MASSERIA RUOTOLO, APULIA

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Masseria Ruotolo: a magical journey in the Murgia region near Bari (Apulia)

The Masseria Ruotolo is an organically run company offering farm holiday: situated at 450 mt above sea level and surrounded by woods of Fragni and Roverelle trees, it is an ideal location to unwind and enjoy the local landscape as well as the many local gastronomic specialties of the region.

The family run Masseria, overseen by Antonella, Luciano and Marcella , is dedicated to the preservation of the Murgiese peasant farming tradition and takes great pride in its impeccable hospitality. All rooms and apartments located either in the late 1800's Masseria, or in the "Lamia" dating back to the 1700's and in the ancient surrounding peasant buildings, have been refurbished with care and attention in preserving local tradition whilst offering maximum comfort.

We welcome the disabled, and are equipped with facilities as well as a sensitive approach and tailored activities. The Masseria Ruotolo runs several programs of activities each aimed at rediscovering the natural habitat through nature, culture, traditions and the environment.

EDUCATIONAL TOURISM, is a program especially devised for schools, and it comprises our "learn on the field" play-acting activities for children.

ECOTOURISM, offers green itineraries, walks, bird watching and speleological sites visits.

CULTURAL TOURISM, guided visits local architectural landmarks as well as site visits and walks.

GASTRO TOURISM, discovering the rich local cuisine and regional wines.

SPORT TOURISM, with horse riding and archery facilities, as well as other holistic disciplines.

SOCIAL TOURISM, our attention to those with special needs, which demands well equipped spaces and a personalised hospitality.

LA LOCANDA DEGLI ELFI, PIEDMONT

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The Locanda Degli Elfi originally started life as a B&B, but it has grown in time, as has our commitment to this beautiful area, which I have known since I was a child, and to which I have come back permanently as an adult to establish my Locanda, now a beautiful hotel, as an oasis of peace and tranquility in this untouched valley in Piedmont.

We have restructured the building to the highest of standards but keeping it with local architectural tradition avoiding the use of cement and our water comes directly from the local spring.

We only use locally sourced organic produce in our restaurant and I personally do all the cooking myself, with a little help from my grandmother's old recipes (she was herself a renowned cook), revisiting local Piedmont traditional dishes.

As well as a friendly, family run atmosphere, we offer a huge variety of equipment and activities: such as a Solarium, Sauna and Hydro massage; short language courses; guided walks and visits to local artisans; traditional dance lessons; ski tourism in the winter and alpine tours in the summer.

We are an integral part of the well being of our region, by employing local farmers and working with our community, and we convey our passion to our guests, some who keep on coming back every year, and the new ones who come by word of mouth - growing at a rate of 20% annually -proving that there is potential for further growth: we are presently looking for potential investors and partners with a view to start integrating some of the local "baite" (small stone buildings) and expand, ready to make our legacy somebody else's business opportunity.

CORTE CESON, VENETO

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Corte Ceson, the "House on the Water" was built on the River Tione, and the sound of the water running through the house is like a magical source of both energy and serenity. At Corte Ceson we are mindful of the environment by using solar and water energy through our systems as we have been attentive in preserving and evidencing local architectural features, offering our customers a unique opportunity enjoy this beautiful landmark and go with the flow.

This is what prompted me, in 2002, to bring it back to life, turning it into an intimate 5 bedrooms, 1 suite, boutique style farm holiday.

The constant contact with the water - the river running underneath the house is visible through a glass pavement in the downstairs sitting room - coupled with the rich history of the house and its surroundings (which can trace its first inhabitants to the Neolithic period) were inspirational in the careful restructuring and refurbishing, emphasizing the cultural heritage and keeping each room uniquely decorated in tune with its origin.

Located in the Pianura Padana, close to beautiful cities of Verona and Mantova and originally build as a monastery by the Benedictine monks, the house is 'guarded' by an ancient magnolia tree, and the local area is steeped in history: from the ancient roman Via Claudia Augusta (in use still now for biking and trekking), to the nearby medieval church that was built on roman ruins.

GIARDINI DI EIDOS, CAMPANIA

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‘The Gardens of Eidos' is a Farm nestled in the green hills of S. Agata dei Goti, a small town of great historical-architectural and landscaping value in the province of Benevento.

It was realized by the company Sinèidos Srl, specifically founded in 2004 to support the project and the cultural development of the non-profit environmental association ‘Eidos’ in Acerra.

The creation of this structure is the first step of a broad planning process aiming to engage subjects oriented to the development of environmental quality, in alliance for the territory.

