Tribewanted launches new community tourism project in Umbria, Italy
Tribewanted – the pioneering company that built an eco-resort on a Fijian island through online crowd-funding, and went on to create a sustainable tourism project in Sierra Leone – has chosen a much less remote location for its next project: Umbria, in central Italy.
Rather than building a resort from scratch as they did in Fiji and west Africa, Tribewanted founder Ben Keene and his Italian business partner have teamed up with an existing agriturismo business, Monestevole, run by a local family. The plan is to renovate rooms in a 15th-century watchtower and offer guests the chance to take part in the running of the community, from cooking to harvesting olives. This last bit is voluntary: guests can simply use it as a base to explore the area, returning to tuck into the communal evening meals.
While it doesn't have the exotic draw of a remote Fijian island or west African beach, Monestevole fits the company's ethos of combining local traditions and ways of living in a viable tourism operation, Keene says. It will also appeal more to families, thanks to its accessibility (Perugia airport is half an hour away).
To fund the project, Tribewanted has launched a Community Interest Company where members pay a monthly fee (minimum £10) and get discounts on accommodation and a say in the running of Monestevole. Members' money will also help fund the existing Sierre Leone eco-resort and a further 10 projects planned around the world.
• Opens 21 March. From €60 (£49) a night or £292 a week for the bunk room to £81 a night to £487 a week for an apartment for non-members, including all food tribewanted.com
DEALS OF THE WEEK
High life for less in the Himalayas
Wildlflower Hall in Shimla, former residence of Lord Kitchener, perches 2,515m up in the foothills of the Himalayas overlooking mountains and pine and cedar forests. Pay £133 (11,750 INR) a night for a five-night stay in a double room and children aged 10-17 can stay in a second room for free. Activities include hiking, mountain biking or whitewater rafting down the Sutlej river – or just relax in the spa, outdoor Jacuzzi and heated swimming pool.
Oberoihotels.com. Subject to availability, T&Cs apply.
Half-price UK hotel breaks
Fine Individual Hotels (fihotels.com) is offering half-price stays in January at several properties, including Fishmore Hall in Ludlow, Shropshire, where a B&B stay now costs £75 a night in either a standard or luxury double – saving a whopping £350 a night on the latter (minimum two-night stay, subject to availability). In the Lake District The Wordsworth Hotel and Spa in Grasmere has doubles at £69 B&B and Linthwaite House overlooking Windermere has standard doubles with dinner for £84.50pp – both half the normal price. In Corfe Castle, Dorset, 400-year-old Morton's House has two nights' B&B for the price of one at £160 for two people.
January ski deals
Neilson has slashed prices on many of its ski holidays over January. For example, a week in Passo Tonale, Italy, now costs from £391pp (based on two sharing) a saving of £230pp, staying half-board at Hotel Adamello. Departs 12 January from Manchester.
Neilson.co.uk/ski/january-ski-deals
FITNESS AND WELLBEING BREAKS
Mountain biking in Wales
MudTrek's MTB breaks in Carmarthenshire, Wales, are billed as ski chalet-style holidays – but for mountain bikers, so think mud rather than snow – with fully catered accommodation in cosy converted barns, guided off-piste rides tailored to your ability and bike hire all included. A week with three days' guiding costs from £425pp. A two-night stay with one day's guiding is £195pp(both based on four sharing) and are available for groups of two to 14 guests.
mudtrek.com
Wellbeing holiday in Thailand
Tone up and broaden your mind while you tan on a 10-day Thailand trip from holistic holiday specialist Skyros. Staying at the new Samed Cabana beach resort on the island of Koh Samed, you can choose up to three informal courses a day, including yoga or meditation, life coaching, creative writing and Thai dance, many of which take place by the pool or on the beach. Prices start from £1,145pp and include 10 nights' accommodation in a twin room, two meals a day (usually breakfast and lunch), courses and activities. Departing 7 and 21 Jan. Flights and transfers not included.
skyros.com/offers_ad.htm
Learn cross-country skiing in Lapland
This cross-country skiing holiday takes you to Ylläs in Finnish Lapland, home to the country's largest cross-country network, where you'll learn the ropes from a former member of the Finnish cross-country team. Accommodation is in Yllashumina Hotel, in log cabins, and you might even catch a glimpse of the northern lights from the hotel's outdoor hot tub. A week half-board costs from £1,088pp, based on two sharing, including return flights from Gatwick to Kittila, two 90-minute lessons, six days' cross-country ski hire, a day's kick-sled hire and use of cross-country trails.
Inntravel (inntravel.co.uk, 01653 617000)
