Staying cozy next to a herd of cattle may not seem to be the most appealing method to spend your next vacation – but don’t pack for the city just yet. As agricultural tourism continues to grow, more luxury properties than ever before are jumping on the trend, cultivating their very own farms and gardens and expanding existing amenities to appeal to savvy travelers. Today, it shouldn’t be unusual for working farms and ranches to supply award-winning restaurants, elegant wellness resorts, artisan cooking demonstrations and five-star accommodations. Even Ewa Gabor Green acres would need to approve.
Despite their rustic charm, the best of these resorts remain refreshingly (and literally) right down to earth. Each immerses guests in their unique terroir and offers them the too-often ignored gift of plenty of space, fresh air and silence, whether you are learning methods to make preserves, horseback riding in the Andes, or forest bathing in the foothills. Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. Here are some of the best farm stays in the world where you’ll be able to reconnect with nature Paws Up Center in the heart of the American West all the method to South Africa Towers of Babylon.
Blackberry farm
The gold standard of rural retreats, Blackberry farm is predicated on a 4,200-acre estate in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. Relais & Châteaux’s impressive culinary team – which incorporates a master gardener, baker, cheesemaker, forager, butcher, canner and sommelier – has transformed the James Beard Award-winning Barn at Blackberry Farm into one of the most famed restaurants in the country. Immerse yourself in local treasures on a farm tour, join an artisan cooking demonstration, or play fetch with the truffle-hunting Lagotto Romagnolo dogs. Those on the lookout for a bit of leisure will love the Wellhouse forest bathing and spa program, set in an enthralling 1870s farmhouse.
Thumbs up for the resort
Live your life Yellowstone high style fantasy at Paws Up Center, found on a 37,000-acre cattle ranch outside of Missoula, Montana. Choose from cozy pine cottages or, in summer, glamping tents pitched along the Blackfoot River. Travelers on the lookout for more luxurious accommodations can post at Green O, a sister property with Pritzker-worthy treehouses and eight-course dinners by acclaimed chef Brandon Cunningham. No matter where you sleep, there are plenty of outdoor adventures awaiting you at a resort so large it could possibly be a national park. Join guided activities starting from dog sledding and skiing to rafting and fly fishing.
The Rosewood Cape kidnappers
6,000 acre sheep and cattle farm at the end of New Zealand’s famous Hawke’s Bay Wine Route The Rosewood Cape kidnappers overlooks the Cape Sanctuary, the country’s largest privately owned wildlife restoration project and kiwi baby bird sanctuary. Join conservation guides on night tours, visit the largest and most accessible gannet colony in the world, and revel in a wide ranging sunrise atop the Cape’s towering cliffs. Guests may also enjoy Hawke’s Bay’s spectacular landscape while dining on local produce and freshly picked vegetables, fruit and herbs from the resort’s garden.
Eight Évoras
Set in the idyllic Alentejo area of south-central Portugal, lower than two hours from Lisbon, Eight Évoras invites travelers to flee the pressures of city life. The 25-acre farm estate, which incorporates an olive grove, vegetable garden and orchard, supplies its restaurant, À Terra, with organic, seasonal produce. Experience the beauty of the surrounding plains as you stargaze, bird watch, hike, bike or horseback ride. Octant Évora also offers workshops on nature photography, grape harvesting and prickly pear picking.
Murlo Estate
Discover la dolce vita na Murlo estate, an exclusive estate positioned in the green hills of Umbria, Italy, which has been owned by the same family for generations. Set in the heart of a ten,000-acre estate of centuries-old olive groves, forests and valleys, the farm raises goats, chickens, rabbits, pigeons and geese, in addition to bees that produce raw honey. Don’t miss the on-site organic vineyard, which supplies wine to the hotel’s Il Caldaro restaurant. All rooms at the hotel are set in medieval stone buildings that were once farmers’ homes and have been beautifully transformed into contemporary villas and apartments with private gardens and swimming pools.
Hacienda Zuleta
One of the best hotels in Ecuador, Hacienda Zuleta has prestigious roots; it has belonged to the family of the former president of Galo Plaza Lasso for over 100 years. Situated in the Andes north of Quito, the colonial-era farm produces most of its food from its own produce, including homemade jams, cheeses, milk and freshly caught trout. Hike to hidden mountain lakes, bird watch in the hope of spotting the rare Andean condor, or explore the meadows on the Hacienda’s Zuleteño horses.
Towers of Babylon
A spot that was once known as “The Versailles of vegetable gardens” Towers of Babylon is amongst the oldest and most stunning historic farmsteads in Cape Dutch South Africa. Inspired in part by the mythological Hanging Gardens of Babylon, 12 acres of fruit and vegetables feature two on-site restaurants that serve seasonal dishes reminiscent of fire-roasted beets with plum vinegar and homemade gnocchi with farm-grown mushrooms. (Then there are also a delicatessen, a bakery, a butcher’s shop, a cheese shop, olive groves and a winery). Guests can chill out and eat here or gain more practical skills during expert-led workshops on making your individual meats or growing plants from scratch.
Golden Sun
You won’t look forward to finding a 20-acre farm in the Caribbean, but Cayman Brac does Golden Sun is centered around an organic estate. Access to fresh produce on such a distant island is greater than only a welcome convenience; helps provide the community with nutritious food. Enjoy an ever-expanding menu of fresh juices and cocktails reminiscent of the sorrel margarita, made with farm-grown ingredients, and freshly picked peppers, okra and eggplant, complemented by local fish and lobster. In addition to cooking classes and farm tours, the hotel concierge can arrange days of snorkeling, diving, cycling, mountaineering and mountaineering on Cayman Brac’s pristine cliffs and beaches.
Credit : www.thezoereport.com
