazing views. Breakfast was excellent, good choice, also dinner great. We stayed 4 nights, we loved it….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO LE CHIATRE:   READ MORE

Oasi di Galbusera Bianca Agriturismo near Milan, Lombardy, Italy,  is in the heart of the Montevecchia Park and its beautifully wild countryside. The B&B accommodation is in a lovely old style farm villa and the rooms are beautifully styled; all pastel shades and carefully chosen furniture and art pieces, they are gorgeously rustic. The farm is organic and eco-friendly, 50 acres in total, and grows a range of traditional regional fruit and vegetables. The food here is very highly rated, from breakfast to evening meals using locally sourced, organic ingredients much of which come from their own farm. They also offer cooking, diet and nutrition classes and have a range of activities to keep children amused. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a selection of rooms to sleep up to four people. All of them are uniquely, and beautifully, styled with rustic wooden furniture and artistic flourishes everywhere. The gardens are lovely too and are surrounded by the olive trees, orchard groves and vegetable gardens of the farm. Guests are welcome to explore and you can arrange guided tours too where you can learn a little about organic farming and food production. The food is here excellent; organic of course, and as wholesome and healthy as possible. Most of it is vegetarian too and homemade; things like goat’s cheese, savoury tarts, sorbets and homemade bread. As mentioned above they also do cooking classes and can provide lots of good advice on diet and nutrition. THE LOCATION: The agriturismo is conveniently near Milan, Lombardy’s dynamic capital, just 40km in fact, but is a world away in any other terms. It is, as the name suggests a veritable oasis from the city; peaceful, tranquil and surrounded by forests and fields of green. There are a number of nice little villages in the surrounds, nature parks like Monte Barro and Adda Nord for example, and lots of hiking routes and nature trails. The friendly staff at the agriturismo can give you plenty of good advice about the nicest places to go, and they also rent bikes at the farm. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The accommodation is one of the most beautiful I have been to. This applies to READ MORE

The very highly rated Agriturismo Renaccino near Siena, Tuscany, is well known in the local area for breeding thoroughbred riding horses, but also provides rustic self catering accommodation in traditional cottage style apartments. The owners are helpful and friendly and the countryside surrounding is typically Tuscan, but also quiet and peaceful despite being less than 10km from the much visited city of Siena. THE ACCOMMODATION: You have a choice of one and two bed apartments to sleep a maximum of four people. They are in traditional Tuscan farmhouse style, romantic and cosy with a well equipped kitchen and lounge, WiFi and TV. Outside in the gardens and lawns there is plenty of seating/outdoor dining space and a salt water swimming pool. You’ll find the owners of Agriturismo Renaccino extremely helpful and friendly, and you can quite quickly feel like you’re part of the family. Though they don’t cook a breakfast for you but every morning they do provide a daily generous selection of what a Tuscan might call ‘basic food staples’ but what for outside visitors is more like a sumptuous hamper of fresh food: eggs, cheeses, various breads, salami, some delicious homemade cakes, and more. Guests are welcome to take a look around the farm and can learn a little about horse breeding from the enthusiastic horse loving owners. It is a thoroughbred breeding farm so they are quite sensibly careful with the animals, which means they don’t allow horse riding or provide horse riding lessons, but you can get up close and admire these beautiful creatures just the same. THE LOCATION: The agriturismo is super convenient for the famously beautiful and historic city of Siena, less than 10km away, and just to the north of the equally famously beautiful Val d’Orcia, which, like Siena, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a place steeped in important medieval history. Towns like Montalcino, Castiglion d’Orcia, Pienza and many, many more live and breath that history and the countryside in between is a rural wonderland of rolling green hills and winding roads. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Location, value, owner, gardens. The place is perfection….” “Sabrina’s place is just amazing! Super beautiful and READ MORE

Agriturismo Il Falco is outside the town of Velletri, in the Castelli Romani wine region of Italy, about 40km from Rome, and only about 20km from Rome Ciampino Airport. They have a range of comfortable and clean B&B accommodation surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, where they produce their own top quality olive oil and wine as well as various fruits and vegetables. All rooms come with private bathroom, flat screen TV and WiFi. They have a 24 hour reception plus an on-site bar and restaurant that serves some really good local food, much of the ingredients of which come straight from the farm. The agriturismo is at the southern side of the  Castelli Romani Park, a 15,000 hectacre protected zone with much lovely scenery, interesting flora and fauna, historical sites and offers much opportunity to go hiking, fishing and horse riding, all of which the friendly staff can arrange. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Exceptional: Wonderful hosts, great location, delicious food and very good value for money. There was absolutely nothing not to like….” “The hospitality of the hosts, the fantastic location and all the services offered have made our experience unforgettable….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO IL FALCO:   READ MORE

