How many times have we thought: “This city destroys me”? How many times have we dreamed of life, or at least a few days, away from the hustle and the gray buildings? It’s time to escape the city and leave for a holiday in nature, where you can discover the flavors of the land, the views that take your breath away and the stars that light up the night. How? Trying these eco-friendly farm holidays!
Press the olives in Tuscany or ride horses on Lake Garda. Learn how to do ‘organic cheese in Piedmont or collect lavender in Sicily. Wake up early to milk the cows in Trentino, or build straw participating in a course of bio-architecture in Liguria … Here are 20 ideas for unforgettable farm holidays around Italy.
Milan: Cascina Santa Brera, to learn environmental sustainability
A few kilometers from Milan, where the fog disappears and the sky is blue again, there’s Cascina Santa Brera, the farmstead of sustainability at the heart of the Agricultural South Milan Park. Here, waiting for you, there are beautiful rooms and mini apartments, a large vegetable garden, farm animals and a wide cultural offer, lessons for the self-production of solar panels, meetings on permaculture. Staying at Cascina Santa Brera you will discover the simplicity and richness of agricultural and sustainable living.
Organic Farm Sant’Egle, relax in a former customs
This Tuscan farmhouse has been converted from a Customs house of 1600, between the border of the Papal State and the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Today it’s the perfect destination for eco-sustainable and charming farm holidays in Italy. You can relax in charming bedrooms, in the garden with its hammocks and discover the cultivation of saffron and truffle according to the synergistic organic and biodynamic method.
Farmhouse Villa Dama, a dip in the pool and pressing olives
We are in Umbria, on a farm of 170 hectares between vineyards, olive groves, orchards, and farmland. The farm offers five cottages beyond the central villa, where you will find rooms and apartments equipped with every service, an excellent restaurant characterized by a friendly atmosphere and a real farm experience. You will participate in organic cooking classes, butchery, to harvest week or the pressing of the olives, without forgetting a visit to the animal farm, your children will appreciate it!
Il Rovero, for horseback riding
The farm is surrounded by olive groves, vineyards, and woods, and a little further on there’s the beautiful Lake Garda. A beautiful swimming pool surrounded by greenery, the possibility to make a barbecue, an organic restaurant will make your vacation truly enjoyable and relaxing. Also, you can participate in the farm life, follow the winemaking, take care of breeding and discover the surroundings to Monte Baldo in thrilling rides.
Farmhouse La Fonte, learning the cycle of wheat
Between the woods and the mountains of Trentino, there is the farm La Fonte, perfect for carbon-free farm holidays in mountain. A relaxed friendly atmosphere invites you, together with your children, to discover the complete cycle of wheat, the wool cycle, one of milk and many other foods, from field to table.
Tribewanted Monestevole, a vacation in a community
Tribewanted Monestevole has created an eco-sustainable community in the green heart of Italy, Umbria. Rediscover the pleasure of living together and sharing. Meet people from all over the world, tell and listen to life stories and actively participate in the daily life. Each season has its activities. In the spring you can prepare the vegetable garden, during the summer season you can pick tomatoes and make preserves, in the fall you’ll make wine and olive oil, and in the winter you can prepare ham, salami and sausages.
Farm Tassobarbasso, a wild luxury
The scent of freshly baked bread and the essences of aromatic plants greet you in this incredible country and in these beautiful apartments tastefully furnished in Crespina, Tuscany. An authentic holiday in a wild place, but close to many attractions, including the sea of Livorno and Casciana Terme.
Farmhouse La Campagnetta, to discover the life of those that left the city forever
Chiara and Claudia have abandoned the anonymity of the city and changed their life. Now they live within the picturesque park of the 5 Lakes in Piedmont, in a cozy rustic made of stone and wood. They invite you to spend a few days with their cats and donkey Rina, to taste the exquisite cuisine of Claudia, reading a book by the fireplace and enjoy the silence of nature helping in the organic garden. Who knows, maybe you too will decide to change your life.
Fattoria dei Comignoli, where you can discover the secrets of Umbrian cuisine
Sleep in an old oil mill with its stores in the heart of Umbria on this farm with pool. The property offers 4 amazing suites and the possibility of a journey to discover the Umbrian tastes through the organic farm products and cooking classes.
