About Margot

Welcome to my site! I’m Margot, the founder and owner of My Italy, the leading platform for agriturismos in Italy.

At 28, I moved from Amsterdam to Milan, where I spent eight years working for an advertising agency. That hectic yet enriching period taught me not only the Italian language but also gave me a deep appreciation for Italian cuisine, culture, and the unique character of its people. Milan was an exciting place to live and work, but I missed the tranquility of nature. Having grown up in the countryside of Drenthe, I found myself yearning for the peace and open spaces I’d always loved.

To reconnect with nature, I often escaped the city on weekends and holidays. My go-to destinations were Lake Como, Liguria, and Tuscany. Whether it was the majestic mountains around Lake Como, the charming villages along Liguria’s coast, or the rolling Tuscan hills, I felt completely at home. During these trips, I discovered “agriturismos,” a relatively unknown concept at the time. For me, these were the perfect places to stay: peaceful retreats where I could escape the hustle and bustle of city life and a demanding career.

One day, I thought, “How wonderful would it be to introduce people in Northern Europe to agriturismos? I could help them find unique holiday spots in Italy.” That’s when the idea for My Italy was born.

The turning point came when a friend with an agriturismo in Tuscany asked for help renting out his olive farm in the Siena hills. I took the leap, quit my job in Milan, and swapped the city for the Tuscan countryside—the ideal base for finding and visiting agriturismos for My Italy. The website quickly became a hub for showcasing Italy’s most beautiful agriturismos.

Tuscany was the perfect starting point, and from there, I expanded my search to regions like Marche, Umbria, Puglia, and Sicily. My Italy grew steadily, with more stunning agriturismos added every year, all personally selected by me. After 15 wonderful years in Tuscany, I recently moved back to northern Italy. This time, I didn’t return to the city but settled by my favorite spot, the stunning Lake Como.

Naturally, My Italy came with me! I still travel all over Italy, handpicking the most beautiful agriturismos to ensure they provide the perfect holiday experience.

My Italy in Numbers?

✔︎ The first agriturismo in Italy was founded in 1987.
✔︎ My Italy has been running since 2003.
✔︎ My selection features 200 personally vetted agriturismos.
✔︎ Each year, I review hundreds of agriturismos but only add a select few to my website.
✔︎ We are now a team of seven passionate collaborators.
✔︎ Over the past 20 years, I’ve helped more than 35,000 customers plan their dream vacations.
✔︎ Clients rate My Italy 9.4/10, with 100% recommending our service.

Read more about My Italy and what we do.

Ciao,
Margot