On Etruscan Trails

Introduction
Tuscany Italy
On Historic Trails in Tuscany on the Tracks of the Etruscans: Who were the Etruscans?

Who were the Etruscans? The Estruscans were the early inhabitants of Italy, long before the Roman Empire existed. However, the Estruscan civilization is often overlooked despite its enormous influence on the region. Estruscan settlements were frequently built on the hillside - the steeper the hill, the better - and surrounded by thick fortress walls, well protected from intruders. Many of the Estruscan’s early water systems later contributed to the iconic Roman aqueduct. While nobody really knows where the Etruscans originated - though many believe they came from Asia Minor - they were prominent in Italy by 800 BC. When exploring this region of Italy we discover remnants of their hilltop fortresses, old settlements and the imprint of their trading routes stretching from Naples to Venice. However, nowhere in Italy carries the Estruscan influence quite like Tuscany; in fact, Tuscany's name originates from the Italian Etrusci or Tusci, words used by the ancient Romans to describe the Etruscans.

Let us explore and relive the history of this mysterious people! We provide three different itineraries for riders to choose from, as the history and landscapes available here is truly impossible to fit into one week alone! Some of the wonderful places these trips take us include the Necropolis of Sovana (Poggio Pisca), the Ildebranda Tomb, the hermitage of Rioatonna Cicognina, the ancient hamlet of Fonte Vetriana, the Nature Reserve of the Pietraporciana, ancient pilgrim routes, the nature reserve of Pigelleto, the nature park of Maremma, where we get to ride with the local Butteri cowboys, and much much more! 
 

Accomodation


Accommodations
This is a progressive ride so you will be staying in different locations each night.

Description
You will be staying at different country inns, also called "Agriturismo" in Italy. They are carefully chosen by us taking into consideration their typicality, comfort, cuisine and stables for the horses and equipment.
If you would like to have a private bathroom please let us know in advanced. During the trail we overnight in small country houses and it is not always possible for everyone to get a private bathroom (even if single room was booked and confirmed).
Laundry facilities are available at the main farmhouse only for an extra cost.

Etruscan Trail Accommodations Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Nights 1 & 2: Farmhouse
Night 3: Agriturismo near Sovana
Nights 4 & 5: Agriturismo near Ponte San Pietro
Night 6: Agriturismo near Lago di Mezzano
Night 7: Farmhouse

Mini Etruscan Trail Accommodations Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Nights 1, 2 & 3: Farmhouse
Night 4, 5 & 6: Agriturismo Podere Del Lepre near San Quirico
Night 7: Farmhouse

Maremma Traditions Accommodations Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Nights 1 & 2: Farmhouse
Night 3: Agriturismo near Lago di Mezzano
Nights 4, 5 & 6: Agriturismo Castro 
Night 7: Farmhouse



Farmhouse
It is an organic farm that is composed of six buildings, horse stables, and several outbuildings, all surrounded by 110 hectares of terrain. Rooms are nicely decorated and charming, but not luxurious. There are 13 rooms and 8 bathrooms (3 shared, 2 ensuite in room, 3 private but outside the room) as well as a living room with a fireplace, where there is Wi-Fi access.

Agriturismo near Sovana
This country house has a beautiful garden with many trees, and a patio. The rooms are simple and comfortable and all have their own bathroom. There is no Wi-Fi access at this property.

Agriturismo Castro near Ponte San Pietro
This farmhouse has an extensive garden with a beautiful outdoor swimming pool and an outdoor terrace. The rooms are simply furnished with antiques and each room has a different color. Each room is equipped with a TV and a private bathroom. There is also a lounge where guests can relax and surf the internet.

Agriturismo near Lago di Mezzano
This old farm has been renovated in order to accommodate guests, but it kept its original style and charm (stonewall). It benefits from a great location, on the shores of the Mezzano Lake. The Agriturismo offers 8 bedrooms, featuring antiques and a rustic décor. Each room has a private bathroom, heating control, a TV and free Wi-Fi access. There is also a big garden, where guests can relax and read a book.

Agriturismo Podere Del Lepre near San Quirico
This beautiful country house dates back to the 18th century. The property is located on a hilltop and benefits from great views over the surroundings. Guests are welcome to explore the garden and cool off in the swimming pool. The rooms are all tastefully decorated and come equipped with a TV, air conditioning and a private bathroom. There is no Wi-Fi access.

Agriturismo Castro
This charming agriturismo offers simply decorated guestrooms with private facilities. The property has a lovely garden with an outdoor pool where guests can relax. There is free wi-fi access available.

Room Occupancy
If we are unable to find another rider to share the room with you, the single supplement fee does not apply.



Meals
All meals are provided during the riding tour.

