farm tour germany

Farm Stay Planet

Farm Stay Germany:

Farm stay planet.

MAP SEARCH: GO HERE TO SEE ALL OUR RECOMMENDED FARM STAYS IN GERMANY IN 2024

Bavaria, Germany’s deep south and perhaps its most iconic state is a truly wonderful place. In particular the Upper Bavarian countryside is, even quite near Munich, a dreamland of castles, forests and lakes, raising itself higher and higher as you go south before ascending majestically into the German Alps.

The terrain is generally not as Alpine as in neighbouring Austria although in some places like around Konigsee for example the scenery is so dramatic and rugged you feel you could be anywhere in the Swiss or Austrian Alps.

Upper Bavaria is full of small, tidy little villages full of flowers and beautifully kept half-timbered houses. Read more about Bavaria..

And it has many awe inspiring castles, one of which, Neuschwanstein Castle near town of Füssen, was the inspiration for the castle in the Disney animation Sleeping Beauty. It is also a sporting paradise, with everything from Skiing and snow boarding in the winter to horse riding, hiking, biking and paragliding in summer.

Our Recommended Farm Stays in Bavaria

Baden-Wurttermburg

Baden-Wurttermburg in the South West of Germany is an amalgamation of three different states all originally connected by their Swabian identity. The Swabians being an independently minded people who are stereotyped as hard working and sensible rural folk.

They have a very different dialect of German as well as a distinct cuisine that many would say is the best in Germany and you can’t help but sample on one of the many farmstays in the region.

They also love their wine and Baden-Wurttemberg is definitely a centre of German winemaking, with the vineyards almost creeping into the suburbs of Stuttgart, the regional capital. Read more about Baden-Wurttermburg...

It is also home to the beautiful, mysterious Black Forest, one of Europe’s most iconic areas, and where the hiking and mountain biking scene is huge.

There are also plenty of opportunity for horse riding, and swimming in some of its famous lakes, the most well known being the great lake of Bodensee.

Outside of industrial Stuttgart there are a lot of very pretty towns and villages where the pace of life is slow and the people warm and friendly.

Our Recommended Farm Stays in Baden-Wurttermburg

The once important state of Saxony, in the North East was made somewhat ordinary by the GDR but these days with its capital, the beautiful Dresden, and to a lesser extent, the lively university city of Leipzig, becoming tourist favourites, it has started to come alive.

Even its cities and town don’t have the cosmopolitan feel of most of the old West Germany and its rural areas, like in neighbouring Thuringia, are very traditionally German.

There are many wild areas of outstanding beauty, the Erzgebirge National Park for example, or what is known as the Saschische Schweiz, or Saxon Switzerland, due to its dramatic landscapes. Read more about Saxony….

Our Recommended Farm Stays in Saxony

Lower Saxony

Lower Saxony the huge state that borders both Holland and the North Sea, isn’t really on the tourist map at all, for agritourism or much else, and in some ways that’s a pity.

This ‘ordinary state’ has a rich history, with a long connection to the Nordic countries, Holland and Britain. It was the state of the fabled Saxon king Henry the Lion and in his time, all of eight hundred or so years ago the region was one of the most important in Europe.

Though quite industrialized around its capital Hanover and the city of Bremen, and in general the East of the state, there is a huge amount of open countryside. Read more about Lower Saxony….

From the mountains of the Harz region through the low hills of the centre and on to the flatlands of the North West, towards East Fresia, and the great mudflats of the North Sea Coast.

Places of interest include the atmospheric Luneburg Heath, and many small towns and slow paced farming villages with traditional Saxon houses, including some particularly picturesque towns.

Hamlin in the hills of Weserbergland, or nearby Hann for example or the likes of Celle and Hildesheim. The Weserbergland region, the setting for much of the folklore tales of the Brothers Grimm, is also a good spot for hiking, cycling and canoeing.

Our Recommended Farm Stays in Lower Saxony

Saxony-Anhalt

Saxony-Anhalt, the post war, hasty amalgamation of Prussian Saxony and the Duchy of Anhalt, is defined by its two major rivers the grand River Elbe and the lesser known River Saale.

It was a prosperous area for centuries, due to river trade and the production of timber, salt and coal and evolved to become an important centre for GDR heavy industry. It has suffered economically in recent years though and could now be described as post industrial.

In the flatter East of the province particularly you can get a feel for its industrial past, it can be grim in parts but there is also plenty of open countryside too, neat farms with fertile pastures and expanses of woodland. Read more about Saxony Anhalt….

Our Recommended Farm Stays in Saxony-Anhalt

North Rhine-Westphalia

North Rhine Westphalia is one of Europe’s most populous areas. It contains the cities of Bonn, Cologne, Dortmund and quite a few others, and in some ways could be described as the industrial heart of the whole continent.

So it’s definitely heavily urbanized but of course it has rural areas too that are peaceful and quiet.

The wooded Sauerland along the Rhine for example or Sienbengebirge are places where rural life carries on at its own pace and towns like Detmold and Paderborn in Westphalia to name but a few wouldn’t be out of place in more traditional rural German heartlands like Thuringia.

Our Recommended Farm Stays in North Rhine-Westphalia

Rhineland-Palatinate

With one of Europe’s most important river flowing through it, the Rhineland has been connected with the outside world for centuries. a

It has long been a prosperous centre of trade, connecting as it does the likes of Rotterdam in Holland and Basel in Switzerland.

Much wine has passed along this river over the centuries and the fertile Moselle Valley, around the towns of Piesport and Bernkastel-Kues, is one of Germany’s premier wine producing regions; the area being characterized by the many hillside vineyards which look out on the busy river and its tributaries.

Our Recommended Farm Stays in Rhineland-Palatinate

Brandenburg

Brandenburg, the large area around Berlin, is a rural heartland that has been used by Berliners as a escape to nature for generations now.

Though it gets plenty of city visitors it is still mainly gentle and quiet, full of beech forests, lakes and fields of flowers.

Its most visited area is probably the Spreewald, waterways for boating and fishing, but if you want something similar but much quieter along the Polish border you’ll find acres of protected wetland; the Unties Odertal or Lower Oder Valley National Park that is home to many species of animal and birdlife. Read more about Brandenburg….

Our Recommended Farm Stays in Brandenburg

The state of Hesse/Hessen is very much dominated by Frankfurt, the great industrial and financial hub, one of Europe’s most important cities.

The genteel countryside around it is a great antidote to this high energy city. It has a few spa towns that are popular with city folk, Wiesbaden being probably the most well known and as you move further away it’s typical rural Germany, well tended farmland and much green forest creeping neatly up the slopes of hills.

Small towns like Wellburg or Fulda are picturesque and quaint and all of Hesse’s rural hinterland feels a world away from Frankfurt.

Our Recommended Farm Stays in Hessen

Thuringia or Thuringen is thought of by many Germans as the heart of the country and at least geographically it kind of is.

It could never be its political or industrial heart though, that job is left to others, but for most people it connects to a nostalgia for a gentler, slower, more rural and simpler, Germany.

It runs at a different pace to most of the rest of the country, its very much rural and has no large cities to speak of. Despite that it was once home to such weighty German historical figures as Goethe and Martin Luther and Bach, so it’s very much not a cultural backwater.

Our Recommended Farm Stays in Thuringia

A FEW OF OUR RECOMMENDED FARM STAYS IN GERMANY:

Ferienhof Arold

Ferienhof Hoppe

Pferdehof und Wanderreitstation Dorsam

Bauernhof Familie Wulff

Farm Stay Hof Auf Der Wurp

Farm Stay Wimmerhof

Gut Hügle Erlebnishof

Bauernhof Vorderstiedler

Urlaub auf dem Bauernhof Marx

Hof Faasel – Bauernhofurlaub an der Ostsee

Map Search: Go Here to See All Our Recommended Farm Stays in Germany

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Farm Life

Farming creates a good life, and so we welcome our guests with open arms..

We share with you and your loved ones the joys and challenges of life on the farm. Some might say it’s a simple life but we can assure you not a dull day goes by.

Farm life is full of life. Among other friendly farm animals, we milk 115 mature cows on our farm plus the youngstock. They’re known as Robeth Holsteins and they’re our award-winning herd, making us very proud owners. Our barn doors are always open to guests so please, come on in and explore. Adults and kids alike can milk the cows, bottle-feed newborn calves and cuddle with kittens.

Farm life revolves around food. Every day begins and ends with farm-fresh food – a bountiful country breakfast and a wholesome, homemade sit-down meal – both hard earned and well deserved.

Farm Fun

On our farm, fun is always in abundance and every day is a new adventure . no matter the season, there’s plenty to do and see., come experience it for yourself book a stay with us at the inn or book a farm tour with us for a day visit..

• Try your hand at milking cows.
• Bottle-feed baby calves.
• Get your feet (and hair) wet with a swim.
• Switch gears and go mountain biking.
• Fly fish and reel in a trout or salmon.
• Hike our winding, endless trails.
• Grab one of our baskets and go berry picking.
• Wander around the Wildflower fields.
• Strap on some snowshoes and walk on white.
• Go on a cross-country skiing excursion.
• Cuddle with our cute country kittens.
• Feed our hungry herd, the Holsteins.
• Pick fresh vegetables (and eat ’em).
• Gaze at the stars.

Book a Farm Tour

Plan a day visit and book a tour of the farm..

Our tours are scheduled to coincide with daily chores to allow guests the opportunity to experience daily farm life. Guests will be able to watch the cow milking process and even try their hand at milking! Asia’s tour starts at 9 am and goes for 2 hours. We simply love to share our love of farming and our animals with others and hope you’ll join us. Please book her tour directly online through Airbnb Experience. All proceeds from our Farm Tours go directly to our nonprofit organization, Liberty Hill Center for Agricultural Education.

Book Your Stay

Words we live by, as farmers ..

These beliefs guide us day in and day out, from sunup to sundown. If you have a moment, please read. Who knows? Maybe they’ll inspire you to go out and live off the land like we do.

I believe a man’s greatest possession is his dignity, and that no calling bestows this more abundantly than farming.

