• Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Search
Menu

JETSETTING WITH JESS

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Search

Welcome to My Blog!

Here’s a little inspiration for your next trip. 


  • October 2018 2
    • Oct 25, 2018 Aloha Part 2: Kapalua and Wailea Oct 25, 2018
    • Oct 23, 2018 Aloha Part 1: Waikiki and Pearl Harbor Oct 23, 2018
  • December 2017 1
    • Dec 31, 2017 Happy New Year from Key West! Dec 31, 2017
  • November 2017 1
    • Nov 21, 2017 Sintra, the land of Portuguese Castles Nov 21, 2017
  • October 2017 1
    • Oct 3, 2017 Andalucía Parte Dos: The Sizzling City of Sevilla Oct 3, 2017
  • September 2017 2
    • Sep 26, 2017 Andalucía Parte Uno: The Captivating Towns of Córdoba & Granada Sep 26, 2017
    • Sep 19, 2017 A Quick Stopover in Madrid Sep 19, 2017
  • June 2017 1
    • Jun 7, 2017 A Weekend Jaunt to La La Land Jun 7, 2017
  • May 2017 4
    • May 23, 2017 A Weekend Getaway in Martha's Vineyard May 23, 2017
    • May 16, 2017 Views, Views, Views in Trentino May 16, 2017
    • May 9, 2017 3 (other) Places to Visit in the Veneto May 9, 2017
    • May 2, 2017 How to Enjoy the Ever-So-Crowded Venice May 2, 2017
  • March 2017 1
    • Mar 7, 2017 Bye Bye Boston & Blogger Goes on Break Mar 7, 2017
  • February 2017 7
    • Feb 28, 2017 Seductive & Sizzling Saint-Tropez Feb 28, 2017
    • Feb 23, 2017 The Allure of the Côte d'Azur (Part Deux) Feb 23, 2017
    • Feb 21, 2017 The Allure of the Côte d'Azur Feb 21, 2017
    • Feb 16, 2017 La Joie de Vivre in Paris (Part Deux) Feb 16, 2017
    • Feb 14, 2017 La Joie de Vivre in Paris Feb 14, 2017
    • Feb 9, 2017 Eat & Drink like a Roman Feb 9, 2017
    • Feb 7, 2017 When in Rome... Feb 7, 2017
  • January 2017 7
    • Jan 31, 2017 The Small Towns You Can't Miss in Southern Tuscany Jan 31, 2017
    • Jan 26, 2017 Fantastic Food, Fizzy Wine & Fast Cars in Modena Jan 26, 2017
    • Jan 24, 2017 The Italian Foodie Region of Emilia Romagna Jan 24, 2017
    • Jan 19, 2017 Living La Dolce Vita on the Amalfi Coast (Part II) Jan 19, 2017
    • Jan 17, 2017 Living La Dolce Vita on the Amalfi Coast (Part I) Jan 17, 2017
    • Jan 9, 2017 Sunshine & Salsa in San Juan Jan 9, 2017
    • Jan 6, 2017 Benvenuto a Boston, Eataly! Jan 6, 2017
  • October 2016 2
    • Oct 10, 2016 Key West: My Guide to the Conch Republic Oct 10, 2016
    • Oct 4, 2016 The Low-Key yet Lovely Life of SoBe Oct 4, 2016
  • September 2016 1
    • Sep 27, 2016 I'm baaack & Luxe-for-Less in Miami Beach Sep 27, 2016
  • February 2016 2
    • Feb 23, 2016 Guadeloupe: the other French Caribbean (Part 2) Feb 23, 2016
    • Feb 16, 2016 Guadeloupe: The other French Caribbean (Part I) Feb 16, 2016
  • December 2015 8
    • Dec 28, 2015 Hotel Spotlight: the Captain Fairfield Inn Dec 28, 2015
    • Dec 22, 2015 Smart Packing Tips Dec 22, 2015
    • Dec 17, 2015 Ireland Day 4: Dingle & Limerick Dec 17, 2015
    • Dec 15, 2015 Ireland Day 3: Beara Peninsula & Killarney Dec 15, 2015
    • Dec 10, 2015 Ireland Day 2: Cork & Kinsale Dec 10, 2015
    • Dec 8, 2015 Ireland Day 1: County Clare & Galway Dec 8, 2015
    • Dec 4, 2015 10 Gifts for the Jetsetter Dec 4, 2015
    • Dec 1, 2015 Save on SPG Hotels Dec 1, 2015
  • November 2015 6
    • Nov 19, 2015 Essential Carry-On Items Nov 19, 2015
    • Nov 17, 2015 The Best Shoes for Traveling Nov 17, 2015
    • Nov 12, 2015 The BVI's Part Two: Island Hopping and Painkillers Nov 12, 2015
    • Nov 10, 2015 The BVI's: A Little Slice of Britain in the Caribbean Nov 10, 2015
    • Nov 5, 2015 The Airline Upgrade Worth Paying For Nov 5, 2015
    • Nov 3, 2015 007 Things I Fancy about London Nov 3, 2015
  • October 2015 8
    • Oct 29, 2015 Is Global Entry Worth It? Oct 29, 2015
    • Oct 22, 2015 Cheap Rates at the Chatham Bars Inn Oct 22, 2015
    • Oct 20, 2015 Amsterdam, the Land of Canals and Pancakes Oct 20, 2015
    • Oct 15, 2015 5 Tips on Traveling by Train in Europe Oct 15, 2015
    • Oct 13, 2015 There's More Than Beer in Bruges Oct 13, 2015
    • Oct 9, 2015 Awesome Alternative Accommodations in Italy: the Agriturismo Oct 9, 2015
    • Oct 7, 2015 7 Places to See in Tuscany Oct 7, 2015
    • Oct 4, 2015 A New Airline is Coming to Town Oct 4, 2015
  • September 2015 5
    • Sep 29, 2015 A Long Weekend in D.C. Sep 29, 2015
    • Sep 24, 2015 Caffè Cultura 101: Understanding Coffee in Italy Sep 24, 2015
    • Sep 21, 2015 Mangia! Mangia! Eating in Florence and Tuscany Sep 21, 2015
    • Sep 18, 2015 What to See in Florence, Italy Sep 18, 2015
    • Sep 17, 2015 Hello and Welcome to my Blog! Sep 17, 2015
Castello di Bibbione
Castello di Bibbione

