In addition to world-famous historical attractions, wonderful Mediterranean beaches and incredibly delicious traditional cuisine, Italy is also famous for its so-called agritourism. In the cultivation and promotion of this type of recreation, this southern European country, along with its neighbors - Spain and France - is one of the three leaders around the world. For those who want to get acquainted with the country from the inside, to learn more about national traditions and cultural peculiarities, the best option to do this is to get to know more about agritourism in Italy. Holidays with the color of the village will delight all lovers of peace and quiet who are tired of the bustle of the city.
What is attractive for agritourism in this country?
All year round, more than 10,000 Italian villas, estates and farms lovingly host lovers of this type of tourism. Guests are attracted here: horseback riding, walks through variegated flower fields, the aroma of which extends for many kilometers, visits to vineyards, and if you are lucky to participate in the harvest and observe the process of making wine, etc. However, the majority of tourists who come for agritourism to Italy, pleased with the opportunity to try various culinary delights from absolutely natural, as they are called today, organic products, and even better - to take part in their preparation. Such a journey will long remain in their memory.
How it all began...
More intensively, this industry in the country began to develop after the Second World War. The history of agritourism in Italy, as locals say today, began with how one rich foreigner went to the Apennines in order to relax and live on an Italian farm. After he said that he just wanted to diversify his life.
It must be said that then Italy was in decline, and Italian villages were completely devastated. And then one day an eccentric foreigner appears on one farm, asking him to be sheltered, allowed to participate in agricultural work, and offers the landlord a lot of money. Of course, no one had heard of such an unusual vacation in Italy (agritourism) in this village, but the farmer, of course, accepted his offer and let him in.
“Word of mouth”
After a rich foreigner left the country, he told all his friends how wonderful it is to relax in a picturesque Italian village, how interesting it is to participate in agricultural work, to see with your own eyes, and to take part in the production of various delicacies, including pasta, famous cheeses, sauces, and wine. In a word, he advertised agritourism in Italy, and shortly afterwards other “seekers of rural joys and adventures” began to come to the country.
In principle, this wonderful country, rich in historical sights and art values, has always attracted travelers, but agritourism in Italy has become a new direction. “Word of mouth” did not disappoint, and every year the number of tourists coming to Italian villages began to grow.
Features of agritourism in Italy
Among the farmers of the Italian provinces there were many who clung to the idea of developing this type of tourism. They began to prepare their villas, farms, houses for receiving guests both from abroad and from large Italian cities. They also began to come up with various entertainments for them. After all, the most important thing is that visitors do not get bored, and that every day they are filled with new adventures and impressions.
So, in the early 70's in the provinces of Italy there were new farms - acrylics, which were ready to receive guests. Here, tourists could not only enjoy gorgeous rural landscapes and silence, but also learn the secrets of making olive oil, famous Italian cheeses, wine, etc. At the same time, the prices of Italian agritourism were surprisingly cheap. All this was explained by a characteristic feature of local residents - love and hospitality. Indeed, many of them would be happy to host guests for free, but business is business. The cost of agricultural tours to Italy today pleases with the democratic prices, in return tourists receive the highest level of service. Perhaps because of this, their popularity never decreases, but, on the contrary, increases every year. Guests can book entire villas as well as rooms in the houses of the farmers themselves. The cost of tours for 6 days ranges from 270 to 500 (and higher) euros.
Official recognition
Since 1985, agritourism in the country has received support from the Italian government. Moreover, there is a special decree that clearly spells out instructions for running this business. And in order to get a license for it, Italian farmers must take a special training course lasting 100 hours. During these classes, all those "businessmen" who wish to engage in agritourism in Italy receive knowledge of the basics of law, accounting, management, sanitary and hygiene standards, etc.
More than two million tourists come to Italy annually precisely for the purpose of relaxation in the countryside. This is a great achievement for this country.
Tuscany - the most popular Italian region for agritourism
The most active area of Italy involved in agritourism is Tuscany. Here are concentrated 25% of all agricultural countries of the country. This region is a real paradise for tourists. It seems that you are moving to the Middle Ages. The villages are small and very picturesque. They are surrounded by incredible beauty of nature, among vineyards and olive groves.
