Horseback riding in Tuscany, Italy

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- Tuscan Discovery Week
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Tuscan Discovery Week


Itinerary for Tuscan Discovery Week




NOTE: our programs have a degree of flexibility for your own leisure, and some details may change due to weather or specific events such as grape harvest.

Sample Itinerary: A Taste of Tuscany Getaway - subject to changes
 
Note that this programme can also take place (Sat – Wed) during the first part of a Tuscan Discovery Week programme.

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival
Go to the main railway station of Florence (Firenze Santa Maria Novella). Now take the 6:14 pm train (RV4085)to Foligno, and get off at Montevarchi-Terranuova, our local station (you should reach it for 6:51 pm). The preceding station is San Giovanni Valdarno, but when the train leaves it you can start getting your luggage together, as only four minutes later you will arrive at Montevarchi). Your host, Jenny (white-haired and wearing a red shirt) will be there to welcome you
on platform 1.
Then, take a ten-minute drive in a minivan to the farm, the 400-year-old typically Tuscan home of your host. Settle in and then enjoy a chat and a glass of Chianti Classico with your host, either in the sitting room or outside the farmhouse with its panoramic views.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at the Farm


Day 2 (Sunday): Introductory Ride
Breakfast and morning ride through vineyards, olive-groves and woodland, passing near an 11th-century tower and a 14th century church. Return home for lunch.
In the afternoon, cooking lesson with Isabella preparing dishes such as: pasta fresca, ravioli, ragù “bolognese” and strawberry ice cream or tiramisù for dinner.
Riding approx. 2.5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm


Day 3 (Monday): Morning Ride & Farm Visit
The morning ride crosses the wooded hills north of the farm, scattered with charming hamlets and traditional farmhouses. 
After lunch, visit to the farm of Alessandro to discover how Tuscan pecorino cheese is made (and to taste it of course!), followed by wine tasting at Fattoria Casabianca. 
Riding approx. 2 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm


Day 4 (Tuesday): Castles Ride
day ride with Eraldo in the Chianti hills south of Rendola , passing the medieval village of San Leolino, the Castle of Cennina, a pretty lake, with picnic nearby.
Back home past the Castle of Lupinari with frequent canters (approx 5h hours in the saddle throughout the day).
day ride with Eraldo in the Chianti hills south of Rendola , passing the medieval village of San Leolino, the Castle of Cennina, a pretty lake, with picnic nearby.
Back home past the Castle of Lupinari with frequent canters (approx 5h hours in the saddle throughout the day).
day ride with Eraldo in the Chianti hills south of Rendola , passing the medieval village of San Leolino, the Castle of Cennina, a pretty lake, with picnic nearby.
Back home past the Castle of Lupinari with frequent canters (approx 5h hours in the saddle throughout the day).
Today, you go on a full day ride in the Chianti hills south of the farmhouse, passing the medieval village of San Leolino, the Castle of Cennina and a pretty lake.
We then head back home past the Castle of Lupinari with frequent canters.
Riding approx. 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm


Day 5 (Wednesday): Departure
Breakfast and EITHER your own arrangements to leave (departure is usually by 10:00 am) OR a ten-minute drive to Montevarchi to meet the train back to Florence. For those going to Rome, there is a direct train from Montevarchi.
Meals included: Breakfast



Sample Itinerary: Tuscan Discovery Week - subject to changes

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival
Go to the main railway station of Florence (Firenze Santa Maria Novella). Now take the 6:14 pm train (RV4085)to Foligno, and get off at Montevarchi-Terranuova, our local station (you should reach it for 6:51 pm). The preceding station is San Giovanni Valdarno, but when the train leaves it you can start getting your luggage together, as only four minutes later you will arrive at Montevarchi). Your host, Jenny (white-haired and wearing a red shirt) will be there to welcome you
on platform 1.
Then, take a ten-minute drive in a minivan to the farm, the 400-year-old typically Tuscan home of your host. Settle in and then enjoy a chat and a glass of Chianti Classico with your host, either in the sitting room or outside the farmhouse with its panoramic views.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at the Farm


Day 2 (Sunday): Introductory Ride
Breakfast and morning ride through vineyards, olive-groves and woodland, passing near an 11th-century tower and a 14th century church. Return home for lunch. 
In the afternoon, cooking lesson with Isabella preparing dishes such as: pasta fresca, ravioli, ragù “bolognese” and strawberry ice cream or tiramisù for dinner. 
Riding approx. 2.5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm


