Gourmet Ride

Introduction
Tuscany Italy
Typical "Tuscan Hospitality" with superb cuisine at your fingertips, based on purely traditional and organically farmed products while enjoying stunning views of a unique and spectacular countryside- combined with excellent trail riding on beautiful horses!

This is an opportunity to for a refined equestrian vacation in the middle of Tuscany that incorporates first class accommodations, superb meals and relaxed horseback riding into the beautiful Tuscan countryside. The riding routes cover four distinct areas in the available landscape and are aboard our well-trained and top quality horses. While each area has it own special aspects, they all blend gently into a complete picture, with an interweaving of hills, ancient eroded landscapes molded by time, woods, vineyards, rows of slender cypresses and shimmering olive groves.

The "Casale", the main welcome area and elegant lodging for guests, is the completely and traditionally restored beautiful and original stone farmhouse. It has retained its initial appeal and stands in a splendid position overlooking the magnificent and unspoiled landscapes of the clay hills of the Val d’Orcia, the imposing Radicofani fortress, Mt. Amiata, the austere medieval tower of Celle sul Rigo and renowned San Casciano Bagni. An outdoor swimming pool to swim in and relax beside with ample room for sun tanning.

The restaurant on the ground floor of the "Casale" is where the specialties of the Tuscan cuisine can be savored. Every dish is prepared, not only with a creative flair for the eye's delight, but with healthy local food and genuine organic products straight off the farm, taking great care to enhance the most intensive flavors of each of the fresh garden crops as well as the farm-produced pork and cheese delicatessen...pure the gratification of the palate!

The atmosphere is naturally rustic and the quality service is provided in a manner that is both attentive and pleasurably relaxing.
 

Accomodation


"Casale"
The "Casale", the main welcome area and elegant lodging for guests, is the completely and traditionally restored beautiful original stone farmhouse. It has obviously retained its initial appeal and stands in a splendid position overlooking the magnificent unspoilt landscape of the characteristic clay hills of the Val d’Orcia, the imposing Radicofani fortress, Mt. Amiata, the austere medieval tower of Celle sul Rigo and renowned San Casciano Bagni. Five suites, charmingly furnished and fully equipped with many modern conveniences and comforts, have been suitably built on the first floor of the house. There are also two swimming pools on the back lawn of the "Casale", one of which has a special wading and safe playing area for the joy of children.



"Borgo"
Nestled on the ORGANIC FARM, the "Borgo" has been built up it the central area of the old farm buildings, with delightful, completely separate, top quality self-catering apartments, all in the likeness of a traditional hamlet: the so-called "Borgo", ideal for eco-tourism holidays.
A country "Borgo" is truly perfect for total relaxation in the peace and quiet of natural, unspoilt, yet stunning surroundings. It most certainly contributes to getting away from the stressing hustle and bustle by offering a secure place in which to escape and soak up the beauty of fantastic views, a homely atmosphere and...the Tuscan sun...or delight in the warmth of wood fires for cosy winter stays as each apartment has its own fireplace!
Needless to say that it is almost impossible to identify what it is that makes Tuscany so extraordinarily magical. A unique world-renowned region, unlike any other, it has always been famously rich for its own history, art, legends, language, humour and traditions. Tuscany creates atmosphere and enthralling memories...it just has that special touch!
The "Borgo" is made up of charming converted stables, fashioned in genuine imitation of a small, typical and enchanting rural village, with its main square, inner courtyard and homely, secluded Mediterranean gardens for each unit where guests can unwind and enjoy quiet private rests. The various furnishings have all been made by local craftsmen in keeping with Tuscan and Sienese styles.
Within the classic warmth and simplicity of a rural home enough practical space has been designed to fit modern comforts and utilities to ensure guests a blissful stay.



Restaurant:
The restaurant on the ground floor of the "Casale" is where typical specialties of the Tuscan cuisine can be savored. Every dish is prepared, not only with a creative flair for the eye's delight, but with healthy local food and genuine organic products straight off the farm, taking great care to enhance the most intensive flavours of each of the fresh garden crops as well as the farm-produced pork and cheese delicatessen...for the gratification of the palate too!
The atmosphere is naturally rustic and the service is provided in a manner that is both attentive and pleasurably relaxing.
Traditional local dishes from the area, such as “pici” and other home-made pasta specialties are accompanied by the farm wines, or by wines, prevalently Tuscan, especially selected for the Poggio's guests from the most prestigious Italian wineries.
There is a most striking Belvedere leading out from the restaurant – set up with an open-air buffet in the summer months – from which the gorgeous and most awesome view of the countryside, made famous by the renowned Sienese School painters, can be thoroughly enjoyed whilst in the evenings the beautiful sunsets that impart a glowing red silhouette to Mt. Amiata and the tower of Ghino di Tacco’s Castle can be witnessed and stored amongst "those special memories".

