Please share your "Agricultural Holiday" experiences. What was the best part and the worst part. What part of Italy has the best ones.. Thank you everyone.

Janda, I suggest you go to this web site for a ream of good info on this topic. www.slowtrav.com Of course, Tuscany has by far the most options, but there are many in Umbria and Veneto.<BR>The biggest complaint is often the bed to bath ratio--many will have one bath for 2 couples. Decide if you want a self-catering place or not--many are merely apts. in rustic farm locations.<BR>Start with location and then price range. That will help you to narrow your choices. Good luck !

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Janda,<BR><BR>Just returned from 10 days at Palazzo Bandino in southern Tuscany. Terrific location - eady driving distance to Montalcino, Pienza, Montepulciano, Monte Oliveto, Assisi, Orvieto, Perugia. 20 minutes to Chiusi train station and from there, 90 minutes to 2 hours (depending on type of train) to Siena, Florence and Rome.<BR>Had a one bedroom apartment with 2 bathrooms, nice kitchen. Beds comfortable and linens good. Pleasantly if sparcely furnished. Swimming pool, wine tastings and opportunity to sample typical Tuscan menu (yummy!) Helpful staff fluent in English.<BR>If we had been at P.B. later in the season, we could have used the farm's vegetable garden.<BR>Dealt with Initaly.com - can't say enough nice things about them, Their website lists many, many possibilities with photos and reviews.Agree with Bob - the slowtrave site is great - lots of helpful "down to brass tacks" information.<BR>I'm planning next year's Italy trip and will block in a farm stay.

We just got back from staying at Piccolo Paradiso in San Ginese. Great old farm house, secluded but close to everywhere. No pool or AC, but beautiful Olive grove and countryside.<BR><BR>You can look at www.littleparadise.net

My personal favorite remains Fattoria Titignano, a medieval borg, high on a hill above Lago di Corbara and anational park. It is halfway between Orvieto and Todi in Umbria. I adored the natural settting and seclusion though it is only 20 minutes from the main A1 autostrada. They serve gourmet meals (host cooking schools for the afternoon meal) and all the delicious wine you can drink. The farm produces olive oil, wine and pecorino. <BR><BR>Maybe its because I was on my honeymoon, but I was smitten by this agriturismo. We were able to do southern Tuscany and the main Umbrian hilltowns from this location, though Gubbio would be a stretch.I believe it was under $100 a day for two. You may check it out at : http://www.titignano.it/index.htm

Elena-Would you recommend a room in the castle at Fattoria Titignano? I currently have a room there, but wondering if the farm rooms are more charming. I liked the idea of staying in an old castle. Thanks!

Stacy,<BR><BR>I have not seen the inside of the farm rooms--most people stay there. We did stay in the castle in the suite next to the library. My husband and I I thought it was charming. It may be not as modern as the farm building but the windows open over the the most stupendous view you will ever see and it was clean and quite cozy.

Thanks Elena. Did you eat dinner at Fattoria Titignano for your entire stay? I will be staying there for 3 nights & doing day trips around Umbria (Orvieto, Todi, etc.). I intend to dine for dinner there at least once. Would you recommend the other two nights eating a a local town? <BR><BR>Thanks again for sharing your experience.

Hi again Stacey,<BR><BR>At the origin of our stay I was undecided about taking dinner at the Fattoria every night. One meal was all it took. Dinner, naturally, begins at 8:30, which gives you plenty of time to wind up your day of travels. I don't think the guests exited the dining hall before midnight any of the nights of our four day stay. The food and wine were really incredible--the chefs left all the guests and went to bed about eleven. There were some guests who did not return for every meal. I think we just preferred to be near "home" and off the road after dinner, but also the quality of food was so good there. We visited Todi, Spoleto, Bevagna, Asissi, Perugia, Chiusi and Orvieto during our stay. And don't forget to bring your swim suit.<BR><BR>Un'abbraccio e buon viaggio,<BR><BR> Elena

Thanks Elena! I'm sure I'll have a fabulous time.