La Fattoria dell'Autosufficienza

Stop by in San Piero in Bagno (10 minutes' drive) for attractions like the weekly Wednesday market and the Castello di Corzano, an attractive ruined castle just outside the village with picnic spots and hiking trails. Also nearby are the Pontini and Lungo lakes (20 minutes), two handsome bodies of water that were formed following a huge landslide in the 19th century (angling is available at the former). Other visit-worthy watery spots include Alferello waterfall (30 minutes), a 30-metre-high cascade tucked away in the forest. It's a pleasant stroll from here to Alfero town centre, about half an hour away on foot. While in the area, you can also pay a visit to Castel d'Alfero (30 minutes), an abandoned medieval village and destination for many a hilly hike. This site may be deep in the Italian hinterland, but sandy Emilia-Romagna beaches are about an hour away by car. Ravenna (an hour and five minutes) is similarly easy to reach and a great pick for an urban day out: Roman, Renaissance and medieval architecture abounds in this world-class cultural hub.