These simple but beautiful and rustic camping grounds are located at Burciano on the border of Umbria and Tuscany. Burciano is part of the municipality of Cortona, an ancient Etruscan town. The campsite is located 550 meters behind the mountains of Cortona and offers stunning views of the Umbrian mountains. Because of the altitude and shady woods it is not as hot as in the nearby Val di Chiana. It is peaceful and secluded.
Even though there is enough space on the site and there are many surrounding forests, vineyards and olive groves, we will allow no more than fifteen tents (approx 40 people) on the site to maintain the peacefulness and tranquility. |
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The natural pool is unique (30 by 40 meters). When swimming, you look out on mountains, forests and olive groves: proper panoramic swimming!
You can camp with smaller tents near the natural pool. Larger tents are further away from the lake on large, spacious private places. But also smaller tents can be as remote and private as you like. You'll be disturbed by nothing, may be by some animals of the forest! You won’t hear mobiles at all here. |
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The camp is simple, but does have the basic services. There is drinking water from our own well and there is a toilet and a shower. Hot water only when the sun shines! It is possible (by arrangement) to make a campfire.
There is no electricity for refrigeration boxes, but there is a freezer for ice packs (free).
On the campsite chilled beverages and organic products are available: home-baked brown bread, pure red and white wine, vegetables from the garden, olive oil, homemade jams, fruit drinks, eco eggs and lager. |
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Camping Burciano is a campsite "to just be", like a camper once said. It was built on Wilfredo’s private land because he likes to offer people and especially children the opportunity to be close to nature and get acquainted with it.
He started with excavating a lake, then in the most natural manner possible has created the wonderful camping plots. The plots require a lot of maintenance each year (if only as a result of the rooting and burrowing of wild boars, which are here in large numbers). The mountain road requires all year round care. He has done much to improve the road so that people without experience on such roads can safely come and go, although we hope that people won’t drive faster as a result! |
We keep the ecological system of the site as intact as possible; the water supply, the use of forest, waste.
Respect for the environment is our priority and we expect that from our guests too.
The campsite is open from July 1 to September 1. In June you also can come camping, but then the little shop/bar is still closed. Also maintenance work on the forest and the terrain might still be in progress. |
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You can arrive on weekdays, but not before 16.00 or after 19.00 hours!
If you arrive later, it quickly becomes dark and is not recommended when you use the mountain road to the campsite for the first time.
Because of its location our site is not suitable for people passing through, or those with caravans, campervans or tent trailers! For those it is more convenient to find a campsite near Lake Trasimeno. |
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At Burciano you can attend several courses and participate in various activities.
Wilfredo, owner of Burciano used to be a tutor in English, French and philosophy until 1982 but has since stopped. As a child he was already busy with vegetable gardens and twenty years ago he started ecological gardening at Burciano. In Italy there was not much enthusiasm for that at the time. To earn a living he then also worked for other farmers. In 2000 he started the small scale campsite.
On this site you can actually stay in the middle of nature and, if you wish so, learn about ecological gardening. |
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Every day you can go in the vegetable garden, pick your own fruit and vegetables and ask questions about things you want to know. (Including tips for recipes). His 28 years experience in working the land, his interest in and knowledge of nature, the environment and the local history and his 15 years experience as tutor, enables him to teach in a very special way. As a rule, he offers twice daily a one hour lesson, depending on the wishes of the students and the course. Hourly pay 5 euros per person for five people. (Private lesson is 25 euros per hour). If you are interested, please let us know in time. |
Types of courses
- Italian at every level and practice-oriented so you can use this immediately in shops, bars, etc.
- English, French and German at all levels. (Something for teenagers who want to brush up language!)
- Local history. From the Etruscan period to the present.
- Literature or philosophy in non-dogmatic manner. (In English, German, French or Italian)
- Biology of the local plants and animals. (This is free for children)
- In summer Wilfredo gives one to two hours a week a lesson in gardening. If children are present, he will focus his attention on them. (This course is free for everyone).
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Special day walks
In July and August Lucia lives at camping Burciano. She organizes children's day hikes, family day walks, day hikes for girlfriends, friends, etc.
Lucia has roamed in this area since 1992 and knows a lot about the history, culture and nature and knows the best and most beautiful trails and spots! The walks are tailored to the participants and the weather. Prices of the walks vary from 7 euros to 40 euros depending on transfers, entrance fees and number of participants. |
| More photos of Camping Burciano |
Other possibilities at Burciano
- Professional nanny from 4 per hour. For parents who want to spend a day without children (for example because the kids prefer the campsite over another visit of a town, to go for a romantic meal, etc.)