This very cute, pet friendly, agriturismo B&B near Catania, Sicily, Italy, grows 100% organic citrus fruits and vegetables in a beautifully rural setting with Mt. Etna towering above. All their comfortable rooms and suites have a private bathroom and a terrace or balcony, some come with a kitchenette, but guests are also free to cook in the well equipped shared kitchen. Outside they have barbecue facilities in the garden and the surrounding area is really nice to explore by hiking or biking, especially the nearby Mt. Etna National Park, and the farm can offer free bike rental to do just that. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Everything: accommodation (perfect rustic design), very friendly owner, excellent breakfast, good location (in the nature and at the same time close to the city)….” “We truly loved our stay here. Cesare was a very kind and relaxed host. The atmosphere was extremely relaxing and the whole place just beautiful. We will come again!….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT LA CASA DI PIPPINITTO:   READ MORE

This lovely Italian agriturismo is just an hour north of Rome, Italy, even less from Flumicino/Leonardo da Vinci Airport, and about 15 minutes drive from Lake Bracciano with its famous castle. It is a true working farm but with a large garden and swimming pool, and is home to many farm animals including horses, donkeys and goats. The elegant old-style rooms, most of which have en-suite bathrooms are furnished with antiques and have traditional Italian tiled floors. A breakfast of biscuits, bread and various jams is served every morning, with other options such as toast, ham and eggs available upon request. And some of fine local food can be tried for lunch and dinner. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The perfect holiday. A beautiful house in a beautiful location, and hostess Marina could not have been more lovely. We will return many times….” “So pleased we stayed there. We loved the atmosphere, it was relaxing, very quiet, lovely views, many animals and a peaceful garden, beautiful views, very homely. Marina was always helpful, and friendly. Comfy beds, a great swimming pool though small it was very clean….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO BRACCIANO:   READ MORE

On a 60 hectacre working organic farm producing extra virgin olive oil and award winning red and white wines, this delightful Agriturismo near San Gimignano and the cities of Siena and Florence, Tuscany, has a lovely hillside setting with tremendous views over the surrounding countryside. THE ACCOMMODATION: They offer a range of rustic style self-catering apartments, which have wood beamed ceilings and terracotta floors, a living room/lounge area and a kitchen plus their own private garden with seating. There is a lot of lovely space outside, with a swimming pool, a playground and plenty of space to dine or to relax and just take in the Tuscan sun, surrounded by the vineyards and olive groves. THE FARM, THE FOOD & THE WINE: Their farm is a full 60 acres of vineyard and olive groves and has won awards for its wine, both whites and reds as well as that Tuscan classic dessert wine, Vin Santo.  It also produces a large amount of extra virgin olive oil, with around 2500 olive trees on the farm. All of it is organic which requires an extra level of care and attention and the owners are happy to share some of the secrets with guests. They do full tours of the farm, the winery and the production lines, and their enthusiasm for the craft is infectious. Of course you are welcome to buy some of their produce to take home or you can even arrange to have it shipped home for you after your departure. THE LOCATION: Even by Tuscan standards this farmstay has an enviable location being just three kilometers from the gorgeous medieval town of San Gimignano. It is surrounded by classically beautiful Tuscan countryside, and being nearly 350 meters above sea level, the views are quite special, and make it a quite inspiring place for painters and photographers. It is also on the ancient pilgrimage route; the Via Francigena, which in medieval times ran from England, France and Switzerland all the way down through Italy to Rome. You can walk or cycle along the route and also take in some of the local historical religious sights like the Sanctuary of Madonna di Pancole, READ MORE

