Tuscany vacation, cooking, walking, truffle-hunting tour
Travel Team
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Responsible tourism
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we screen every trip so you can travel knowing your vacation will help support conservation and local people.
In our farm we adopted organic agriculture. We improve soil fertility and maintain biodiversity through the use of organic fertilizers and compost, crops rotation and a lot of different local varieties of vegetables and fruits . In the vegetable garden we cover the soil with biodegradable vegetal film: it helps maintaining the right humidity without wasting too much water. . We have a system of irrigation giving water to crops avoiding any waste . The very few treatments to our olive trees and in the vegetable garden are all allowed in organic farming and reduced to minimum .
The Impacts of this Trip
We are part of a network of small producers organizing farmers markets in the nearest villages. What we do not grow, we get from other small farmers in the area and in anycase all our ingredients used in the kitchen are from Tuscany . We promote the importance of buying fresh season produce and encouraging small agriculture and neighboor farmers against intensive agriculture.
We also do our best to promote our traditional gastronomy and self- production organizing with a local association workshops on how to make soap with olive oil, how to make candles with bee wax , how to make bread etc... We are big promoters of Do It Yourself , the furniture in the apartments were restored by us. We also deal with didactic tours for children with local primary schools. We teach children how to saw , transplant and the importance of eating fresh season vegetables. We take them into the woods and let them listen to the sounds of Mother Nature.
In our farm we adopted organic agriculture. We improve soil fertility and maintain biodiversity through the use of organic fertilizers and compost, crops rotation and a lot of different local varieties of vegetables and fruits . In the vegetable garden we cover the soil with biodegradable vegetal film: it helps maintaining the right humidity without wasting too much water. . We have a system of irrigation giving water to crops avoiding any waste . The very few treatments to our olive trees and in the vegetable garden are all allowed in organic farming and reduced to minimum .
The Impacts of this Trip
We are part of a network of small producers organizing farmers markets in the nearest villages. What we do not grow, we get from other small farmers in the area and in anycase all our ingredients used in the kitchen are from Tuscany . We promote the importance of buying fresh season produce and encouraging small agriculture and neighboor farmers against intensive agriculture.
We also do our best to promote our traditional gastronomy and self- production organizing with a local association workshops on how to make soap with olive oil, how to make candles with bee wax , how to make bread etc... We are big promoters of Do It Yourself , the furniture in the apartments were restored by us. We also deal with didactic tours for children with local primary schools. We teach children how to saw , transplant and the importance of eating fresh season vegetables. We take them into the woods and let them listen to the sounds of Mother Nature.
4 Reviews of Tuscany vacation, cooking, walking, truffle-hunting tour
Reviewed on 24 Jul 2018 by Georgina Orme
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Our cooking classes here were wonderful. We were using locally sourced ingredients and had so much fun turning them into delicious meals that we enjoyed with the stunning view of the valley beyond. Our activities like visiting a local vineyard and going truffle hunting were also fab.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
This a wonderful relaxing place where you can experience Tuscany in all its
beauty - dont miss it!
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
There are so many efforts being made at this farm to operate in a responsible
and environmentally friendly way - it was a pleasure to experience. We also got to meet some of the other local organic food producers and sample their products which was informative and delicious!
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
This vacation was everything I was hoping and more with a perfect
hostess!
Reviewed on 04 Jan 2018 by Simon Bramwell
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Meeting Italian people, truffle hunting, the making of pasta, tasting Italian home cooking.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Book early!
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes - there is a clear link with the lifestyle and wellbeing of local Italian hosts as an integral part of their smallholding business.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent
Reviewed on 04 Jan 2018 by Lana Frantz
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The entire stay was perfect. The best part was the hospitality. Francesca, Francesco, and Stella really make guests feel at home. All the farm fresh food was amazing. It was wonderful to be able to share meals with them and the other guests.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Definitely get out and explore the area. Go on the truffle hunting trip. Take walks. Check out nearby towns that are a bit off the standard tourist path like Lucca.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Sure. Staying on a farm, eating fresh vegetables, fruits, cheese, and honey benefited the local people almost as much as we benefited from partaking.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I absolutely loved this vacation! The best way to spend time in another country is to experience genuine life there; not be part of the mob of tourists. We have recommended this trip to all of our friends.
Reviewed on 23 Sep 2017 by Neil Bowers
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
We would struggle to pick out one outstanding moment from the whole vacation; not because there weren't any, but because they were too numerous to mention. From fantastic cookery lessons in authentic Italian cuisine and walking the Tuscan hills at night searching for wolves, to touring the local area in a classic Fiat Cinquecento and spending beautiful sunsets being pampered in the hot tub. This is a vacation full of exciting and memorable moments.
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
There is real flexibility on this vacation and there are many fantastic activity options that can be tried. The hosts are extremely friendly and accommodating, so you can really get the tour tailor-made to suit your tastes and interests.
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The environmental credentials of the accommodation are impeccable. The hosts are active in the implementation of many traditional and environmentally friendly land-management techniques and they have strong links with many local producers and guides, who facilitate many of the activities. You will be immersed in authentic regional lifestyle and culture.
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We cannot recommend this vacation highly enough. The ability of the hosts to create a bespoke itinerary which could be adjusted to suit all tastes, was combined with an enthusiastic and incredibly friendly welcome in the most beautiful location. What's not to like?
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