Farm il Filo di Paglia, a straw house and clay within walking distance from Cinque Terre
In a small town nestled in the Ligurian hinterland, there’s the first straw house of Liguria. Discover how it was built, rent a mountain bike and discover the surrounding woods, cooled to the stream, live together with the farm animals and participate in cooking, painting and bio-building classes to rediscover the rhythms of nature.
Agripaules, between the mountains and the sea
We move in Sardinia, near the east coast, in the province of Nuoro. Here there’s an organic farm in the typical countryside of the island and just a few steps from the sea, which also offers the opportunity to live the experience of agri-camping. You’ll know the typical Sardinian products, from cheese to wine, you can venture into Supramonte excursions and admire several archaeological sites and participate in the care and handling of animals and vegetable garden.
Grosseto: local products and special rooms surrounded by nature
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- cheese production
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- restaurant of the farm
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- glamping
Eleonora invites you in Alta Maremma, Tuscany, 5 minutes from the natural thermal baths of Petriolo. Here you can immerse yourself in the daily life of the farm, with its artisan cheeses and animals. You will participate in the workshops of cheese and taste the local products in the restaurant. The peace and silence of this place will surprise you, as well as the beautiful little house among the branches of an oak.
AgriCasaVacanza Cafeci, riding a donkey
Mount Etna will be with you during your stay in the heart of Sicily. This farmhouse is the perfect starting point for many excursions of historical and naturalistic interest, you can get yourself accompany by donkeys, discover beekeeping, and enjoy a friendly welcome.
Villaré Azienda Agricola, special farm holidays under the stars in Sicily
Sleep outdoors under the stars is one of the things on the bucket list of almost everyone. Why not do it now? This Urban Farm offers travelers green cocoons, special spherical and transparent tents immersed in nature for an ecotourism emotional experience. At sunrise, the inhabitants of the farm wait for you, ducks, rabbits, and donkeys invite you to immerse yourself in the countryside between the orchard and lavender field. And the city of Messina is just 5 minutes away.
Organic Farm La Sonnina, environmental protection, and social justice
Rediscover the pleasures of rural life in Lazio in an old farmhouse with its 25 hectares. Among olive groves and spring water, the beautiful Valle del Sacco and the incredible Prenestini mountains are a perfect destination for a trip in the countryside of Italy. The farm offers Educational Farm activities for groups and the Social Farm, with projects dedicated to disabled people and immigrants or political refugees.
La Fattoria dei Ricordi, flavors and sensations of yesteryear
A recognized WWF oasis in the green mountains of Sila is waiting for you for a holiday in Calabria with sea view. Rediscover the ancient times, meet horses, cows, rabbits, pigs, goats, and chickens in a rural and welcoming environment. Enjoy the typical organic produce of this land and live in harmony with nature.
Masseria San Iorio, gratifications of rural life
Ancient flavors and aromas greet you at the entrance of the organic farm. A fully equipped two-room awaits you for your stay. Jams and fresh fruit are ready for your breakfast. The Majella Natural Park invites you to explore the pristine nature. And, if you want, the peasant life of the company takes you on a time travel along with the slow rhythms of the past.
Maridiana Alpaca Farm, to learn about alpacas
The first alpaca farm in Italy offers two farmsteads for family farm holidays in Umbria. Admire these sweet animals and buy knitwear products with fine natural fibers, always made without the use of chemicals.
Farm Fior di Bosco, to find out the processing of milk
In a typical Tyrolean farm built according to the principles of green building, you can attend and participate in the processing of milk, relax in beautiful rooms, enjoy local flavors and discover the uncontaminated nature around you.
Farm Constantino, two seas, and clean energy
A beautiful organic farm is waiting for you at the narrowest point of Italy, between the Gulf of Lamezia Terme and that of Catanzaro. The property offers comfortable and well-equipped modern apartments. The owners invite you to relax in the pretty garden, on board of the large pool, while the children play in the playground. Get to know closely what happens on a farm, between farm animals and cooking classes.
Which of these farm holidays will you try first?
Cover image: Photo by Samuele Bertoli, via Unsplash