A little oasis in the city of Milan, Agriturismo Dolce Luna is a modern hotel surrounded by 12 acres of farmland with various organic agricultural crops as well as farm animals; donkeys goats, ducks and even ostriches to name but a few. They have a swimming pool in the gardens, some great fresh, organic food to be enjoyed at the farm restaurant and you’ll find the service in general particularly warm and friendly. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have 18 B&B rooms; doubles, twins and triples, all of which are spacious, modern, clean and well equipped, with air conditioning, sound proofed walls, mini bar, flat screen cable TV and wi-fi. There is a nice swimming pool in the gardens and of course the busy little farm to be explored. The accommodation of course far more city hotel than classic rural Italian agriturismo rooms, but the farm is very much a real farm. They grow a great range of fruit, vegetables and herbs here which make up the ingredients of some of their restaurant’s fine food. All of it is organic/biodynamic and there is also a farm shop at the property where you can buy some of their home made food to take home. You’re welcome to tour the farm and you can get up close to the farm animals too; horses, donkeys, goats, hens, ducks, swans, peacocks and ostriches. THE LOCATION: Though in the city of Milan’s western suburbs (4 km from the San Siro Stadium) once you enter the gates of Agriturismo Dolce Luna the city feels a long way away. It is green and tranquil and very much a place to relax and rewind. The area around Dolce Luna is not overtly urban either though, this side of Milan has much parkland and open green spaces too; the Parco Agricolo Sud Milano just south of the agriturismo for example is a close as you can get to real nature without leaving the city. The farm is close to the Milan Ring Road with the city centre being about 10km away. The nearest metro station is San Siro Ippodromo 4km away, from where the best option would be to take a taxi. WHAT READ MORE

Surrounded by olive trees, and with beautiful views across the Italian Riviera, farmstay Natta Di Monte Tabor is a charming, rustic farmhouse with an outdoor swimming pool. Agriturismo Natta Di Monte Tabor is in the village of La Natta, between Celle Ligure and Varazze and is a short car trip from some of the Italian Riviera’s finest beaches. They serve up a great Breakfast in the flower filled garden with vegan and vegetarian options available on request. Their elegant rooms come with air conditioning, a TV and fridge. They have beautiful old style wood or terracotta floors with wood-beamed ceilings and each comes with a private entrance with a nice shared, shaded seating area of the garden. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Magnificent view! Wonderful hosts! Delicious breakfast!· After a 14 day driving trip of Europe, our family voted this as our favorite accommodations of the trip. It’s a beautiful setting overlooking the sea on a hillside covered in lush gardens and trees. The breakfast was wonderful and the hostess was very hospitable and accommodating….” “Magnificent view! Wonderful hosts! Delicious breakfast!· After a 14 day driving trip of Europe, our family voted this as our favorite accommodations of the trip. It’s a beautiful setting overlooking the sea on a hillside covered in lush gardens and trees. The breakfast was wonderful and the hostess was very hospitable and accommodating….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO NATTA DI MONTE TABOR:   READ MORE

Il Castagnolino is a classic Tuscany agriturismo with high quality B&B accommodation, fantastic food and lovely views of San Gimignano and the Tuscan Hills. THE ACCOMMODATION: Their 6 rooms are traditional style, with terracotta floors and wood beamed ceilings. They’re clean and comfortable and come with private bathroom and WiFi. Outside you’ll find a swimming pool and gardens with plenty of place to relax looking out on to the countryside below. The breakfast is buffet style and includes, amongst many other things, a nice selection of homemade jams, yoghurts and cakes. You can also enjoy a full 4 course Tuscan meal every evening at the restaurant with much of the ingredients coming fresh from the farm. Guests are also welcome to join the daily cooking classes, where you can learn to make a range of Tuscan and Italian staple dishes. THE FARM: Organic olives, and other fruit, vegetables and spices are grown on the small farm. As mentioned previously the owners make some of their fine homemade food from the farm produce, and guests can sample some at meal times, learn to cook with it, and buy some to take home from the on-site organic shop. THE LOCATION: Agriturismo Il Castagnolino is just 3km outside San Gimignano, Tuscany, it is also less than 30km from the ancient Etruscan town of Volterra, while the cities of Siena and Florence are both about 50 to 60km away. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Nothing in life is perfect but this stay with Carmela was very very close. The location with its views were breathing taking and Carmela’s home local cooking & breakfast was just wonderful. Her staff were always friendly and helpful. Thank you for such a memorable holiday….” “Beautiful home cooked food, stunning location, peaceful and tranquil. A warm welcome from a lovely lady. Perfect….” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO IL CASTAGNOLINO: READ MORE

