Nat Geo Day Tour: A Green and Inclusive Sanctuary in Milan

The Cascina Biblioteca is a 13th century mansion-farm in parkland which is now surrounded by the suburbs of Milan. The farmhouse hosts a social cooperative that assists vulnerable, fragile and disabled people to thrive by getting involved in the daily activities involved in running a smallholding, stables, a trattoria and a bar. It's easy to forget city life when you are enjoying the serene environment of the Parco Lambro and the inclusive community at the Cascina.

Begin by discovering the park on a rickshaw tour with your National Geographic-trained guide. As you tour the park in zero-emissions comfort, you will get the lowdown from the guide on the various projects and social inclusion initiatives that Cascina Biblioteca facilitates. It is involved in a range of activities, from sustainable agriculture to apiculture or hospitality, which benefit individuals directly and, as a consequence, society as a whole.

Next, you'll have the chance to meet the local community, hear their stories and join in with one of the daily farming tasks which vary according to the season and the current priorities at the Cascina. It's an opportunity to experience first-hand how sustainable agriculture is carried out by the community at the Cascina, and to see the variety of produce growing right in the city of Milan.

Once you've finished helping out, you will spend some time over a leisurely light lunch or apéritif at the Cascina's very own trattoria where many of the ingredients for the dishes served are made with the community's homegrown produce.