Hard Choices, or Your Irresistible Idyllic Italian Vacation

Would you be my home away from home? The infinity pool outside Il Fontanaro's Villa Tartagli.

(Click photo for larger view and slideshow.)

If you're planning a trip to Italy come spring, summer or fall, it's not too early to start thinking about what kind of experience (or experiences) you'd like to have. Of course it can be difficult to choose sometimes, what with 20 to-die-for gorgeous regions, approximately 50 World Heritage Sites, a ton of famous and not-so-famous islands, and more food, art, history and culture that you knew even existed!

Let's just say if you're thinking of enjoying a few relaxing days in the countryside, you can do no wrong by choosing an agritourism weekend in Tuscany or Umbria, or a few days in a masseria Pugliese.

I have already described to audiences one of my favorite agritourism experiences at the Umbrian Le Mandrie di San Paolo, but I have to say that, last August, another Umbrian venue took its place as my favorite agritourism stay thus far: Il Fontanaro Organic Farmhouse.

Looking up at a tall tower from little Paciano's main square. This is quiet Italy at its best.

I was lucky enough to be introduced to Il Fontanaro by one of my best friends in Rome and fellow blogger, Liz Knight (perhaps you've heard of her: check out Rome if you Want To!).

An easy train ride from Rome, Il Fontanaro lies close to what is perhaps the smallest village I have ever seen (and all the better for it). Perfectly preserved, Paciano looks and feels like a movie set, thus it is no disappointment to realize that - apart from the presence of about ten other intriguing souls in the main piazza - you have this town practically all to yourself. 

Okay, let's get to the digs: Il Fontanaro works similar to what is known in Italy as an albergo diffuso, or dispersed hotel with villas a few kilometers one from the other; we girls were in the private Villa Tartagli, a scenic walk (no more than ten minutes!) from town. 

The lavender here really spoke to me. Go. You will understand.

You've truly not known the pure bliss of utter silence - laced with the totally zen gurgling from the infinity pool - till you've been to the Umbrian countryside; and don't get me started on the sensorial trifecta of the buttery-smooth rolling hills, the Mediterranean surroundings of lavender and olive trees, and a sunset that dreams are made of. I wanted nothing more than to stay another week, drinking coffee and writing by the pool (as I did when I made like an early bird and let the girls sleep on our last morning in paradise).

Just know that by coming here you're taking a risk, because at the end of your stay, you will have to make the hardest choice ever presented you: go home! 

Thanks to Liz for yet another fun weekend full of memories! And if you want to do more than just gab and chill by the pool as we girls did, get in touch with Alina at Il Fontanaro to find out what else you can do on her farm, including picking fruits and veggies from her garden, cooking in Il Fontanaro's kitchen and indulge in a tasting or two.

The sunset of my dreams lowers over the hills surrounding Il Fontanaro's Villa Tartagli.

If you're interested in other experiences in Italy and beyond, scroll up and visit the Med Moves archive on your right - pastoral or urban, there's always more fun to be had!

And if you missed the link to Il Fontanaro's website, here it is one more time: http://countryslowliving.com.