Spending your vacation in the countryside in a Tuscan farmhouse or country holiday home may include dining with the host family and other guests, assisting in the grape or olive harvest or merely enjoying the quiet intimacy of a stay in the countryside independently from the farm.
Many farmhouse hosts also help organize activities for their guests, from horseback riding to mountain biking and from providing information on local hiking trails to offering Tuscany cooking classes and wine tastings. Many farmhouses in Tuscany have recently added swimming pools to their properties to offer their guests the opportunity to cool down during the warm Tuscan summers.
Some history...
In your searches across the Web you've probably come across the term "agriturismo" and have probably wondered what the term actually means.
Agriturismo, or "agricultural tourism / agritourism", gives ones the chance to experience true rural Tuscan life. It means that actual working farms have opened their homes to offer rustic to elegant accommodation. Generally based on or around a farmhouse, winery or castle, these are often family-run operations which offer accommodation that ranges from bed and breakfasts to large apartments and separate buildings that include living areas, kitchens and private bathrooms.
