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The idea behind Agriturismo is to enable people to share in the day-to-day life on a farmstead in Italy. There are many advertisements for Agriturismo holidays, but the vast majority is just villa and/or apartment holidays like any other. The name Agriturismo, in these cases, seems to have been hijacked for commercial reasons. With Agriturismo holiday, guests can forget about Hotels and Restaurants – our holidays are just not like that. There are no characterless rooms, mass-produced food, and staff in uniforms. There are welcoming rooms, homely service, friendly chats and open fireplaces. And the food! The food reflects that which is locally grown and eaten - grown either on the farmstead itself or nearby. It is cooked in the local style, and is served around large tables – usually in the open or near the open log fire. The Agriturismo holiday, however, is about choice. Guests are free to take part/help in all aspects of the running of the farm, or they can take advantage just of the welcoming accommodation and hospitality. There is so much offered on an Agriturismo holiday – and you are able to choose how you would like to be involved – or not!! AT CORBOLI The most enchanting aspect of Corboli is that it is quite unlike what one has come to expect from a usual holiday in Tuscany. This is not ‘Chianti-shire’ and never wishes to be. This is the alternative Tuscan holiday. While staying at Corboli, you will have the opportunity to live ‘all’Italiana’ – in a welcoming family home – warts and all! Cristina and Marzio are inviting you, for the duration of your holiday, to share their family home and way of life. You will be able to enjoy their warm and friendly family home. The accommodation is made up of rooms, apartments and separate units, all surrounding their own home. Guests can choose whether to eat with the family or self-cater. There are also several local restaurants nearby. The majority of Cristina’s cooking is done with her own organic home-grown food, as well as other organic local suppliers of meats, vegetables, fruit and wines. There is also opportunity to see honey being produced, and the sampling of Cristina’s home-made biscuits – as well as hams and salamis from her own Sienese Belted pigs, is a must for all gourmets! THE AGRITURISMO CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM This
is the ‘ears of wheat’ (spighe) The classification ranges from 1 ear of wheat (all mandatory criteria met) to 5 ears of wheat (all mandatory criteria met, plus extras – more details below) The classification system is based on the services provided – and not necessarily the quality of those services. The services offered must not detract from the main working functions of the farmstead. The classification takes into account these factors specific to each farmstead – agriculture, products, farm ambience, countryside – against the usual holiday accommodation available which is usually the owners’ exclusive means of income or support. It is a ‘living’ classification – an award can be down- or up-graded at almost any time. How it works The 1 ear of wheat is is known as the starting point for any Agriturismo, and has all the obligatory services available. The room or apartment will have the agreed linen, furniture and kitchen equipment available. A points system – based on structural and characteristics criteria – will then increase the number of ears of wheat awarded. Examples of structural criteria include: heating, external lighting, disables access, shops for local produce, sporting facilities Examples of characteristics would include: tourist information, equestrian centre, horseriding, trekking, food sampling, breeding programmes, childrens’ play area, welcome committee, local produce – preferably organic. Corboli has been awarded the highest classification – 5 ears of wheat – for the quality of its accommodation, service and range of activities. As well as providing a high quality of mandatory requirements, the family farmstead has many extra facilities on offer – to help ensure that a holiday here is quite different from anything else you may have experienced to date. WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE YOUR CORBOLI AGRITURISMO HOLIDAY Electricity,Water Towels changed every three days, sheets changed weekly. Parking facilities First Aid kit Use of our swimming pool (available in 2004) LOCAL FACILITIES AND SERVICES All types of shops in nearly San Quirico and other villages – supermarkets, post office, stationers Two Banks Various restaurants, pizzerias and bars Doctor Dentist Emergency services Churches Swimming Pool
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classification awarded to the farmstead based on certain criteria.