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In my humble opinion, you cannot beat sampling fresh produce in a picturesque natural setting whilst on holiday. It is for this reason that we often recommend agriturismo in Sicily as a vacation, which will allow you to indulge in delicious home-grown food and wine at a scenic Italian farm surrounded by the beautiful rolling country hills. Agriturismo Defined So, what is an agriturismo? The word is a combination of Italian words agricultura (agriculture) and turismo (tourism). Essentially, you stay on a working farm that also has the facilities to offer guests a luxury vacation. This is a unique type of holiday where you get to see and experience authentic Italy whilst also living the good life. The idea for these wonderful experiences came about in the 1980s when agricultural workers decided to supplement their income by using their large unused rooms to host tourists. Many of these farmhouses previously housed a number of families, but a decline in agriculture in the '50s saw many farmers forced to move into the cities to find work. These rustic properties have great charm, but it is the food and drink that most of our clients enjoy the most. You can sample fresh produce and have gourmet dinners cooked for you each evening – these will taste better than any meal you’ve ever had on holiday! In many cases, you are able to get tours of the vineyards, farms and have cooking lessons. Here are a few of our favourite properties offering agriturismo in Sicily: Mandranova Located in Western Sicily, Mandranova is tucked away in the scenic countryside and is a classic Sicilian farm with large rooms, an old winery and former train station. As with many agriturismo vacations, a huge part of the charm is the lovely and welcoming hosts. Guiseppe and Sylvia will do everything they can to ensure that you have an unforgettable stay and also offer fascinating tours of the olive grove and press. There are also daily cooking classes where you can use the home-grown vegetables and locally sourced ingredients to cook up all kinds of tasty dishes. Masseria Susafa Nestled in the stunning rolling hills of Cefalu you will find this beautiful farmhouse, which boasts a whopping 13 ground floor bedrooms. These open out onto the picturesque terrace and grounds. Previous clients have spoken very highly of the onsite restaurant, which is set in a vaulted wheat store with enormous stone arches – this creates the perfect setting for a tantalising traditional meal cooked meal that is made with their own olive oil. The farmhouse also features a wine bar where you could chill out and indulge in a few glasses before retiring to your spacious chambers for the night. Relais Torre Marabino Just 10 minutes from the beach in South East Sicily, Relais Torre Marabino is a converted Saracen tower that has a mammoth 120 hectares of farmland and greenhouses, as well as 30 hectares of vineyards. One of the key selling points of this property is the fact that it is also just a short journey from the lively towns of Modica and Ragusa. This means that you can have a hearty breakfast each day before heading out to explore the towns, and then return back to this rural paradise and unwind before hitting the hay. Relais Torre Marabino has its own onsite restaurant where are treated to a four or six-course gourmet meal, plus you can get a greater insight into the food and drink you are enjoying with tours of the farm vineyards and wine cellar. If agriturismo in Sicily sounds like your kind of trip, contact the sales team today and they can tell you more about these fantastic rural properties or the others that we have in our portfolio. John Dixon is an experienced world traveller and the Managing Director of Prestige Holidays. If you're interested in enjoying the hospitality of an agritourismo in Sicily or holidays in Bermuda, Croatia and other great destinations around the world, John can help find your perfect accommodation. An expert in luxury accommodation for over 30 years, John tries to visit each of the destinations regularly in order to ensure the quality of his properties and stay up-to-date about the latest local news and events. He has a taste for the finer things in life and has an interest in arts, history and culture.
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