If you are looking for a quite little place where to relax and enjoy nature, the agriturismo La Loccaia between Arezzo and Siena is the place to be. Surrounded by vine-clad hills, the place has plenty to offer; from the beautiful garden 2,500 square metres in size to the luxury swimming pool! Several package deals are available. Read below:

Basic package which includes two nights’accommodation (Friday and Saturday) in a double room, breakfast and free swimming at the spa in Rapolano Terme. Price: 95 euros per person; silver package which is a bit more expensive (120 euros) but includes two nights’accommodation, breakfast, dinner and free swimming; gold package that will set you back 150 euros but you will get free tickets to the spa and its various therapies and treatments. Last but not least the platinum package deal for which you must be ready to spend 160 euros. For further information please click here.

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Tourists’ love affair with Italy has a long history behind it and more often not tourists get to know the country very well! A few days ago I had the pleasure to talk to Pizzodisevo (this is just a nickname), a tourist who years ago decided to leave behind his own country and live in the Marche region. His knowledge of the place is quite amazing and the pictures he took of the road that from Sarnano leads to Fiastra are really good, capturing the essence of the whole area (Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini); a magic place where there are no cars and everything is quiet and beautiful. So if you want to relax and enjoy nature, you may be interested to know that in Fiastra there’s a lovely agriturismo entirely made of stone and called Degli Alti Pascoli (situated at 800 metres above level see) where you can stay for only 40 euros pr night. Many outdoor activities are available; from hiking and riding to fishing and mountain biking.

Photo | pizzodisevo.

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If you are fed up with exotic destinations and annoyed by the huge tourist crowds of Europe’s major capitals, the agriturismo Il gelso at Cazzola di Traversetolo, near Parma could be the right place to be. Built in the 17th century, this old and beautiful farm offers a Saint Valentine ‘s day package which you will find irresistible; their offer includes two nights‘ stay in a suite, welcome drink, romantic candle lit dinner, bottle of spumante, and Italian delicacies such as salami and delicious focacce for just 150 euros per person; should you decide to cut the cost of your weekend and settle for a less luxurious room, the stay at the farm will then cost you only 80 euros per person!

Photo | flickr

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If you’re looking for weekend deals for autumn in Italy, try going to some of the Italian food festivals on in Emilia Romagna in the month of November. The Wine Food Festival is on where you can try all sorts of traditional Italian produce, from chestnuts to balsamic vinegar, culatello cold cut meat, mushrooms and truffles.

The food festival involves the towns of Piacenza and Rimini, and everywhere in between, where you can also experience some of Italy’s most beautiful towns and medieval locations. Try hotel and agriturismo offers in Coriano for the olive festival, while Ferrara is hosting the Festa della zucca or pumpkin festival. The Emilia Romagna truffle festival is on in Mondaino, or treat yourself in Compiano with banquets and health spa retreats.

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With the leaves turning colour and this chill in the air, to venture out and spend a whole weekend at one of those organic farms which are right now all the rage, could be a wonderful experience. At Umbertide, not far from Perugia, there’s a lovely agriturismo called Le Tortorelle and which boasts a certificate from the Ethical and Environmental Certification Institute ; at Le Tortorelle guests can forget the noise, relax and enjoy healthy food. The place which also features an ecological swimming pool every year organises seminars on officinal herbs and holistic therapies! In short the agriturismo at Umbertide is the place to be if you who want to get outdoors and tune into Mother Nature!

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The Mostra del Cavallo di Città di Castello has just concluded but the town in Umbria is worth a visit if you want to go horse riding in Italy. The origins of the event date back to 1032, making it the oldest horse riding event in Italy, and you’re guaranteed to participate in a slice of Italian history if you go.

The event is hosted in a large area with exhibition halls and race areas, and usually features more than 1,000 horses of all different types. Many farm stays and agriturismi can be found in the area, who will also organise horse riding excursions and lessons. Try Villa Lugnano for one, or see the agriturismo.it site for more options.

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If you’re looking for a private and secluded farm stay in Chianti, Tuscany, with a touch of exclusivity given the small number of guests that can stay there, Leccio agriturismo is for you. It’s located a few kilometres from Florence in the Chianti Classico region.

The beautiful farm building is an 18th century villa with a property that extends into the Ugolino golf course. The old building has features such as fireplaces and a rustic atmosphere from times ago. There is a swimming pool with views over the Tuscan countryside, but the best thing is the cooking.

Leccio agriturismo has two enormous kitchens in which host, Marialuisa Landi, prepares the kind of banquets that haven’t been seen for many a year. It’s worth a stop to take same time out in a kind of sabbatical in Tuscany, so look at the Leccio website for more information.

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The country inn L’Antica Corte del Turco rises gracefully among the hills of Verona and the structure is perfectly adapted for embracing nature lovers, who can delight in long walks (nearby there is also the Sigurtà Garden) or in the nearby riding school for some horseback riding.

