Giardini di Marzo - Biohof mit Eseln in der Natur from €26.00 per night

Hello, we are a German-Italian couple, Ute (ex-fashion and costume designer, now hiking guide in Apulia) and Mario (ex sound engineer-music producer, now multitasking, cook, photographer, landscape designer and passionate donkey whisperer) and we run the organic farm 'Giardini di Marzo' with our eight donkeys, our five dogs and our farm cat. Our farm is located in the middle of a large Mediterranean botanical garden, between the foothills of the Valle d'Itria (Valley of the Trulli) and the Salento (boot heel). The strategically favorable location in the immediate vicinity of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas (approx. 35 minutes drive) offers an ideal starting point for the most famous sights in Apulia, e.g. Lecce, Otranto, Gallipoli, Ostuni, Alberobello or Matera, but also for hikes on foot, by bike or with a real donkey. Thanks to the mild climate, Puglia is very varied and attractive even outside of the main season. Be it in spring when the almond trees are in bloom, at Easter with the traditional Easter processions, "I Misteri" in Taranto or "I Pappamusci" in Francavilla Fontana (both close to us!), in autumn when the olives are harvested or at Christmas time with the folkloric living nativity scenes in rock caves. And for those who can't stand warm temperatures, in winter (January/February/March) with an average of 12°C you can hike, cycle and visit cities and museums without the crowds of tourists. If you don't feel like doing all that, you can relax undisturbed in a deck chair or hammock in our garden or talk to one of our 8 curious donkeys about the meaning of life... Our organic farm 'Giardini di Marzo' offers 4 shady pitches for mobile homes (max. 8 x 2.34 m), caravans, camper vans or tents in an authentic and natural environment. Each pitch has a spacious private garden area and its own stable power connection (included). Garbage cans for separate waste disposal and a communal sink for washing up are located centrally on the site and can be used free of charge by all guests. In the immense park of approx. 20,000 m2, which is atmospherically lit at night, there is a "communal area" under a large walnut tree, equipped with tables, chairs and hammocks, where you can come together for breakfast, lunch, dinner or simply for a glass of wine. Not far from the "communal area", there is an original stone tower with a farm shop and two bathrooms with toilet, shower and an outdoor shower available for an additional charge. Children up to 6 years and pets are free of charge. In our farm shop you can buy our award-winning organic olive oil “Oro Messapico”, an excellent “Aceto Balsamico di Puglia”, a unique prickly pear elixir “Regina Spinosa”, and many other high-quality products from our own production, as well as products from friendly organic farms such as pasta, wine, cheese and baked goods. In the summer months we offer a rustic dinner twice a week, and every now and then we heat up the wood-fired oven and have a pizza evening outside. All year round we offer tours of the botanical garden, professional olive oil tastings with Mario, and Mediterranean cooking courses. We also organize donkey treks or individual day trips and guided hikes. Ute is happy to give you insider tips on cultural excursions or the most beautiful hiking and cycling tours. The sun shines here, every day! Very important information! We are not a traditional campsite with 24-hour service, but an active organic farm and therefore we can only receive guests by prior arrangement. Anyone who comes to us spontaneously must expect to have to wait in front of the locked entrance gate. Therefore, please contact us in advance by phone, WhatsApp or email to agree on an approximate arrival time. Please check in after the 'holy siesta', i.e. from 4 p.m. until open end! Unfortunately, we have no facility for disposing of grey or black water, as we are not connected to the public sewage system, but operate a biological sewage treatment plant! However, there is the option of using this disposal service near us (petrol station). Otherwise, we have two comfortable bathrooms with hot water, toilet and shower for our guests' sanitary needs and the option of filling up water tanks; both for a fee.