Explorer Rides

Introduction
Tuscany Italy

We are proud to offer three fabulous point to point treks in Tuscany, stretching across the municipalities of Scansano, Roccalbegna, Saturnia and all the way to the coast. Tuscany is famous for the beauty of the landscape, for its art and archaeology. The south-western Province of Grosseto covers a wide range of different landscapes, embracing rocky and sandy coastal areas, marshlands that attract myriad bird life, hillsides rich in minerals, and higher peaks of volcanic origin. Agriculture is still the mainstay of society, with premium wine and olive oil production making a name for them at home and abroad. There is also plentiful pastureland grazed by sheep whose milk goes into the delectable Pecorino cheeses made in the area. Further noteworthy features of the countryside are the handsome horned Maremma cattle and the gentle Amiatina donkeys that we meet along our trails. Each day we overnight in Agriturismo farm B&Bs that we have picked out for their welcome and comfort. The food is typical for the region and very tasty, with plenty of locally grown vegetables and an accent on game.
Trekking with us is a way of getting to know the cultural wealth, the legends and history, the scents and flavors of a splendid part of Italy. What we offer is not only horse riding, but also an insider’s view of how closely men have worked with horses in the course of time: from tilling the soil to carrying people and goods or conquering new territories. Ride with us and you will see and feel how the past shapes the present and influences the future. The routes we offer involve paths, unsealed roads, mule tracks, fields and streams that are happily distant from the hubbub of mass tourism. Come and take in these spectacular views with the Mediterranean and islands on one side and the mountain range on the other. Join us on a trip through the countryside that invite you to stop and contemplate nature.

The Chestnut Route
A journey that will lead us inland - through pristine lands, full of an ancient atmosphere and arts. This route begins at an altitude of 300 meters above sea level, and climbs gradually up towards the chain of hills around Mount Amiata, whose highest peak reaches 1,738 meters. In prehistoric times, Mount Amiata was a volcano, and the area today is rich in minerals and natural hot springs. As we climb, we see olive groves and vineyards give way to chestnut woods. For centuries chestnuts were considered the “bread” of the mountain, and to this day the local cuisine features this fruit in many dishes, both savory and sweet. The route takes us through magnificent woodland, along streams of clear water and to little mountain villages that have eluded mass tourism and thus maintained their unique original characteristics. Wonderful views of rolling countryside on all sides, and a rare sense of peace.

Hot Springs and the Etruscans
A journey into the past - on paths of the ancient – roadways of the refined and high civilizations of the Etruscans. This route interweaves nature with history and archeology in one of the most unique areas of the inland Maremma region. Follow remote trails on the way to Saturnia, renowned since ancient times for its sulphurous hot water springs. You will ride along routes first established by the Etruscans near Sovana, among landscapes of unique beauty, and will finally reach Saturnia.

From the Hills to the Sea
We ride from the hills of the interior  we follow the crystal clear waters of the Albegna River to the magnificent Monte Argentario - a remarkably unspoilt coastal haven - and area of intense ecological diversity administered by the World Wildlife Fund. Here we enjoy long canters on the beach before heading back into the mountains.

Accomodation

Lodging, breakfast and dinners will be taken in agriturismo farm B&Bs, that we have picked out for their welcome and comfort. Double rooms with en suite bathrooms. Single rooms are very limited and can be upgraded to locally when available.

Each day there will be a picnic lunch or a stop at a farm for tasting local products.
The food in this part of Tuscany is traditional and very tasty, with plenty of locally grown vegetables and an accent on game. Vegetarian meals are always available, and gooumets will particularly enjoy the ewe’s milk pecorino cheeses made in the vicinity, embellished with a trickle of local honey. The area also produces excellent red wines, largely based on the Sangiovese red grape.

Baggage: Baggage will be by transported by car each day, and should be easy to pack, and not too large or heavy.

Fattoria Bacinello
There are 6 en-suite bedrooms and 6 apartments. All are adorned with traditional Tuscan “terre di Siena” paintings to welcome you with an elegant and sophisticated sense of warmth.  The rooms are located in the main part of the house and the apartments in the two independent annexes. The farmhouse stands in a large garden and olive grove and the interior décor has been immaculately cared for and adorned with elegant reworkings of traditional Tuscan furnishings.

There is a nice outdoor pool (open from late May to mid September) with a breathtaking view.