Tenuta Monticelli is a highly rated farm stay near Galipoli and Lecce, Puglia, Italy that offers peace and relaxation in abundance. The farm grows vegetables, spices, olives, figs and wheat, which the guests are welcome to sample and the friendly owners serve a great breakfast of locally produced organic food each morning. All of their modern, stylish rooms are super comfortable and clean, and come with private bathroom, WiFi and flat screen satellite TV. There is a shared lounge at the agriturismo and plenty of nice outdoor space to relax in with a swimming pool and a hot tub. You can organize car and bike hire direct from the farm for exploring the surrounding countryside, which also has plenty of opportunities for swimming, horse riding and hiking. The nearest airport is Brindisi Salento Airport, about 70km to the north. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Best service we have had in 6 hotels during our time in Puglia. Absolutely first class….” “The property itself is just beautiful, set in glorious olive groves, with a wonderfully large & very clean pool. The rooms were well set out, with plenty of space & the property was nice and quiet in the countryside (just outside of a small town). The property has a beautiful view of the coastline. Baia Verde (the stunning beach) and beautiful old towns like Gallipoli are easy drives from the property….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO TENUTA MONTICELLI:     READ MORE

L’Amandola Agriturismo is an ideal rural base for exploring Cinque Terre, one of Italy‘s most iconic and beautiful areas. It lies on a hillside just outside the historic coastal town of Levanto and you can enjoy some nice views over Levanto Bay and some great hikes around the surrounding hills and coastline. Levanto itself is not part of the Cinque Terre villages but is just a short train ride or drive away. Lying in the shadow of the Cinque Terre it tends to get overlooked by all but the most savvy foreign tourists and so retains a very local Italian feel. It has a very nice sandy beach and harbour, as well as an atmospheric historic center where you’ll find prices across the board much lower than in the tourist villages. THE ACCOMMODATION: L’Amandola agriturismo has five very nice B&B rooms and suites to sleep up to five people, and all of them, and the common areas, have a lovely traditional atmosphere. Their antique furniture and high, wood beamed, ceilings give gentle reminders that the farmhouse villa dates from the 17th-century and though offering the best in modern comforts; private bathroom with bathtub, WiFi & flatscreen TV, the property still retains a rustic charm. There is a dining area and lounge with a large open fireplace and some nice patio areas outside too along with the gardens and the farm. They have a range of native shrubs, flowers, herb plants and fruit trees including apricots, oranges, lemons and olives. They use a lot of their own fresh produce in their home made, traditional sweet and savoury Italian breakfasts and you’ll find it all excellent quality, generous and healthy. There is plenty of outside seating around the patios and gardens and they also have a thoroughly modern whirlpool hot tub where you can soak in the evening while taking in the views with a glass from one of their collections of fine wines. THE LOCATION: Being just 700 meters from Levanto train station the agriturismo is pretty convenient for anyone just arriving in the Cinque Terre area. The five villages can all be reached by train in minutes while the historic town READ MORE

Guthiddai is an old style Italian Agriturismo near Oliena in the north of Sardinia. It has easy access to the Gennargentu National Park, and is in itself a blissfully peaceful rural escape. It has a range of comfortable rooms with air-conditioning and a private patio that opens onto the well tended gardens and the farm’s olive groves, orchards and vineyards and the owners will be always very happy to show you around and explain how everything works. There is free Wi-Fi all over the building and a TV in the sociable shared lounge. Their hearty Sardinian homemade breakfast has baked bread, local organic jams, cold meats and cakes and they have a very nice restaurant for evening meals and of course you are welcome to sample the farm’s own produce, wine, vegetables and fruit. Agriturismo Guthiddai is in the Nuoro province of Sardinia, a province notable for being what is known in scientific circles as a ‘Blue Zone’, a region where human life expectancy is among the world’s highest. Diet is of course thought to play a major part in this so make sure you get some tips before you leave! WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “What an absolutely incredible stay. The mountains are breathtaking as a backdrop to the house and it is a truly a magical getaway. My husband and I were on our honeymoon and this was by far our favorite place….” “Beautiful peaceful retreat in a wonderful area. Beautiful location, fabulous food, friendly and very professional staff mainly with good English….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO GUTHIDDAI:   READ MORE

