Choosing where to stay on your Italian vacation is a crucial decision that creates the backdrop for your travels—and when your vacation is focused on cycling, you’ll be looking forward to resting your legs after a big day in the saddle. Much like everything in Europe, Italy’s unique variety of accommodations offer a glimpse into the local lifestyle and traditions. Here’s how to understand the many options for Italian lodging, including what’s in a name and what to expect during your stay.
Agriturismo (a-gruh-tr-iz-mow): “Farmhouse”
A portmanteau of the Italian words agricoltura (agriculture) and turismo (tourism), an agriturismo offers visitors an authentic taste of rural Italian life and the opportunity to be immersed in the agricultural roots of the Italian countryside. Often converted farmhouses, charming family villas, and the occasional barn-turned-luxury suite, agriturismi are acknowledged by the Italian government for their commitment to preserving traditional farming practices and agrarian ways of living.
While there’s no obligation to help out during your stay at an agriturismo, you may enjoy plucking olives in the grove, rolling pasta with nonna, or meeting the livestock who make the cheese you’ll eat at dinner. You can expect family-style farm-to-table dining since meals prepared at agriturismi often incorporate ingredients produced on-property.
Unlike a podere or fattoria—both of which are agricultural producers first and foremost—an agriturismo refers to a farmhouse where the primary purpose is hospitality.
Enjoy the agriturismo experience at Maso Grener on our Dolomites + Lake Garda Chef on Wheels Bike Tour.
