Fontechiara Agriturismo Le Marche Italy
There are many genres of agritourism in Italy, but an Italy agriturismo is basically an Italian farm that produces and sells food and offers hospitality to guests, either in the form of a restaurant or holiday accommodation. Our Le Marche agriturismo is a working farm or small holding with animals and crops that include fruit & nut trees and a productive olive grove. We take the produce straight from the land to the table with our evening meal option that offers guests the option to sample the wonderful seasonal produce and sumptuous regional Italian dishes at a remarkably low price.
Our beautiful Italian farmhouse of Fontechiara was originally built in 1782 and was totally restructured in 1995 to include all modern conveniences. The farm now includes a swimming pool and animals that include horses, geese, chickens, pigs and doves. Each year we sow vegetables and grow these organically so that the food we offer our guests is fresh and harmless to the environment. We also try to preserve as much of our food produce as possible; this includes cold pressed extra virgin olive oil, jams and preserves, prosciutto crudo ham, honey and vegetables under oil.
The definition of Agriturismo Italia
Agriturismo – is an Italian term combining the words for “agriculture” and “tourism” and is a style of vacation or holiday in a farm house codified into Italian law in 1985. An Italy agriturismo vacation is suitable for the whole family. An Italian agriturismo serves foods to guests prepared from raw materials produced on the farm or at least locally. Some will allow the guest to actually participate in the activities surrounding the farm. Despite the rural nature of the lodging, one might expect a rustic experience; yet many agriturismi (the plural form of agriturismo) like ours feature rather luxurious accommodation as well as swimming pools.
Agritourism Italy; A Short History
After the war and in the period through to the 1970s, small scale farming in Italy became less profitable, and, farmers abandoned many farms to search for work in larger towns or else emigrated overseas. But the Italians value highly the “campanilismo” or localism and loyalty to customs and traditions and especially the produce of small scale production of food, and by 1985 a law defined Agriturismo, and many abandoned buildings and estates were restored, some for vacation homes, and many for agritourismo. The Italian farmers who own these agritourismi benefit from tax breaks and finance and other agri tourism initiatives by opening their farmhouses for holidays and vacations in Italy; which in turn has allowed the small farmer to augment the income from the farm, and for those on holiday or vacation to sample the bounty of a rural life in Italy.
Agritourism (agriturismo in Italian) is the term used for farms in the country with rooms (B&B) or apartments to rent. Frequently these places are inexpensive and sometimes meals are provided. The Italian government regulates the Agritourism places, so official government listings are available. To get listings for a specific area, search the official tourist office site for the region and contact them.
Some Agritourism places are represented by agencies or have their own website. Many of the places listed on the region pages in this section are Agritourism. When you drive around the countryside, you will see official signs pointing to Agritourism places. It is worth searching using the words Agro as well as agri and tourism as well as turismo, and Italy as well as Italia and Italian, combinations of these words often yield different and interesting results
What to expect on an Italian Agriturismo holiday in Le Marche
For a relaxing break from the traffic and hurly burly of Italian city life, head for the rugged hills and settle down in an agriturismo. Agriturismo (agricultural tourism) began in the 1980s as a way to encourage small farmers to survive in a modern economy. By renting rooms or apartments to touristst, farmers can make ends meet, remain on their land, and continue to produce food. Our Le Marche farmhouse is a peaceful rural home base for exploring the region and ideal for those traveling by car, especially families and foodies
As the name implies, agriturismi are in the countryside, although some are located within a mile of town. Most are family-run. Accomodation varies from properties that are simple and rustic, to others like ours that are luxurious, offering amenities such as swimming pools and riding stables. The rooms are clean and comfortable. Breakfast is often included, and mezza pensione (half-pension, which in this case means a home-cooked dinner) may be built into the price. Ask the owner for suggestions on local restaurants, sights, and activities.
To qualify officially as an agriturismo, the farm must generate more money from its farm activities than from tourism, thereby insuring that the land is worked and preserved. Some farmhouse B&Bs are simply that, and are not really working farms, though are still fine places to stay. But if you want the real thing, make sure the owners call their place an agriturismo.
Agriturismo Fontechiara is located in Treia in the province of Macerata in the region of Le Marche in central Italy. We offer B&B or bed and breakfast holidays or for lovers of slow food there are half board or all inclusive holidays. A vacation at Fontechiara allows you to sample ecotourism, locally grown food, our own organic produce, home cooking and great Le Marche wines in a restored farmhouse with stylishly furnished rooms and excellent facilities including a swimming pool. We offer yoga retreats, horse riding holidays, fishing holidays, Italian lessons, olive oil holidays, we offer a dog sitting service and are ideally located for sports and outlet shopping. Le Marche has fantastic beaches, mountains, nature, history, art, activities and more. Please check out our reasonable prices or contact us for more information or to book.