I believe hard work and honest sweat are the building blocks of a person’s character.

I believe that farming, despite its hardships and disappointments, is the most honest and honorable way a man can spend his days on this earth.

I believe farming nurtures the close family ties that make life rich in ways money can’t buy.

I believe my children are learning values that will last a lifetime and can be learned in no other way.

I believe farming provides education for life and that no other occupation teaches so much about birth, growth, and maturity, in such a variety of ways.

I believe many of the best things in life are indeed free: the splendor of a sunrise, the rapture of wide-open spaces, the exhilarating sight of your land greening each spring.

I believe true happiness comes from watching your crops ripen in the field, your children grow tall in the sun, your whole family feel the pride that springs from their shared experience.

I believe that by my toil, I am giving more to the world than I am taking from it, an honor that does not come to all men.

I believe my life will be measured ultimately by what I have done for my fellowman, and by this standard I fear no judgment.

I believe when a man grows old and sums up his days, he should be able to stand tall and feel pride in the life he’s lived.

I believe in farming because it makes all this possible.

Cabot Creamery Co-op

Liberty Hill Farm is one of the voices representing the family farm owners of Cabot Creamery Co-operative. We take great pride in spreading the word about the great Cabot products to whoever will listen. Fortunately for us, the products speak for themselves. Cabot Cheddar Cheese has won every major award for taste and our Cabot Butter is a blue ribbon winner too.

Liberty Hill and Cabot Highlights Liberty Hill Farm participates in Cabot’s Open Farm Events held over the years and our story is available on Cabot’s website, among the online virtual farm tours . Beth and our cow, Larue, were featured in a Cabot Creamery Co-operative commercial that aired on TV.  View the Hug a Farmer video here. In December 2013 Beth went with other Cabot Farmers on the Cabot Creamery Co-operative Gratitude tour in New York City to tout the Cabot goods—singing their praises from the rooftops!

The One & Only Robeth Holstein Herd  Robeth —a combination of our first two names—is the coined prefix for our registered herd. Robeth Holsteins are known for their excellent genetics and have been honored with the Progressive Breeder Registry Award from the Holstein Association for the past 30 years. While the numbers vary, we generally have 320 head of animals all together: cows, calves and heifers, with 120 of those being the milking cows.

Good Cow Genes When we bought the farm from John Hunt, a premier dairy breeder in the 1920s and ’30s, he had a cow named Pearl—a direct descendent of the famous Maryland dairy herd named Dunloggin. Most of our current herd descends from Pearl. Our cows’ lineage has been traced back to the 1880s when they were imported from Holstein Friesland, an area between Germany and the Netherlands.

• The company

We offer guided tours around the farm , whether for expert visitors, students, pupils, company outings or families. Our visitors will be able to take a look behind the scenes and gather knowledge and experience about organic farming – from production to the route that products follow onto the shelves.

Guided tours take place every Saturday in the summer , our exact dates can be found HERE . Registration is not necessary.

Further guided tours around the farm can be arranged individually. Call us on 0174/2957861 or send us an e-mail to [email protected] . The various types of tours and corresponding costs are described in the table below.

You can book a meal with cake or a hearty meal (e. g. soup) in the farm shop after the guided tour. For this a reservation is necessary, because the cake is freshly baked in the farm shop and the snack will be prepared freshly for you.

What we offer

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Why are farm tours so important? Children and young people often perceive agricultural products and foodstuffs only as “ready-made products” in the shop. They rarely have realistic ideas of where the food actually comes from and how it is produced. Smelling, touching, seeing and doing are the focus of our farm tours. Whoever comes to us can experience agriculture with all senses!

Our farm is an approved demo-farm . The nationwide network of demonstration farms for organic farming was established in 2002 through the initiative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture. It is an essential building block for supporting ecological and sustainable agriculture. Currently, around 240 selected organic farms are active in this network. Under the motto “Experience organic personally”, we open our doors and gates to everyone who is interested. We “demonstrate”, without filters, how widely diversified organic farming is and how it works in practice. Are you interested in further information about the network of demon-farms for organic farming? Then contact us or inform yourself here:

www.demonstrationsbetriebe.de and www.bio-live-erleben.de

Agriculture Tours in Germany

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Germany & The Black Forest

Including lake constance, 16th to 25th sept 2024 & september 2025.

Flights from the UK and all transport within the itinerary

Quality Accommodation of 4* and above

Experienced Tour Guide from the UK

All gratuities

The fertile southern part of the upper Rhine Valley is an important agricultural region, with many orchards and vineyards, which produce wines that rank among the finest produced in Germany. Germany’s largest continuous forest area, the Black Forest, spreads westward to the banks of the Rhine River. Valleys break its uniformity, and over the years low-lying portions have filled with water, with many small lakes now contributing to the forest’s scenery. The Black Forest edges onto the Hotzen Forest (Hotzenwald) in the south, where many lakes and reservoirs feed numerous power stations. Fruit is grown in the valleys cutting into the western escarpment, most commonly grapes, plums and cherries used in kirsch, the famous Black Forest cherry brandy.

What's Included

Flights from the UK

Experienced tour guide from the UK

German speaking local guide

Airport and Departure taxes

3 nights in Bad Dürkheim 4*

3 nights in Friedrichshafen 4*

3 nights in Schwäbisch Hall 4*

Entry to World War II Museum at Brettheim

Guided walking tour of Rothenburg

Entry and guided tour of Langenburg Castle

All farm and technical visits including vegetable, vineyard, fruit, cheese, arable, beef, pigs and biogas

All meals included except 2 lunches where we thought you might like to choose your own lunch spot.

Modern touring coach to support the full itinerary

Baggage handling at each of the three hotels

Tea & coffee with evening dinners

Guided walking tour of Bad Dürkheim

Guided walking tour of Heidelberg

Return ferry to Mainau Island

Mainau Island and gardens

Guided walking tour of Schwäbisch Hall

Contact us for a full itinerary and we will send it to you by email or post. Then, if you want to book, just fill in the booking form and we will organise the rest.

We would love to hear from you so please do not hesitate!

Agriculture

Our itinerary incorporates agricultural visits to a variety of farms and agricultural related businesses including a mixed family farm (crops, cattle and energy), a cheese dairy and vegetable and fruit operations. We have also arranged a visit to the John Deere Factory in Mannheim.

The climate during our tour will be pleasantly warm, with average daily temperatures being 16 to 22°C. Evenings will be a little cooler but can be very pleasant. As ever there is always the possibility of rain.

Before the Euro came along it would have been the Deutsche Mark which is a lot harder to spell!

All of our tours are graded A to E according to the pace of the tour, with A being the least active. To find out more, please click here  or on the goat!

Breakfast each morning

Evening Dinner each night with Tea & Coffee

A day from your tour

We start the day with a ferry ride over Lake Constance to Mainau Island. The island is kept as a flower garden with seasonal displays, a butterfly house and magnificent views of the lake.

We will enjoy free time and lunch on the island before catching the ferry to the mainland village of Meersburg, a beautiful and historic place for you to explore. 

We top off this glorious day with a visit to an apple farm along the lake shore where we enjoy a tasting experience.

Return to our hotel to relax before our evening meal is served.

Customers love

Visiting a very interesting farm in the hills of the Black Forest where the owner as well as still being active in livestock farming, has diversified and now has a bakery, a distillery and has developed an outlet for the producers of many local artisan foods. He has also converted some old farm buildings into holiday accommodation. It would be rude not to have lunch here!

It is difficult to find words adequate to express our thanks

for the wonderful tour  we have just experienced. It is great to go to another country and meet and talk to the native people to get a “feel” of their lifestyle and problems. The agricultural, sightseeing visits, and itinerary were so well organised . First class hotels,

a superb group of people , and weather to help, we doubt the tour could have been better.

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The 8 best farm stays in Europe

By Issy von Simson

Amid a collective craving for more rural surroundings, we pick Europe 's best back-to-the-land farm stays for a considered spin on rustic living.

BAVARIA, GERMANY

It’s not often you find wabi-sabi principles laid out deep in the heart of the Allgäu in Bavaria, amid the meadows, hills and cow-filled pastures. But that ancient Japanese philosophy has informed the renovation of this farm, its barns and stables. Sloping floorboards, wonky beams and creaking steps have been embraced in reverence for ‘perfect imperfection’, much to the bewilderment of the local craftsmen who couldn’t understand why anyone would want to champion misalignment and inaccuracy. But the honesty of the style fits neatly, symbiotically with the rustic setting. And owners Christian Müller and Lisa Rühwald have elevated it with their eclectic, elegant design.

Three bright apartments – with galleried platforms for the beds, children’s bunks tucked into alcoves, freestanding aged-copper tubs and bathrooms of warm tadelakt – are brought to life with vintage furniture and flea-market curiosities. Lime plaster lines the walls, mattresses are covered with organic linen and cheerily big kitchens mean guests can cook up all the regional ingredients they find in the farm shop. There is a sauna to warm up in after long hikes and a living space for reading, playing music and sitting in the big swing chair in front of the fireplace. In spring, the gardens come alive, with chickens pecking around the courtyard, the barbecue area on the terrace ready for sunny lunches and the fruit trees in flower. This part of Germany is incredibly pretty, with fairy-tale castles, deep canyons and high-altitude walking trails. And it now has an earthy yet smart place for nature lovers to stay. Alex Runte

Address: Rosso, Oberhub 3, 87452 Altusried, Germany Telephone: +49 171 9315974 Price: One-bedroom apartment from about £180 Book your stay

ALENTEJO, PORTUGAL

American yoga teacher Anton Brandt has a group of followers who are willing to go to Bali and Morocco for his laidback but challenging holistic retreats. The seven-day holidays might include punishing vinyasa practice, but there are also dance breaks to Whitney Houston tracks after the seated meditation and a glass of wine of an evening. Yet Brandt could never find a property that embodied that kick-your-shoes-off feeling of staying at a friend’s home. So he booked a one-way ticket to Portugal , rented a car and started driving. Eventually he came across a 275-acre coastal farm deep in the Alentejo , about two hours south of Lisbon , with chickens, peacocks, goats, sheep, a freshwater lake and old-growth pines, where the scent of wild rosemary and lavender fills the air. It was perfect.