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

All participation in riding activities requires registration, which provides for the issuing of a F.I.S.E. Class A riding license. Those who already possess the license will be automatically registered.

Horses
The horses (Arabian and Italian breeds) are raised and trained directly at the farm, according to the classic fundamentals of natural horseback riding. They are well fed and trained, and they have a number of paddocks where they are free to run peacefully, and then become the trustworthy companions of our guests. There are currently 14 horses.



Riding Center
The equestrian center is affiliated to F.I.S.E (Italian Federation of Equestrian Sports).
The facilities include a sand arena (30 x 60 meters) and an Endurance Course (country itinerary with genuine obstacles).

Staff
Enrica grew up with horses, which have always been a tradition and a passion for her family. She is a 2nd Level Country Riding Instructor and is an excellent Endurance rider.



Non-Riding Activities
Cooking classes with our chef, entrance at the pools in Fonteverde Spa and wine tasting at our farm shop.

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary

Day 1 Sunday:RIDING FRANCIGENA CLAY HILLS
Arrive on Sunday and settle into your accommodations. You will have time to relax before meeting Enrica Bartolini, owner and instructor-guide with Carlo Baccelloni for a complimentary aperitif. This evening you will sample the first of your delicious meals.
Depart from the equestrian centre on horseback. Today’s ride takes a southwest direction and carries you through some of the most scenic hill landscape of cultivated fields and clay hills. During the course of your ride in this area, you will be exposed to the perennial erosive action of atmospheric agents that has created the startling and extraordinary slopes and ridges known as “calanchi”. It is the famous Via Francigena, the road of the ancient Etruscans and Romans, with its quite distinctive geography: the open rolling hills planted with golden wheat, the gray balze and some of the most famous farms are located in this area. 
Distance: about 22 km

Day 3 Tuesday: RIDING VAL D’ORCIA 
On this day you will head off in south direction from the farm, and will ride to the Val d’Orcia area. This area is one of the most beautiful and famous in the world. The Val d’Orcia was registered by the World Heritage Committee in the list of UNESCO sites as a cultural landscape in 2004. The Val d’Orcia is an exceptional example of the redesigning of pre-Renaissance landscape, testifying to the ideals of good governance and the aesthetic research
that guided its conception.
Celebrated by painters of the Scuola Senese, the Val d’Orcia became an icon of the landscape that deeply influenced the development of landscape perception.
Distance: about 21 km

Day 4  Wednesday: FREE DAY
A trip to Tuscany should never be without sightseeing the historic sites or classic vineyards, so today is open for you to explore on your own or we can provide a driver for you. We offer a number of different sightseeing options (not included) to Siena, Montepulciano, Pienza, Montalcino etc., or you can rent a car from the center and explore on your own. We can set aside the morning to participate in a Cooking Class with the chef of the restaurant (included).

Day 5 Thursday: RIDING RADICOFANI CASTLE
Today you will ride to the castle of Radicofani, built in the 9th century. The castle is located in a strategic position, dominating the Francigena route. In the middle age it was occupied by the ‘gentleman bandit’, Ghino di Tacco, a Robin Hood of sorts that was mentioned by Dante in the Devine Comedy and by Boccaccio in the Decamerone. With its 896 meters high, it is dominates the whole territory set between the Mount Cetona, the Orcia Valley and the Mount Amiata. During the war between Siena and Florence it was Cosimo I Medici who wanted it for a defensive fortress. Since 1735 it was neglected but the recent restoration has restored the ancient splendor of the past.
Distance: about 24 Km - Afternoon: Cooking class with our chef

Day 6 Friday:  RIDING LA MANNELLA
Today’s itinerary takes you on eastward trail to the area of ‘Crete Senesi’, the Rigo Valley and around the San Casciano Bagni, with its 46 thermal water sources that encircle it and have rendered it famous from the time of the ancient Romans. Along the way you will find a few secluded farmhouses, some of them restored some other not yet, among these there are Banditelle and Mannella that are included in our estate.
Distance: about 26 Km

Day 7 Saturday: 
Departure after breakfast. Ciao.

Non-rider Program (6 nights)
Our non-rider program includes 6 nights with half board, 4 light lunches, 2 cooking classes with our chef, learning the most famous receipts of Tuscany cooking traditions, 1 day visit the famous Renaissance city of Pienza, 1 day visit the medieval town of Radicofani or 1 morning at the thermal swimming pool of Fonteverde, on Wednesday with a day at the Fonteverde Spa or a visit with tasting of Nobile in Montepulciano. 1 welcome wine tasting at our farm shop is also included!

--Subject to changes--

Rates and Dates for Gourmet Ride

Dates Note:
Additional dates are available on request with 2-4 riders.

Other Info
Meeting: Celle sul Rigo
Airport: Rome/Florence
Transfer: Chiusi train station

Climate:
                                        Celle Sul Rigo area