If someone on the internet has recently told you that it’s time to “get outside and touch grass,” you may be wondering…what grass? Where?
As the world spends more and more time online (or in the Metaverse), agritourism is skyrocketing in popularity. Farmers and ranchers are opening up their properties to us curious cyborgs who just want to get back in tune with nature. But this is a far cry from Paris Hilton visiting a farm on “The Simple Life.” On an agritourism vacation, you could learn everything from how to grow rice to how to herd cattle — and, you might just be even able to get a massage with oil harvested from an olive grove 50 feet away.
We’ve found some of the world’s coolest agriturismos where you can partake in working farm life -– or simply just enjoy a place where the grass truly is greener. From Curacao to Taiwan, these are eight of the most relaxing and unforgettable agritourism vacation spots in the world.
Taiwan
Experience some of Taiwan’s most peaceful vistas at the Villa of Permaculture. Located in Hualien County, the villa is a luxury farm stay in the middle of organic orchards, vegetable gardens and an unbelievably beautiful lake. Although the accommodations are modern and serene, if you choose, you can get your hands dirty in the field. The owners will explain how they farm the land and maybe even introduce you to Tian Tian, a goose who follows them around.
This is as close as most of us will ever get to “Under the Tuscan Sun.” The Lapini family has been running the farm at Podere Campriano for four generations. And guests who visit are temporarily adopted in the family, learning about everything from the vineyards to the olive orchards. You’ll stay in a picturesque 18th century Tuscan villa, covered in vines and excellent vibes. The farm is in the heart of “Chianti Classico” and maintains the standards of the famous region. Partake in cooking classes or tours of the winery to learn about the splendors of Chianti cuisine firsthand.
This is California at its best. The 120 acres of land at NewTree Ranch in Sonoma County are run with sustainability in mind – without skimping on one ounce of luxury. Each stay is extremely customizable, from where you sleep to book recommendations that the team personally selects for you. The ranch’s motto is “do less, more deeply,” but that doesn’t mean there’s any shortage of activities. Learn about bee rewilding, take an art class in a field, do yoga with goats, forest bathe among the ranch’s Redwood trees or harvest vegetables in the biodynamic garden.
The Art of Ranch Chic: Sophistication in Simplicity
If your tastes veer more towards the rugged and the majestic, escape to an estancia in Chile’s Patagonia. Spend the day alongside gauchos at Estancia Cerro Guido and you’ll be feeding horses, harvesting plants and collecting eggs from chickens. If you want to get out and see the best of Patagonia, the estancia can arrange experiences like four-wheeling through Torres del Paine National Park to see its pampas, lakes and glaciers. At the end of an adventurous day, go back to your room where you can shower with organic toiletries, then collapse into a plush bed beneath a glass chandelier.
Luxury, history and agriculture combine at Boschendal Cottages. You can stay in a cottage built in 1685, designed by one of South Africa’s most famous architects, Herbert Baker. Or opt for something more modern with the 12-person villa, complete with private swimming pool. No matter your accommodation, you’ll have access to the entire farm, where you can hike across orchards, swim in dams or bike through vineyards. When you want to taste the fruits of the land, stop by The Werf Restaurant, where you’ll dine on local, seasonal organic produce and wine from grapes grown just across the estate.
Wild Beauty Meets Timeless Elegance
The colorful six-bedroom B&B at Plantation Jan Thiel Lodge has changed hands many times since it was founded back in the early 1600s. But it’s only since the most recent owners purchased the land in 2016 that it’s become a destination for tourists looking to get back in touch with nature (island style). The grounds are yours to wander at your leisure and you’ll want to take your time exploring every inch of the acres. You’ll come across horses, cats, dogs, chicken and even flamingos at the nature reserve in the backyard. (Yes, you read that correctly.)
When you’re so stressed out that it seems like nothing could calm you down, it’s time to sit in a literal field of lavender. Los Poblanos is a working lavender farm with 25 acres of the relaxing purple flower. Everything about the farmstay is dedicated to local culture, from the restaurant that uses only organic local produce to the spa where, you guessed it, treatments include seasonal botanicals harvested from the farm. Visit mid-June through July to see the lavender blooms at their peak. (And be sure to stop by the farm shop for treats like lavender-infused gin.)