Brandt named it Cocoon. He stayed true to his vision: there’s no turndown, no hotel-like formalities, but managers Eamonn McCay and Miguel Silveira are known to appear with a bottle of port or vinho verde for a tasting session, give guided walks around the garden to see what’s growing, and offer clues on how to reach the secret beach where they surf. Before dinner the chef talks through the inspiration for the food and the source of ingredients. Once a week the wood-fired outdoor oven crackles for pizza night, when everyone grabs slices and eats while standing and chatting in the courtyard. Interiors are minimalist, more about texture than colour: jute rugs in bedrooms; handcrafted ceramics for morning coffees; oversized hammocks for naps, and Portuguese blankets for wrapping up in to watch the sunset. A week here is as much about speeding up with Brandt’s rigorous classes as it is about properly slowing down. Marisa Meltzer

Address: Cocoon, Vila Nova de Milfontes, Portugal Telephone: +1 516 521 0707 Price: Seven-night yoga retreats from £925 Book your stay

TUSCANY, ITALY

In the middle of an evergreen forest, on an extinct volcano that was once sacred to Etruscans, this 13th-century farm is the labour of love of one extremely determined woman. Francesca Bevilacqua bought it in 1989 in a state of total abandonment. After trips to India and a change of diet and lifestyle, she decided in her mid-40s to create a community where people could share her passions. She devoted herself to the study of nutritional science, vegetarianism and alternative healing practices, and the foundations of Ebbio were built. Five years ago her daughter Sibilla untangled herself from a career in fashion and joined the team. She has an intrinsic understanding not only of the essence of her mother’s vision, but also of the way in which its values resonate with her own generation.

So Ebbio has evolved into one of the most soulful wellness retreats of its kind. The restored house has nine bedrooms, filled with antiques, pieces by upcoming artists and natural fabrics, the earthy palette echoing the rolling Tuscan landscape. The space hosts yoga , meditation and creative workshops. You might eat from exquisite Ginori porcelain, but you’re also just as likely to get your hands dirty picking vegetables and tending to the animals. The estate can be foraged for porcini and wild little sprouts, while rich olive oil, fruit and eggs come from the organic farm. Consideration for the surroundings goes without saying here, so composting, greywater reuse and biomass heating are part of the fabric of the place. An authentic agriturismo with sustainable integrity and a big heart. Benedetta Rossi Albini

Address: Podere Ebbio, Strada del Gallinaio, 9, 53035 Monteriggioni SI, Italy Telephone: +39 391 430 7022 Price: Six-night yoga retreats from about £1,330 Book your stay

PARCO DEI SESI

PANTELLERIA, ITALY

The island of Pantelleria , about a 50-minute flight from Sicily , merges southern Italian and northern African flavours, colours and influences. Intrepid international residents cruise around in battered Citroën Méhanis. From almost every point, there are 360-degree sea views, craggy cliffs and domed-roof buildings. Bewitching, filmic, quite unlike any other Mediterranean sun spot. It’s this magic that drew Parisian Margot Guelfi and Milanese-Sicilian Massimiliano Panseca to drop the city whirl for something more meaningful. The couple set up Parco dei Sesi as an organic farm among the megalithic stone villages of an archaeological park.

Traditional dammuso houses have been reimagined with effortless stripped-back style. Thick walls are tactile with bare plaster; vintage furniture from French brocantes decorates bedrooms; in-built stone benches and bed platforms are softened with muted mustard throws; woven lampshades swing in the breeze. Though all of that is really just the backdrop for the food. Chickens scratch around the grounds, and the goats that provide the fresh cheese and milk were a birthday present for ex-model agent Guelfi. Panseca knocks up aperitivos of passito raisin wine, tomatoes from the garden, sardines, capers and rye bread. Don’t expect room service or whippet-fast Wi-Fi. Life here is simpler than that. There’s yoga to take part in, rocky beaches and sparkling bays to scout out and zero-miles feasts for dinner with the owners and other guests, where talk will inevitably turn to the long-term impact of the place, empowering local businesses and reducing plastic usage. It’s an enchanting off-the-map escape where a centuries-old natural way of living is championed as a new adventure. Lauren Amanda Taylor

Address: Parco Dei Sesi, Ovest 95, 91017 Pantelleria TP, Italy Telephone: +39 375 566 0194 Price: Doubles from about £115 Book your stay

FINCA LA DONAIRA

ANDALUCIA, SPAIN

Worlds away from the bright lights of nearby Marbella , this rambling property is a short climb above the rural town of El Gastor into classic Andalucían countryside. Whitewashed streets framed by hanging laundry give way to wooded mountains and gnarled olive groves; Lusitano horses graze along the rust-coloured terrain. Founded on the principles of Rudolf Steiner, the godfather of biodynamic agriculture, 1,500-acre La Dehesa farm practises these methods, guided by the cycles of the sun, moon and stars. The kitchen is led by Fredrik Andersson, a noteworthy figure of the New Nordic movement, who adopts a highly conscientious rendition of farm-to-fork dining; hyper-seasonal vegetables plucked from the earth moments before serving, medicinal-grade honey retrieved from on-site hives and goat’s cheese of the creamiest kind. It is Spanish sunshine on a plate.

The set-up here is not just inspired by its location; integrating with the landscape is the entire point. The central structure is a former cattle stable with nine gorgeously quirky bedrooms, an open kitchen and large living space; warm and familiar yet contemporary and design led. There is a no-key policy, paired with encouragement to explore the far-reaching grounds. The small concierge team build bespoke itineraries; visitors can spend time in the stables with La Donaira’s very own cowboy Seamus Gaffney, embark on a farm tour to learn more about biodynamics, take part in guided stargazing, or pull a book from the thoughtfully curated shelf and unfurl in the spa. A stay here is an informal lesson in rekindling a connection to nature and its rhythms, something that these days feels imperative. Darcie Imbert

Address: Finca La Donaira, Camino de las Minas, 29430 Montecorto, Málaga, Spain Telephone: +34 680 65 44 54 Price: Doubles from about £605 Book your stay

SICILY, ITALY

The Val di Noto, in the south-east, is a fragrant region, rich in history with sandy beaches, archeological sites and nature reserves. On its horizon is the city of Noto , a pearl of Sicilian baroque architecture and named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. It’s also the home of the island’s first elevated glamping endeavour, an eco -aware hideout created by Elena Cicciù and Giulio Costa – partners in flight from Italy ’s north ( Milan and Vicenza, respectively). The two of them set about turning an abandoned plot of land into an organic farm with 30 acres of citrus, olive, almond and carob trees and aromatic plants. This spirit of sustainability is tangible at Iuta, with five light-footprint, safari-style tented lodges, decked out in only natural materials: chemical-free linen bedding, handmade ceramics and planet-friendly bath products.

The saltwater swimming pool is set among Mediterranean shrubbery and palms. Breakfast is served in the clubhouse, a sunshine-bathed common area with an almost brutalist design. Also available, upon request, are vegetarian lunches prepared by Cicciù. The food is all locally grown; fat lemons, juicy oranges and sweet figs are magicked into cake. And the pace is soporific: strolling among the trees with Tobia and Tigre, the resident dogs; yoga and meditation with a spectacular golden valley view; aperitivos at sundown on the terrace. In the background, there’s nothing but the droning of cicadas. In your mouth, the taste of an almond granita. In your hands, a tattered copy of Il Gattopardo . It is Sicily, distilled. Benedetta Rossi Albini

Address: Iuta, 96012 Bochini Province of Syracuse, Italy Telephone: +39 349 960 4359 Price: One-bedroom lodge from about £160 Book your stay

APFELHOTEL TORGGLERHOF

SOUTH TYROL, ITALY

Empress Elisabeth of Austria , Franz Kafka and Richard Strauss are just a few of the aristocrats and thinkers who flocked to the mountain spa town of Merano during the 19th and 20th centuries, seeking self-care in its restorative waters. Today, a number of established and new properties are re-emphasising this age-old wellness cure as part of more contemplative, eco-conscious retreats with a back-to-nature ethos. At the forefront is Apfelhotel Torgglerhof, a revamped apple farm set in a lush valley. While it has been a family-run guesthouse for more than 50 years, the youngest generation recently orchestrated a radical makeover, merging agriculture and refinement, Alpine tradition and Mediterranean flair. Brother and sister Martin and Maria Pichler chose the Bolzano-based Network of Architecture as their partner, resulting in an edgy, barn-like building with Granny-Smith-green bedrooms, an expanded restaurant and a vegetable garden.

The pièce de résistance is the Tolkien-esque Brunnenhaus spa , blending nearly invisibly into two hobbit-hole slopes. Behind the antique-wood door is a lofty sanctuary, fresh spring water gurgling from its fountain. While the misty peaks are ever-present, the most special views are seen from the sauna, infused with local herbs and apples. Although only finished last year, the architectural temple has already won awards. The hotel is also a place of action, with guests invited to join in with the apple harvest and learn about the production of Martin’s renowned cider. The fruit has cult status here. Expect to fill up on apple prosecco and apple gastronomy – the adage ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ has never been taken more seriously. Charlotte Vertessen

Address: Apfelhotel Torgglerhof, 39010, Saltaus, South Tyrol, Italy Telephone: +39 0473 645 433 Price: Doubles from about £210 Book your stay

GUARDSWELL FARM

PERTHSHIRE, UK

A proper family affair, this 150-acre grassland estate, and its lovely, rough-luxe hideaways, is looked after by the Lamotte and Wilson clans. Great-grandmother Nana founded one of Scotland ’s first milk bars at Inveralmond, and grandfather Robert went from growing herbs in his farmhouse to supplying restaurants across the UK with everything from tarragon to lemon verbena, chives to fennel. It is from these charming stories that Guardswell was born, and now the current incumbents have achieved their dream of creating an escapist space that combines digital detoxing, sustainability and rural experiences. The pared-back farmhouse, cottage and hilltop cabins come with panoramic views over the Carse of Gowrie, Dundee and south Angus, across to north Fife and towards the Bridge of Earn.

