What is an Agriturismo?
An Agriturismo is the Italian legal classification for a working farm/vineyard that is licensed to provide 'tourists' with accommodation, food and wine, a proportion of which has to be grown on the farm. Cascina Papaveri produces organic Barbera D'Asti DOC wine and organic vegetables.
What does Cascina Papaveri mean?
Cascina is the local name for this type of traditional farmhouse, it takes the name from the hay lofts usually built on the first floor above the cattle mangers. Papaveri is Italian for poppy, and the property from early May until mid June property is just a sea of red poppies.
Why come to Piemonte? Surely Tuscany is the place to go?
Tuscany is a beautiful region of Italy, and obviously Florence, Pisa and Sienna are magnets for tourist BUT, we believe Piemonte has a number of advantages.
- It's not over run by tourists. The people are genuinely pleased to see you and prices in bars and ristorante are not inflated.
- You can be in the Alps, at the beach, or on the northern lakes within 2 hours drive.
- Turino the capital of Piemonte is an elegent French influenced city of wide boulevards and famous museums and of course the shroud. It?s reputation as a grimy industrial city is completely false. Today the old Fiat plant at Lingotto, with its famous roof top race track is a conference centre and hotel complex. The suburbs and industrial areas of Florence and Venice are no better than Turino's.
- Hosting the winter 2006 Olympics has transformed Turino and the Alpine winter sports facilities into a world class destination.
- South East Piemonte centred around Asti, Alba, Bra and Cortemilia is the wine and gastronomic powerhouse of Italy. The 'Slow Food' organisation has just opened a new university dedicated to food near Bra. In our village of Costigliole the International Culinary Institute for Foreigners ICIF is housed in part of the castle and teaches overseas chefs Italian cooking and wine appreciation.
- Virtually every weekend throughout the year, villages hold events and festivals re enacting historical events or celebrating local food and wine.
Getting here
- By Air: Airports of Milano, Turino, and Genoa are all within 1.5-2 hours drive serving low cost European flights with International flights from Malpensa, Milano.
- By Train: Asti station has excellent rail connections to the whole of Italy and continental Europe.
- Driving distances: Turino 1.25 hours Milano and Genoa 1.75 hours Olympic standard ski fields 2 hours as are the lakes and Aosta. The beaches of the Italian Riviera will be less then 1.5hours drive following the opening of the new Asti to Cuneo motorway in 2006. Cinque Terre the fabulous hill top fishing villages 2.5 hours. Serravalle, the large designer store outlet near Genova is 1.5 hours. Nice, Zurich and Geneva are a 4 hour drive. Calais on the English Channel is a 13 hour drive.
- Full directions are available for both car and rail travel.
Does everything take place on the property?
Yes, unlike many other special interest holidays being offered, guests sleep, eat, relax and all activities take on the property. This gives you a stress free resort experience.
Is the chef Italian?
Yes. Gino Minacapilli was born in the Piedmont and lives with his young family in the next village where he worked as a chef and hotel manager for 20 years.
This is a very common question as many 'Itallian' cooking schools do not have native Italian teaching chefs.
This is a very common question as many 'Itallian' cooking schools do not have native Italian teaching chefs.
Do I need to bring anything special to wear or use on the courses?
We provide all course equipment and materials.
Please DO bring swimsuits, trunks, trainers and suitable leggings for Pilates, and suitable closed top shoes such as trainers for the teaching kitchen.
Hairdyers, and bathrobes are provided, you may want to bring slippers for the swimming pool / Pilates areas.
What is the climate like?
The Alps, North Atlantic Gulf Stream and weather from North Africa combine to give this region a unique microclimate. Cascina papaveri is on the leeward side of the alps, which are clearly visible from the property. The Alps extend from the South West around to the North shielding this small region from prevailing wind and rain throughout the year. As a consequence this small area has very low rainfalls (under 20 inches / 600 mm per year) little wind and an alpine climate with sunshine hours per year equal with Southern Italy.
Winter: Mid November to mid March
Winter: Mid November to mid March
- Low rainfall, snow on average 3 times per winter. Temps can be as low as minus 10 Celsius but normally 0 in early morning raising to 8>10 degrees Celsius during day. Fine crisp sunny days are typical of this period. Alpine weather!
Spring: Mid March to end of May
- Some periods of rain during April, but warmer temperatures in high 20?s celsius by end of May. Mist hangs in the valleys below us before being burnt off by the sun. A magical time for both painting and photography
Summer: June > Mid September
- Hot dry weather, average temperatures in 30 degree celsius range. Balmy nights with outside temperatures rarely dropping below 25 degrees. Occasional thunderstorms in July and August.
Autumn: Mid September to mid November
- September through to mid October is the grape harvest season with warm clear days. October is probably the wettest month, but temperatures are still in the low 20's. November is becoming colder with shorter days
Being so high, we are normally above the early morning mists that form in the valleys below, and only perhaps once a year we experience the fog (nebbia) that the Po valley between Turino and Milano is noted for.
What about partner holidays?
Apart from all the facilities in the Agriturismo it is possible with some fore warning of personal likes etc. set up an itinerary of visits/ activities of interest for your partner. It's quite possible that some of the visits planned as part of the course may be of interest. If you want to explore the surrounding area, a hire car is recommended.
What does 'all inclusive' really mean?
The intention is for guests not to worry about the 'final bill' with all the extras that hotels dream up. It is easier to list the items not included.
- Airfares and airport transfers. (Transfers from Asti rail station at no cost).
- Internet low cost telephone calls charged at actual cost.
- Travel and health insurance.
- Go Truffle hunting in season; black truffles can be found most of the year, and white from early October through to January. Cost per person Euro 35.
- Horse trail riding is possible based upon minimum of three people cost is Euro 20 per hour and is normally approx. Two hour duration
- Everything else is including local taxes and tips are covered in the price.
Can I be flexible in the course workshops I take?
Yes, you can, after all it's your your vacation. Workshops will be at fixed times depending upon the programme, we have developed the schedules for both courses so that there is virutally no overlap. See ' itinerary' under whats included and itinerary.
