Ride & Relax in Chianti

Introduction
Tuscany Italy
The farmstead, which was built at the end of the nineteenth century and home of the Chianti riding centre and farm, is situated in the serene Chianti region in the center of the Siena, Florence, and Arezzo triangle. Surrounded by meadows and woods with a view to a medieval castle, the farm is in the rare position to offer its guests the silence of nature, the sound of birdsong, the neighing of horses and rushing of the river flowing. Here you are welcomed to spend a week in rural Chianti country surrounded by horses, good company and some of the most famous vineyards in Italy.

A wine tasting of the famous Brunello in Montalcino is only 40 minutes away. If culture and history call you, the medieval town of Sienca is only a 20 minute drive from the riding center - go explore and take in the ancient atmosphere of the Duomo and the plaza. If you time it right, you can even be part of the Palio horse race in Siena - what a spectacle! Excellent instruction is available to you by Donatella Zambon, who is an accomplished equestrian and has taught hundreds of riders from both beginners and advanced. She chooses and prepares her horses personally. Once trained they are never sold! You can opt to learnt op ride, improve riding, specialize in eventing instruction, or explore the beautiful landscape on horseback!

The location of the farm makes it an ideal base for cycling and hiking, and for those who wish to mix cultural tourism with outdoor pursuits.
 

Accomodation

The farmstead of Santa Margherita was built at the end of the 18th century and is now the home of a riding centre and farm. It is situated in the Senese Chianti at the centre of the Siena, Florence, and Arezzo triangle.
The buildings have recently been renovated without altering their original form. They are surrounded by meadows, woods and beautiful gardens.
The farm house is divided into apartments so that guests will be able to enjoy the complete privacy during their stay at the riding centre.

Division of apartments:
-Alloro Apt: Alloro bedroom + sitting room with sofa bed  - can accommodate 2+ 2 guests - 48 sq. m
-Grande Noce Apt : 3/4 bedrooms (Suite, Rosa Chinae bedroom )  with adjacent sitting room and kitchen - 180 sq. m
-Cottage: two floors with view of our pasture + Castello for 2/3 guests - 50 sq. m

All apartments have their own private space outside with a table and chairs

Our desire was to create a harmonious setting in 6000 square feet, for a limited number of guests who are looking to stay in a friendly, but at the same time discreet environment. We are also a certified organic farm and we try to respect the environment in the way we run our farm holiday accommodation. Castelnuovo Berardenga town council organizes cultural and social activities in the area and there are two well-known spa swimming pools ten minutes away.

We love animals and have a lot, so we are unable to accept dogs or other pets, but if you are looking for such accommodation there are two neighboring farms which offer two apartments where it is possible to take animals.


Meals:
All meals are prepared with as many organic ingredients as possible - from the gardens. The farm has been certified as an organic property since 2000.
Breakfasts typically consist of bread with butter and jam and juice. Dinners are typical Tuscan gourmet dishes that will satisfy the most demanding pallets.

For the Ride and Relax Program
Only a complimentary breakfast basket is included on the first morning. Meals can be purchased at the farm: breakfast €15 pp, lunch €30 pp, dinner €35 pp or guests are welcome to explore the restaurants in the surrounding villages.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding

This week is generally proposed from Saturday to Saturday. Remember that Monday is the rest day for the horses.

Riding Center
Sadio and Donatella personally guide and receive their guests and riders. They speak French and English and have been running the Horse Riding Centre since 1992. The Riding Centre is affiliated with the Italian Federation of Equestrian Sports.
The riding center has a covered riding arena, which allows us to give lessons all year whatever the climatic conditions.
Lessons are in small groups with riders of a similar riding level. Every rider whatever his/her level is carefully looked after.

Horses
We currently have 20 horses. Once horses join the center they are never sold and periodically they are trained and worked by our instructors. They work both in the school and in the countryside, and spend some hours every day in the fields to relax and play. We like our horses to be happy!
We choose our horses not according to their breed but by looking at their attitude to work in the flat and in the countryside. For this reason in our stables you will find many different breeds: Anglo-Arab, Thoroughbred, Warmblood, Murgesi, Arab, Holsteiner etc. We make sure that our horses have good mental balance so they can change riders easily. Our horses are friendly and easy to handle.

Tack & Equipment
Saddles are Kieffer or Appaloosa Prestige.
There are many short chaps and helmets available at the Riding Center.

Itinerary

This week is a combination of horseback riding (10 hours total) and free time to visit this beautiful corner of Tuscany.
Once at the riding center, you will be able to choose between the following programs.

Beginner Program: 10 lessons + 2 hacks of 1hr each
For those who want to start riding with an intensive course and thus tangible results at the end of the week. The beginner has two lessons a day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, with the maximum of three students per group of the same level with horses chosen and prepared with this aim. The instructor starts the beginners with a gradual personalized system that has been tested by years of experience, allowing the student to learn to ride and improve their skills. Normally after the first 3 days of lessons the students go out for the first hack, alternating in the following days with lessons and rides.

Intermediate Program: 6 lessons + 3 half-day hacks of approx. 2.5 hours each
For those who want to take a further course with well trained horses. Often the art of learning to ride can leave large gaps. We believe that we have the power to bridge these gaps, by explaining and making you train with serenity and competence.

Eventing Program: 6 lessons (2 dressage, 2 jumping, and 2 cross-country) + 2 half-day hacks of approx. 2.5 hours each
We work on the flat and can instruct you in jumping up to 1.40m (4'6). We focus on small technical combinations that help with the equilibrium of the horse and the riders.

Trail Ride Program: 6 half-day hacks OR 1 full-day hack with picnic + 2 half-day hacks + 2 lessons
For those who already have experience and want to visit those angles of Tuscany that are only visible on horseback. Thanks to the big network of routes and country roads, we can arrange a variety of routes for the rider to discover the story, culture, and architecture of Chianti while being immersed in nature and far from the noise of the asphalt roads. The routes are always accompanied by a licensed guide. Our horses are professionals of the routes, so we can give you the pleasant sensation of enjoying the route and the pace.

--The above sample itinerary is subject to changes at the tour operator's discretion.--

Rates and Dates for Ride & Relax in Chianti

Dates Note: Arrival can be any day of the week throughout the year.

Other Info
Meeting: Castelnuovo
Airport: Florence / Pisa
Transfer: Montevarchi or Siena train station

Climate:
                                                Florence area