The look inside is Scandinavian restraint meets cottagecore – cosy and eco-considered with lots of wood cladding and sheepskins. There are workshops on vegetable growing and wild cooking, plus foraging rambles for the best mushrooms. Spend your days feeding the Hebridean sheep or walking to the giant swings at the highest point of the grounds where you can fly above the patchwork quilt of land and sea. Evenings are for as-good-as-it-gets suppers, cooked on an open fire with regeneratively grown produce picked up from Guardswell’s ‘wee horsebox’ shop, and drinking under the stars on the deck. This Scottish escapade, about an hour from Edinburgh , may be without lochs and turrets and even tartans, but the gentle, homespun, mud-under-the-fingernails ethos makes for a ruddy-cheeked, feel-good long weekend. Isabel Carr

Address: Guardswell Farm, Kinnaird, Perthshire PH14 9QZ Price: One-bedroom cabin from £100. Farmhouse from £350 (sleeps 10) Book your stay

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A sitting area at Rosso in Bavaria

A path leads to the main house at Guardswell Farm, Perthshire

A bathroom at Rosso in Bavaria

An open book at Rosso, Bavaria

A ladder resting against a sun-soaked wall at Iuta, Sicily

The living area at Rosso, Bavaria

The table set for supper at Guardswell Farm, Perthshire

The pool at Iuta, Sicily

Breakfast at Cocoon in Alentejo, Portugal

Donkeys roam the grounds at Ebbio in Tuscany

Guests sit down for lunch at Ebbio, Tuscany

The landscape at Finca La Donaira, Andalucia

Lunch at Finca La Donaira, Andalucia in Spain

The grounds of Iuta, Sicily

Breakfast at Iuta, Sicily

The dining room at Apfelhotel Torgglerhof, South Tyrol

Lunch at Apfelhotel Torgglerhof, South Tyrol

The pool at Finca La Donaira, Andalucia

The exterior of Apfelhotel Torgglerhof, South Tyrol

Cocoon's pool in Alentejo, Portugal

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Beer Lovers, Come to Bayreuth

Of Beer and Bavaria: The Best Beer Experiences in Garmisch-Partenkirchen

Wellness with Rhythm in the Bavarian Forest

Escape to the country

Our favorite farms in Bavaria

A new vacation trend is on the rise: places to stay that are small on space but big on privacy, far away from the stress of the city. In Germany, this kind of guest accommodation can often be found right on your doorstep. In times of Covid-19, farmyard vacations are experiencing a new-found popularity. Some 1.300 farms in Bavaria are waiting to be discovered under the “Blue Rooster” brand. These places are perfect retreats for holidaymakers seeking a safe, peaceful break, staying in authentic, individual accommodation. Here guests can relax and regenerate, gathering new energy from the inspirational landscapes and nature around them. Looking for an escape to the country? Here are five selected spots for a perfect farm-stay vacation in Bavaria.

A Treehouse Hotel in the Allgäu Region

In Bavaria’s south-west lies the green and fertile Allgäu region , where Norbert Bechteler lives with his wife, three sons, 80 cows and six treehouses. Four of the houses are suspended on thick steel cables from the majestic beech trees that surround his property. Two other treehouses, shaped like giant easter eggs , stand on stilts in his meadow. These creative guest-quarters are the latest attraction at Norbert’s five-star holiday-farm , where the secluded location is ideal for chilled-out, nature-filled farm-stay vacations in Bavaria – for couple and families.

The gentle swaying of the cable-suspended treehouses may seem a little unnerving at first, but it’s a calming sensation that guests quickly come to enjoy. These houses offer a cozy cocooning space for up to four guests on two floors. The two “eggs”, named Maple and Oak , are made of traditional, local materials and have three floors. From a large terrace, guests enter the living and dining area. From here, a steep, wooden staircase leads to a comfy, stylish bedroom, where vacationers can lie in a luxurious double bed and count the stars in the night sky.

Huberhof – A Piece of Paradise in Chiemgau, Upper Bavaria

The stately Huberhof farm , nestled in the gentle mountains of Bavaria’s border with Austria, has been in the Gramsamer family for 15 generations . For the last thirty years, the family-friendly, organic farm has rented out vacation apartments to guests. Nine are available at present. Holidaymakers can also stay in a charming chalet for four or pitch their tent on the farm’s camping site . The idyllic, sun-drenched property, on the edge of a forest, is made even more delightful by its swimming pool – a perfect spot to lounge, cool off, dive and play. And if that wasn’t luxury enough, the farm even has a wellness area with a chill-out zone , to read, relax or just enjoy an afternoon nap. For visitors looking for a larger pool to plunge into, Bavaria’s warmest bathing lake,  Waginger See , is just around the corner.

Biohof Kinker – An Organic Farm in the Eastern Allgäu Region

There’s a saying in this part of Bavaria that the happiest cows come from the Allgäu region. But did you know that Allgäu’s contented cows can also make humans more cheerful? Farmer Franz, from the Biohof Kinker organic farm in Bavaria’s alpine Eastern Allgäu region, is a good example.

The calmness and tranquility of my cows seems to transmit itself to our human helpers in the barn. For our guests, the contact with our cows is like medicine for the soul! Farmer Franz

Cow Hugging isn’t a local invention, though. It comes from the Netherlands, and the idea is simple and ingenious. When stroking animals, humans become flushed with waves of endorphines, or happy hormones . We become relaxed and stress is reduced. Farmer Franz thinks it goes even further than that: “Cow Hugging is effectively like a visit to the psychiatrist. You feel much better afterwards – just like you do after a farm-stay vacation.”

Climb your way to Berchtesgaden 

Link’n Alm in the Bavarian Forest

1000 meters above sea level. No noise, an uninterrupted horizon and nothing but pristine nature. The Link’n Alm , built in 1816 as a traditional summer farmhouse , sits in splendor on the sunny southern side of the Dreisessel mountain. Where today the borders of Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic meet, the Link’n Alm reminds guests of a simpler, more primal way of life . Despite four-star comfort, here on the high pastures there is no entertainment, no high-speed internet, no restaurant and no nearby supermarket. This self-catering chalet, accommodating up to ten guests , offers a living room, a kitchen, two bedrooms, a shower and two toilets, as well as a further six beds in the loft and a four-poster bedroom. Lovingly restored antique furniture adds to the modest but elegant style of the house, which belongs to the Mössthaler family farm, located just a few minutes away.

Ferienhof Schmidtner – Holiday Farm in Central Bavaria

At the Schmidtner Holiday Farm , Hans is more than happy to lend his guests a fishing rod. And if a holidaymaker does manage to hook a fish, they only pay for what they catch . The price depends on the weight of the carp, pike, zander or roach that they land.In the mid-1960s, Hans Schmidtner decided to dig out a fishing lake on his plot of real estate. Today, the Biberbach stream flowing through his property feeds all the ponds and pools he has created since. But only guests of the Schmidtner Holiday Farm are allowed to fish here. Don’t feel like catching dinner yourself? No problem. Hans will do it for you, providing perfectly fresh fish for the table. Alternatively, just drive to one of the many local restaurants in the region serving his exquisite trout and char.

More Bavarian farm-stay inspiration can be found at  www.farm-holidays.com

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Germany, France & Switzerland

Agricultural Tour

Educational Agricultural Holiday Explore the picturesque city of Heidelberg, discover the Black Forest, admire fairy-tale castles, visit attractive half-timbered villages & enjoy trips to Strasbourg & Lake Lucerne on this amazing agricultural trip. Also, enjoy a number of interesting agricultural farm visits in Germany.

8 Nights / 9 Days

Sample Itinerary

Remember this is a sample itinerary and can be tailored to suit your group’s requirements prices are per person and based on two people sharing..

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• Price Includes

Day 1 – Dublin to Frankfurt & Farm Visit

Depart Dublin for Frankfurt in the morning. On arrival, you will meet your professional tour manager and transfer to Weidenhof OHG. (Mrs. Mueller’s Farm), a biogas, dairy and cattle farm located northeast of Frankfurt. Enjoy a comprehensive tour of the farm, followed by a leisurely cup of tea and cake. Continue to the picturesque city of Heidelberg situated on both banks of the Neckar in Baden-Württemberg in southwest Germany. Overnight in Heidelberg.

Day 2 – John Deere Factory & Boat Trip on the river Neckar

After breakfast, you will travel to Mannheim to visit the John Deere Factory. Enjoy a comprehensive factory tour at of the world’s leading manufacturers of farm machinery including lunch, a video presentation and a visit to the museum. In the afternoon you will take a boat trip along the River Neckar back to Heidelberg enjoying the magnificent view of the villages, castles, vineyards & the beautiful green mountains along the valley. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 3 – Heidelberg Castle

Breakfast at your hotel. Enjoy a visit to the breath-taking Heidelberg castle nestled in the hill 300 feet above the city. In the afternoon you can visit to a local brewery or enjoy free time in the city. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 4 – Stuttgart, the Mercedes Benz Museum & the German Museum of Agriculture

Breakfast at your hotel. Check-out and depart for the cultural city of Stuttgart. Enjoy a visit to this bustling city including the Mercedes Benz Museum. Today you will also visit the German Museum of Agriculture detailing the history of farming, food processing, motorisation and rural life in Germany. Continue to Bad Herrenalb to check-in to your hotel and overnight.

Day 5 – Baden Baden & Strasbourg

Breakfast at your hotel. In the morning visit the spa town of Baden Baden. This Black Forest town boasts grand collonaded buildings and turreted villas spread across the hillsides and framed by forested mountains. Continue to the French city of Strasbourg in Alsace where you will be mesmerised by its Gothic cathedral and twisting alleys lined with crooked half-timbered houses. Also, enjoy a visit to the European Parliament. Return to your hotel for overnight.

