There is no exact translation fort the word „Agriturismo“, usually it is translated as “farm holidays”. We will try to explain the meaning and we’ll give you some hints. 
Since a few years, italians love to spend their holidays in „Agriturismo“. The „agrituristic activities“ are first of all farms. They can have Vineyards, Olive trees, they can grow vegetables or fruits or they can have a farm with animals.
A part from that, they offer either overnight facilities or they serve their home produced food, or as well they can do both. The acceptance of guests is only a part of their activity .

Who wants to eat or sleep in an “Agriturismo“ should know the following: 

1. Overnight  facilities: the type of the rooms can be very different from one to the other Agriturismo. Some rooms have a lots of comforts such as WC, TV, Phone, AC, Sat Tv, .. , some others are quite simple and easy furnished with no private bath. Every Agriturismo takes its own decisions based on their philosophy and of course what you’ll find at your arrival respects the mentality of the owners. This is anyway justified. Before you book your stay, you should better check by phone that the offered quality standards are fulfilling your comfort requirements.

2. Restaurant: Many of the regional typical dishes contained in the explanation are subjected to the season, so they are not always available. To not get any bad surprises it would be better to ask fort he daily menu when you do your reservation.

3. Opening times: in accordance to the Italian law, the „Agriturismo“, that as well offer hospitality, are allowed to do this activity maximum 210 days a year: as consequence they are not open every day.  Usually the Agriturismo opens its restaurant from Thursdays to Sundays only at night. Before you start your trip to an Agriturismo you should always give a phone call just to be sure that they are open.

4. Products: The majority of the offered products (the percentage is different in accordance to the region of the activity), comes from home production. Normally as well the products which are not home made come from other farms, so that the variety of the offered products can be wider. Only a small part is not and could not be from the regional production, such as for example the mineral water.

5. Excursions: the agriturismo normally are located in the countryside and offer you a good start point for tracking excursions on unknown routes nearby through fields and woods. Just ask the owners for suggestions. A great day in the fresh air together with your family is sure!

26/08/04