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description: The little
medieval village of Torri Superiore (XIII century) is located in the
Ventimglia hinterland, a few km. away from the sea and the French
border. It was built at the foothills of the Maritime Alps, on the
slope of Monte Grammondo (1300 mt.), 80 meters above sea level. The hamlet is
surrounded by beautiful olive and citrus trees, mimosa and
Mediterranean flora. Since 1989, the
“Torri Superiore Cultural Association”, a non-profit NGO, has
gradually bought the village, and has started the process of
rehabilitation. The aim of the Association is to transform the abandoned
village into and ecovillage with a permanent cultural centre, a
guesthouse, and to support the birth of a resident community.
Today, the resident community has 20 members between adults and
children, runs the eco-guesthouse, organises courses and cultural
programmes, and develops farming projects (with olive trees and a few
vegetable gardens) based on permaculture and organic agriculture
principles. 13 private units out of the 20 planned and a large part
of the guest house have been completed. Since 1992 Torri Superiore has
organised 25 International Volunteers Workcamps with the
environmental national organisation “Legambiente” (www.legambiente.it) Ecovillage Torri Superiore
opens its simple and cosy guesthouse to travellers and groups interested
in ecology, sustainability, and community living. All
meals are served at a buffet in large rooms or on the terraces,
furnished with shared tables. The guesthouse offers double and multiple
rooms (up to 4 beds per room), with and without private bathroom; a
restaurant with special evening meals (mediterranean and ethnic
cuisine, meat, fish, vegetarian dishes) based on organic and locally-grown
produce; ample terraces for sun-bathing and relaxing. Laundry
facilities, a small library and an internet point are also at the
guests’ disposal. Torri
Superiore
is a member of GEN - Global Ecovillage Network, of RIVE - Rete Italiana
Villaggi Ecologica, and of the Italian Permaculture Academy.
The Torri Superiore guesthouse is open year-round and offers accommodation in single, double and multiple rooms with or without bathroom. The comfortable central bathrooms are supplied with showers and solar warm water. Ample dining rooms, terraces, meeting rooms, workshops, and storage rooms are also part of the guest centre. The restaurant offers carefully prepared meals based mostly on local and organic produce. The cuisine is normally Mediterranean, with little meat, some fish, but plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit. The menu is fixed and booking is requested; meals are provided at a self-service buffet at regular times. All guests sit together at large tables and share the company of members and residents. The Torri atmosphere is simple and informal, well suited for groups and individuals interested in learning about the ecovillage experience, and participating in its cultural and educational programmes.
courses: Torri Superiore offers courses and practical workshops on topics related to sustainability, communal living, manual work, care of people and of the environment. Since year 2000 Torri Superiore has offered courses on Permaculture Design according to the standard 72 hours module. The Torri Superiore community studies and applies permaculture principles in the developments of the ecovillage project; it is a founding member of the Italian Permaculture Academy, and for years housed the secretariat (www.permacultura.it).
Torri Superiore is situated at 80
meters above sea level, at the foothill of the Ligurian Alps. The small
valley is crossed by the beautiful Bevera River that flows from France and
forms natural swimming pools where one can swim in the warm months. The
local vegetation is evergreen, with Mediterranean shrubs, ancient olive
trees, holly-oaks, lemons, oranges and mimosa (wattle). In the nearby village of Torri di Ventimiglia (250 inhabitants) one can find a restaurant, a small department store, a church, and the bus stop of the bus to and from Ventimiglia.
Every year since 1992 Torri has
hosted international volunteer workcamps in partnership with Legambiente (www.legambiente.it).
Hundreds of youth from all continents have contributed to restoring the
little village and its surrounding land, and gotten in exchange a chance
to experience the communitarian and ecological way of life, that may
inspire their future choices.
pricing: Prices
include:
accommodation in double or multiple room, bed linen and blankets provided
(towels normally are not). All external bathrooms are ample and heated.
Breakfast and evening meals are served at the buffet in dining rooms
and on the terraces, and prepared mostly with organic ingredients. Fish
dinners on Friday, meat dinners on Saturday, home made pasta served at the
Sunday lunch. Vegetarian menus available on demand. Packed lunches
for trekkers available at 5 Euro / person. For groups of minimum 8 people:
introduction to the Ecovillage on Saturday night. “
Children up to 13 yr. pay 50% (max .2 per couple) “ Extra meals Euro 15 / person. “ Small
pets accepted only in double rooms and prior to
agreement “
Conventions:
The guesthouse is open to all members of the Friends of Torri Association
(yearly membership fee Euro 5 / person). Discounts for groups of minimum 8 people 5% discount
for long stays (2 weeks up) Room
prices
Double
room with bathroom inside Euro 49.5/night/person Single room without
bathroom inside Euro 44/night/person Double room without bathroom inside
Euro 38.5/night/person Multiple room (4 beds) without bathroom inside Euro
33/night/person All prices are half board, with buffet dinner and
breakfast included.
contact details: please contact for further details: Torri Superiore tel. +39 0184 215504 fax. + 39 0184 215914 |
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