Day 6 – Farm Visit & The Black Forest

After breakfast, you will enjoy a farm visit in Germany followed by a visit to the Blackforest, a mountainous region known for its dense evergreen forests and picturesque villages, which inspired some of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 7 – Schwenningen & Lake Constance

Breakfast at your hotel and check-out. Depart for Switzerland. En route visit the city of Schwenningen lying on the eastern edge of the Black Forest. Also visit Lake Constance, Central Europe’s third largest lake, and take in the beautiful landscape of meadows and vineyards, orchards, beaches and Alpine foothills. Continue to your hotel along the German / Swiz border for overnight.

Day 8 – Lake Lucerne

Breakfast at your hotel. Today visit Lake Lucerne with its breathtaking mountain scenery, majestic steep peaks of limestone hunched over the coastline and Alpine forests coming down to the shore filled. You will also get a chance to visit a glacier in Switzerland. Return to your hotel for overnight.

Day 9 – Return Home

• Flights from Dublin to Frankfurt and from Zurich to Dublin including taxes & charges
• Professional tour managers and executive coach transfers throughout
• 3 nights hotel accommodation in the Heidelberg region including breakfast daily
• 3 nights hotel accommodation in the Black forest region including breakfast daily
• 2 nights hotel accommodation along the German/Swiss border including breakfast daily
• 3 evening meals included throughout the tour
• Visit to Weidenhof OHG. (Mrs. Mueller’s Farm) near Frankfurt
• Guided tour of Heidelberg & visit to Heidelberg Castle
• Guided tour of the John Deere factory in Mannheim
• Cruise along the River Neckar
• Guided tour of Stuttgart including the Mercedes Benz Museum
• Visit to the German Museum of Agriculture
• Visit to the spa town of Baden Baden
• Tour to Strasbourg including a visit to the European Parliament
• Tour of the Black Forest region with stops to see its evergreen forests & picturesque villages
• Visit to the city of Schwenningen
• Visit to Lake Constance
• Tour to Lake Lucerne
• Entrance into the Grindelwald glacier in Swizerland
• 3 farm visits

  Booking Remarks:

• Price based on 2 sharing including all airport taxes & charges
• Single room supplement €325pp applies
• If you are travelling alone and are willing to share a twin room with another group member of the same sex, we will do our best to accommodate this request although it cannot be guaranteed
• Non-refundable / non-transferable deposit of €250pp required at time of booking. A second deposit of €200 is due by 31 January 2016
• Balance due 10 weeks before departure (2% charge on balance payments made by credit card)
• Price includes 1 standard piece of checked-in luggage.
• Optional insurance available from €29pp (terms & conditions apply)
• City taxes may apply, payable locally at your hotel
• Flights, taxes, prices & itinerary subject to change
• Booking terms & conditions apply

Please note all balances are due 10 weeks before departure.

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Gutshof Colmberg

Idyllically situated small farm with horse breeding

Design-oriented historic farmhouse (285 m²) - the ideal FAMILY MEETING

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Farm Vacations

Find farm vacations in Germany today Make your next vacation something different. Spend it in rolling hills, fresh breezes and plenty of peace and quiet. Enjoy just the right amount of activities to keep you busy—but not too busy to stop and take some selfies with the family. When you book amazing farmstay accommodation in Germany, you’ll have the time of your life. 

Choose agritourism for your best vacation yet Agritourism is a hot travel trend, and here’s why. You get to stay at a working farm or guest ranch, enjoying all the benefits of the countryside (like that fresh air we mentioned). Your host will be a local, giving you all the inside tips on things to do in Germany. However, you may never want to leave your cozy accommodation. Germany farmstays could include everything from educational activities to home-cooked meals. Collecting eggs from a chicken, or picking grapes straight off the vine? Sure thing!

Germany agritourism is popular with families, and it’s easy to see why: Digging in the dirt is every kid’s favorite pastime. This is one place where it’s not only encouraged, but part of your itinerary. The little ones will love learning about crops and how the farm works, as well as the regional history of Germany. Get your teens into cooking classes, farm tours or just helping out around the land. They’ll be so tired at the end of the day, they might even put their phones down. Now that’s a family vacation to remember!

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Elisabeth Stiglmaier is a hop ambassador in the Hallertau. She introduces guests to the secrets of the green gold, which helps give beers all over the world their great taste

Hop ambassador Elisabeth Stiglmaier

17,000 hectares in area, plants seven metres in height and hops as far as the eye can see: Welcome to the largest hop-growing area in the world. Hops have been grown in the Hallertau cultural landscape for more than 1,000 years. The traditions of the region have been shaped by this green gold and have influenced the whole of Bavaria and its beer culture.

Hops: A trip back through Bavarian history

Deep in the heart of Bavaria lies the cultural landscape of the Hallertau. Hops are a traditional crop in this hilly and very pristine region. The fertile loess soils of this tertiary hill country are perfect for cultivating the “most Bavarian” plant of all. Hop ambassador Elisabeth Stiglmaier offers guided tours of the region.

She offers guests the opportunity to experience the history of the green gold at first hand. “I tell them what the hop means to the Hallertau and how it has changed over time,” explains the expert. The first written document about hop cultivation in the Hallertau dates back to the year 736.

Hop cultivation in the Hallertau dates back to the year 736

In those days, hops were not used solely for brewing beer, but also seen as medicinal plants. Thanks to their preservative effect, people used them as sedatives or laxatives. They also used these aromatic plants to flavour their food. It was not until the Middle Ages that hops were added to beer.

Famous hop growing region

The Bavarian Purity Law that was enacted in 1516 gave this “recipe” its official seal: From then on, beer could only be brewed from water, barley and hops. This strict regulation is still valid today – and has made Bavarian beer with its outstanding quality famous throughout the world.

Hops: also valued as a medicinal and seasoning plant

In the 19th century, the hop enjoyed renewed popularity due to the newly opened transport routes and the building of the railway. Since 1966 the Hallertau has been the largest contiguous hop growing area in the world. The green gold shapes the way of life and the attitudes of the people that live here. Then and now.

This is demonstrated by interesting museums such as the German Hop Museum in Wolnzach and the Hallertauer Homeland and Hop Museum in Mainburg, as well as many breweries. However, the green gold is not only useful for brewing. It is also used in teas, pralines and wellness applications – and is gaining in popularity all the time.

Smell, feel and taste Bavarian hops

Many farms in the Hallertau region that continue to plant hops today ensure that the tradition is preserved. One of these is the farm of Elisabeth Stiglmaier in the eastern Bavarian town of Attenhofen. Here the air is floral and grassy: A stimulating, spicy aroma hangs over the entire farmyard. “Take a deep breath,” says the beer sommelier with a knowing smile.

Hallertau: Hops are grown on 17,000 hectares

Elisabeth Stiglmaier is one of 16 hop ambassadors in the Hallertau. With exciting journeys back in time, authentic stories, many tips and a love for the green gold, she imparts her knowledge of the hop plant and the special cultural landscape of the Hallertau to her guests.

Cultural landscape Hallertau

However, her role involves far more than just boosting the image of the region: It is Elisabeth Stiglmaier’s passion for hop varieties, aromas and tastes that her visitors find so fascinating. She encourages them to become immersed in the world and history of the hop.

In this way she is able to convey to her guests exactly what it is that makes the Hallertau so special: the culture that has grown up over the centuries, the authentic community spirit and the pristine naturalness of this fascinating hop growing district. She helps them all to feel “dahoam” (at home) in the Hallertau and to smell, feel and taste for themselves an important piece of Bavaria’s history.

More information about Elisabeth and the green gold hopfenfuehrung.de  (only in German)

... from Elisabeth

Countryside tours Very nice are the so-called "Landerlebnisreisen" to farms in the vicinity, such as the Hollunderhof. There you can dive into another world and look behind the scenes of the Bavarian farms. landerlebnisreisen-bayern.de  (only in German)

Hop Experience Farm Stiglmaier One of the oldest settlements in the upper village of Attenhofen. Here visitors go on a beer ingredient discovery tour or enjoy a traditional hop meal. School classes can playfully learn about the history and properties of hops.

Hop Museum in Wolnzach In the German Hop Museum you can learn everything there is to know about hops. From botany to brewing, from cultivation to hop trade, from history to the present. hopfenmuseum.de  (only in German)

Elisabeth about hops (German)

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Europe - 6 Countries

Enjoy your ride through Europe’s diverse landscape, from the fertile flatlands of Holland and Belgium, along Germany’s picturesque Rhine River Valley to the Czech Republic, and across the majestic Alps of Austria into Switzerland. Visit different farms in Holland, Germany and Austria where you can see their farming practices and discuss operations with local farmers and business people. Attend the world’s largest flower auction in Holland where 20 million flowers are auctioned off each day! See working Dutch windmills and observe cheese making and crafting of their famed wooden shoes. Visit the Centre for Organic Agriculture in Flevoland, which works with several of Netherlands’ largest organic grain and vegetable farmers, making it one of the world’s leading agricultural producers, despite its limited land mass. Stay in historic Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union (EU). Enjoy a guided tour of the city center with its ornate Grand Place, which is considered the most splendid market square in Europe. Also while in Brussels, tour a chocolate factory where you can watch confectioners create delicious morsels of Belgian chocolate, and you can taste it too! Enter Germany and enjoy a short cruise on the Rhine River, stop in picturesque Rudesheim and visit Nuremberg and its former Nazi Rally Grounds. Tour Prague and enjoy authentic Czech food, music and dance. In Austria, visit Vienna and take a grand tour of its royal Schonbrunn Palace, enjoy a glass of “Heurigen” wine in one of Grinzing’s wine taverns, and journey through the beautiful “Sound of Music” region into Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart. Venture back into neighboring Germany for a ride to the lofty Eagle’s Nest and deep underground into a salt mine in Berchtesgaden. Cross the majestic Austrian Alps into Switzerland with incredible views of cascading waterfalls and snowcapped mountain tops. Even visit an authentic Swiss Cheese Factory. Experience the best of Europe on this once in a lifetime trip!

• July 9 - 23, 2024 SOLD OUT

What's Included

Special events and sights, testimonials.

