Let me introduce myself:
I'm Graziella and together with my husband Mauro and our two children and my parents, we've created Ca' Bianca Agritourism.
Now, if you read on, I'll bore you with some chat......just let me get on with it because I really want to and am proud of what we've all made together.
Our farm is situated in the area of Ostia Parmense at about 400 m above sea level and only 5 km from Valtaro's main town, Borgotaro. We are on the left of the River Taro where it meets with the Cogena torrent, one of the best areas for gathering porcini mushrooms and recognized at European level (registered mushroom zone IGP ie. protected geographical area).
The farm consists of various plots of different types of land with different characteristics. We grow fodder and cereals on our cultivated land which we then use to feed our saddle-horses as well as a variety of farmyard animals. The wheat and maize crops are used to make bread and polenta. We also have many friends who raise all kinds of produce: when our own runs out, we use theirs as our larder.
There is also a large orchard with apples, pears, peaches, plums, apricots, cherries, almonds, hazelnuts, figs and persimmons. Chestnuts of excellent quality can be gathered in the many woods belonging to the farm.
Our Agritourism farm has seven completely independent rooms available, each with its own bathroom. One room has facilities for the disabled and there is TV in every room. An equipped games-room is available as well as a billiard room, another with satellite TV and a well-stocked library. You won't be needing any of these though because exploring the Valtaro countryside won't leave you time. You can go horse-riding or walking in the magnificent woods, take trips on mountain-bikes or go canoeing or fishing in the rivers or the many lakes in the area.
For mountain "professionals" or open-air sports people, there are a vast number of signposted CAI rambers' tracks that are linked to the "Great Appenine Hikes". You can also follow the tracks of the Parma Appenines' Equestrian Way and the Francigena Way, obviously accompanied by Mauro (official ANTE guide for the National Association of Equestrian Tourism).
Last but not least, the food.
Everything is based on typical local products, many of which are grown and gathered on the farm itself. We have studied in depth the history and methods for preparing the many unique dishes of excellent quality that this rich land has to offer.
The stone, wood and many objects representing the farming history of the Appenine area offer a warm and comforting welcome that will make you feel at home.
The farm's bar, available to residents only, is a place where you can stay up late in company and have fun.
The Tavern, on two levels with a games-room and a splendid billiard table, can accommodate parties and professional meetings - and let's not forget the monumental wooden fireplace.
And even though we are deep in the wonderful countryside, there is a "link" to the outside world via satellite, hi-fi VCR and Internet.
The stables consist modern wooden units that are safe and clean. The riding-school too has been constructed according to the most advanced technological principles.