bvlenci

Traveler, that is an agriturismo. The term didn't get carried over to the English translation. The name of the establishment is Fattoria Voltrona, which means Voltrona Farm.

If someone wants to search for similar establishments, the search term should be "agriturismo" rather than "fattoria", unless you're a tractor salesman.

All agriturismi have to be on working farms; they have tax and regulatory benefits, and are intended to help keep people on the farm. Many agriturismi are more about the "turismo" and little about the "agri". You can put up a few beehives and open a restaurant, getting the benefits without having to sow and reap.

janisj

>>to have different feeling/looks on each area. Just to give a Japan example, Tokyo and Osaka feel the same to me, while Tokyo and Kyoto have different feelings and that is what I am after.<<

And that is what we meant saying you already have a LOT of variety. Paris, Nice, Venice, Rome and Athens all look/feel different. Much more like Tokyo vs. Kyoto than Tokyo vs. Osaka.

PalenQ

Much more like Tokyo vs. Kyoto than Tokyo vs. Osaka.>

A lot more than Tokyo and Kyoto or Osaka IME.

janisj

PQ -- you obviously missed the point.

I think the OP understands - which is what matters..

honam

After looking at everyone' suggestion, I think I want to make the following decision:

1. Provence - stay in Saint Remy for 3 nights. I want to have a little bit of smaller city feelings after coming from Paris. And I am planning to drive around Provence.
2. French Riviera - I think I'll stick to Nice for 3 nights. It is just because I don't want to drive around Riviera and Nice seems to have the best access to both bus and train. I don't mind pebbly beaches, I think they will be a nice change to sandy beaches which Australia has plentiful too
3. Tuscany - okay I wouldn't bother staying in Florence again since Im not big on museum and stuff. Instead I will split my 5 nights to stay in:
Agriturismo in maybe Chianti region and

honam

..crap, reply got sent by accident.. anyway to continue my previous post:
So yea split my Tuscany time between Agriturismo in Chianti and a small hotel in Pienza.
4. Greece - okay need to rethink about going to Naxos in October then. Maybe like traveller1959 suggested, looking at Peloponnese. Still going to go to Santorini.

Thank you again for all the comments, keep them coming

PalenQ

PQ -- you obviously missed the point.

I think the OP understands - which is what matters..>

Did not miss the point or if did I missed it!

traveller1959

PQ, learn to hold your water!

neckervd

Don't complicate things: if you must go to Santorini anyway, stop over at Naxos. A travel across the Peloponnes Peninsula would be much more complicated and much more time consuming.
And weather in October is rather better (warmer) at Naxos than on the Ionion Sea

honam

After consideration, I will not want to go to Peloponnese. But I am now thinking of a different option for Greece trip. It is either sticking to the original plan: Athens 3 nights, Naxos 3 nights, Santorini 3 nights (getting mixed opinions on this, some say October for Naxos is bad some say still good)
Or spend more time in mainland: Athens 3 nights, Delphi 1 night, Meteora 2 nights, back to Athens then to Santorini 3 nights. Athens-Delphi-Meteora-Athens we are thinking of driving.

traveller1959

Your very last plan sound very reasonable. IMO, Delphi is the best archeological site in Greece (mythology, history, preserved ruins, scenic setting, excellent museum) and Meteora has the most impressive monasteries.

Driving is fast and easy in Greece. Roads are in good condition and few traffic.

On the way to Delphi, stop at Hosios Loukas Monastery, constructed in 963 A.D., a UNESCO World Heritage, very beautiful. It is a quick visit, an hour or so will be enough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sgvsuZD4ms

PalenQ

Delphi was especially magical after the daytime tourist hoards had left - you can wonder thru the site last time I was there as it was always open -maybe not now.

PalenQ

This is the reason why I suggested going to one of the beautiful beaches south of Athens or on the Peloponnese instead of Naxos. Santorini will be okay.>

Yes islands can be boring after a day or so if not into beaching it or nightlife but the Peloponnese has so so many neat sights and beaches- ancient Olympia is one -not far from Athens the ruins of Corinth are also nice.

But if you want to lay back and relax the islands are great.

WoinParis

Driving is fast and easy in Greece. Roads are in good condition and few traffic.

Was there 5 years ago and told my wife they were driving worse than Belgians.
We saw 3 major car crash (fatalities in some) on a 2 days itinerary. They are reckless.

honam

Okay, thank you all for the input again. I am locking down the high level itinerary plan for now, this will be for mid Sep - mid Oct 2017 for 30 nights.

1. Sydney fly to Paris - 4 nights
2. Provence (base in Saint Remy) - 3 nights
3. French Riviera (base in Nice) - 3 nights
4. Nice fly to Venice - 3 nights
5. Tuscany (base will be split between Agriturismo in Chianti and Hotel in Pienza) - 5 nights
6. Rome - 3 nights
7. Rome fly to Athens - 3 nights
8. Delphi - 1 night
9. Meteora - 2 nights
10. Santorini - 3 nights
11. Santorini fly to Athens fly to Sydney

Now next is for me to plan the detailed itinerary, which could potentially change the above plan slightly, but hey its part of the fun

PalenQ

I'd suggest staying in Florence itself a few days or day tripping in from Chianti or Pienza- but Florence is magical at night IME.