Tuscan Hills & Maremma

Introduction
Tuscany Italy
Join us on a weeklong ride along rivers and through Tuscan hills to the Maremma Park!  With its beaches and Mediterranean scrub, this is a true hidden gem in Italy and Tuscany.

During this tour, we will see the hot springs of Saturnia, a beautiful Etruscan Necropole, the vineyards of Morellino wines and the Abbey of San Rabano.

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
Night 1: Farmhouse
Night 2: Country house in Catabbio
Night 3 & 4: Farmhouse near Pomonte
Night 5: Country House in Montiano
Night 6: Agriturismo near Rispescia
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.

Country house in Catabbio
This lovely country house offers comfortable bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms as well as a TV, air conditioning and free Wi-Fi access.

Farmhouse near Pomonte
The farmhouse is surrounded by fields, vineyards and incredible nature. Each of the 3 guestroom is equipped with free Wi-Fi internet and private facilities. In the evening guests can relax in the garden and marvel at the surrounding landscape.

Country House in Montiano
This country house is full of charm and has a beautiful garden with an outdoor pool that clients can enjoy after their ride. The rooms are simply decorated and all feature air conditioning, private bathrooms and free internet access.

Agriturismo near Rispescia
This restored house dates back to the 1920s and provides guests with lovely bedrooms equipped with private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi access. There is also an outdoor pool where guests are welcome to go swimming in the evening.


Room Occupancy
If we are unable to find another rider to share the room with you, the single supplement fee does not apply.
Triple and Quadruple occupancy is sometimes possible - please inquire.


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
This trip has 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.

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 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


Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

NOTE: The programs below may be modified at any time due to prevailing weather conditions or for technical reasons.
This tour can be run in two directions, either starting from the Riding center and Riding up to the Maremma Park or the other way around.

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): Ride to Catabbio
After breakfast, we go on a short ride in the arena to get to know the horses. After that we start our trail ride downhills toward the river Fiora. After crossing the river, we continue riding through hills until we reach our first country house accommodation in Catabbio.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner
Overnight at Country house in Catabbio

Day 3 (Monday): Thermal River & Etruscan Necropole
Today, we leave the Fiora Valley and reach Saturnia, following the Stellata river. This is a river of thermal waters with its source at the famous waterfalls. Depending on the weather the guide will choose to stop for picnic here and possibly go for a swim in the thermal waters or to continue until the Etruscan Necropole of Puntone.
After lunch,  we follow the Stellata until it joins the Albenga River and follow it down to the country house where we are going to stay for the two following nights.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner
Overnight at Farmhouse near Pomonte

Day 4 (Tuesday): Loop Ride
We ride along the river Albegna until we reach a nice place where we can swim with the horses. For lunch, we return to the country house where we have an afternoon at rest. In case of rain or cold weather instead of the swim with the horses we are going to ride and visit an ancient Etruscan site called Ghiaccioforte. 
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner
Overnight at Farmhouse near Pomonte

Day 5 (Wednesday): Ride to Montiano
This morning, we leave the valley and ride into the Maremma. We ride through the hills of Scansano, and the vineyards famous for Morellino wine.
In the evening we reach our country house in Montiano where we enjoy a wine tasting and an other delicious Tuscan dinner.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner
Overnight at Country House in Montiano

Day 6 (Thursday): Maremma Park
We ride towards the sea and enter the Maremma Park. For lunch we stop at an organic farm close to Alberese, where we have the chance to taste excellent pecorino cheese. In the afternoon we ride through Mediterranean scrub and see the impressive remains of the San Rabano Abbey.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner
Overnight at Agriturismo near Rispescia

Day 7 (Friday): Beach Ride
For our last Riding day, we continue our ride in the Maremma park, where we can observe the Maremma cows and horses. We ride through the Mediterranean pine forest until we reach the beach of Collelungo and, from there, we continue on the beach until Marina di Alberese. Picnic lunch in the pine wood with of course possibility to have a swim into the sea.
In the afternoon, we head back to the country house, where we leave our horses and drive back to our riding center by mini-bus. In the evening we enjoy our final dinner together.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner
Overnight at Farmhouse

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

Rates and Dates for Tuscan Hills & Maremma

Dates Note: Additional dates can be set for groups of 4+
High season is from July 15th to August 26th 2023

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

Climate:
                                            Terme di Saturnia area