Day 3 (Monday): Morning Ride & Farm Visit
After breakfast, we go for a morning ride. After lunch Eraldo will accompany you to the farm of his friend Alessandro who will show you how Tuscan pecorino cheese is made. After some cheese-tasting you will be driven by Eraldo to Fattoria Casabianca to sample Aldo’s top-quality wine, as well as his award-winning vinsanto. (N.B. A ‘fattoria’ is a big farm with lots of land.)
Riding approx. 2.5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm


Day 4 (Tuesday): Castles Ride
Day ride with Eraldo in the Chianti hills south of the riding center.  You will pass the medieval village of San Leolino, the Castle of Cennina, a pretty lake and then have a picnic nearby. You will eventually ride back home past the Castle of Lupinari with frequent canters.
Riding approx. 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm


Day 5 (Wednesday): Relax (no riding)
A free day to make your arrangements for sightseeing, perhaps to visit Florence (if she is available, your host will gladly give you a guided tour of the main sights).
You can also take a train to visit Arezzo, Assisi, or engage in other activities we can suggest, such as: a trip with qualified hiking guide to visit the spectacular “balze del Valdarno”; a guided e-bike tour; a workshop with Isabella to paint your personal pottery mug or a “truffle hunt” in the early morning with our friend Luigi and his dog.
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm


Day 6 (Thursday): Market Day & Afternoon Ride
This morning we go to the local street market, to buy typical Italian food, “porchetta”, cheese and fresh vegetables for your lunch.
In the afternoon, after a short ride, we go on a short walk to a local farmhouse to sample some homemade jams and visit the “Museo della civiltà contadina” (Museum of Rural Culture).
Riding approx. 1.5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm


Day 7 (Friday): Montegonzi Ride
A final day-ride with a stop to visit the typical medieval village of Montegonzi, with a light lunch at the local “osteria”.
In the afternoon, leisurely ride home to the farmhouse for a rest and a nice cup of English tea, with your hostess .
Tonight, we enjoy a special farewell dinner.
Riding approx. 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at the Farm


Day 8 (Saturday): Departure
Breakfast and EITHER your own arrangements to leave (departure is usually by 10:00 am) OR a ten-minute drive to Montevarchi to meet the train back to Florence. For those going to Rome, there is a direct train from Montevarchi.
Meals included: Breakfast


Non-Riders
Non-riders are welcome, of course, but they must not be shocked at the occasional whiff of manure! Franca, the cook, organizes cooking courses on specific dates but can also provide, on request, tailor-made cooking lessons.
For walkers and mountain-bikers there are many waymarked trails radiating out from the Centre. For those using road-bikes, there are plenty of quiet lanes in the Chianti region and the Arno valley.
Riding can be substituted for walks and/or cooking lessons for riders who need a rest from the saddle!
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Tuscan Discovery Week
Tour Code: IT-ITSR02
8 days / 7 nights
Dates : April-May & Sep-Oct

Trip Rating :
Difficulty : Riding Level
Riding Level Explained
ABeginner
Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter.
BNovice
Novice A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting trots, and short canters.
CIntermediate
Intermediate A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces (including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly.
D Strong Intermediate
Strong Intermediate An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day.
EAdvanced
All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country.
Lodging: Standard
Lodging Level Explained
   
= Facilities in lodges, estancias, haciendas, resorts, etc.
   
Basic lodging - some with shared bathroom facilities, usually no AC or room service.
Regular standard room - usually with private bath.
 Accommodations with superior comforts.
   
 = Trips with nights in tent camps. Sometimes the first and last night are in hotels.
   
Basic tent camping - everyone helps out with camp chores.
Regular standard with some camp amenities and camp cook.
Camping facilities with superior comforts like camp shower, bathroom facility..
   
 = Trips that combine nights in hotels and camping.
   
Basic accommodation and basic camping facilities can be expected.
Regular standard with some nicer amenities.
Only assigned to hotel and camping facilities with superior comforts.

Online Reservation

Check here for details and availability
Season Tour Dates  Min / MaxReserve
A 2024 04/13 - 04/20 8d / 7n 8 day trip 2 /6 Reserve
A 2024 04/20 - 04/27 8d / 7n 8 day trip 2 /6 Reserve
A 2024 05/25 - 06/01 8d / 7n 8 day trip 2 /6 Reserve
A 2024 09/14 - 09/21 8d / 7n 8 day trip 2 /6 Reserve
A 2024 10/19 - 10/26 8d / 7n 8 day trip 2 /6 Reserve
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accommodation
Tack: English
Horses: Local Sicilian and Maremma
Pace: Moderate with some trots and canters
Walk, Trot, Canter,
Airport: Florence
Location on Google Map
Image Gallery
Image Slide Show
Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
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