Day 1:                                      Depart the USA Meet your Rupiper tour manager and fellow travelers at the Newark, NJ airport for your transatlantic overnight-flight to Amsterdam, Netherlands.  Meals: In-flight meal service  

Day 2:                                      Arrive in Amsterdam, Netherlands Welcome to Amsterdam!  Upon arrival in Amsterdam we transfer directly to our unique hotel, the Inntel Hotel Amsterdam Zaandam.  Enjoy a late breakfast and a couple of hours rest before we re-group for our late afternoon Amsterdam excursion.  The city is rightfully referred to as “Venice of the North” with its close to 70 miles of canals, 90 islands and 1,500 bridges.  Board a small vessel and enjoy a relaxed cruise along the main canals.  Glide past narrow merchant houses and pass under countless bridges, while listening to our captain’s unique stories.  Tonight’s welcome dinner is served in a typical, authentic Amsterdam restaurant, the Hasje Claes.   Meals: In-flight meal service, Buffet Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3:                                      Amsterdam / Flevoland / Zaanse Schans The Netherlands, despite its limited land area, is one of the leading agricultural producers in the world.  A large part of their arable land is reclaimed from the sea and must be preserved through elaborate drainage systems with dikes, canals and pumping stations.  One of these reclaimed regions is Flevoland where we visit the Warmonderhof.  With its 210 acres arable land it is one of the largest biodynamic farming and gardening businesses in the Netherlands.  Onions, carrots, pumpkins, potatoes and wheat are their main crops which are sold at the markets of Amsterdam and Almere.  They also maintain a 75 acre orchard and milk 45 cows.  Upon arrival we enjoy refreshments and a presentation by one of the main shareholders followed by a field inspection.  We conclude our tour with a delicious lunch – of course the food is organically grown!

This afternoon we visit picturesque Zaanse Schans, an open-air museum which acquaints you with a bygone era of the Dutch’s working-class.  Until the early 1900s more than 600 windmills were in use along the Zaan River, but today, merely ten of these impressive wooden machines remain in working condition.  The rich history of the Dutch comes to life as you explore these windmills and observe expert craftspeople demonstrating their skills. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4:                                      Amsterdam, Netherlands / Brussels, Belgium Today’s excursion will delight the flower enthusiast!  We start early to catch the world’s largest flower auction in full swing.  Enjoy the gorgeous flowers and experience the hustle and bustle of the Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer where more than 19 million flowers and two million plants are sold each day in Aalsmeer’s vast trade building covering more than 250 acres.  By mid-morning we leave the Netherlands and journey to Brussels, Belgium.  Brussels is the capital of Belgium, as well as the capital of the European Union (EU).  On our guided tour we stop for a photo op at the futuristic Atomium, drive by the Royal Palace and gardens, and the see the European Parliament.  Explore Brussel’s Grand Place , a splendid market square surrounded by opulent aristocratic buildings adorned with gilded buttresses, and see the world famous Manneken Pis, a small bronze fountain sculpture of a little boy doing the unimaginable.  Belgium is world-famous for its beer and scrumptious chocolate products.  Enjoy a late lunch with beer tasting and watch an expert chocolatier as he creates delectable pralines. Of course, you get to taste their goodies too!  Tonight is yours to explore Brussel’s bustling streets lined by pubs, restaurants and cafés.  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5:                                      Brussels, Belgium / R ü desheim, Germany / Wiesbaden We cross the border into Germany and journey along the Rhine River to St. Goarhausen where we embark on a relaxing Rhine river cruise.  Sit back and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the river banks as we sail past hillside vineyards and medieval castles.  The Rhine Valley, which is Germany’s prime wine growing region, produces its own microclimate beneficiary to agriculture and viniculture in particular.  Disembark in the charming village of Rüdesheim, a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Stroll along the famous Drosselgasse, a narrow cobblestone street lined with historical buildings and beautifully decorated restaurants.  Enjoy a glass of wine in one of the many taverns or a cup of their local coffee specialty, Rüdesheimer Kaffee .  Continue to Wiesbaden for our overnight stay.  Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6:                                      Wiesbaden / W ü rzburg / Nuremberg This morning we enjoy a Würzburg city orientation tour including a brief visit of the Würzburg Residenz , a Baroque palace, and its beautiful gardens.  On a walk through a lovely hillside vineyard, our guide and wine connoisseur gives us a glimpse into this region’s viniculture capped off with a delightful wine tasting.  Upon our afternoon arrival in Nuremberg our knowledgeable guide shows us the ruins of the Nazi Party Rally Grounds.  See the unfinished Congress Hall, the Great Road, and the Zeppelin Field and comprehend how the once imposing constructions and the Nazi Rallies were used to demonstrate Hitler’s power to the masses.  We also visit the court room at the Palace of Justice where the Nuremberg Trials were held by the Allied forces after World War II.  Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7:                                      Nuremberg, Germany / Prague, Czech Republic Nuremberg is best known for its famous Christmas market, its toy industry, as well as their traditional gingerbread specialties and the delicious Nuremberg Bratwurst.  This morning we enjoy a guided tour of Nuremberg’s picturesque historical Old Town with its quaint lanes lined with pink sandstone buildings and well preserved half-timbered houses.  We also visit the grounds of Nuremberg’s landmark, the Kaiserburg , an imposing 12 th century imperial palace.  From the castle’s impressive hilltop location you have the best panoramic view across the city.  Just a few miles north of Nuremberg we visit the Lilling Farm, owned and operated by a young couple.  This farm is a non-conventional operation and during our visit we learn how profitable a small European farm can be.  Their primary sources of income are hop cultivation, table cherry production and their liquor distillation.  The farm’s energy is produced by a small biogas plant that feeds off the by-products from their distillery and small swine operation.  Enjoy a scrumptious lunch buffet and a taste of their Schnapps before we journey on to Prague, Czech Republic.   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8:                                      Prague This morning enjoy a guided tour of the majestic Prazsky Hrad, the largest ancient castle in the world.  Located within the castle complex, which can be seen from all viewpoints in the city, is St. Vitus Cathedral, the seat of the Archbishop of Prague.  The most outstanding feature in the cathedral is St. Wenceslas Chapel, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.  The lower parts of the walls are decorated with more than 1,300 semi-precious stones from Bohemia and the joints between them are covered with gold.  Ornate Gothic frescoes depict bible scenes and the Passion of Christ.  We walk across the famous Charles Bridge and conclude our tour in Prague’s historic old town which houses the famous Astronomical Clock.  The afternoon is free to explore Prague with its many unique sights, cafés and elegant shops.  Beware – the goods are very tempting!  Tonight you are in for a treat.  At the restaurant U Marčanů, you are welcomed with a glass of Becherovka (Czech’s original liquor) followed by a typical Czech Duck dinner and all you care to drink beer or wine.  Musicians and dancers, dressed in traditional costumes entertain us with folk music and dances.  This is always a great fun!  Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9:                                      Prague, Czech Republic / Vienna, Austria Depart Prague for Česky Krumlov, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  This picturesque town, crowned by a majestic castle, lies on the banks of the Vltava River and is surrounded by densely forested rolling hills.  On our guided tour we explore the large castle complex and walk along winding cobblestone streets in Old Town Český Krumlov with its more than 300 well-preserved medieval buildings.  If you are a shopper, this is the place for you!  Continuing on, our journey takes us along quaint country roads across the border to Austria and its capital Vienna, “The City of Waltzes.”  Meals: Breakfast, Dinner                

Day 10:                                      Vienna On a panoramic tour of Vienna you will see the city’s most significant and historic sites.  Enjoy a grand tour of Austria’s most important cultural monument and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the majestic Schönbrunn Palace.  Ride along the Ringstrasse lined with impressive buildings, visit famous St. Stephan’s Cathedral and the Burggarten, which houses a monument to one of the world’s best known composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.  This evening we experience traditional Vienna Heurigen culture in Grinzing, Austria’s famous wine growing region.  In a quaint restaurant, where the vintner’s own wine is served, we enjoy typical local cuisine, unlimited wine (or other beverages) and live music.  A talented musician entertains us with famous waltzes, polkas, and operetta melodies – or you may ask him to play your favorite tune.  Good food, fine wine, and great music!  Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11:                                      Vienna / Leonding / Salzburg, Austria Departing Vienna we travel through Austria’s primary farming region.  Northeastern Austria’s flat land and fertile soil along with generous rainfall warrants good yields year after year.  Here we visit the headquarters of SAATBAU LINZ eGen, Austria’s largest grower and producer of seeds.  The company was founded in 1950 by consolidating five regional seed farming cooperatives.  Today the cooperative comprises of more than 3,100 Austrian farmers who are member-owners and employs about 350 people.  SAATBAU LINZ eGen develops top varieties of agricultural crops for the European and international market, including Asia and South America.  Corn hybrids belonging to the maturity group FAO 200-400, wheat, barley, oilseed rape, sunflowers and soybeans are among their more than 350 varieties from about 85 crops that fulfill special requirements and perform best in its area – for food, feed and energy.  Tour their factory and observe the various stages of seed cleaning, and packaging.  We are also permitted into their laboratory and germination testing facility and conclude with a field inspection of their test plots.  Now we are ready for a hearty lunch at a large farm, which began production more than 600 years ago.  The current owners, Johann and Johanna Fischer, took over operations in 2000.  The Fischer family is on hand to cook for us and discuss farming in Upper Austria while showing us their unique farm-yard and large array of farm equipment.  Their restaurant’s specialty is pork roast – cooked in a wood-fired oven.  Weather permitting we will dine in the shade of their hundred-year-old chestnut trees.  Continuing our journey we arrive late afternoon in Salzburg, which is nestled in the foothills of the Austrian Alps and crowned by the mighty fortress Hohensalzburg .  Meals: Breakfast, Lunch  

Day 12:                                      Salzburg, Austria / Berchtesgaden, Germany Today’s excursion takes us to the lofty heights of the Kehlsteinhaus, also known as the Eagle’s Nest, which sits literally on top of the Kehlstein Mountain.  The building was intended to be a retreat for Hitler and a place to entertain visiting dignitaries during the war.  From the end of the war until 1960, the Kehlsteinhaus was used by the Allies as a military command post and now serves as a restaurant.  Walk up to the mountain’s summit or enjoy a cup of coffee along with a piece of their specialty Apfelkuchen (apple pie) on the restaurant’s terrace while enjoying panoramic views across the Alps.  We return to the city of Salzburg, renowned for its vibrant cultural life and its storybook Old Town.  Enjoy an easy going tour in a horse-drawn carriage followed by a short walking tour.  Meander along romantic passageways and courtyards and explore Salzburg’s famous Getreidegasse , a street lined with narrow houses and enticing shops adorned with wrought-iron guild signs.  See Mozart’s birthplace and scenery used as a backdrop in the unforgettable Sound of Music film before ascending by funicular to the imposing 900-year-old fortress, Hohensalzburg.  We conclude our day with a specialty dinner at the fortress’ restaurant, served by waiters clad in medieval-style garments.  Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 

Day 13:                                      Salzburg / Innsbruck, Austria Salt mines in this region were in operation for over 800 years, and until a few years ago, only the miners were allowed to enter the complex tunnel system.  Explore the secret world deep down beneath the Salzberg Mountain .  Change into miner’s overalls and board a small train which takes us into the cavernous salt mine.  Then slide down a steep chute and ferry-cross a salt brine sea while listening to commentary about mining in this region.  Always fun and interesting!

