The Podere Conti estate, a 200 hectare estate and organic farm, extends to the Emilian-Tuscan National Park, a Unesco Biosphere Reserve, and offers great panoramic views over the Magra Valley. The property, which was previously the largest farm in the Dobbiana Valley, was purchased in 2003 by the Conti family, who converted it into a hotel and restaurant as well as their family home.
For the hosts Cornelia and Corrado, the house with the large property on the edge of the national park is a dream come true. Shortly after purchasing the property, they began restoring olive groves and fruit trees, all strictly following the guidelines of organic farming. Meanwhile, they converted the property into guest accommodation and a restaurant. Here in the area you and your guests can now experience beautiful and authentic Italy.
The twelve different sized rooms and apartments offer space for two to six people. Each accommodation takes its name from a flower or plant found in the nature around the accommodation. All rooms are equipped with the same finishes typical of the region: terracotta floors and ceiling tiles with wooden beams and chestnut wood doors and windows. Furniture, carpets and other furnishings have been lovingly collected from abroad, creating a fused but uncluttered style.
Doppelzimmer | from80 € |
Apartment | from160 € |
ArchitectureThe house has been largely furnished with traditional building materials (Tuscan terracotta floors and roof tiles, doors and windows made of local chestnut wood).
FoodThe accommodation consistently uses seasonal food from the region and follows the slow food principle. All food waste is carefully separated and either used for the animals on the farm or composted. In the in-house restaurant, mostly local dishes are on the menu. The cuisine places great emphasis on using all parts of a fruit, vegetable or animal to avoid waste and promote a sustainable cooking culture.
Podere Conti is one of the largest employers in the district and regularly trains its employees on occupational safety, health and hygiene issues. They also take on students from local hotel and agricultural schools as interns, as does Woofer (via WWOOF - World Wide Organization for Organic Farms).
EnvironmentAt the property, energy and heat comes from solar panels and wood, while the hosts have a strict zero-waste policy that includes waste separation, recycling and reuse. In addition, they use collected rainwater from roofs and have restored mountain streams for agricultural purposes. Their cleaning practices are as eco-friendly as possible, and they offer organic toiletries to their guests. On the organically certified farm, Cornelia and Corrado practice regenerative agriculture and invite their guests to cooking courses and collecting tours. In addition, they actively participate in a nationwide restaurant competition organized by MaB UNESCO and the national parks. Their goal is to promote and support local products in order to emphasize regional diversity and sustainability.
Well-BeingThere is a multifunctional room on site that can be used as a gym, children's playroom (table tennis/foosball) and a yoga and retreat room. The hosts also have contacts with a range of local practitioners offering massages, aesthetic treatments and yoga, and yoga, Qi Gong, juice fasting and Thai yoga massage retreats take place regularly.
European Certification of Sustainable Tourism
Doppelzimmer | from80 € |
Apartment | from160 € |
Unfortunately it is not possible to reach Podere Conti by public transport. The nearest train station is in Pontremoli, pick-up can be organized on request (approx. 15 euros). From Bologna it takes just under 2.5 hours to get to the accommodation (190 km). From Genoa it takes a good 1.5 hours (124 km), from Florence it takes a good 2 hours (186 km) and from Pisa it takes a good hour (99 km). The exact address can be found on the website.
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