Almost all Italian housewives are excellent culinary specialists and can prepare delicious dishes for guests. Very often, tourists want to take part in the creation of these dishes, and not only: they are very interested to see how olive oil is made, how wine is squeezed, or how to cook pasta at home. Thanks to all this, agritourism is very developed in this fertile land. Tuscany (Italy) annually receives an incredible number of guests from different parts of the world.
Tuscan cuisine
In the diet of local residents there are fish, home-made sausages, flour products, dishes from various vegetables that grow on each farm in their beds. Most recipes include olive oil. Moreover, the Tuscans cook it in a special way and the oil here is the best in the country.
The signature dish of local housewives is also a Florentine style steak. It is made from bovine meat, which is pickled in olive oil with the addition of various spices and herbs. Well, all the goodies are washed down with young Tuscan wine. For special occasions, long-aging wine is served. Probably, it was thanks to these culinary delights that agritourism in Italy and Tuscany reached such popularity. Reviews that can be found on tourist portals, most of all leave real gourmets who describe in great detail everything that they managed to eat or drink while in this country.
Agritourism in Trentino
Together with the beautiful Tuscany, the championship in the number of agricoles is shared by the resort of Trentino, which is located in South Tyrol. What is the key to the popularity of this province? Trentino is also the largest center for skiing and mountaineering in all of Europe. The infrastructure is superbly developed here. Many tourists, accustomed to comfort, choose Trentino for agritourism. They are met here by picturesque landscapes, mild climate, clean, just crystal air, many different attractions that this region is rich in, divine wine of special varieties, and, of course, a variety of Italian dishes, among which you can find suitable for vegetarians, as well and for lovers of meat and fish delicacies.
Local culinary traditions
By the way, Terentino is famous for a special variety of pasta called pizza maker. It is made from buckwheat flour, and potatoes and Savoy cabbage are served with it. As a sauce, this dish is served with sauces from cheeses and herbs. Delicious beef is cooked in South Tirol. There is one traditional Terentine dish - tagliata, which is first marinated with spices and then grilled. In Italy, it is also customary to eat jerky beef called bresaola. When serving, it is cut into very thin, almost transparent slices.
Piedmont - another Italian paradise for agritourists
This region is located in the north of Italy. Since he glorified this wonderful country with his special culinary delights, fans of both gastro and agritourism like to come here. After all, many tourists are interested not only in the taste of great dishes that you can taste when you are in Piedmont, but also how they are cooked by local housewives. And the attractiveness of local agricols is in no way inferior to Tuscan ones.
By the way, it is here that the most famous variety of mushrooms grows - white truffles, which are considered a delicacy in all corners of the world. Many tourists come here just to stay with the legendary "hunters" for these original mushrooms. Believe me, it is an incredibly interesting sight to watch our smaller brothers, namely pigs, digging out these very mushrooms from the ground, which are then served in the most expensive restaurants in the world at a fabulous price. There are many farms where mushroom pickers are bred, in the province of Lange, near the city of Alba. Winemaking in Piedmont also has a leading position. It is this province that is considered the birthplace of such famous varieties of wines such as Asti Slumante and Prosecco. Wonderful cheese varieties are also produced here: Castelmagno, Gorgonzola, GranaPadano and others. Tourists who have arrived can combine business with pleasure - heal in the thermal waters of the springs.
Agritourism in Italy: reviews of vacationers
You will never see a single negative review about this type of vacation in this beautiful country. The Italians themselves are very hospitable, in addition, they are real businessmen and value their reputation very much. They will not allow something to be wrong, and tourists would be unhappy with something. The villas are simply amazing and, despite the fact that they are made in the old style, there is everything for a comfortable stay. The rest of the local population does with love. But can someone not like this? So everyone who decided to get to know Italy agritourism closer, is leaving with complete enthusiasm and with the intention of returning here again and again.