On our way to Innsbruck, Tyrol, we cross the grandiose Austrian Alps with their snow-capped mountain peaks.  We travel winding mountain roads, past quaint mountain resorts, and stop at the thundering Krimml Waterfalls.  The scenery is truly breathtaking!  Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 14:                                      Innsbruck, Austria / Zurich, Switzerland This morning we enjoy a short walking tour in Innsbruck’s city center with an opportunity to browse Austria’s famous crystal shop, Swarovski.  We continue crossing the majestic Alps into Switzerland.  Near Lake Constance we visit a cheese plant in the famous Appenzell dairy region, where the spiciest Swiss cheese has been produced for more than 700 years.  The raw milk used in this distinct cheese is delivered twice daily straight from the herds grazing on Appenzell’s idyllic mountainsides.  The unique taste of the Appenzell cheese stems from a secret herbal brine which is applied to the rind during the ripening process.  We continue our journey on narrow roads before we reach the destination for this evening’s farewell dinner, a restaurant located in a picturesque high country location.  You’ll love the delicious home style dinner and musical entertainment so much in this quaint and rustic restaurant that you won’t want to leave!  Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 15:                                      Zurich, Switzerland / USA We say farewell to the wondrous “ Old World ” and board our intercontinental flight from Zurich, Switzerland to Newark, NJ.  We arrive on the same day in the early afternoon which gives you ample time for your connecting flight home. M eals: Breakfast, In-flight meal service

Rupiper Tours reserves the right to make minor adjustments to the itinerary if necessary.

   International Airfare from Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airline Taxes and Fees Ground Transportation by Deluxe Motorcoach All Admissions Four Star Hotels Meals as indicated (two full meals per day) Professional tour manager and local guides Porterage/Luggage handling - one bag per person

Testimonials from Previous Europe Tour Participants

“We have never been on a bus tour, so have nothing to compare tour trip to, but can’t imagine any company more thorough and attentive to our group’s needs. Tour guides were excellent – informative and engaging. “Pinch me” moments in Nuremberg & Eagle’s Nest, plus canal cruise in Amsterdam. The scenery in Austria from Krimml Falls into Switzerland and the roads we traveled were stunning. Photos do not do it justice.  Where is Brent going next year? We’ll go along!” - Dorothy & Don S. (Missouri) 

All was great. I liked the variety of visits, as it showed us how it was and how it is now.  This was my 4 th tour with you, and I was so happy with it that I recommended it to other friends.  I couldn’t have done it better myself – HAHA!!” - Keith E. (Pennsylvania) 

“This was such an enjoyable trip. It couldn’t have been setup any better! Brent and Hans were terrific. All the people on the tour were so friendly and fun. Loved the Rhine River cruise, the flower auction, and Swarovski Jewelry store!” - Milly & Leon O. (Iowa) 

“Had a great time and hope to join your Hawaii tour in 2020.  My favorite sites were Eagle’s Nest, the Alps, and Salzburg. “ - Mona & Scott B. (Pennsylvania) 

“Glad we went! My luggage was delayed and Brent did an excellent job taking care of the situation. Hans always answered my questions and the driver got us through some tight places. We really enjoyed the trip on the Rhine, Salzburg, flower market, and Eagle’s Nest. The office staff are always great to work with!” - Mary Jo & Paul G. (Indiana)

“Tour manager and guide were great. I really enjoyed the Austrian Alps.” - George A. (Ontario) 

“Anneliese was great! She has a great personality, warm and caring. Tour was planned covering amazing number of places. The guide has fabulous knowledge! I really enjoyed the Eagles Nest, Salzburg, Cesky Krumlov, and the Rhine cruise.” - Anonymous 

“An excellent trip! They took wonderful care of us. Would highly recommend to all our friends and everyone. The tour guides were all very knowledgeable. They were all very entertaining and kept our attention. One of the best tours we have been on! Loved all the people on the tour with us!” - Jerry & Sandy B. (Kansas) 

“Anneliese was the life of the tour! She went above and beyond the call of duty form before the tour began until after it was ended! The guide was very informative in a pleasant, entertaining way! We were pretty excited about the trip and had high expectations, but I believe I can honestly say that I enjoyed the trip twice as much as I had imagined!! The route and attractions selected, the weather, the entire extraordinary staff, the group itself – all came together perfectly.” - Tony & Trudy F. (Oklahoma) 

“This being our 1 st tour – set the bar high! We’ve talked to others who had to “add” on excursions and ours were included, and others have had only one meal a day and I loved all the meals provided. The people (fellow travelers) were so wonderful, although I know you had no control over that. Thank you for making our first European trip so wonderful!” - Steve & Nancy S. (Wisconsin) 

“Outstanding!! I can’t think of anything to improve. I’ve already recommended the tour to local friends here. Your guide, Hans, is a fountain of info – very personable and interesting. You folks do a great job!!” - Bill S. (Ohio) 

“I don’t think we would change a thing! At first we were concerned about going by ourselves, with another couple that we knew. But I think it was more fun to mingle and get to know new friends from all over. Great group of traveling friends. Annie & Helmi were such a plus and made our entire trip so fun.” - Jerry & Terry S. (Minnesota) 

“It was a fantastic tour, and I would recommend it to my friends. We will go again sometime.” - Pete & Karen A. (Colorado) 

“Tour manager was excellent. Enjoyed our tour so much. We really enjoyed Nuremberg, all the farms, Bohemian music & duck dinner, and Eagle’s Nest. We enjoy the DVD – Thank you!” - Anonymous 

“Everything was real good. This is my 3 rd tour with Rupiper, and I am very happy. Thank you.” - Marvin H. (Iowa) 

“Great tour! Annie and Hans were great.  We really liked Czech Republic and Austria. Always handled my questions.” - Anonymous 

“This was a great tour and I enjoyed everyone on the tour. I would give the tour high marks. The food was excellent and hotels were great.” - Jim K. (Kentucky) 

“The variety of restaurants was outstanding. Loved eating local – small – unusual – wonderful. David loved the bread. We enjoyed the trip, food, people, sites, weather – it was perfect. Thank you!” - David & Cindy K. (Minnesota) 

“I rate the tour a 5 out of 5! We enjoyed the small group and the people. Thank you for the DVD – we have enjoyed it. It was nicely put together.” - Mary Ann P. (Oklahoma)

"We were very satisfied with the tour managers.  Not sure how they could do any better!  Our favorite activities were Eagle's Nest, Rhine River Cruise, and the last night in Switzerland.  Loved It!!" - Terri & Russ P. (Texas)

"Excellent on all counts.  We really enjoyed the Salt mine, Alp farm visit and the other farm tours.  Excellent experience - enjoyed all the folks we were with.  Larry & Tracy were excellent guides." - Joe & Tammy F.  (Nebraska)

"Both Larry and Tracy were pleasant and friendly and took a genuine interest in each traveler's needs and interests.  Everything was very well organized.  The driver did a fine job of maneuvering through the narrow mountainous roads.  This was an amazing tour.  We saw and experienced a lot of things we would have missed had we gone on our own.  We so enjoyed getting acquainted with the other group members - what a wonderful group!  Thank you for organizing everything and for being so pleasant and cheerful.  We hope to travel with you again." - Gary & Joyce R.  (South Dakota)

"The farm tours were absolutely great.  The European farmers were honored to have American farmers tour.  We enjoyed the cruises, touring the Alpine areas and seeing Hitler's Eagle's Nest and Assembly Grounds in Nuremberg.  The hotels and breakfast buffets were over the top!  Our fellow travelers were such nice (and fun too) people.  Absolutely a wonderful tour." - Ron & Miriam E.  (Minnesota)

"You just couldn't be better - such a joy to be around - ready for the day and all you had planned for us. We really enjoyed the windmills, the flower auction and the farms.  You guys are wonderful! I wasn't ready to leave the ALPS! We loved the tour! I would go again and do all the same things!!" - Zada & Daniel C. (Texas)

"You guys were great, you cover everything.  I felt very secure and taken care of - that was something I was a little concerned about at first, but you put me at ease right away.  Thank you. All of you were nothing short of awesome!  You guys are the very best, I couldn't ask for more or better!" - Rick & Rochelle L.  (California)

"The farm visits were fantastic! The bus ride through the Alps - Wonderful! Eagle's Nest - Terrific. Nuremburg, Salzburg, Amsterdam - All Wonderful! The traditional dinners and entertainment were great! So much wonderful stuff to say! The tour manager was terrific! Very helpful & very organized. You definitely knew what you were doing. Excellent job! Great people & a great time! THANK YOU! - Eldon & Ricki W. (Nebraska)

Had a great time. Hope to catch a trip to Ireland soon. We could not ask for a better tour and manager. The guide and driver were very commendable, knowledgeable and friendly.  Made our trip much more interesting. Thanks for all you did for us." - John & Kathy P. (Illinois)

"Very good on all counts! Really enjoyed Eagles Nest, Rhine boat cruise, Amsterdam boat tour, and the farewell dinner in Switzerland. This made me want to travel more. Please send me a list of your tours to come." - David F. (Texas)

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Agriturisms in Germany

Urlaub am bauernhof : german farm stays.

