If you’re looking for a break with your family that goes beyond the typical city hotel or beach resort stay, I’ve got a great suggestion for you: an agriturismo getaway.  It might be typical of you to get away for one of these this time of the year, but humour me for a few sentences while I do a little intro for those of you who are unfamiliar with this 😉

As the name implies, this blend of agriculture and tourism is as educational as it is fun. This type of accommodation is growing in popularity as people become more interested in where their food comes from, which means you’ll have a lot of choices when it comes to where to stay.

Agriturismo typically involves staying on a farm or ranch, where you may get to experience farming activities like milking cows and picking strawberries or artisanal activities such as cheese or wine making. If your kids are like mine, these activities are a lot more fun than going to museums, and being around animals is always a hit.

An agriturismo holiday can be a bit different from your typical getaway, so here are some agriturismo getaway tips for ensuring a smooth, relaxing time, as well as making the best out of your trip!

Rent a small car

You’re going to be in a rural area that wasn’t designed for modern traffic – in fact, being off the beaten track is the point of your agritourism trip! That’s why I recommend you rent a small car. You’ll probably have to navigate narrow, winding roads in an unfamiliar area, and the last thing you want to worry about is scraping the side of a minivan with a stone wall.

Be smart about footwear

I can’t emphasise this enough: bring comfy shoes! You could well find yourself outdoors all day, so this is definitely a time to place comfort over fashion. If you don’t normally wear this type of footwear, buy some functional, easy-wearing shoes and be sure to break them in at home before you go. On a similar note, you’re going to need some indoor shoes or flip flops as well. When you’re staying out in the countryside, it isn’t unusual to encounter some debris or even little creepy crawlies on the floor of your room!

Don’t overlook the importance of meals

It’s charming to be out in the middle of nowhere, but don’t forget that you and your family have to eat! I highly recommend booking an agriturismo that caters for dinner so you have one less worry. If that isn’t possible or you have your heart set on a site that doesn’t offer this, make sure there are at least two or three villages within a half-hour drive of where you’ll be staying so you’ll have some convenient dinner options. All that fresh air can make you very hungry!

Google Maps is your friend

Whether you’re looking to get to know a remote corner of Malta or you’re drawn to the idea of an agriturismo in the Italian countryside or even further afield, believe me when I tell you that Google Maps is your friend. Your accommodation might be a short distance from your starting point on paper in terms of kilometres, but if it’s down a very winding road, the drive could be a lot longer and more daunting than you think!

Pack layers

This is good advice for any trip you take, but it’s especially important when going to an agriturismo: plan to wear layers. Rain or shine, you’ll be doing farming activities and other things outdoors. It can get hot during the day, but you could well find yourself outdoors early in the morning or late at night depending on your plans, and the temperature can swing wildly. I also suggest bringing a thicker jacket just in case, which you can leave in your car to save space.

You can be sure of one thing: an agriturismo getaway is one that your whole family will remember for years to come. With a little preparation, some smart packing and help from these agriturismo getaway tips, you can make sure they’ll remember it for all the right reasons!