Many summer visitors to Italy are looking to get away from the heat of the cities and experience the Italian countryside in places like Tuscany and Amalfi and don’t want to stay in another hotel. Our insider’s guide to countryside accommodation will help you decide on the right destination for your family this summer.
AGRITURISMO (farm-stay)
A fairly generic term in Italian, which tells you nothing about the services or level of accommodation offered. A true agriturismo is a working farm, where accommodation is a side business and most of the day is spent making wine, raising animals, or making delicious products. Breakfast may or may not be included, but any food on offer will be organic, homemade and authentic. This can be casual accommodation, a 24hr reception isn’t guaranteed and they are never near to public transportation, but if you are looking for fresh air, open spaces and a friendly welcome, this could be a great option for your family.In recent years, with this type of accommodation becoming more popular, many agriturismi now have swimming pools and offer activities, like cooking classes.
FATTORIA DIDATTICA (educational farm)
These are agriturismi that offer something more, particularly for young families. These farms invite guests to spend time with the animals and learn about the production processes.
MASSERIA
Farmhouse accommodation in Puglia is in a masseria, a fortified farm complex which would have once housed everyone who worked on the farm, from the landowners to the livestock. Today some of these are quite grand hotels (think Borgo Egnazia where Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel got married), while others are still family-run farms which welcome guests. Take cooking lessons, eat wonderful local food and stay cool in the summer heat.
WINE RESORT
If you’ve come to Italy to indulge in some delicious wine, there’s no better place to stay than on one of the country’s many vineyards. These tend to be more upmarket than agriturismi, often with swimming pools and restaurants, and of course they offer their guests the chance to learn about wine production in their particular area and to taste what they produce without having to worry about driving afterwards. Off-the-beaten-track for sure, some resorts welcome families, while others are great adult-only getaways.
RELAIS
Top-notch accommodation. These are historic buildings, usually former noble residences, castles or monasteries, converted into luxury accommodation. For travelers looking for top-quality service, Michelin-star restaurants and spa-facilities, this is the ultimate way to experience the best of the Italian countryside on your vacation or picture-perfect for your destination wedding.
VILLA
Villa rental can be a great choice for groups looking to stay for at least a week. Most rentals, especially in the summer months, are for a minimum of 7 days, from Saturday to Saturday. Be warned that prices leap sharply during the summer months when most Italians take their summer holidays. The best properties get booked up early and have repeat visitors, so don’t hang around. Visit our website to learn more about the villas we work with.