Castello La Leccia is certainly more than your average farmstay agriturismo, even Tuscan agriturismo. It is a restored medieval hamlet with an eleventh century castle on a working organic vineyard and olive farm, and is a truly luxurious place with some stunning views over the Chianti Hills. THE ACCOMMODATION: It is high on a hill between Siena and Florence, near the town of Castellina in Chianti, and has lovely views from the terrace of the beautiful Tuscan countryside. Their rooms and plush, comfortable and stylish but retain the rustic charm of a traditional Tuscan manor farmhouse. There have a very highly regarded restaurant at the agriturismo too where they provide a generous breakfast, and, throughout the day, some great local Tuscan dishes and of course a good selection of local wine, including of course their own. THE FARM & VINEYARD: The castle has an enviable hilltop position with great views over the Chianti countryside, included in that countryside are some of its hillside vineyards, sitting at between 300 and 500 meters above sea level and with a south-south west exposure they are ideally situated to produce some excellent own brand Chianti Classico. Most of the grapes are Sangiovese but they also produce small amounts of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Syrah. They produce a lot of their own brand olive oil too from groves surrounding the castle. You can arrange tasting sessions of the oil and of course the wine, tour the vineyards and the olive groves and have an interesting look at some of the production processes involved. THE LOCATION: The immediate location is spectacular with stunning views over the countryside. And the countryside is typically beautiful Chianti, Tuscany. It is also right beside the equally beautiful, and historic, town of Castellina in Chanti. The medieval era walled town of Radda in Chianti is nearby as well, and about 20 km to the north will take you to Greve in Chianti, the central town of the region which has much to offer the visitor in terms of history, and food and drink. At Castello La Leccia Agriturismo you’ll be about half an hour’s drive from the lovely city of Siena, and READ MORE

In Calabria, Italy with beautiful views of the Ionian Sea, Masseria Cielogreco is a historic farmhouse set in 80 hectares of private land that produces its own olive oil, fruit and vegetables. And it is just 800 metres from the nearest beach. Masseria Cielogreco is composed of the manor house, where the owners live, and other rustic buildings including the old stables. The self catering apartments are all air conditioned and have a kitchenette and patio for outdoor dining. And there is always plenty of delicious homemade food to be sampled in the farm’s kitchen. Surrounded by olive groves and pine trees, the setting is blissfully peaceful but is just 1 km from Amendolara Marina which is a lovely little place to stroll around and where you will find some nice shops, cafes and restaurants. The ground floor of the manor house is also available for conferences, concerts and other meetings and you can also arrange bike hire (free of charge) and horse riding in the surrounding area. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Perfect in every way. I highly recommend a stay with this wonderful couple. They make you feel so special when it is really them that is special. They make you feel so welcome and at home….” “This b&b is like a castle in the sky. The accommodation is rustic looking but very comfortable and well equipped. There are gorgeous views in every direction. The owners are delightful and generous of their time and attention to your wishes….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO CIELOGRECO:   READ MORE

On a gorgeous hilltop position in the Cilento e Vallo di Diano National Park, 30 km south of historic Agropoli, this extremely highly rated agriturismo has bright rooms in converted farm buildings, and some really stunning views across the sea. Olive oil, wine and honey are all produced on site at Agriturismo Le Agavi. The property is surrounded by vineyards and the olive groves stretch down to the coast. Mediterranean Sea views are offered by even the most simple rooms at Le Agavi and each has WiFi, flat-screen TV, minibar and private bathroom. Local products are served for breakfast, including the estate’s own honey and fruit preserves. Hydrofoils to Capri and Ischia leave from Acciaroli Harbour, 6 km away and it is a 1-hour drive to Paestum. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The best guesthouse we have ever been!:) Hosts very friendly and helpful. Beautiful view from the terrace, quiet and peaceful place. Delicious breakfast. For sure we will be back….” “I spent two nights in this villa on my way back from Calabria to Naples. The view is breathtaking and the hosts are very friendly. I will definitely come back!….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO LE AGAVI:   READ MORE

Near Perugia and just outside the town of Collazzone, Umbria, Italy, San Giovanni al Monte farm stay has stunning views from its rustic, classic old Italian farm house surrounded by olive trees and woodland. They have a mixture of self catering and B&B accommodation in rustic, stylish rooms and apartments, all with private bathroom and TV, while the apartments also have a full kitchen, lounge with fireplace and a patio, and there are barbecue facilities for guests to use in the gardens. They serve a really good Italian breakfast including some home-made marmalade and cakes. They make olive oil on the farm too and the owners are always happy to explain the processes to guests and can organize tasting sessions. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The two bedroom apartment was very comfortable for the two couples. The outside space was perfect and what a view. Host was very sweet. Setting on the top of a ridge and the valley view was spectacular, especially the sunsets. Loved the olive groves, gardens and chickens on the property. …” CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS AND TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT SAN GIOVANNI AL MONTE: READ MORE