Then there are the local wines: as many as eight different DOC wines that have won numerous IGT awards are grown and produced in Maremma vineyards as part of a very ancient tradition that some argue dates back as far as Etruscan times.
DOC wines served  (in the Montecucco and Morellino di Scansano areas) include the Bianco di Pitigliano, the Rosso di Sovana, the Parrina, the Capalbio DOC, the Monteregio di Massa Marittima, along with various Chiantis and an array of other Tuscan wines.

The Agroturismo Capannone

“Il Capannone “ is an old restored farm,  immersed in the pristine nature of Maremma, in Tuscany, near  the thermal bath of Saturnia, with its  sulphuric water.  Surrounded by the green, it allows you to spend relaxing days in silent and tranquillity . The inn is near the historical village of Montemerano, Pitigliano, Sovana and Vulci.
The Agroturismo is located at the ground floor of the farm house with double or triple bedrooms and apartments.  Each one has an independent entrance, private bathrooms,  fridge and TV. Rooms will be warm during winter and cool during summer, and will allow you to enjoy the tranquillity and serenity, that are still uncontaminated in Maremma.
In the  morning, you will enjoy a healthy breakfast in the common room, which will be prepared for you by  Mrs. Mafalda. 
At your arrival at the farm,  you will meet Asia,  a beautiful Maremmano shepherd dog,  that will warmly welcome you, together with Olivia, Andreina e Penelope.....our lovely donkeys !

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

Itinerary

In 2010 we offer three different Itineraries
The Chestnut Route
Hot Springs and the Etruscans
From the Hills to the Sea

The Chestnut Route
Day 1:  On your arrival you will get acquainted with the other riders, the guide, the crew of the Equestrian Center and the horses. We will introduce to you the program for the week and let you enjoy a wonderful sunset with a good glass of wine alongside the swimming pool of the Fattoria del Baccinello. Dinner will be served at the restaurant, the Factory, which offers delicate dishes based on game meat, fish, special local soups and homemade pasta.
Day 2:  Departure from the center towards Scansano through Montepò, passing next to the medieval castle whose origins date back to around the year 1000, though what you see today derives from a major 14th century rebuild . Lunch. In the afternoon arrival in Scansano, at Ripacci via ancient routes and paths first established by the Etruscans. Ripacci offers magnificent views down over the hillsides towards the Argentario coast. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3: In the morning we will have a more demanding experience in the saddle than yesterday, one that is unique and unforgettable.
We will get up early and drive to the Natural Park of Alberese, where we will experiene a ride with the 'Butteri', helping them with their job of controlling the cows and the Maremmani horses, which are raised in the wild of the pasture lands and in the Natural Park of Maremma. Still to this day, the Butteri, who are the cattlemen of Maremma, control over 500 head of cattle and bulls, and 120 horses. We will be in the saddle for 4-5 hours today, our prevalent pace will be the trot.
After the intense morning, we’ll have a picnic and relax on the beach at Marina di Albanese, one of the most beautifull and intact beaches of the Argentario coast. In the afternoon we will return to the Factory, relax at the pool and have a good dinner.
Day 4:  We go to mountains today! The second part of this trip will lead us through the hills, chestnut groves and Amiata’s mountain range.  From Podere La Rocca, the site of Centro Equestre, we’ll ride in the direction of Roccalbegna to reach the Natural Reserve of Pescinello. A verdant area near the source of the river Albegna, the whole mountainside is well endowed with springs, streams, pools and drinking wells which account for the brilliant hues and the wealth of flora!
There we will have our picnic and rest for a few hours before restarting our trip to the top of  the hills to reach our destination near Arcidosso.  We will be staying at the Agriturismo Rondinelli for the next few days.  At Rondinelli’s there is a familiar ambiance, still very elegant . The special care of the kitchen and tradition is strongly present. Michele is an excellent cook and he will let us savor delicious, old recipes containing chestnut flour and wild game.
Day 5:  In the morning, after enjoying a great breakfast with homemade pancakes and marmalade, we’ll take off for a tour of the woods  around Arcidosso, filled with beech and chestnut trees, in the direction of Monte Amiata’s peak.  We will stop for a picnic lunch in the chestnut grove that belongs to Lido, a “ horseman” friend of ours whom, if we are lucky, will tell us some of his stories about horses, but also some of his tales about the wolves from the nearby game reserve where he has been working as a guide for many years.  In the afternoon, we will return to the Agriturismo through Arcidosso village, passing close to the Tibetan centre of Merigar.  At Rondinelli’s we relax in the big hydro massage Jacuzzi and unwind.  Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 6: Our last ride together!  We will return to the Centro Equestre. The route chosen is of a rare beauty and offers breathtaking landscapes, passing just below Monte Labro (1193m), Monte Aquilaia (1104m) and Monte Buceto (1152m). We’ll have a picnic in a lovely clearing on top of Monte Aquilaia, where the view is endless!  After the break, we’ll go through the village of Stribugliano, arriving at the Centre in a couple of hours. We will take care of the horses and then go back to Agriturismo Rondinelli by car. The evening is dedicated to the horses and their riders, to the stories of our time spent together, our impressions of the land and the many goodbyes.
Day 7:  Breakfast and departure. 