Awesome Alternative Accommodations in Italy: the Agriturismo

October 09, 2015 in Europe, Italy, favorites

In my last post about places to see in Tuscany, I mentioned that you have some options in where/how you stay. Florence provides a great home base for taking day trips and is chock full of hotels, B&Bs, hostels even. It is also a common jumping off point for organized tours and public transportation such as trains and buses. But a great, affordable alternative is to experience an agriturismo. Agriturismi are actual working farms that offer accommodations in its farmhouses or villas. The style of accommodations can vary-- from rustic to luxurious, traditional Tuscan to modern-- and some even offer swimming pools and spas. One thing they all have in common is that they produce some type of food, usually olives for olive oil or grapes for wine, that you get to sample and bring home as a souvenir. Yes, you're technically staying on a farm but since you're in Tuscany the scenery is spectacular and nothing like Old MacDonald's. I've stayed in both a hotel in Florence and an agriturismo in the countryside and both were lovely experiences in their own way. The most memorable though was my week at Il Castello di Bibbione, an agriturismo in San Casciano in Val di Pesa, known for being Niccolò Machiavelli's hunting grounds. It is located just 30 minutes south of Florence, about 40 min north of Siena, and close to the autostrada (the major highway) which made it a perfect location for exploring. The grounds consisted of a castle which had a few separate rooms, a 4-bedroom villa for large groups, several 1 & 2-bedroom apartments, 2 swimming pools and a breakfast room. At one point in time it used to be a small village so the buildings are all in walking distance of each other. Each room/dwelling was outfitted in rustic yet charming Tuscan décor and each had its own kitchen so you could cook a meal with the food you picked up from the local market that day. Some apartments had outdoor patios with a grill and the villa even had a wood-fire pizza oven built into the side of the building. You can bet we took advantage of that!

Two things that you probably won't find at an agriturismo are daily room service (although you can request new linens if necessary), and a concierge (however the receptionists are very knowledgeable and friendly). That doesn't necessarily mean you won't find high-end amenities though if that's what you're looking for. They do exist, especially with luxury agriturismi popping up on the map more and more lately (I just saw one on Jetsetter). Also, some do not have restaurants onsite or only offer meals during part of the day, so that is something to keep in mind. But hey, it gives you a great excuse to get a flavor for local life at the market in town as you stock up on provisions. Which brings me to my next point.

A car was imperative for staying at the agriturismo and for exploring the area. You might be able to find some that are accessible by bus but more than likely you will be quite off the beaten path so I highly recommend renting a car. Don't be scared, rent that Fiat and have fun with it! Cars, especially stick shifts, are pretty inexpensive to rent ($100-150/wk for a standard size). Automatics are tougher to find but it is possible and you do need to reserve one in advance. Note: it's totally worth renting the GPS with your car or you're stuck reading maps and I bet it's been awhile you've had to do that, thanks Google. If you're not keen on driving, then you might be better off staying in Florence where you can catch trains, buses and tour groups.

Important note about driving: If you are renting a car, be sure to watch for signs indicating you are about to enter a Limited Traffic Zone or Zona Traffico Limitato (ZTL). You are NOT allowed to drive in these zones which are usually found at the historical city center of most cities in Tuscany and you WILL get a ticket. They have cameras set up that take pictures of your license plate and the rental agency will mail you a piece of paper in Italian several weeks later when you're least expecting it. More info on ZTLs here. Also, when on the highway watch for signs indicating a speed trap known as Controllo elettronico della velocità. You are always warned ahead of time, several times actually, that one is approaching so just keep an eye out for the sign with a little policeman on it and slowww down. Yes, that is probably why you see all the people ahead of you randomly braking. Do yourself a favor and take the hint.

Tuscany is such an amazing destination that no matter how you see it you will find enjoyment. But I hope that this article encourages you to trade the chain hotel for an agriturismo on your next trip. You might surprise yourself--I know I did--and find out there's more to traveling than staying at the Hilton.

Note: If you're not sure about how to go about finding an agriturismo, let me know below or shoot me a message and I'll show you a few websites that I've found to be helpful.

The view at Castello di Bibbione

The view at Castello di Bibbione

Villa il Poggio, Castello di Bibbione

Villa il Poggio, Castello di Bibbione

One of the two pools

One of the two pools

Tuscan living room

Tuscan living room

Pizza oven

Pizza oven

Our Fiat for the week. Meep meep!

Our Fiat for the week. Meep meep!

Tags: Italy, villa, scenic, San Casciano, rustic, pizza, villages, Macchiavelli, pools, farmhouse, Fiat, Eurotrip, Tuscany, countryside, castles, Castello di Bibbione
← There's More Than Beer in Bruges7 Places to See in Tuscany →
Back to Top

email: jetsettingwithjess@gmail.com
phone: (781) 801 2640