Journeys and Adventures

Our good friends at TripAdvisor have given those of us that think we’re worldly and smart another chance to either support our claims or prove to ourselves that we’re lying.

     The 12 levels of Know Your World are set to challenge your knowledge of countries, capital cities, and well-known sights around the world.

       I made it to level 6, which I think is pretty good (but I really have no idea); I definitely learned that I don’t know much about Asia or the Pacific!  And I’m embarrassed to admit that I selected the wrong country for Kampala, Uganda–somewhere I’ve visited (I was close, though)!  My knowledge of Europe definitely saved me…

     I’d love to know how the rest of you do, so leave a comment with your score—and which atlas you need to study again!

As some of you may have noticed (I know at least one person did–thanks for following Journeys and Adventures so much!), I’ve slowed down in my posting this month.  It’s time for a bit of a break as I figure out my true writing goals and business plan.  I’m sure this blog will figure into my plans, but I’m not quite sure how yet.

Thanks for understanding and your continued support–I’ll have plenty of adventures to share when I return.  Look for an update in less than a month.

The word, “agriturismo,” combines the Italian words for agriculture and tourism and represents a unique accommodation choice for anyone traveling to Italy.  An agriturismo is a large Italian farmhouse that has been converted into a vacation home—some are luxurious while some are more basic, some have swimming pools while others offer activities in the area, some serve food while others sell their own local products like olive oil, wine, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

   These rural retreats are a great choice for families—room rates are usually significantly less than in town (particularly if you stay for longer periods of time), there is privacy and peacefulness in the countryside, as mentioned, many agriturismos offer swimming pools, and many also offer playgrounds, bikes to rent, and other family-friendly activities.

   While agriturismos can be found all over Italy (the luxurious and serene Casa del Conte in Montereale Valcellina, near Pordenone in Northern Italy is an ideal vacation spot for anyone looking for a luxurious, but affordable in a unique hotel in Italy pictured above), to continue the series on Lake Garda, here are three agriturismo choices near Italy’s largest lake:

Agriturismo La Rocca: This unusual hotel is just a five-minute drive away from Bardolino, a quaint village known for its wine and food.  With an incredible view of the Italian countryside, Bardolino, and Lake Garda, this farmhouse also offers a swimming pool, mountain biking and hiking opportunities, and wine produced right there on the grounds.

Agriturismo Armea: Located within day-trip’s driving distance of Venice, Verona, Vicenza and other popular destinations in Northern Italy, this farmhouse is also located just 4 kilometers away from Sirmione, Lake Garda’s most popular city.  The agriturismo boasts food that is “really tied to the housewife’s tradition,” a swimming pool, and apartments with kitchenettes if desired—all at very reasonable prices.

Eden Marone: This agriturismo is located in Riva del Garda offers magnificent views and many activities for the adventure enthusiasts including bike tours (look for special deals that include time in the hotel and a mountain bike), windsurfing, horseback riding, and more.  An outdoor and indoor dining room with views of the lake serving local specialties makes this unique hotel an ideal retreat.

   There are more agriturismo choices in the Lake Garda area for anyone looking for an unusual and authentic hotel experience while visiting Lake Garda.

This post is part of Sunday’s Special Unique Accommodation Series, where an unsusual, special and unique accommodation choice is featured every Sunday. There are plenty of other choices when it comes to unique accommodations, so check out the Unique Accommodation Collection for more ideas. And come back next Sunday for a new hotel to add to your “someday” list!