Elisabeth de Coster & Stefano Fassone

Route: Umbria

Stefano and Elisabeth live and work on an organic olive farm and eco-agriturismo close to the Gorge of Farfa. They have two children: Marit and Theo. Stefano, originally from Rome, started the farm with some friends in the summer of 1999. Elisabeth joined as a volunteer in 2006, doing a European Voluntary Service. She is Belgian, studied history of arts and is a passionate cook. They got married in 2008 and since then have run the business together. WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) volunteers are still vital for the daily organisation on the farm.

Stefano has a strong interest in history and nature. His enthusiasm is contagious. After many years of commitment to local environmental associations, national protection of the Gorge of Farfa was obtained in 2005. Together with Elisabeth, Stefano guides tourists in the area. On the farm are the remains of a Roman villa, which they started excavating in the autumn of 2016. They hope to find funding to carry on this project and learn more about the history of the place.

In 2008 Stefano and Elisabeth got in contact with Simon Scutt and together they developed the walking route in Umbria and the Sabine Hills.