Staying at the Tenuta
Here’s a new twist on places to stay in Italy. Stay with one of our Olive Oil Producers. Arranged to make touring easy, from North to South. At Olio2go, we'd love to hear if you visit these producers. Send us a postcard or an email.
Tuscany, Veneto, and Campania
» Il Chiostro Art Workshops in Italy
If you want to travel to Italy with a focus, try taking one of these workshops in photography, painting, cooking, writing and more. Il Chiostro selects accommodations that allow guests to see and feel an authentic Italy: a Tuscan farmhouse, a refurbished monastery, a Chianti winery, an ex-convent in Venice, a 17th century palazzo in Sorrento. Using the workshop framework they create opportunities to interact with the local population, explore the regional cuisine, visit museums, shop in outdoor markets or take part in local festivals like the Palio of Siena. This is a more intimate view of Italy with a small group of people who share your interests. You will dig deeper than typical sightseeing with Il Chiostro. You won’t just look at Italy, you’ll get involved with it.
Suggested programs:
- Autumn Arts Festival at the Dievole Chianti Classico winery
- A Tuscan Affair at the San Fedele renovated monastery
- Digital Photography in the incomparable Venice
- Fiction Writing at the still functioning San Tomaso convent in Lake Garda
- Collage to Painting at the Palazzo Michelangiolo in Florence
Verona, Veneto
Personal and comfortable describes the stay we had a Relais a Ponte Pietra in Verona. It's a place where you can feel more like a local and less like a tourist and enjoy a historic neighborhood. We enjoyed a suite of rooms with a view of the charming bridge.
Bagno a Ripoli, Tuscany
» Country Relais Borgo e Vicelli
Bagno a Ripoli is home to the Country Relais Borgo e Vicelli, home to the exquisite olive-oil-centric Ristorante al 588. Chef Andrea Perini sends the most creative plates from the kitchen, with the best expressions of Italian extra virgin olive oil. The resorts rooms are charming and beautifully accented. The location is convenient to Firenze.
Carmignano, Tuscany
» Tenuta di Capezzana
For those seeking a few days holiday in the beautiful countryside of Tuscany, Capezzana, with its comfortable and stylish farmhouse accommodation is the perfect place to stay. The farmhouses are situated on the northern border of the commune of Carmignano, on one of the beautiful, dramatic spurs projecting from Mount Albano. Stay in a quiet guest apartment, enjoy the pool and tennis court.
Capezzana is only a short distance from the main Tuscan towns with their Renaissance art treasures: Florence is only 20kms away, Siena is less than an hour's drive and Lucca can be reached in half an hour. For those who love the sea, the Versilia coast with the towns of Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi can be reached in a little over 40 minutes.
Guided tours can be arranged to visit the olive mill, fermentation 'tinaia', large underground cellars and the 'vinsantaia'. Visitors can learn about the fascinating and complex process of turning grapes into wine and vin santo, or olives into extra virgin olive oil. The Capezzana Estate also holds cooking school courses lasting from one to five days.
Chianti Classico, Tuscany
Don't let the name dissuade you. The Dievole Wine Resort has an amazing focus on wine, extra virgin olive oil, and excellent relaxation. Located between Florence and Siena, this is a great base for wandering the countryside.
Montepulciano, Southern Tuscany
» Pamela Sheldon Johns’ Food Artisans
Halfway between Rome and Florence, the southern part of the province of Siena ripples with the gentle hills and rich valleys of the Chiana and Orcia Rivers. The area bubbles with the earthly pleasures of hot mineral waters and agricultural wonders. It is a region of contrasts. Depending on the season, travelers are treated to the visual splendors of the blazing colors of reddened grape leaves or cheery sunflowers, soothed by billowing fields of wheat. It is not uncommon to see deer, porcupine, foxes, pairs of pheasant, and perhaps even wild boar as you drive or walk the area. Many quaint and traditional food-making practices still exist here. In addition to excellent olive oil, the highlighted foods of this area are the pecorino cheese, truffles and porcini mushrooms, and Chianina beef. You’ll also be introduced to some uniquely local products such as a hand-rolled pasta called pici and a pork sausage called finocchiona, which is salted and cured in a coating of aromatic wild fennel flowers and black pepper.
