The first time I heard of Agriturismo Tananei was when a dear friend asked if I would like to spend some time at an olive grove in Tuscany. The Tuscan region of Italy is much talked about all over the world for it’s food, architecture,vineyards and lots more. Agriturismo essentially means a farm stay ; A vacation surrounded by farm lands which could either be an interactive experience for young children or also a soulfully uplifting one for grown ups.
The advantage of having like minded friends in Italy is in locating spots which are tucked away from the major tourist destinations. Tananei is a family run farm stay. David and Giorgia are the hosts of this wonderful experience. They both gave up busy corporate lives to follow their passion of managing an olive grove in the heart of Tuscany. Years of operating in managerial capacities have allowed them to have the skills set necessary to run their farm stay in a well organised manner. Accolades from Trip advisor are modestly displayed behind the front door.
Tananei is located in the municipality of Marliana. It is situated about 45 minutes car drive from the city of Florence. The drive to this village is scenic and the hilly terrain allows many mountain bikers to take advantage of these quiet country roads with it’s steep climbs and dips. There’s so much history around these villages. It’s wonderful to walk around and just explore by foot. There is a funicular (winch) which goes from Montecatini alto down to Montecatini terme ,known for it’s thermal springs and wellness centres. Montecatini Alto is about a 15 minute drive from Tananei.
Overlooking the vast stretch of olive trees and prettily appointed outdoor seating, the century old stone structure which Tananei offers to guests houses three bedrooms ,attached bathrooms, dining and living spaces which are aesthetically furnished. We were amazed at the way David and Giorgia had filled the interiors with modern amenities and at the same time managed to retain the old world charm in keeping with the exterior. Thoughtful additions for a comfortable and relaxed stay are found throughout the room. Truth be told, I would have been happy to just sit by the window with my book , a warm beverage and look out onto the unspoiled countryside. My favourite was the small cube of hand made olive oil face soap made in house by David.
A crackling fire in the hearth adds to the homely atmosphere which is evident throughout the house.
Breakfast is served between 8 and 10 am and Giorgia treates us to her cakes, breads and sumptuous tarts made with home made preserves. Juicy tomatoes, cheese from the area, country butter , naturally grown fruit and yoghurt are all part of the menu. Eggs are also on offer but I was more than happy to feast on just the dolce options.
The windows open out onto the olive grove and the quiet surroundings elevate the musical sounds of bird life all around.While olive trees predominantly dot the landscape all around these parts, the farm is also home to wild flowers of various hues. David’s trusty canine companion is quick at picking up wild boar scents and marks during his routine walks.
David’s parents live close by and he considers himself lucky that he could come back to his roots. His love for Olive trees ,he says,gave him the motivation needed to become certified as a National level taster of Extra virgin Olive Oil.He is also a sommelier for Olive Oil as well as wine. Every Wednesday David and Giorgia conduct an Extra virgin olive oil tasting session followed by a home cooked meal. The couple also grow their own herbs, kiwi fruit, kumquats and berries.
As I went for a morning walk with David through the olive grove, he pointed out the different varieties of the olive trees and how to identify them. It was most fascinating because the difference lay not in the shape or colour of the leaves but in the manner in which the trunk grew ! A twisted trunk , multiple trunks which grew from the ground up to form a single tree and a regular straight tree trunk with multiple branches would each produce olives which tasted different.The resulting olive oil would then vary from being bitter, sweet or in-between. The task of making the best blend of extra virgin olive oil would then depend on someone like David whose palate can distinguish the subtle differences in taste. David and Giorgia do sell bottles of their own extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in metal canisters or in dark coloured glass bottles.This keeps the sunlight from penetrating inside and turning the oil rancid.The trees had just begun to bud and the olives would apparently be ripe for picking by end October or early November.
Another important advantage of procuring oil from these (wild) natural olive groves is that they are untouched by pollution as they are surrounded by natural forests. Some trees go back several hundred years. With vehicular traffic down to a minimum in these small roads the trees are protected from exhaust fumes.
The couple are also great conversationalists.They are generous in sharing information and have an insatiable curiosity for other cultures. They do take a break every year from their work and like to travel extensively. India is on their ‘must see’ list and Giorgia’s enthusiasm to see the world is endearing . She captures her travels in brilliantly composed photographs illustrated in glossy hard bound books which are displayed at the foot of the curving stairway. Their passion for conservation tourism is obvious.
The driveway is flanked by shrubs of aromatic rosemary with their pretty mauve flowers, curly tendrils of plants bearing young berries, citrus fruit and of course the acreage of wild olive trees. It not just soothed my ‘farmer soul’ but made it seem like all was right with the world !
The experience here at Tananei is child friendly but also perfect for a solo vacation or even for couples looking for a special getaway. The location is unspoiled, the villagers are friendly and the local eateries serve delicious Italian fare. To live one’s dream is a blessing and to be able to share it with others in an untainted manner is a gift !
Note
Contact : www.tananei.com
Telphone:+39 3285597126
Email: [email protected]
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