Spending time on a farm can be strangely reassuring. After all, staying on the land provides a brief, but intimate, glimpse into the way things used to be and confirms that, somewhere in this technologically advanced world, there are communities still living quite well on what they cultivate from the land. Over the past few decades, tourism authorities around the world have come to recognize the importance of rural areas to their industry. What has emerged is the concept of agrotourism and, from that, programs commonly referred to as farmstays have evolved. Both working and non-working farms provide accommodations for travelers, anything from a room in the main farmhouse to a cabin located on the land.
Properties range from the most rustic operating farm to an elegant bed and breakfast.
Tasks can include the traditional milking of cows, feeding of hens, and gathering of hay. In Scandinavia , on the farms of Skarsmoen, visitors even take part in moose safaris and lessons in cheese making. Visitors on selected German farms receive expert instruction in the art of hunting. Alpine farms in Austria and Switzerland often offer recreational activities such as horseback riding and skiing, while farms in Vermont , in the US, offer dairy milking and apple picking. Or, for the most unusual farmstay, try one of Germany's Haystack Hotels .