ETRUSCAN CASTLE TOUR - ITALY
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This horse riding trip leads you through undiscovered parts of Tuscany and Lazio. This is an area typical of the rich culture and historic background of the first Etruscan population. It is also the former border of the former Vatican state. Is this a co-incidence? We overnight in two different medieval castles and one fortress during the week. The accommodation is designed to show you all aspects of local life in comfort. On a cultural level you explore the wineries of Umbria, a region famous for the Chianti wine. The ride passes through the heart of the old civilisation of Etruria, viewing a necropolis and many historically significant sites of incredible beauty. This is an all round experience of the region on horseback, not just a ride in Italy. Your friendly hostess Michaela looks after your every need and delights in showing you the countryside. Ever varying gourmet meals introduce you to the various regional specialities - find out where Italy's international reputation for excellent food originates!
SAMPLE ITINERARY - ETRUSCAN CASTLE TOUR
The starting point for this horse riding holiday is a small village at the southern most end of Tuscany, on the borders of the province of Sienna and Grosseto.
Day 1
Arriving in Orvieto and shared transfer for the group from Orvieto station to Proceno. Settle in to your local castle. Dinner in the local restaurant – the only independent restaurant in the town. A local lady cooks in the traditional style and creates according to the day and mood, very tasty filled pasta – called Tortelli. The desserts are very special and always freshly prepared.
Day 2
Today we ride in the area of the medieval town Proceno, through clay hills down in the valley of the river Palia - with marvelous view on the mountains of Amiata and Cetona. Lunch in the former border of the Vatican state and Italy – in a place called Dogana. Here even on hot days a fire is lit in the dinning room to cook on. The return journey leads uphill in the afternoon sun, with warm views on soft rolling wheat fields or sheep pastures. Dinner in a local farmhouse out in the countryside – the oldest real agriturismo. With all kinds of animals around we, of course, enjoy many varieties of homeproduced and homecooked foodstuffs.
Day 3
Travel on horseback from Proceno to Onano. The area changes completely – once we have passed the private wooded property of Montorio, we ride over hugh plateau fields with various agricultural business grown on tuff (a vulcanic soft stone) ground. Farmers settled here with their sheep long ago and started a good traditional cheese production. Lunch in a restored restaurant with handpainted fresso of San Quirico. Thanks to the Tuff rocks on the ground the terrain remain remarkably well drained and ideal for long trots and canters. In the afternoon you arrive at the stables of the Castello di Cristina. This evening a local cook prepares a tasty dinner in the former stable below the bedrooms – the vaulted ceiling of teh former stables is very atmospheric.
Day 4
Today we ride in the area of Onano and to the unique national park Selva di Lamone. This is an indescribable wooded area, created by the now incative volcano in the Lago di Bolsena. Boulders are littered like crumbs on a cake. The leaves and the trees create shade and light in a fantastic, unreal mix on the inhospitable ground beside the dirt road. Lunch in a lonely farmhouse beside a private little lake, that was also once a volcano and that remained at a depth of 200 mt. You are served tasty homeproduced starters and barbecued meet outside on the green in front of the house with views down on the lake. After the afternoon ride back we enjoy dinner today in the former stable part of the castle, in front of a lush garden and a centenary tree.
Day 5
Travel on horseback from Onano to Sorano. Romantic wood, steep ditches, narrow canyons and old Etruscan roads are found along our journey. The area is full of breathing culture and history, more so as you get closer to Sorano. We stop for another lunchstop in San Quirico, this time with different menu. We stay in the medieval fortress high above the old Etruscan town. Dinner in a restaurant down in the center.
Day 6
Today we ride in the unique area of Sorano with its deep and narrow roads cut in the tuff rock. There are innumerable tombs all over the hills. Lunchstop in Sovana – one of the most famous villages of the Etruscan civilazation – with its huge overground tombs. Back in Sorano dinner in a restaurant in the village.
Day 7
Travel back from Sorano to Proceno with lunchstop in a different lonely farmhouse with family business and homecooked food. Dinner in the castles restaurant.
Day 8
Shared transfer in the morning from Proceno to Orvieto station.
The weight limit for this ride is 14 st/198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
The program contains seven nights in double rooms with private bathroom. On six days full board with Italian breakfast, lunch picnic or light meal in restaurants and three or four course dinner; incl. table wine, coffee and water, horse riding as described and English speaking guide. On arrival day dinner; on departure day breakfast. Luggage transfer during the week. Transfer from Orvieto to Proceno by car (shared transfer).
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
Getting to and from Orvieto or items of a personal nature. If you would like a transfer from Rome airport to Orvieto the starting point, this can be arranged for an extra charge.
FURTHER DETAILS
As we are specialists in our field we have extensive knowledge of all our products from details of accommodation and meals to number/size/type of horses to pace of riding ... and much more.
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