Agritourism in Italy- looking for recommendations

[Alfonso1]

Hello - thinking of booking a week in Italy and have been looking at the agritourism website but there are so many of them....We are a family of 4, children aged 7 and 12. Would like somewhere relaxing, friendly but not looking for a house-party type place and close to places to visit using public transport as don't plan to drive if we can avoid it. Would prefer Tuscany/Umbria area, but would also like to visit Venice......Any recommendations? Thanks in advance:-0

I would think you would struggle to find an agritourism situated near site-seeing spots and accessible to public transport, as the whole essence of them is that they are country estates.

Maybe an apartment on Lake Garda? Easy to get about by boat, and to Venice/Verona by train?

You could also look at some of the ones within walking distance of San Gimignano which is a small town but very popular with tourists so it's on a bus route going between Florence and Siena.

We stayed here a few times when visiting friends in Siena - though it was over 10 years ago. It was pretty and in the country but under 10km to Siena so there were regular buses and a taxi after dinner was affordable.

We've just returned from a week here - www.agriturismolaspigadoro.it/. Would recommend it, and also that you consider car hire as your options will be extended if you are willing to drive.

Sorry, let's try that link again www.agriturismolaspigadoro.it/

Have a look at the Long Travel website. They specialise in small family run hotels, agriturismo, trulli and have some wonderful places. Good food is an emphasis! We had a wonderful holiday in Abbruzzo booked through them. If you call them and describe your family and needs, they will email you suggestions. I'd highly recommend them!

We stayed near San Gimignano in this place when dds were aged 7 and 4. It was fantastic, and the owner, Stefano, is lovely :)

Sorry, posted too soon! We stayed at La Maiella, which you can book half board or self catering (and buy meals as you will). The website is www.long-travel.co.uk. NB they use their own names for agriturismos, so you won't necessarily find it on Tripadvisor etc.

We nstayed in 2, one within striking distance of Florence and one near Barga in the mountains.
We did manage on trains and busses. Public transport is quite good in Italy, especially the trains.
I'll try to find the names of the places.
Twas a really good holiday and very cheap too

Try the website for La Canigiana. It's just south of Florence and on a bus route which stops just outside the estate walls which is near a small village (or at least there was a bus service two years ago when I went on my honeymoon). Last bus out of the city was at about 8.00pm. 20 mins on bus to Boboli Gardens in Florence. Lovely accomodation and a great pool. Only downside is that the owners had a couple of large dogs, so if you're not keen on dogs you might want to avoid.

here it is
had a great pool that we had all to ourselves most of the time

the other one

Was even better, rustica and amazing views. We saw golden eagles and got chased by dogs...

Lake Garda is brilliant as you definitely don't need a car. The ferries are a useful way to explore other towns round the lake - many of them have sites of historic interest. Public buses are also easy to use.

San Gimignano is lovely, but I'm not sure what public transport is like if you want to visit other parts of Tuscany.

How about the Sorrento peninsula? The train service is easy to use and you can get to Pompeii and Herculaneum on the train.