There are more than 4,500 urlaub am Bauernhof (farm stay) operations all across Germany.

How to find German farm stays

If you want to find and book a few before you leave, here are the best online resources for finding farm stays all across Germany. Not all sites are available in English, but the pertinent details are usually pretty easy to figure out:

Resources just in Germany

Urlaub am Bauernhof ( www.landtourismus.de ) - Official site, with about 1,950 listings across Deutschland. Here's the trick: the English section only lists properties that have translated their own descriptions into English. If you stick to the German-language version, you get three or four times as many listings.

Bauernhof Urlaub ( www.bauernhofurlaub.de ) - Lots of options (4,500), but site only in German.

General/global resources

ECEAT ( www.eceat.nl ) - The European Center for Eco Agro Tourism is a Dutch concern selling guidebooks to agritourism establishments across Europe. Its sister site www.groenevakantiegids.nl (all in Dutch, but the details are easy enough to savvy) lists about 160 in Germany.

Many local tourist offices have lists of local farm stays.

Sadly, few are listed in English-language guidebooks —but there are often agriturismo guides available in local bookshops —in German, perhaps, but the important bits are easy enough: addresses, prices, and phone numbers, photographs, and icons for private baths, swimming pools, etc.

You can always just look for signs on country roads, pointing down rutted dirt tracks toward a farmhouse set among the fields.

The concept behind agritourism (or farm stays, or guest ranches, or farmhouse B&Bs, or rural tourism, or whatever you want to call it) is simple: you spend the night as a guest on a working farm. From there, though, the concept flies off in many directions.

Sometimes you just hole up for the night in a B&B converted from a farmhouse.

Sometimes you actually stick around to do volunteer work for a few days (a week, two months, a year), as with the worldwide WWOOF or Helpx networks.

Sometimes, just renting a cottage in a rural area where sheep wander past your window is enough to count.

Ideally, the property's owners live on-site and are farmers who derive the bulk of their income from agriculture, using this newfangled form of tourism merely to help make ends meet.

In some countries, the practice of agritourism is highly regulated; in others, it’s a wild west of opportunities, and you have to pick carefully to avoid spending the night in a barn atop a pile of hay (unless that's what you want—I've done it, and it's great ).

Double rooms at a farm stay operation run anywhere from [$7 to $200], but usually around [$40 to $90. ]

I've stayed at loads of farms: vineyards and dairy farms, barns amid olive groves and frescoed villas next to horse stables. Each stay has offered me a different experience of farm life for a fraction the cost of a hotel .

Many agriturisms require a two- or three-night minimum stay (for some, a week).

Roughly half accept credit cards .

Sometimes you get four-star luxury and satellite TV. Sometimes you’re a straw's-width from sleeping in a stall.

Most, though, are just what you'd expect from a farmhouse B&B: simple comforts, solid country furnishings, and rural tranquility—barnyard noises excepted.

The hosts tend to be a sight friendlier than your average hotel desk clerk. Some invite guests to dine with them, family-style, in the farmhouse. One shepherd let me stir a bubbling pot of sheep's milk to help it on its way to becoming pecorino cheese. Vineyard owners love to crack open bottles of their best to guide you through the finer points of wine tasting.

This article was by Reid Bramblett and last updated in April 2011 . All information was accurate at the time. about | contact | faq Copyright © 1998–2013 by Reid Bramblett . Author: Reid Bramblett .

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Sie brauchen sich im Vorfeld um nichts zu kümmern! Von der Flugbuchung über die Reiseplanung bis zur Organisation von Fachdiskussionen vor Ort ist alles perfekt vorbereitet!

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Jan ist der Ideengeber und Geschäftsführer von Farm-Tours (früher Jan Peters Agrarreisen JPA). Als Agrarjournalist ist er bestens über die Agrarmärkte informiert und verfolgt die Entwicklungen in der Agrarbranche weltweit. Durch sein breites Kontaktnetzwerk organisieren wir schon seit 12 Jahren hervorragende fachliche Reisen in die ganze Welt. In seiner Freizeit organisiert Jan Spendentouren mit dem Unimog in die Ukraine.

Reinhard Werner

Von Beginn an ist Reinhard für die Organisation, Abwicklung und Begleitung der Agrarreisen verantwortlich. Als leidenschaftlicher Globetrotter hat er früher mit Jan Peters Agrarreisen und heute mit Farm-Tours jeden Kontinent der Welt bereist. Als ehemaliger Pressesprecher besitzt er eine unverwechselbare Menschenkenntnis, was ihm zu einem charismatischen Organisator und Reiseleiter macht – das merkt man auch daran, dass 70 % der Mitreisenden wiederholt mit uns Reisen buchen.

Lissa Peters

Lissa ist als Reisekoordinatorin seit 2021 Teil des Farm-Tours-Teams. Ihre Reiselust und ihr Interesse an der Landwirtschaft begeistert die studierte Geografin für die Agrarreisen. Als Tochter von Jan führt sie Farm-Tours in der nächsten Generation eigenverantwortlich fort. Als Wahl-Münsteranerin hat sie den Standort von Farm-Tours im Landwirtschaftsverlag Münster aufgebaut. 

Caroline Jücker

Caroline ist die neuste Bereicherung unseres Teams. Sie ist studierte Agrarwissenschaftlerin, hat vorher als Redakteurin bei einer landwirtschaftlichen Fachzeitschrift gearbeitet und ist in ihrer Freizeit in der Welt unterwegs, wenn sie nicht gerade auf ihrem elterlichen Betrieb in Westfalen mit anpackt. Ihre Leidenschaft für Landwirtschaft weltweit, innovative Themen und ihre Freude im Umgang mit Menschen hat sie zu Farm-Tours geführt. 

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Unser Partner-Büro in Brasilien

Farm-Tours ist Spezialist für Agrarreisen – insbesondere nach Brasilien. Seit vielen Jahren arbeiten wir sehr eng mit Sandy Schöler und Daniel Rosenthal zusammen. Sie sind der "verlängerte Arm" von Farm-Tours nach Südamerika!

Sandy betreibt unser Partnerbüro in Brasilien. Sie ist Touristikerin und vor vielen Jahren von Deutschland nach Brasilien ausgewandert. Mit ihrer Familie lebt sie in der Nähe von Londrina und bewirtschaftet dort einen landwirtschaftlichen Betrieb mit Nelore-Rinderzucht und 400 ha Ackerbau. Sandys landwirtschaftliche und touristische Kompetenz zeigt sich in den sehr erfolgreichen, spannenden Agrarreisen. Zusammen mit Daniel Rosenthal hat sie seit über 10 Jahren Erfahrungen im Bereich Gruppenreisen für Landwirte.

Daniel ist deutschstämmig und bewirtschaftet einen landwirtschaftlichen Betrieb mit 400 ha (Soja, Mais, Weizen, Zuckerrohr, Wald) in der Nähe von Rolandia. Zudem ist er als Vizepräsident für die Föderation für Direktsaat in Brasilien in Paraná sowie als Präsident des lokalen Zuckerrohrverbandes tätig. Einen kompetenteren Fach-Reiseleiter kann man in Brasilien nicht finden.

Ihre Gruppenreise von uns organisiert

Sie wollen für eine gruppe eine reise organisieren, wir sind ihr ansprechpartner.

Sprechen Sie uns an und wir organisieren für Sie Ihre Agrarreise mit dem von Ihnen gewählten Schwerpunkten. Egal ob Ackerbau, Viehzucht, Milchviehbetriebe, Gemüseanbau, Vermarktungsstrategien oder Weinbau - wir haben Erfahrungen auf all diesen Gebieten und das weltweite Netzwerk, um mit Partnern vor Ort die wichtigsten Betriebe und interessantesten Fachbesuche zu organisieren. Gerne stellen wir Ihnen ein maßgeschneidertes Programm ganz nach Ihren Vorstellungen zusammen.

Mitglied bei ATOI

Wir sind Mitglied bei ATOI (Agricultural Tour Operators International), ein Zusammenschluss von professionellen Reiseveranstaltern, die sich auf den Agrartourismus spezialisiert haben.

Die Mitglieder von ATOI sind aufgrund ihrer Kenntnisse und ihres Verständnisses der Agrarindustrie in der einzigartigen Lage, Reiseprodukte zu entwerfen und zu entwickeln, die auf die spezifischen Interessen der Kunden zugeschnitten sind. Dazu gehören kleine Familienbetriebe, große kommerzielle Betriebe/Ranches und spezifische Interessen wie Ackerbau oder Viehzucht, Milchwirtschaft, Forstwirtschaft, Obst, Gemüse und Gartenbau, sowie Konferenzen und Veranstaltungen im Agrarsektor. 

Achten Sie auf das ATOI-Logo als Zeichen für die Qualität landwirtschaftlicher Reiseprodukte. 

Sie interessieren Sich für unsere Reiseangebote?

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Kontaktdaten, farm-tours gmbh, hülsebrockstraße 2, 48165 münster, tel. 02501 / 985230, fax: 02501 / 985232, e- mail -adresse.

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Hops Farm Tours - Munich Forum

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Any suggestions?

You can likely get contact info to arrange something like this on:

http://www.Munich.de/info

I can only speak of my knowledge of hops farming by the Bodensee (Lake Constance). This area has many orchards, and occasionally you'll see a small area of telephone poles sticking up over 20 feet high connected by wires, on which the vines grow. In this area the hop fields are fairly small, and would never support tours, although there is quite a bit of hops grown. One early September we were in the area visiting a fruit stand when they brought in a load of hops, so I could at least see the plant up close. I don't really think that hops farming is conducive to tourism. As previously suggested, contacting tourist information offices would be best.

This used to be a very poor area, but now with the Audi factory and refinereies at the end of the Italy - Bavaria oil pipeline near Ingolstadt, this has become a very wealthy area.

John: What part of Michigan? I grew-up in St. Clair Shores, MI,,, born in Detroit, still have a cabin in Cadillac area..

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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