Oh Eloise! You pique our interest and then won't share which place it is:(

You can do as you wish, but the way I would look at it is that, if this place is really that lovely and the owners so great, I'd be eager to spread the word about them. Small, out of the way places struggle to stay afloat and sometimes close, so it's in your best interest, actually. I hardly think they are going to become the Ramada Inn just because a few Fodorites might try to book.

It isn't exactly what you are looking for but Karen Brown Guides publishes a guide to B&Bs and agriturismos in Italy. We have found her properties to be excellent including the agriturismos. Some, but not all, of them are listed on the website as well.

About the food..we always take advantage of the food when it is offered. We get to eat the family as well as the other guests. Almost always a rewarding experience and often a good value too.

We stay at agriturismos frequently when we travel. They are usually more cost effective and have more run around room, which is great when you are traveling with children. Most of our experiences have been fine with one huge exception. We stayed at an agriturismo called Monte Pu near the Cinque Terre. Let's just say that we called it the mountain of poo. It could have been wonderful but it wasn't. It wasn't clean, cats were everywhere and I like cats, but these smelled. Our dog loved it though. The cats left us presents outside the door of our room and our apartment smelled of cat urine. The food was mediocre and it was on top of a mountain so difficult to get away from. Still, the kids loved it. For me, it was this :&

But, it makes for good stories.

GBC -

"We get to eat the family as well as the other guests. Almost always a rewarding experience and often a good value too."

That typo raises so many possible humorous responses that my mind is on overload! :)

Hello RLUCIDO,

Well, I too, am looking for exactly what you are looking for and find it sad that in all the incouraging responses not one person is willing
to share the names of places they stayed at and found agreeable! It reminds me of not sharing recipes...as if the whole world will make your recipe and ruin it in the sharing. Yes, as one responder remarked it is a good thing to refer others to places that are pleasurable as it helps the agriturismo stay solvent. Maybe it will be our luck to find a wonderful place to share with others! I'll let you know - and I'd appreciate your letting me know. We will be travelling with our 2 grand daughter (10 and 12) and would like some farm animals on the property as we will probably be touristed out by the time we get to the agriturismo...aslo in the area you are looking..nore north(Lombardia, Toscana etc.) than south
(Umbria). Janet [email protected]

Hi Gianetta,

I just read through this thread and when I got to your post I got confused, so I read the thread again. I thought everyone did a nice job of answering RLUCIDO's questions. I did not see where a specific recommendation of an agriturismo was asked for, with the exception of Eloise's. I don't think anyone is holding back on recommendations.

I have not stayed at an agriturismo with animals (except in Umbria), so I cannot recommend one.

Hi gianetta

Actually, I have shared the names of the places I stayed many times here on this forum and would happily have in this post, if anyone had asked (the original question was just a general question, to which I responded in a general manner!).

In Umbria: www.lecasegialle.com

In Chianti: Podere Torre; access it through www.greve-in-chianti.com.

Look under vacation rentals, and then scroll down to B&Bs; Podere Torre is one of many listed there.

Have fun wherever you end up.

Hi Annabelle
Thank you! In re-reading the posts I think I was responding to RLUDICO asking Eloise for the name of the place she talked about - and being refused! However, I do appreciage your putting the links up and will take a look right now!

The standards vary greatly. Look at reviews at slowtrav.com for your best input. Always pick your location first.