“How you gonna keep ‘em down on the farm after they’ve seen Paree?”
(Joe Young)
Staying “down on the farm” is just another way of Living Like a Local, which in this case means booking an apartment on a working farm in the European countryside. All across Europe these accommodations provide a rare link with agriculture and tourism. They not only give travelers a unique opportunity for lodging and relaxation in beautiful surroundings, but supply local farmers with additional income to help preserve land, historic buildings and a way of life.
This type of vacation is referred to as agritourism, with more common names like farm holidays and farmstays. If you choose accommodations in Italy, you’ll be staying at an agriturismo. The program began there as an effort to encourage people to stay home instead of giving up their rural past and moving to the city after World War II. In 1973, the official agriturismo farmhouse designation was created, and in 1985 the first national law to define agritourism was issued.
Not Everyone Can Operate an Agriturismo
That law has strict requirements for operating an agriturismo, including a stipulation that the majority of working hours be related to agricultural activity rather than hospitality. It’s a way to keep every Tom, Dick and Elon from buying up precious land, putting up hotels, and calling themselves “farmers.” Your accommodation will likely be in a lovingly restored farmhouse that has served many generations. The lodging may be rustic or luxurious and range from a simple B&B to apartments with full kitchens. Breakfast or dinner is typically offered, along with the chance for guests to help with the chores if they are so inclined. Imagine sitting down to a delicious omelet made with eggs you plucked from the chicken coop that morning.
The Internet Will Provide Numerous Types of Accommodations in Your Country of Choice
As a start you can Google “Farmstays in (Country)” for numerous websites that can lead you to the types of accommodations and related farming activities (vineyards, orchards, livestock, grain, etc.) that are available. You will need a rental car to get to your destination and to explore the surrounding towns and countryside — when you’re not enjoying the scenery, serenity and pursuits of country life. We booked an apartment with a kitchen in an agriturismo outside the town of Pienza that ran a grain, wine and olive oil business, and each morning awoke to a scrumptious breakfast spread prepared by the owner’s mother.
Get a Satellite View
One piece of advice is to check out any potential booking using the Google Maps satellite function. That will give you an idea of the size of the property to ensure it’s at least bigger than your backyard, and an indication of how near or far it is from civilization. Sure, you may think you found the perfect place with acres of rolling hills and a herd of cuddly sheep, but do you really want to drive down a bumpy 10-mile dirt road to reach it?