Bella Baia and Tenuta Novecento promote sustainable tourism formulas in the area, guaranteeing closer contact with nature.
March 23rd, 2021. By Priscilla Santos da Silva
After the pandemic, travelers will increasingly choose nature tourism. The reason? The need to live outdoor experiences, participate in excursions that lead to more direct contact with the surrounding environment, contemplate the beauty of nature, observe animal species in their habitat, and pay attention to the planet’s well-being.
Organic stay
For over ten years, Valentina Sannino, architect and local tourism expert, and Michele Insierra, agronomist and environmental tour guide, have expanded the holiday offer by promoting sustainable stays with a reduced environmental impact. The two have combined their passion for the mountains and the Amalfi Coast by opening Tenuta Novecento, a certified organic farm in Agerola.
They have renovated the old farmhouse of the Amatruda family, which boasts over 100 years of rural agriculture. “We were also able to take care of hospitality by adding rooms and offers, among other things, bed and breakfast, with absolutely organic dishes. We put on the table the products of our vegetable gardens. All this while continuing to carry on our respective free professions as agronomist and architect”, Valentina tells us.
Sustainability, first of all
For the renovation of the farmhouse, which took place in 2017, Sannino put his expertise and experience in architecture at the service, prioritizing sustainability with an ecological and environmentally friendly reform. The carefully planned project received European funding, and the young couple finalized the renovation. Among the peculiarities created within the estate, the typical materials and construction techniques of Agerola have been proposed: the enhancement of the ancient masonry, wooden floors, and roofs with beams and chiancarelle (a kind of chestnut wood plank), pitches covered with scandole (an old coating used to cover roofs and facades), finishing off the balcony in lava stone from Vesuvius.
The importance of recycling
Another common practice within the Tenuta Novecento is the practice of recycling. Among the essential interventions: are an underground cistern for reusing rainwater from the roofs and photovoltaic panels for the energy support of the farm, and on occasion, even to recharge electric cars. A composter for the recycling of all kinds of organic waste. A solution for reducing waste and producing fertilizer (compost) at Km0 within its organic soil; is a bio-shredder to chop waste from agronomic processes and integrate it in fertilization for the soil, avoiding creating waste or burning it by releasing CO2 into the atmosphere.
The experience of the territory
In addition to hospitality and good green practices, Tenuta Novecento offers a series of activities for its guests. It signed a collaboration with cartotrekking, a company specializing in itineraries and excursions in the area, to guide tourists to discover the Amalfi Coast.
Tenuta Novecento is a natural temple guardian of the Agerola tradition. It has always been dedicated to cultivating typical local products such as the Agerolese white potato, the saffron preserved in stigmas, the red and yellow corbarino tomato, and the Neapolitan pumpkins. “This experience has been and continues to be challenging. It needs tenacity and perseverance, but when you believe in this lifestyle, even the difficulties take on a less bitter taste”, Valentina tells us, underlining the joy of being able to share this passion with her husband.
Comfortable in nature
Bonaventura Landi, a lawyer and collector of ceramics and tiles, discovered a new way of vacationing. «One day, I was relaxing in a tent, and I thought many people could enjoy the same experience in contact with nature.” Thus the first Bella Baia glamping was born in Maiori.
He took the idea from the desire to give a touch of glamor to the classic campsite, where the tent becomes a room with all the services included in a hotel, with the only difference being direct contact with nature. He set up ten tents to carry out the project and placed them among the 18 lemon terraces.
All-inclusive
Bed, outdoor shower, stove, and hammock. The experience overlooking the sea and in the shade of lemons also provides easy access to the cavallo morto (dead horse) mysterious beach, famous for its crystal waters. In addition to glamping, the property offers a traditional camping area and two apartments. “Many guests stay in the apartment, but they soon fall in love with the relaxed and reserved environment of the tent and choose to stay here,” says Buonaventura.
From fishing to snorkeling
Tourists usually stay for three to seven days, but some stay for almost a month. Guests’ favorite activities include fishing and snorkeling, as the beach is just meters away. Climbing the steps, guests will find art and views as the collector hands out ceramics and tiles from various artists.
On Mount Falerzio
Like Tenuta Novecento, Bella Baia also enhances the mountains of the Amalfi Coast. Once a week, it offers a trekking tour on Mount Falerzio, one of the highest on the coast. The farm has recently renovated a new facility to provide tasting and sale of the company’s handcrafted products. “Thus, the guest can get to know the true flavor of the region and have access to an authentic product, such as our local cheeses and hand-made jams,” says the entrepreneur.
Rustic and eco-friendly architecture, the embrace of mother nature offers new travelers experiences of growth and rediscovery of themselves and the surrounding environment. The dialogue with nature intensifies and is tinged with profound respect. And this is where the real change happens.