- Help with work on site. For example in the garden, the mountain road improvement, building a capana, pruning in the woods, feeding the fish, brainstorming...
- As volunteer with Wilfredo to work the land.
- Most of the work is in the spring and autumn. (For a free or reduced price stay)
- Throughout the year it is possible to participate in activities on site or elsewhere on the land for board and lodging. You can stay for free in a furnished caravan.
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Reservations for Burciano |
For July and August reservation is obligatory.
For reservations please call Lucia Tours: 0039-0575-614369 or send an email.
You can also use our site to send a message. Please use this form.
A reservation is only valid after confirmation by Lucia Tours by e-mail or phone!
VERY IMPORTANT:
Call us one day in advance to let us know around what time you expect to arrive. If you get the answering machine, leave your message in English, German, French or Italian. If necessary, you’ll be called back.
Arrival of new guests between 16.00 and 19.00 hours! Arrivals before 16:00 hours result in an extra day’s charge. We strongly recommend not to drive up in the dark up with a heavily loaded vehicle. So try to arrive before 19:00. Departure by 12.00 hours.
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From autostrada Firenze-Roma, exit Val di Chiana, direction Perugia. On the superstrada NOT the 1st exit Cortona via Manzano, but the 4th exit Castiglione / Cortona-Terontola. Immediately after the exit turn right to go under the motorway towards Cortona.
You drive through the village Terontola, and then through a small hamlet Riccio. Then Ossaia is indicated. Follow this direction (at the fork keep right). Follow this road to S. Marco in Villa. At the end of the road you come to a T junction with bad view (watch out for cars from the left). Turn right direction Pergo (Lisciano).
After about 4 km you will see Pergo. You first pass a Spar shop and a bar. After about 1 km is another bar with terrace on your left. This is an authentic country bar and also has a small grocery store. It is always open, even on Sunday. If the shop, for some reason, is closed ask Ivo, Clara or Franca, the owner of the bar if you can do your shopping. Then they will kindly help you.
Then after one kilometre turn left at the sign of Valecchie. After about one kilometre you see a red / orange bridge on your left. (Not the first wooden bridge). Go on the bridge, even if there is a sign indicating this is prohibited.
Across the bridge turn right into the unpaved mountain road. Note the ribbons in the trees, they indicate where the worst bumps and potholes are. The road makes a curve to the left, then right, then left, then a straight piece. You'll pass a house on the left. (You never turn left, unless a bend in the road forces you). The road curves to the left and then right again. After you've seen a stone hut on your right the road curves left and descends a little. At the end, the road curves to the left again, it becomes steep here and there is a hairpin bend to the right, after which it is steep again. Bits of the road here are tarmac. Now
follow the road until you see an “entry forbidden” sign to your right. That’s where you need to go, so ignore the sign! After fifty meters you see the camping.
Doing the mountain road (approx 2.5 km and 15 minutes drive) for the first time is an exciting adventure. Especially if you're not used on unpaved roads in the mountains and even more so with a fully laden car after a tiring trip!
Here are some tips on driving on mountain roads. Read them before you drive up this mountain ...
TIPS
- After a long trip get a bit of rest and have a drink at the bar of Franca.
- The high bumps in the road are for drainage, drive here as slowly as possible. These are like speed bumps, you drive too fast and the bottom of the car gets hit.
- Use the clutch only when moving off and stay in first gear for the whole mountain road
- Do not accelerate on a steep section, you might start skidding. It is better to reverse to a less steep bit and then continue again.
- Keep an average speed between 10 and 15 km, and accelerate a little before it gets steep. On the steepest part you can even slow down.
- Always take the corners wide.
- The steep hairpin is well paved, but take it as widely as possible. If you don’t, it might be too steep for your car engine.
If this happens, then reverse to a less steep part.
- Drive calmly and trust your car, they always seems strong enough to make it.
- If you feel insecure because you get to the steep hairpin and cannot see how the road continues, get out beforehand (not in the hairpin itself, you can park your car in the road side at the bend before) and go and take a look first (which is evidence of real driving talent).
- Always drive calmly, also down the mountain. This is to prevent dust, spare the road and your car, and drive slowly in the vicinity of houses. (No more than 10 km/hr to prevent dust clouds)
CI VEDIAMO A BURCIANO (See you at Burciano)
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