Is there an Agriturismo you adore in Northern Italy?

We stayed at an agriturismo in the Lake Garda area near Desanzano Del Garda. It wasn't our favorite location as an area but had a very nice pool area, accommodation was reasonable and on the weekend we were there they had a wine and food mini-fair with multiple producers. Lost of familie with young kids, although some of the older guests got really grumpy with the children playing around the pool. The staff were very nice too. We were able to drive to Sirmione, and Desenzano is on the main Milan - Venice train line. I actually found it quite difficult to find decent accommodation with a pool in the Veneto without going around Lake Garda - but we did have the requirement that it be realtively near the trainline as my husband had to work in Milan so did the commute. https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Hotel_Review-g664151-d1535035-Reviews-Agriturismo_La_Filanda-Manerba_del_Garda_Province_of_Brescia_Lombardy.html -

There are hundreds and hundreds of agriturismos in Italy, and specifically Tuscany. With farms only averaging 20 acres, the farmers need other sources of income. And virtually every single farm has rooms and apartments for rent. They're everywhere.

Thanks David. We've stayed in quite a few Agriturismi over the years with contrasting experiences - some being a little impersonal, and others really special and intimate. (It can be hard to discern from websites or directories) Was just curious if members had any specific reccomendations...

Well, yes, I adored this one at Lake Orta: il cucchiaio di legno. I'm not sure it's what you're looking for, as it's not out in the country with big farm animals. It's walking distance from the Orta Miasino train station and walking distance to the town of Orta San Giulio, with great walking trails from there up into the hills around the lake. The food is out of this world wonderful, and they grow a lot of it themselves. Their Piedmont wine list is exceptional. I loved it and would go back any time. I also loved the Lake Orta area, a sentiment not universally shared here. They have a playground, great breakfasts, and comfortable rooms, but it's not rural and remote. I don't remember a pool, but I'm not usually looking for a pool and it was cool and rainy when I visited.

So - for what it's worth - my two cents on a favourite agriturismo.

hi strohl
had friends stay in the asti/piedmont area near milan and loved it. seems people that fly to milan don't wanna stay, take a train to lake como, verona, venice where all the crowds go during summer. you can check out agrilacorte.com or somewhere near lake garda.
we spent 2 nights in bardolino on lake garda at hotel nettuno for their annual wine festival sept/oct few years back. it was fabulous, beautiful, right on the lake. you can also look at apartments in the lake area. hope you'll have a car to get around.
had customers come from udine, north of venice and always said it's gorgeous, come visit. not yet. they told me about farmhouse siacco di povoletto, north of venice. also check villacoren.com
we stayed and venice and took a prosecco road private tour, train to susegana or conegliano. that area is worth a visit, small villages, lush and green, small wineries with tasty "drinks", vineyards planted perfectly up the mountain/hills, great food in family restaurants with views along the way, no "commute" traffic like we're us too. haha
hope this gives you some info even though you're a seasoned traveler. check out agriturismo.net or booking.com may have things. happy "hunting"
aloha

Thanks so much Nelly and Princess Pupule - really helpful information.

I think the places you both suggested are in the right sweet spot - charming, not too slick, but enough comfortable amenities and a good location. We've found some gems in the past - little family run places that felt effortless.

Branching out to the Piedmonte area is a thought, we'll keep poking around. Thanks!