Agricultural tourism (or agritourism) refers to activities conducted on private agricultural land. Agritourism is basically where agriculture and tourism intersect, as farms and ranches invite the public onto their property to experience the out of doors, the leisure pace, and the healthy and nutritious produce that is only possible when it is fresh picked at the peak of perfection.
Over the past 20 years a new type of tourism has grown strongly throughout Italy, Agritourism or Agriturismo as it is know in Italy. This type of tourism is orientated around having a rural experience which you share with the family who owns the farm or Agritourism on which you are staying. Generally, these properties are vineyards or orchards and you are able to enjoy the fruits of the farm and in many cases your meals are prepared in traditional settings and dishes by the family itself.
Agritourism is an excellent option to the traditional types of accommodation and gives you the opportunity to stay in working farmhouses, in which you can rent an apartment and often buy the farm produce – or have it cooked for you!. These are known as agriturismi (country tourism – or perhaps agrarian tourism? – basically a farm stay holiday) and are very popular. The Italian government regulates the Agritourism places.