Mandra Edera is a charming and peaceful B&B agriturismo farm stay near Abbasanta in central Sardinia, Italy, that specializes in cooking classes & horse riding; it has been a breeding farm for Anglo-Arabian horses for over 100 years now and they roam freely around the property. THE ACCOMMODATION: Their rooms and suites are all clean, comfortable and simply and tastefully presented in traditional style with cedar wood furniture, wood beamed ceilings and exposed brick walls, and they all come with private bathroom, air conditioning and a mini bar. Outside in the large gardens they have a swimming pool, lots of sun loungers and a terrace area with plenty of outdoor dining space. They have a small restaurant and bar at the property and the food, including the free breakfast, is generous and high quality, they serve up a range of traditional local and mainland Italian dishes with ingredients locally sourced as much as possible. THE FARM: Being an important horse breeding centre they have a number of the beautiful Anglo-Arabian horses to be admired at the farm. Horse riding excursions and lessons are a big activity for guests but they can also arrange cycling excursions as well as different archeological, nature, gastronomy and wine tours of the surrounding area. Cooking classes can be arranged at the farm stay too where you can learn how to cook some classic, age-old Sardinian recipes. THE LOCATION: The farm stay is located in the north eastern part of Oristano province, almost at the very centre of Sardinia. This is very much rural country, sparsely populated, with sleepy villages and small farms where lifestyles have not changed much for decades if not centuries. You’ll find it a world away from many of the classic tourist resorts of coastal Sardinia, and indeed even coastal Oristano is almost free of mass tourism having some beautifully pristine, semi isolated stretches of beach that are a rarity in much of the rest of Sardinia. Like the rest of Sardinia, Oristano has plenty of ancient history, with some relatively unknown but historically important sites to be seen. The ruins of the ancient Phoenician coastal city of Tharros for example, or the two READ MORE

Just outside Olbia, northern Sardinia, Italy, this highly rated, very popular, agriturismo farm stay has comfortable self catering holiday cottages in a beautifully relaxed environment with horses, donkeys and goats. All of their cottages come with kitchenette, private bathroom, a lounge with TV, and WiFi throughout. There is a daily maid service too, plus laundry and ironing service. They have an on-site restaurant serving the finest of local food, to be eaten there or in the well kept gardens and terrace and there are barbecue facilities on the lawn plus a children’s playground. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “A highlight of our trip – not to be missed! Fantastic agriturismo immersed in nature with plenty of friendly cats and dogs! An ideal base for exploring Sardinia’s eastern coast….” “An amazing stay at a fantastic property. The location was secluded, quiet, and peaceful. Definitely book a night at the restaurant if it is open. The meal was homemade local Sardinian specialties, and the price was too good to be true….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AGRITURISMO SA MENDHULA:   READ MORE

In the rolling hills south of Siena, Tuscany, Italy, pet friendly Tenuta di Corsano has a series of self-catering apartments in a classic 17th century farmhouse surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and vegetable plots. THE ACCOMMODATION: Their rustic apartments are cosy and comfortable with a kitchen and a lounge area and a choice of one, two and three bedrooms. They are traditional style with terracotta floors and wood beamed ceilings and all have WiFi, satellite TV, a kitchenette and living area. Outside you’ll find a swimming pool and extensive gardens, and the whole property has really lovely views over the surrounding countryside. Though the accommodation is self catering, both breakfast and even meals can also be arranged. THE FARM: It is a working farm with a busy trade in grapes and olives as well as many vegetables that make up some of the ingredients of their excellent home made food. The food at Ville di Corsano is of a very high standard and guests are generally very impressed by their hearty, healthy Tuscan dishes. If you find yourself equally impressed you can arrange cooking classes at the farmhouse which feature some of these same Tuscan specialities. THE LOCATION: The farm stay is on a wonderfully peaceful hillside but still just steps away from the little village of Ville di Corsano. Ville di Corsano is a very cute little place with a population of just 200, and has a church, a shop, a very good restaurant and a small winery. This surrounding area is of course classic rural Tuscany and all of it is fantastic to explore. You’ll find many hiking routes and nature trails around, and there is the nearby Alto Merse Nature Reserve, about 10km from the farmstay. There are many classically beautiful Tuscan towns around too, as well as historical sights and an abundance of food and wine tourism.  The friendly farmstay owners at Tenuta di Corsano can give you lots of tips and recommendations, and they can organize tours and various other services such as car hire, bicycle hire, babysitting and transfers from the lovely city of Siena just 16km to the north. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “This place READ MORE