It all started from the recovery of a run-down rural building, restored and enhanced, and of an abandoned land of relevance, of approximately 10,000 sqm, brought back to its productive vocation of native grape, Aglianico, Falanghina and quality oil.

It was a small contribution in the process to upgrade and enhance the environment of the area, already being implemented with the involvement of other sensible figures, willing to retrieve properties of historical-architectural value and to make network, with the aim of promoting an integrated approach to rural development, including the development of a sustainable agriculture, the economic diversification, the strengthening of environmental functions, the promotion of culture, tourism and creative activities.

What we propose is not only good food, hospitality and relax, it is a small revolution in the way of conceiving man and the ecosystem which he is part of.

ANTICA OSTERIA PACE, LOMBARDY

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The ‘Antica Osteria Pace’ is located in one of the historic buildings of the village of ‘Persone’, an ancient pre-Roman and Celtic village, part of the impressive landscape of the ‘Val Vestino’, which includes one of the most important Wilderness areas of Italy.

The ‘Osteria’ project develops within the family context to devote themselves to the preservation and dissemination of local culinary and agricultural traditions to appreciate the natural beauty of the area and the authenticity of the place.

The kitchen is an important place: the famous ‘casoncelli’ are prepared by the mother Marisa using traditional recipes. The products are carefully selected from local producers: primarily milk, cheese and eggs. The meat dishes, as part of a local greatly appreciated tradition, consist largely of local wild game in accordance with the laws of environmental protection.

Even the guests’ rooms are furnished with the simplicity typical of mountain homes, but comfortable and cozy, suitable for families and groups.

The family-run company, the small size of the village of ‘Persone’, the opportunity to drop off the car for walking along the many trails through the valley make the stay particularly appreciated for those who want to soak up a non-exotic but equally surprising nature, still rich in its original and untouched uniqueness.

SIRIGNANO WINE RESORT, SICILY

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The ‘Sirignano Wine Resort’ farm holidays is located in the Belice Valley, in the heart of the estate of the family of the De Gregorio Marquises. 

It takes its name after the ancient ‘Baglio’ of Sirignano (belonging to the family since 1730), a typical building of feudal Sicily which consisted of a farm with a large courtyard inhabited by the landowners and by the peasants who worked on it.

This place was once a village, with the main house, the school, the church and the houses of the peasants. Following the terrible earthquake of 1968, the land was abandoned, only the Carabinieri barrack survived, continuing to control the Marquises’ estates until 1978.

In this fertile environment, the De Gregorio family cultivates vines and olive trees, today who is running the company is Massimo, he follows with care and discipline the entire production chain, thanks to him since 2000 the company has been 100% organic certified.

Buttonhole is the historic Wine Cellar realized in the second half of the 800s: it is located in the basement of the building and enjoys climatic conditions of perfect thermal insulation all year round, due to the ancient woodland that surrounds it and to its exposure to North: it is here that the DOC and IGT wines of the De Gregorio Marquises are produced.

Since some years it is also possible to overnight: simple, but elegant, the’ Sirignano Wine Resort’ offers comfort and relax in comfortable rooms and a fine cuisine offered in the restaurant.

FATTORIA DI MAIANO, FIESOLE (FI), TUSCANY

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The Maiano farm is, by the will of the property, a high environmental vocation company. An example is the extensive reforestation with cypress and oak trees to convert areas of sandstone quarries from which the whole area of Florence from the Middle Ages until the beginning of 900’s emerged.

In 1991 the farm and all its productions have been ORGANIC certified, from the extra virgin olive oil to zootechnics. Farmers for over 800 years, the family spirit has always been marked by the exploitation of human labor and environmental quality.

This has allowed us to be one of the benchmarks for the innovation of the agricultural, tourist and environmental product, adding value to the survival of the beautiful hills between Fiesole and Settignano, overlooking Florence. The Extra Virgin BIO Olive Oil is made with special care in our mill by squeezing ONLY olives produced from the 20,000 farm plants.

Tourist, educational and sport proposals revolve around this activity. Rooms and apartments stays, rooms for receptions, conferences, business meetings, restaurant. An educational farm for school  and family visits, with animals and forest paths, mountain bike trails, bike-park and Nordic walking, adventure park, orienteering. 

Off road night tours discovering wildlife. Activities involve all members of the family (3 generations), sports clubs, environmental guides, hotels, schools, universities, associations.

Customers from the cities and from all over the world seek us, buy our products and come back. The LAUDEMIO oil is shipped directly to customers’ home around the world. Guests of the apartments, the newlyweds find here a village to gather family and friends.

For us the future is a daily and constant improvement of the client satisfaction and of the quality of our products. The future will be a network of ideas, proposals, innovations and marketing.