Breakfasts and dinners are taken at the accommodations/camps with wholesome farm produced ingredients - you are in for a treat.
The picnic lunches are prepared in the morning and taken to the picnic destination by the support vehicle.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to all dietary restrictions with advance notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Riding Experience
These trips have been designed for intermediate riders who are comfortable at all gaits and are able to ride through steep and challenging terrain. They should ride on a regular basis and be in good physical condition.
The Etruscan Trail is suitable for intermediate riders and above.
The Two Lakes Trail is suitable for intermediate riders and above.
The Maremma Traditions Ride is suitable for strong intermediate and experienced riders only as you will be working with cattle and crossing some rivers.

Terrain
On the Etruscan Trail and the Two Lakes Trail, we ride predominantly on mountain paths, ancient Etruscan roads cut deep into the tuff rock, country roads and dirt roads (maximum altitude is 860 meters, minimum 250 meters above sea level.).
On the Maremma Traditions Ride, the trails consist in mainly mountain paths, country roads and dirt roads. At times, there are difficult fords and uneven trails.

Pace
We go at a walk, trot and canter where possible. Each riding day lasts for about 5 - 6 hours split between the morning (longer ride) and the afternoon. On average, we ride between 25 and 40 km per day.

Horses
We host more than 60 horses, who live in small groups, outdoor on 100 acres of pastureland, completely according to their natural needs of socialization and movement. All the horses are trained in Western riding and particularly suitable for trekking.

Horse Training
The horse training is personally overseen by Fabio, with his the method called ‘Natural Western’. The initial training consists of teaching the horses to trust humans, and subsequently to carry out all the necessary movements in the countryside: walk, trot, canter, gallop, back, side passes, gallop changes, transitions, jumping, and water crossing. The horses carry out much of their training in the countryside, learning while having fun and at the same time increasing their level of experience.

Guides
An experienced guide rides with the group while an assistant takes the luggage to the overnight site and prepares the fencing for the horses. On the Maremma Traditions, during the 4 days with the Butteri, our guide and a buttero will lead the group.
Your guide can provide basic medication and will take along a first-aid kit on the trek. Any health conditions that require special medication should be brought to the attention of the guide before departure on the trek. Allergy sufferers should bring their own medicines, as those who suffer allergies from common medications.

Itinerary


NOTE: The programs below may be modified at any time due to prevailing weather conditions or for technical reasons.

Sample Itinerary: Etruscan Trail (for intermediate riders) - subject to changes

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival
Arrival and accommodation at the riding center. In the evening, meeting with the guide and the other participants to chat and get to know each other.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Farmhouse

Day 2 (Sunday): Introductory Ride
Entire day on horseback to verify horse & rider compatibility, with picnic and return to Cornacchino.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Farmhouse

Day 3 (Monday): Ride to Sovana
From the farmhouse, we cross a nice beech wood forest and ride to the banks of the Fiora river, stopping for a swim and a picnic. Afterwards, we ride through the Etruscan necropolis of Sovana (Poggio Prisca) and along ancient Etruscan roads (Vie Cave) cut deep into the tuff rock more than 2000 years ago passing the most famous monument in this part of Etruria, the Ildebranda Tomb. Our ride takes us past the ancient walls of the medieval village of Sovana. From there, we continue towards Pitigliano and our accommodation (we sleep in a country house not far from Sovana, but we do not ride to Sovana nor Pitigliano themselves). Dinner and night's stay.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Agriturismo near Sovana

Day 4 (Tuesday): Ride along the Fiora River
We ride trough vineyards and olive trees. We cross along the river Fiora and cross it by the Necropole "Poggio Buco" until we reach our second country house for the dinner and overnight.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Agriturismo near Fiora River

Day 5 (Wednesday): Ride with the Butteri
Today a longer ride in the morning followed by a relaxing afternoon. We ride along the river Fiora until the hermitage of Poggio Conte, where 16th century hermits built a chapel entirely dug out of the tuff rock. In the afternoon we are going to help the Butteri (Italian cowboys) working with their cattle.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Agriturismo in Maremma Countryside

Day 6 (Thursday): Ride to Lake Mezzano
Our journey continues along the Olpeta deep cut Etruscan road (the only one in the area that contains the remains of an ancient Roman road). Then we cross the Olpeta River and climb up to the site of the ancient city of Castro. Here we enter the Lamone Forest Nature Reserve. This dense woodland, with its wild flowers and birds such as woodpeckers and various species of falcon unique to the area, has grown up on rocky terrain of volcanic origin. During our ride we'll encounter cattle of the Maremma breed, living in the clearings of the forest. We stop for our picnic then leave the forest and cross rolling hills with spectacular views and reach our accommodation near lake Mezzano, a crater lake of volcanic origin, an absolute paradise, where we will have time to enjoy a swim.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Agriturismo near Lake Mezzano

