Agriturismo & A/C

Susan,
My guess would be that most would not have it. Energy is very expensive, they would have to pay more for electrical lines to carry the load, structual modifications to solid stone buildings is expensive.

Definitely not. Of course, part of the charm of an old farmhouse is the design for natural cooling - thick walls, shutters, etc.

It's hard to appreciate, until you travel in Europe (and of course, other parts of the world), how we take for granted ample supplies of cheap electricity.

Ample supplies of electricity?

How about ample supplies of ice in your drinks, free tap water and coffee refills? Bottomless Cokes and iced tea?

But I can't wait to go back.

In any case, in reply to Susan, consider going in heating rather than cooling season or at least during spring and fall. Europeans know what heating is even if they think 85F is cool. We never go in summer.

As a warning, even if they have A/C, the months they can use it in Italy is restricted by law. For example, we found out that A/C must be off starting Oct 1 and heat can't be turned on until Nov 1. So we cooked one day (of 5) in Sorrento and froze 2 days (of 5) in Rome - all in October.

Our agriturismo did not have AC but I wouldn't worry too much. We were there in late June and the fact of the matter is that since you're usually out in the countryside you don't really need AC. I actually had to close my windows at night so it wouldn't get too cold.

We stayed at an agriturismo outside of Orvieto - no AC and it was not missed. The home was very thick stone walls with a lot of lush vegitation around it. Nice ceiling fans provided all the cooling that was needed - and this was in July/August!!!

Susan - When I book hotels rooms for Europe in the summer I ALWAYS verify whether or not there is A/C. I never take it for granted. I pretty much require A/C in the cities in order to sleep but not so much in the country as you can have the windows open and it's not humid/sticky like at home. We were in Tuscany this past summer and it was over 90 during the day. The agriturismo we stayed at had no A/C. We closed our windows and curtains during the day and the place stayed relatively cool. By the time we got to bed (later than usual as dinner isn't served till after 8:00) we could open the windows, put on the ceiling fan and feel great. We even slept under the comforter as the breeze was quite cool.

The place we stayed at several years ago did have A/C and in that case we just left it on. Bottom line is you can find this out via the hotel websites and then again when you contact them directly I'd verify and the decide whether you really need it or not.

Susan, no two Agris are the same. We have stayed in Agris with and without AC. Ask. Some places that have AC will not turn it on unless it is quite hot. Again, always ask before you reserve.