Alta Tuscany Ride

Introduction
Lazio Italy

Make a handsome 17th century castle and its “borgo” your home while befriending a reliable and beautiful horse.  Enter Alta Tuscia, one of the less inhabited Italian regions waiting for you to explore its reaches. Your riding days will be spent in the territory surrounding Castle Cristina, a centuries old castle estate still owned by the ancient and noble Caterini family, whose new generation with a passion for horses has turned the premises into an enchanting resort with an equestrian flair. 
Encased in between Southern Tuscany and Umbria, the land is rich with endless historical and archaeological sites with ancient pasts! This area, cradle of the ancient Etruscan civilization, was later named Ducato di Castro and during the Renaissance belonged to the pope's son, Pierluigi  Farnese for over a century between ‘500 and ‘600.
View the many tombs, towns, palaces and castles scattered about the countryside while horseback riding along the “Brigands Path” an old track once used by the local outlaws trying to avoid the law, some two hundred years ago! With your faithful equine partner, you will cross beautiful vineyards and olive trees with breathtaking views of Lake Bolsena and ride through lovely chestnut woods and into the open, empty plains.
In Alta Tuscia there is an old passion and tradition for the horse and the local cowboys known as the "butteri” regard them as their closest friends.
Hospitality is warm and simple, but truly authentic of a region still relying on agriculture as its  main income. Whenever possible, every long excursion will stop halfway at one of the delicious resident restaurants or “trattoria” where tasty and bona fide local recipes are served!  During your downtime at the castle, lounge in the 2 lovely swimming pools and sunbathe or play a lively game of tennis on the resident courts and even challenge your mate at ping-pong!  Mini-soccor and billiards complete the activities available, and if you are lucky, you may even have the Count invite you to share a drink and a personal tour of the tower!

Accomodation

Old traditions and modern hospitality!
This fairy tale castle is most romantic with its castellated turret rising above age old woods. It has a long association with powerful Prelates who played a key role in forming the Vatican State which culminated in Pope Pius IX's chief advisor, Cardinal Prospero Caterini, choosing the castello in 1848 as his personal residence. His descendants still use this as a country home.

Just below the Castle S.Cristina stands a handsome XVIII's farmhouse, the original center of the estate's farming activities. The farmhouse has been skillfully converted with careful attention to conserving authenticity together with comfort, and privacy in a pleasant combination with communal living, if wanted. The very large fattoria, now contains eight charming apartments and 14 bedrooms, mostly furnished with its original pieces. On the ground floor, opening onto the main terrace overlooking the swimming pool, there is a large "taverna" with brick vaulted ceilings. The space is divided into three main areas: meeting room, dining room, billiard room with ping-pong room, plus a large kitchen available for all the guests and equipped for cooking courses as well.

Dinners with table wine will be served either in local restaurants or at the castle estate. Lunches can be ordered at the castle restaurant (not included)

Spa - nearby

Since the time of the Etruscans and the Romans, natural hot springs were considered a natural source of wellness with therapeutic properties.Given it’s volcanic soil, Southern Tuscany offers a vast range of thermal baths of different levels.Only 18 km away from the castle, next to the village of Sorano there is a well organized Spa. There you can to swim in the warm waters and relax beneath two beautiful waterfalls. Here, you can enjoy a natural hydromassage, a special massage or a treatment in the wellness center.Waters are flowing from natural Springs at 37° Centigrades. The area around the swimming pool is largely equipped with sun beds and umbrellas to satisfy the needs of everyone.A small river surrounds the spa and receives the outgoing native waters. It’s mixed waters come from a little stream in the woods and several other hot springs.

Riding

Itinerary

- Program A  - 1 full day and 4 half day rides  
OR
- Program B  - 3 full day and 2 half day rides  
--  also see Cooking Classes at the bottom

Day 1 Saturday:   Afternoon check in, welcome drink & briefing with guide\instructor about riding and accommodation details and choice of the horses for the next days, enjoy dinner.

Day 2 Sunday to Day 7 Friday:  Depending on your chosen Program (A or B) you will be participating in the following rides:

All Day Rides:

BOLSENA LAKE

CASTLE TO CASTLE

TO LAKE MEZZANO

Half Day Rides:

BRIGANDS PATH

MEDIEVAL CHURCH ‘ST.MARIA DELLE COLONNE’

'NOCCHIETO’ and ‘ST.MARTINO’

LUIGI TOUR

ONANO

AROUND GRADOLI

**These are sample itineraries -  subject to change**

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Cooking Classes

Cooking classes are taught by chef Giovanni Verzini, a chef of great international experience. Giovanni will give you a real hands-on lesson where you will learn the basics of Italian cooking and the techniques to make an impressive four courses meal, from home-made pasta to traditional desserts and everything in between.

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Rates and Dates for Alta Tuscany Ride

Dates Note: Saturday-Saturday

Other Info
Meeting: Grotte di Castro
Airport: Rome
Transfer: Orvieto- best to rent a car or take taxi from Orvieto

Climate: