Farm Stay near Rome
Farm Name: LA MERIDIANA
Location: Near Tivoli, bordering a town called: VILLANOVA.
Region: Lazio
Country: Italy
Families planning to tour Rome and its surroundings encounter a problem common to every major city: where to stay at an affordable rate in a spacious and quiet place? Hotels in Rome are very expensive, and for the many euros you pay, you receive small, cramped rooms that generally cannot accommodate families of 4–5 people.
When traveling with children, it is extremely convenient to stay in a spacious accommodation with a kitchen (or kitchenette), away from the city's hustle and bustle, so that when returning to the room at the end of a touring day, you can stroll a bit in nature and enjoy sports, leisure, and fun activities.
La Meridiana farm perfectly meets all these criteria and even exceeds them.
The farm owners are a wonderful couple: he is Italian and she is Canadian from Quebec, who together with their daughter, Paola, thought of every detail and transformed an old building on their farm into high-standard apartments and guest rooms. They speak fluent English and French, which is a great relief in Italy where not many are proficient in these languages.
The property features a swimming pool, a playground, rental bicycles, and additional attractions are planned.
A typical Italian breakfast served in a central dining room is included in the accommodation rate.
Two accommodation options are available: small apartments, 45 sq. meters in size featuring two rooms, a kitchenette, and a bathroom—such an apartment is suitable for 4–5 people; or especially large individual rooms, 32 sq. meters each, which have a spacious bathroom and a small kitchenette. Each room is suitable for 2–3 guests. The rooms are air-conditioned (quite rare in farm stays and B&Bs, yet essential in summer), and each room naturally includes a TV as well as free Wi-Fi.
La Meridiana farm is located 27 km from Rome, 7 km from Tivoli, and only 3 km from the famous Hadrian's Villa (Villa Adriana). Train and bus stations to Rome are located near the farm.
It is recommended to rent a car at the airport, drive it to the farm (plenty of parking is available), and dedicate part of the time to day trips outside Rome to nearby destinations such as: PALESTRINA (only 15 km away), home to an interesting sanctuary; SUBIACO (40 km away), where the famous Monastery of Saint Benedict is located; and of course, dedicate a full day to the charming town of Tivoli and its renowned villas: Villa d'Este and Hadrian's Villa. Near the farm, there are thermal pools and a water park.
Additionally, a large selection of restaurants (including pizzerias, of course) can be found within 1–2 km of the farm. The farm owners will gladly recommend local restaurants and nearby attractions, including special events and unique spots you won't find in any travel guide.
On Sundays and holidays, driving into Rome by car is very easy, with free parking available everywhere, allowing you to explore at your leisure. During the rest of the week, it is best to leave your car at the farm or at the train/bus station and travel into the large, congested city via public transit, as large parts of the city center are closed to private vehicle traffic (ZTL) and finding parking can be very challenging.
Travel Articles on Rome:
♦ Rome Travel Itineraries
♦ Cooking Class in Rome
♦ Shopping in Rome
For families traveling in Rome, I warmly recommend Dani Kerman's book: "Rome – A Guide in the Traveler's Hand", which turns exploring this bustling city into a captivating journey for children. In addition, right on the first day in town, a visit to the "Time Elevator" attraction is highly recommended. Using special effects and engaging visual media, it tells the story of Rome and its people from the days of Romulus and Remus, through the Roman Empire, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and up to modern times.
