Spending a week or two exploring Tuscany with the little ones is a superb opportunity to make unforgettable memories. Among the most important things to consider, though, when traveling with the kids is your accommodation. It has to meet all of your requirements to ensure a smooth transition from life back home and allow everybody to relax and have fun.
A great number of families prefer a Tuscan farm stay (aka agriturismo) rather than a standalone villa. No, they are nothing like the farms we usually know. Instead, we are talking about luxury countryside resorts often tucked amidst lush vineyards and a landscape filled with olive trees and perhaps even cypresses.
However, if you are a step before booking a farmhouse in Tuscany, do check out these tips for perfect planning!
What is a farm stay in Tuscany?
It refers to an accommodation option that involves staying on a farm that does not necessarily have animals. In Tuscany, most farms focus on the production of Tuscan wine and/or olive oil. This is why you will most certainly find incredibly palate-pleasing olive oil and wine on the premises. Some properties even feature wine buying and wine tasting endeavours.
That aside, guests are pampered with spacious rooms, self-catering, and services like local guidance, a private chef, and housekeeping. Being given the chance, you may choose to stay in a restored farmhouse, standalone villa, apartment, or palazzo-style building within the farm premises. In any case, expect an impressive range of amenities on offer, such as spa services, tennis, play areas, swimming, and onsite dining.
The best part of agriturismo? You share the farm with other families, which means that the kids can play and interact with children from all over the globe.
What to consider before booking a farm stay in Tuscany
First of all, take some time and note down the following:
- The kind of onsite amenities your family will need (i.e., swimming pool, recreational activities, etc.).
- Does the property offer any equipment for the activities you want to try with the family?
- What diners does the property offer to guests (i.e., bi-weekly, weekly, etc.)?
- Are there any cooking lessons on offer?
- Do the nearby restaurants operate all seven days of the week? What hours?
- Will you need onsite babysitting services?
- Are you planning on spending much time in the villages/towns nearby? Will you need a property in a village or far from it?
- Is the selected farm suited for walking to villages? (most are not since they are located in rural Tuscany, where the roads are narrow and there are no sidewalks).
- How long will your family holidays last? (most agriturismo properties offer Saturday to Saturday stays)
- Are you looking for ultimate luxury and start-to-finish pampering?
- Do you want to have some beach time as well?
- What kind of accommodation would you like? Contemporary and hip or authentic and rustic?
Notes about travelling through Tuscany
Many people make the same mistake. They misinterpret the distances between attractions. For example, they believe that a short distance on the map actually means that it is a short drive from wherever it is that they want to go. This is wrong. Remember that rural Tuscany features slow and curvy roads. So, it may take you 30-40 minutes to reach the main road from an agriturismo property, even if it shows as a tiny bit of drive on the map.
READ MORE EUROPEAN TRAVEL GUIDES FROM WANDERLUSTERS
Also, bear in mind that there is a trade-off that will get you thinking, given that some properties are a long drive from basic services and major cities. So, weigh the pros and cons before deciding if a farm stay is the right option for your family. If it is, you can choose a property that is up to 10 minutes from appealing towns and/or major highways, so your longer excursions are also accommodated with relative ease.
INSPIRED? PIN THIS TO YOU TRAVEL PINTEREST BOARDS NOW!