L’Antica Corte del Turco is a classic example of a country courtyard, dating back to between 1700 and 1800 and placed in the center of the farm of Cavallari Guarienti, who turned it into an excellent country inn. The block is formed of 8 apartments with a total of 30 beds, and each apartment has its own private entrance, private bathroom, minibar and kitchenette; the country-style decorations consist of antique furniture, prints and pictures, which all contribute to a cozy and inviting environment. The prices include breakfast and pool use (when it’s open) and are 80 euros/night for a couple and 20 euros/night for children between 5 and 12 years old, while children younger than four stay for free. The restaurant, on the other hand, is only open for reservations and for a minimum of 50 people with a fixed menu, perfect for celebrating an important occasion.

The Baldo Mountain and the Garda Lake are close (just 5 km away there are the thermal baths of Colà di Lazise) and they offer a great setting for hikes. Wine lovers will be delighted by the very high quality D.O.C. vineyards of Bardolino and Custoza.

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More summer holiday tips for Italy from us include visiting Tuscany. The region is not just about wine tasting in Italy or following the Chianti trails, but enjoying great beaches, (including in Argentario), hiking and mountain biking and then feasting on traditional Tuscan cuisine.

The Tuscan farm stay Foresteria Il Giardino di Fontarronco in Val di Chiana near Arezzo, is perfect for an alternative Tuscan holiday, staying in an agriturismo that’s only 30 minutes from cities like Florence and Siena, while enjoying the beautiful Tuscan countryside.

A family owned business, the farm is a restored rural hamlet from the 1700’s, with ten apartments and elegant furnishings, a large swimming pool, and surrounding property of olive groves and orchards. Tripadvisor has some reviews on the property to help you out in navigating your way through the myriad farm stay options in Tuscany.

Prices until June end vary from 600 to 1,800 euros a week depending on the apartment, and include final cleaning, fresh linen, water, electricity and gas. In autumn to winter, Foresteria is a small but refined bed and breakfast with five double bedrooms, including two suites, all in the main villa. Prices start at 100 euros a night including breakfast.

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With Easter this weekend, many are already planning their summer in Italy, and with the economic downturn it looks as though camp grounds and other budget accommodation will come into their own. After the camp grounds in Tuscany website, we also take a look at Bio Elba camping, which is not featured on Promo Camping Toscana.

On Elba Isle, off the coast of Tuscany, Bio Elba is an eco-friendly agriturismo with the possibility of low-environmental impact camping. It is situated near Capoliveri, in Straccoligno, in the national park of Arcipelago Toscano.

The camp ground has facilities for tents as well as cabins, and is quite small for those who are looking for a quiet summer holiday. Have a look at the Bio Elba site for rates.

Photo | Flickr

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Syracuse is on the world heritage list and looking at this photo you can see why. The Sicilian town is one of the main attractions of Sicily, with its Neapolis greek architecture and Ortigia being two gems to visit.

The archaeological park at Neapolis is one of the main archaeological sites of Sicily, with its greek theatre and roman ampitheatre. Ortigia is the heart of the city and is an open skies museum, mixing greek architecture with that of normandy, aragon and baroque.

Day trips from Syracuse also offer plenty to see, with pristine mediterranean seas and incredible landscapes. The Cavagrande canyon near Avola is worth a visit, and the area around it is protected by a natural reserve with more archaeological treasures, rich in fauna and flora and with beautiful lakes.

For an Easter break in Syracuse, three nights from April 10 to 13 at the Hotel Centrale start at 260 euros for two people, or at the agriturismo farm stay, Terrauzza sul Mare eight kilometres from Syracuse, prices start at 215 euros. More Easter deals and packages in Italy can be found in the bed and breakfasts in Sicily listed on Siciliae.com.

Photo | Flickr

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I will admit that Umbria is my favourite region in Italy and so I have no problems writing about some of the lovely accommodation Umbria has to offer. This elegant, luxury accommodation was open to guests in 1989 after a careful restoration of a complex of historical, medieval buildings. The complex included an abbey from the 11th century, a tower from the 12th century and a country home from the 17th century.

Called Torri di Bagnara, this accommodation is situated on a 600 hectare property, not far from Perugia and the airport of Sant’Egidio. The structure has been nominated by Architectural Digest as one of the ten most beautiful in Umbria, and is surrounded by an agricultural company that has forests, pastures and plains. There are hunting grounds, goat, hare and cow breeding programs (including the prized Tuscan beef breed Chianina), with the Tiber River passing through and medieval castles.

The panoramic swimming pool sits alongside the tower, where you can stay in one of the four apartments, or you can choose accommodation in the Pieve di San Quirico, a small palace with four double rooms and three luxury junior suites. The luxury accommodation in Umbria is quite reasonable with rates starting at 460 to 490 euros a week for a two person apartment, or 890 to 1450 euros a week for four people. Go to Le Torri di Bagnara site and Tripadvisor for more information.

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