From the Hills to the Sea
Day 1  Arrival, meeting with the other riders and the guide, introduction to the trekking, dinner and overnight stay at  Poggio al Toro.
Day 2  Departure from the centre towards Scansano through Montepò, passing next to the medieval castle whose origins date back to around the year 1000, though what you see today derives from a major 14th century rebuild . Lunch. In the afternoon arrival in in the area of Ghiacco Forte with magnificent views down over the hillsides towards the Argentario coast. Dinner and overnight at the Agriturismo Olivetello.
Day 3   Departure from  Ripacci  towards Magliano in Toscana through a hilly landscape and the Albegna stream. Lunch. In the afternoon route along the stream  near Marsiliana via the noble Corsini family’s estates. The last part of this route is along the beach at Giannella. Arrival at the inn near the beach. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4  Departure from Giannella towards Monte Argentario. The promontory was also an island in past times, but the sea currents and the Albegna river joined it with the mainland through two tomboli or land spits, the Tombolo of Giannella and the Tombolo of the Feniglia. The Argentario protrudes into the sea, creating some lovely secluded beaches and marine caves that can only be reached by boat. Lunch. In the afternoon we ride through Ansedonia, among the ruins of the Etruscan city of Cosa, to reach the inn near Capalbio Scalo. This in its turn is close to Lake Buriano, which is a WWF nature reserve. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5  Departure from Capalbio via the old country roads of Polverosa and Marsilliana (through the patrician Corsini Family's estate). Again on the road along the Albegna stream. Dinner and overnight stay in Ripa Rossa, near Magliano in Toscana.
Day 6  Departure from Albegna along the river passing near the  Etruscan necropolis of Ghiaccio Forte and Montemerano. Lunch at the river with the possibility of swimming. In the afternoon we reach our inn near Saturnia, which is a spa featuring naturally hot sulfurous water that has been enjoyed for its beneficial qualities since ancient times. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7   Departure from  Saturnia towards Murci, visiting the Etruscan necropolis of Pian di Palma. Lunch.  In the afternoon return to  Poggio Toro. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8  Breakfast and Departure 

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Rates and Dates for Explorer Rides

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Murci
Airport: Pisa or Rome
Transfer: Grosseto train station

Climate:

In general the climate in Tuscany is very mild. There are little differences between the regions, though. Rule of thumb: at the coast and in the valleys the summers are hotter than in the hilly areas, where the climate is very continental – rain falls are more often. Usually the summers in Tuscany are without rain and very hot, especially in the valleys. Spring (april and may) and autumn (october and november) might be rainy but there are still dry, sunny days. In the winter there are sunny, mild days but at night it sometimes gets very cold. July ist he hottest month with temperatures from 23°C up to 30°C. Especially in the valleys the teperatures sometimes rise up high. In the coldest month – january- there are about 7°C at the coast and about 3,5°C to 5,5°C inside the country. Of course the temperature in the mountainious areas is below.

Protective clothing at the rider’s discretion; flat-heeled comfortable shoes with rubber soles and protective leggings, or flat-heeled boots with rubber soles; rain coat; trousers or riding britches that are sturdy enough to resist the thorns of wayside bushes; gloves at the rider’s discretion.

We suggest a hat for protection from the sun, sun cream, a bathing costume for stops at streams or thermal springs, a light windproof jacket, a sweater. 

Luggage Restriction:
Please try to bring only ONE medium sized bag or suitcase with you for the ride. We have restrictions on the amount of luggage we can fit into our support vehicles.  Excess luggage can be left at our base, if necessary.