Eating out at one of Abruzzo’s best agriturismo has never been more inviting than post lockdown.

We crave to eat well without hundreds of food kms being part of the equation, we seek an affordable dining experience set in plenty of natural and scenic space.  We long for a truly child-friendly al fresco table that allows our kids to safely run amok between courses.  Parents crave to not hear ‘I’m bored’ as they sample a medley of dishes and variety they crave and which Abruzzo agriturismo are so famous for delivering.

 Trail of Best Abruzzo Agriturismi!

Each nominated  & popped into a handy map by a member of the LifeinAbruzzo Facebook group

Why Visit?

• “Agriturismo Colle Tripio nr Guardiagrele, wonderful people, food and accommodation and the best panna cotta I’ve tasted!”

• “Agriturismo L’Uliveto in Palombaro is a very special place for us. Highly recommend for the food, accommodation and the hospitality.”

• “Il Grottino dei Briganti Penna Sant Andrea is wonderful!”

• “Villa Cascignoli  – This farm is run by a young couple who uses only self-produced food for its truly delicious dishes that are presented beautifully  Seating here is few as seats are very spaced.”

• “Agriturismo Tholos, a great culinary option in the Roccamorice area. The menu is typically Abruzzese with their own twist on each of the dishes. They have also a rebuilt Tholos which is fascinating !”

• Agriturismo Godere Agricolo –  An unmissable stop in Teramo!

• “L’Antico Tratturo in Fara Filiorum Petri (CH). Beautiful gardens with views to the Majella, fab for wandering in between courses. Food is Sunday lunch only, all homegrown/produced or locally sourced and explained by the owner as each course is delivered. Their slow-cooked meat is their speciality.”

• “Agriturismo Terra di Solina e Acqua Dolce Rooms (Capodaqua) , great restaurant with dishes such as slow-cooked lamb with an onion cream sauce…. or crema pasticcera allo zafferano with mosto cotta drizzled over it !”

• “Truly superb seasonal pasta at Panorama that delves into Teramo’s back catalogue!”

• “Valle Scannese – Seasonal home-grown organic delights finished off with some of Abruzzo’s most interesting cheeses.”

• “Colle Paradise – So good we choose it to also host our wedding reception.”

What Makes an Agriturismo Special?

The word agriturismo is a combination of the Italian words agricoltura (agriculture) and turismo (tourism). An agriturismo is effectively a farm designed to also receive guests, whether for food (lunch and dinner), holiday accommodation, or a combination of the two. Each follows a single classification system whose aim is to protect the typical and personal nature of Italian agritourism, an offer of rural hospitality as part of a farm that gives its guests access to the landscape, food and drink and natural heritage of the area.

Agritourism, or ‘a farm holiday’ has now become a cultural phenomenon that has spread to many countries in the world, thanks to the great attraction the countryside holds for an increasingly urbanised society. Thus the farm, surrounded by greenery and the rural landscape, becomes a place for a complete but simple rural experience, far from the formalities and bustle of the city.

A large percentage of tourist farms are located in hilly and mountainous areas where large-scale agriculture requiring vast expanses of land and heavily mechanised production systems cannot be used.  Agritourism instead favours small-scale production systems, integration with the environment – particularly with woods, forests and Mediterranean scrub, as well as proximity to the cities and their art and to ancient towns and medieval or Renaissance villages.

They began life 30 years ago, an initiative organised by the Ministry of Farming in collaboration with ‘Regional’ administrations and national agritourism associations.  Official Agriturismo will display this signage, each Region has its own governance about how much the Agriturismo should use of its own produce,  expect around 80% from the best ones!  Abruzzo has 545 in total! Here’s the official site – http://www.agriturismoitalia.gov.it/

The sunflowers displayed by the agriturismo don’t denote levels of quality but rather categories that the Agriturismo qualifies for.

Author: Sam Dunham

Sam is a very lucky midlife 'mamma' to A who is 11 and juggles her work as a self-employed freelance travel and food web content manager and copywriter and EFL teacher - she is the founder of English in the Woods. She is the co-founder of the social enterprises: The Abruzzo Blogger Community and Let's Blog Abruzzo. She is currently writing the book 'Abruzzo: Folk and Food.