Day 7 (Friday): Ride back to Farmhouse
From lake Mezzano, riding along field tracks we reach first San Quirico, then Vitozza, a village rich in medieval treasures, castle ruins and a church alongside numerous caves that served as houses until the end of the eighteenth century. (it is not allways possible to visit Vitozza, therefore better to write that we riding through hills direction home. From there we descend to the source of the Lente river, climb up to Sorano, then continue along Etruscan roads. Our journey continues toward Montevitozzo, before returning to Cornacchino. In the evening we will enjoy our final dinner together during which every participant will receive small souvenir and a map of our journey.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Farmhouse

Day 8 (Saturday): Departure
Breakfast and departure.
Meals included: Breakfast




Sample Itinerary: Maremma Tradition (for strong intermediate and experienced riders) - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
Arrival and accommodation at the riding center. In the evening, meeting with the guide, who explains us the week in details, and the other participants to chat and get to know each other.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Farmhouse

Day 2: Introductory Ride
Entire day on horseback to verify horse & rider compatibility, with picnic and return to Cornacchino.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Farmhouse

Day 3: Ride to Lake Mezzano
We leave the Farmhouse and start our two days-trail that brings us until Ischia di Castro. We head to the medieval village of Sorano, riding along an Etruscan road, and from here we continue through hills until we reach the Mezzano lake.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Agriturismo near Lake Mezzano

Day 4: Lake Mezzano to Agriturismo Pietrafitta
We enter the Lamone Forest Nature Reserve. This dense woodland, with its wild flowers and birds such as woodpeckers and various species of falcon unique to the area, has grown up on rocky terrain of volcanic origin. In the late afternoon we reach our agriturismo, where we are staying for 3 nights.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Maremma

Day 5: Ride with the Butteri to Vulci castle
First day with the "Butteri" (Tuscan cowboys). We ride through the woods of Baccano and reach Vulci castle, where we have our pic-nic. In the afternoon we visit the archeologic parc and start working with the Butteri and their Maremma cows.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Maremma

Day 6: Cattle Work
We spent the entire day in Vulci with the Butteri and their cattle, including some lazos work. For lunch we have a barbecue, enjoying the products and recipes this beautiful region.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Maremma

Day 7: Last day with the Butteri
We ride back from Vulci to Pietrafitta, where in the afternoon we move Maremma foals from their fields to the corrals. In the late afternoon, we head back to the Farmhouse by mini-bus where we enjoy our final dinner together during which every participant will receive small souvenir and a map of our journey.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Farmhouse

Day 8: Departure
Breakfast and departure.
Meals included: Breakfast



Sample Itinerary: Short Trails - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
Arrival and accommodation at the riding center. In the evening, meeting with the guide, who explains us the week in details, and the other participants to chat and get to know each other.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight at Farmhouse

Day 2: Introduction Ride
We start the day with a riding lesson followed by our first 2-hour ride in the woods and hills that surround the farm. The rest of the day is spent at your leisure. You may want to visit the region or simply relax in our garden.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Farmhouse

Day 3: Short Trail
Today, you will go on another 2-hour trail ride around the farm. Free afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Farmhouse

Day 4: Short Trail
This morning, we will go on another trail ride around the farm. In the afternoon, there are no activities planned so you can just relax. If you wish to add some riding activities it is possible to arrange something for an extra fee.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Farmhouse

Day 5: Sorano Ride
We ride down to San Valentino and from here through an Etruscan road to the river Lente, under Sorano. Here the horses have their rest while the riders enjoy a delicious pic-nick. During the lunch break, our group can walk through an other unforgettable Etruscan way (San Rocco) that ends on the hill in front of Sorano. Small break for some pictures of this gorgeous view and than back to the horses, ready to get in the saddle again. The trail continues through the medieval village of Sorano, and then across the country side, until our agriturismo, where we will spend two nights.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Agriturismo Podere Del Lepre near San Quirico

Day 6: Mezzano Lake Ride
We ride with our picnick from the agrituriso until the Mezzano lake and back (morning and afternoon the route is different). We ride in the countryside with Rolling hills covered with vigneards and olive trees.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Agriturismo Podere Del Lepre near San Quirico

Day 7: Vittoza Ride
After breakfast direction the ancient city of Vitozza. We visit it on horse back and continue riding through woods until we reach the place for our picnic lunch. After the break, we follow the Stridolone river until Montevitozzo and from here through pastures and woods we get back to our farm.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Farmhouse

Day 8: Departure
Breakfast and departure.
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for On Etruscan Trails

Dates Note: Additional dates can be set for groups of 4+

Other Info
Meeting: Castell'Azzara
Airport: Rome Fiumicino
Transfer: Chiusi-Chianciano station, Rome Ciampino or Rome Fiumicino airport

Climate:
                                            Terme di Saturnia area