Agriturismo Tuscany

Have you ever wondered what life on a farm is like? Have a different and exciting holiday with the help of our agriturismo accommodation in Tuscany, Italy. Live on a farm with a real farmer and learn how to make fresh pasta, grow fruits and veggies or maybe even how to milk a cow, if you are up to it.

The word agriturismo is a combination of the Italian words agricoltura and turismo. Most of the farms in Italy are on a small plot of lands and with the coming of the modern times they couldn't make ends meet. Farming in Italy became much less profitable and many farmers were forced to abandon their homes and move to the city to look for sustainable work, leaving large farmhouses, built for multiple families now hosted just by one. That’s why the Italian government introduced the concept of the “agriturismo" in 1985. By adding a tourism component, these farms can remain operational. As such, they preserve the landscape, farmhouses and local communities, and in this way agriturismo is a very sustainable form of tourism.

Feel like a part of the family with the famous Italian hospitality. Eat natural and fresh food coming directly from the garden. Most of the accommodations are pet friendly, in a separate building from your host and stylishly furnished. Some even have swimming pools.

Did someone say nature?

Mountains Surrounded and crossed by major mountain chains, and with few fertile plains, the region has a relief that is dominated by hilly country used for agriculture. Hills make up nearly two-thirds of the region's total area and mountains, of which the highest are the Apennines, about a quarter of the entire area. The Apuan Alps are located in the north part of the region, with their characteristic snow-white marble and deep abysses. In the Apuan Alps Natural Park you can find the famous Antro del C Antro del Corchia cave system. Mount Corchia underground cave system is one of the biggest in Europe, and easily the largest cave system in Italy.

There are many beautiful lakes in the region. Some of them are Lake Burano, Lake Massaciuccoli, Lake Bilancino, Lake Chiusi and more. Rising on the slopes of Monte Falterona in the Tuscan Apennines, the Arno river flows for 240 km until it reaches the Ligurian Sea.

Tuscany has a western coastline on the Ligurian Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea, among which is the Tuscan Archipelago, of which the largest island is Elba. The archipelago consists of seven large, several small islands and many small rocks.

The Tuscan coastline runs for about 230 kilometers and is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean. From Marina di Carrara in the north, all the way down to Porto Santo Stefano, Tuscan beaches are known for their tranquil atmosphere and clear waters.

The Casentino National Park covers a vast mountainous territory between Tuscany and Romagna. About 80% of the park is made out of lush forests filled with incredible wildlife. Some of the big specimens are wolves, deer, fallow deer and roe deer. There are about 140 species of birds.

But what can I actually do on an agroturismo holiday?

Tuscany is regarded as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and has been home to many figures influential in the history of art and science, and contains well-known museums such as the Uffizi and the Palazzo Pitti. The main tourist spots are Florence, Pisa, Castiglione della Pescaia, Grosseto and Siena. All of them are worth a visit if you want to enrich your cultural knowledge.

The famous Italian beaches are not to be missed as well. You can visit a secured beach with your kids like Bagno Il Delfino. It is equipped with all the facilities you will need like a toilet, shower, play area for kids and beach bar. Or go on a deserted beach far away from the tourist crowds. Take your snorkels and go exploring at the remote beach of Spiaggia del Relitto, also known as Shipwreck beach. Go through the frozen in time sunken ships if you dare.

You can always take a hike in the Parco Naturalistico Le Biancane and geothermically power of Mother Nature. Enjoy the wonderful and unique landscape and the amazing mineral colors and hot water, directly from the hearth of the earth. If you get too tired from walking you can rent a bike and cycle on the many cycling routes in the park. If a calm and quiet afternoon is what you need, have a picnic on the beach of one of the many crystal-clear lakes with the family. Open a cold beer and try to catch some fish. Or why don't you visit one of the many islands. Giglio Island for example with its beautiful beach and clear waters. There you can find the medieval village of Giglio Castello and nature reserve at Punta di Capel Rosso.

If you are a fan of winter sports visit the ski resort in the village of Abetone and try out the smooth Italian slopes. Or explore the almost 1400 meter altitude area. Snow is frequent there so be sure to take your snowshoes.

How is the weather?

The climate is typically mild: the Apennines and the Tyrrhenian Sea in fact, ensure pleasant temperatures to Tuscany and a weather not too much rainy, offering the opportunity to spend a holiday all year long. Perfect for outdoor activities is the spring season, where temperatures rise sometimes above 20 °C. Be sure to take your sunscreen and hat to protect yourself if you are visiting in August. Temperatures then reach 40 °C. It is not unusual in the month of June to have some rainstorm while in July temperatures are higher and rainfall is rare. When autumn comes in September, temperatures stay mild – about 25 °C. November is the month with the most rainfall and temperatures then are between 10 - 12 °C. In winter the Apennines in central Italy protect Tuscany from the icy winds from the north. From December to February temperatures vary from 2-12 C°.