The Fattoria Poggio di Fiesole is an historical organic olive oil farm and agriturismo, located at the top of a quiet and pristine hill. Immersed in the peaceful Tuscan countryside, its proximity to Fiesole and Firenze makes it a great base for any kind of stay. Steeped in history, from its initial founding as a convent to its hosting mythical yoga retreats in the 60’s and 70’s, our farmhouse has always been a shelter where to find calm and connect with nature. Now benefiting from modern equipment (AC, Wifi) our guests can look out of their window to see Fiesole and Firenze on one side, their museums and monuments, sparkling lights and night scenes, while on the other lays the timeless landscape of vineyards and groves, hiking paths and bike trails, and its hidden wonderful small producers. The temptation to stay on the farm’s fields will be strong, though. Days can be spent wandering through our tranquil olive groves, visiting our small streams, picking bouquets of vibrant wildflowers, basking in the glow of a bonfire, or cooking your own bistecca on our stone bbq. Some might take advantage of our yoga classes, and kids will gladly laugh the day away sliding and swinging, or climbing on our forgiving olive trees. We can also provide you with a deeper dive into our world and history. We offer farm visits of our organic olive oil and honey productions, as well as tours on the edible wild plants in our region. To fully embrace the serenity of your stay, we also offer massages, as well as cleaning and laundry services, or logistical help with shuttles from the airport and bike rental. The privileged position of our farm, nested high on its hill, provides us with ideal weather conditions yearlong –never too warm or cold, dry or wet– allowing plants, wildlife, and humans to thrive together. Few are the weeks in a year when you won't be able to spot the colored stains of flowers flashing in our fields, or hear the sweet songs of some birds high in the cypress trees.
The Fattoria Poggio di Fiesole has a tradition of hosting visitors from all around the world for most of its history, as a shelter when it was a convent established in the 15th century, or during yoga retreats, held in the 60's and 70's, with some of the most important yoga masters of the era, by Vanda Scaravelli, grandmother of the current owners. These deep roots in local tradition allied to an unique openness to the world define our agriturismo. Our farm has always cared for olive trees and fields in a natural, chemical free way, from the hundreds of years of labor by the ancestral contadini, to the organic methodology set in place by Vanda's son, Alberto Scaravelli as early as the 1970's. We pursue his vision of a better way of producing, by trying to achieve sustainability in all the aspects of our activities. Our approach to farming, which is constantly pushing the standards of organic agriculture towards a form of permaculture, creates a healthy environment. From our water source, through our soils and to the air, our efforts can be tasted, breathed, and seen. Nowadays, Alberto's sons, Enrico and Dario, along with their mother Gabriella and their cousins Anna and Pietro, who live at the farm, try to provide you with the same peace that the fattoria's guests have been enjoying for centuries. Coming from various shores and trades, this new generation tries to infuse its former experiences in hospitality, architecture, higher education, and travels into this family farm. We add each new stone of this edifice with the highest respect for those who laid the ones before, and are always curious of who will come next. Fluent in four languages, eager to share and to help you make the most of your stay, our family will be happy to add you to the ever growing history of our farm.
When you look down from our farm, both city or country are wide open at your feet. Worlds of cultural treasures, gastronomical feasts, and endless activities awaits you on each side. To fully enjoy a stay at our farm, a car or bikes are advised, the peace of our land coming at the cost of a few miles distance from the centers of Fiesole and Firenze. Still a dreamy commute to get down in town, behind your wheel Fiesole is only a 5 minutes of panoramic road away, and Firenze's center can be reached in 15 minutes. But you might be tempted to slow down and enjoy the show as you roll down the hill. Taxi services can of course help you do without a car, buses and trains are a short but steep hike away for the bravest. Besides the obvious reasons why you might want to discover those cities, let's cite the legendary Alcedo pastry shop of Fiesole, for an instanteneous jump back in fellini's sweet fifties, or the breathtaking terrasse view of the local Casa del Popolo, where to simmer an aperitivo after a long walk on the trails or in the museums. The list of close by restaurants that you should try during your stay could not fit in this space. But once you'll get here we'll tell you where to go on which day of the week and what to order there. Away from the crowded twin cities, quieter marvels await at every corner. A day ride along the Mugello's wilder areas could result in a trunk full of wines, cheeses, meats and other equally delicious provisions, from the most authentic local producers, for a value that could be hard to imagine. Outdoors activities for youngers and less youngers are plentyful in all season, with water points, adventure parks, horse riding, hiking and biking a short drive away. Whatever the theme of your stay will be, we would be happy to help you explore the map of this land so rich of surprises that it keeps on surprising us too.
