In Touch With Nature

Published Aug. 1, 2010 at 7:23 a.m.
It's great to make new friends here in Piedmont, so it was good to meet up again with Maria Pia Lottini of Agriturismo Tenuta Antica who we met recently at a neighbours wine tasting. Last night we enjoyed a lovely meal in her restaurant which featured a sensational seasonal risotto,  made by Maria Pia's mother, as well as a beautiful rabbit roll roasted with a filling of omelette and pepperoni, all washed down with their excellent 2009 Dolcetto d'Asti, Daniele, named after one of Maria Pia's sons.

Casa Dolcetto is very happy to recommend this lovely Agriturismo which is immersed in beautiful countryside at the heart of the Langa Astigiana.

A holiday at Tenuta Antica is centered around the Busdone farmhouse, a typical example of Piemonte rural architecture. Built towards the end of the 18th century, the building has been carefully restored to maintain its original characteristics. Of special note is the large cellar featuring vaults, arches, rafters and columns, built with local stones and bricks, a truly architectural masterpiece. Surrounding the farmhouse are the Barbera and Dolcetto vineyards, the orchards, the vegetable garden and the hazelnut grove which are all cultivated using organic methods.

Staying on a farm in Italy will bring you into contact with the country. Relaxation, serenity and peace of mind can all be found here, away from urban landscapes and beyond the normal tourist sites. A true agriturismo is a working farm that offers accommodation to tourists and in order for that farm to qualify as an agriturismo, a certain percentage of the farm's income must be derived from agriculture.

Agriturismo Tenuta Antica offers a number of suites with private bathrooms that can host from 2 to 6 people, a good solution for families with children or groups. There is also a multifunctional common room, with a wonderful view on the Astigiane hills, suitable for indoor recreation, training activities, table games, reading, chatting or simply relaxing in front of the fireplace.

The location of Agriturismo Tenuta Antica is ideal, if you are visiting this part of Northern Italy.  Situated between the Mediterranean  and the Italian Alps, it is only about an hours drive from the Riviera and ninety minutes or so from Genoa and Turin. Nearby are the Romanesque city of Acqui Terme, famous for its thermal waters and spas, Alba, the city of the White Truffle and Canelli, well known for its underground Cathedrals of Wine.

Experience rural life in Piedmont, enjoy its slower rhythm, sample the local products and witness the wonderful natural cycle of agricultural life.

As Maria Pia says: "In this peaceful rural environment you can spend relaxing days in touch with nature".



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