Agritourism is gaining in popularity as a way to learn more about the country you are visiting in a very personal way. Agritourism is a vacation taken on a farm, a vineyard or other rural venue. Typically vacationers will book a room, cottage, or villa on a farm or rural property. In many cases, vacationers are able to assist in chores such as picking fruit, helping in the grape harvest, and working with the farm animals.
This type of tourism is an inexpensive and educational experience that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Wikipedia gives a more in-depth explanation of the Agritourism phenomenon.
Agritourism is very popular in Italy, Spain and France as well as other European countries.
Agritourism in France
Gites are the main venues for Agritourism in France. Every department in France has lots of Agritourism opportunities. Some of the most popular areas are Brittany, Provence and Burgundy.
Gites
of France has been around a long time and they can help find Gites in any area of France. They state that theGites de France label guarantees quality accommodation that complies with a national charter. Under this system, each gà®te is awarded 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 ears of corn. Each gite is rated according to its surroundings, its level of comfort and its amenities. All the gites are re-assessed at least once every five years and much more regularly if a customer has raised concerns about the property.
Gites.com is a commercial company offering gite stays, much like a villa broker.
Agritourismos in Italy
Italy seems to be at the forefront in Europe for Agritourism. A really nice website for learning about Agriturismo, as it is know in Italy, is Agritourismitaly. You can see properties and even book on-line. Agritourism in Tuscany is wildly popular as it is in Poggio. Another good site to research for farmhouses in Tuscany is Agriturismo.net
Bella Umbria deals with Agritourism in Umbria alone. With lots of pictures and information about the area, Bella Umbria is a helpful site.
Written by Terri Fogarty for EuropeUpclose.com
France Tourist Information
Wednesday 3rd of June 2015
[…] offers every type of lodging from couchsurfing, to hostels and agritourism , to 5-Star resorts. Paris This guide tells you about the Paris neighborhoods (arrondissements) to […]
Terri Fogarty
Thursday 5th of February 2009
Hi Nancy,
Each of the linked sites offer pricing and descriptions of the gites available. If you click on the Agrisport link, you can choose your country and then even the department you wish to look at for a gite stay. Take a deeper look at the links and I think you will find the information you are looking for.
Nancy Sullivan
Wednesday 4th of February 2009
Greetings, Good site. Difficult to find out costs for farm stays, I find. What I am looking for is a chance to live with a French family on their farm in my own space, by myself, to be able to improve my humble French. I knew a person from my french class at the Institute de francaise in Villefranche sur mer, who spent some time with a family in Rouen to work on his language skills. I adore cooking and gardening and would love the experience of learning some French culinary skills as well. Thank you for any assistance you may give me. Best regards. Nancy