Here you can visit the estate that produces Pace da Poggio Etrusco organic extra-virgin olive oil. Stay in one of cookbook author Pamela Sheldon Johns' gracious Bed & Breakfast/apartments, and opt for a choice of culinary workshops. The views are breath-taking from every angle. In the distance you can see the charming hilltown of Cortona, and nearby you see the ancient towers of the historic town of Chianciano Terme. In warm weather, you can enjoy the swimming pool and dine al fresco.
Chianti, Tuscany
Badia a Coltibuono is the wine and olive resort in Chianti, situated between Florence and Siena, which opens its doors to travellers and visitors who want to share a truly unique experience. Observe the slow yet intense rhythm of a 1000 year old abbey and farm and sleep in history. Guests can rest and relax in the magnificent Italian-style garden or, during the summer months, around the large open-air swimming pool. For the rest of the year, Badia a Coltibuono also has an indoor swimming pool, with an annexed Turkish bath. At 650 metres above sea level summers are temperate and the villa is naturally cool in the evenings. Enjoy 800 hectares of forests, crisscrossed with walking or mountain biking paths. Add to your stay by enrolling in a cooking class.
Radda in Chianti, Tuscany
» Volpaia
If you're visiting the famed Chianti area, you may with to consider a stay with the producers of Volpaia. The accommodations include three villas and several apartments--including one above the olive press. Enjoy the pool, reserve the tennis court and enjoy the many pleasures of the palate, including tastings, cooking classes and dinners.
Menfi, Sicily
The Ravida family's roots date back to the 13th century in the western Sicilian town of Trapani. In the mid-1700s, the family acquired the estate of "La Gurra" by marriage and built a summer residence in Menfi. The 16th century La Gurra estate overlooks the Mediterranean and the Greek Temples of Selinunte.
It comprises 130 acres of olive groves and a 120 acre vineyard, as well as lemon groves and fields of artichokes and wheat, all farmed organically. The farm has been given new life under Nicolo Ravida who has been named "the most prominent olive oil producer in Sicily" for his marketing and managing skills.
Time passed and in 1975, Nicolo Ravidà, an engineer, took over from his father Luigi. Under his guidance, "La Gurra" has been completely transformed and modernised.
In 1991 his daughter Natalia, then a London-based press and TV journalist, convinced him to start bottling extra virgin olive oil and has since been promoting the olive oil abroad. Ravida Extra Virgin Olive Oil was first presented that year at the International Food Exhibition in London and received great praise. Use the link above to arrange a stay in the villa or to book cooking courses with top chefs held at the estate.
Castelvetrano, Sicily
» G. Becchina Estate
The estate that produces Olio Verde welcome visitors to Castelvetrano, Sicily, to visit and stay at the Becchina Estate, Antica Tenuta Principi Pignatelli. The estate properties include: Villa Passiflora, Villa Marina (a beach house), bed and breakfast rooms on the Estate in Villa Pignatelli, and, bed and breakfast rooms in a specially designed at the agritouristic facility on the Estate, La Conigliera. All properties are suitable for retreats, workshops, and agritourism.
Chiaramonte Gulfi, Sicily
Villa Zottopera is an old 17th-18th century villa is located northwest of Ragusa in southern Sicily. It is surrounded by century old olive trees from which the renowned and celebrated oil is obtained. The villa has an elegant garden and swimming pool and it is located in the countryside of Chiaramonte Gulfi (RG) in an area that is notable for its art and culture.
Guests can taste the simple and tasty dishes of the local farmer and stay in comfortable suite-flats. The Villa with the old buildings adjoining it and the Sicilian courtyard (baglio), the little church, the garden, the swimming pool, come together to provide an unforgettable vacation for a small number of guests.