Tuscany Trails - 6 Day Castle to Castle Ride, Italy
The Castle Trail is based in Southern Tuscany, an area rich in culture, tradition and history. It was here that the first Etruscan population settled and marks the northern border of the former Vatican state. Ride on trails used by pilgrims 2000 years ago on their way to Rome from Campostello di Santiago and Canterbury. The route is commemorated in virtually every village with impressive churches and regal country estates. However, unlike the 'Chianti' region between Sienna and Florence, this part of Tuscany is totally un-touristy. You will not have to fight with the crowds in the narrow streets here, but it is every bit as beautiful with many hidden gems. In fact in some of these medieval walled villages, there is barely a postcard shop, preferring instead to offer handicrafts carved from olive wood, some local pottery or hand woven embroidered textiles...
The Ride takes place in Spring and Autumn and is guided by either Cristiano or Michaela.
Michaela writes: 'The riding itineraries, with some trails that I discovered myself, take us through ancient hilltop villages and the farmlands, forests, vineyards and olive groves that have nourished the local people for millennia. On the trails you eat the freshest traditional home made cuisine and drink the finest local wines, rather than the usual tourist fare found in the restaurants of big cities. The Tuscan cuisine and hospitality bear witness to the long history of agriculture in the region. I also arrange meetings with the cooks and the farmers who graciously share the best of their hospitality with all of the riders. All of the trekking horses are steady in any situation in the countryside and are fit enough to still be forward going after 200 kilometres. The health and wellbeing of the horses is important not just because they are the basis of our lives but also because they are partners. I personally groom and saddle all the horses myself, which means that I can quickly discover and deal with any problems that crop up.'
Itinerary
Day 1 (Sunday): Arrive at Orvieto or Rome and transfer to Proceno. Check in to your accommodation hidden in the narrow passageways of the castle walls. Castello di Proceno has been in the Cecchini Bisoni family for over 300 years and Pucci Cecchini will personally welcome you. If time permits she will give you a tour of her home including the tower and its historic drawbridge which connects to the defensive walls. The castle is a rare example of medieval fortification surviving in its original state. Dinner with local produce and traditional Tuscan recipes in the vaulted restaurant in the castle cellars. Stay for 2 nights here.
Day 2 (Monday): Daily ride in the area of the medieval town Proceno, over typical clay hills and along the valley of the river Palia - with marvellous views across the mountains of Amiata and Cetona. Lunch in Italy is a time to be savoured. We arrive at a traditional restaurant which still uses an open fire to cook over. It is called the Dogana and once marked the border to the Vatican state. The way back leads uphill in the afternoon sun with a romantic view over soft rolling wheat fields and pastures for sheep herds. Organic home cooked dinner in one of the oldest local farmhouses deep in the Tuscany countryside. Return to the castle in Proceno.
Day 3 (Tuesday): After breakfast and perhaps a morning swim, travel on horseback from Proceno to Onano. The area changes completely - after you pass through the private woods of the Montorio, famous for its library, you ride over huge plateau fields built on tuff (vulcanic soft stone) ground. Farmers settled here thousands of years ago with their sheep and started the long tradition of cheese production. Try some with a glass of red wine over lunch in the beautifully restored restaurant San Quirico with its hand painted frescoes. Thanks to the tuff ground, the terrain remains always well drained and perfect for some nice long canters. In the afternoon you arrive at the stables of the next castle, the Castello di Cristina where a local cook prepares a tasty dinner in the former stable below the rooms. This opens up to a beautiful terrace overlooking the swimming pool and gardens. Stay for 2 nights.
Day 4 (Wednesday): Day ride in the surrounding area of Onano in the unique national park Selva di Lamone. This is an unusual wooded area, created from the now cold volcano in the Lago di Bolsena. Volcanic stones are scattered across the terrain like crumbs on a cake. Riding through the forest, the sun creates magical light effects through the leaves, creating shifting shadows on the inhospitable ground beside the paths. Lunch in a isolated farmhouse by a private lake, which was once a volcanic crater. Al fresco homemade starters and barbecued meat on the lawn with views across the lake. After the afternoon ride back there is time for a swim or a game of tennis before having dinner on the terrace beneath a 100 year old tree.
Day 5 (Thursday): Travel on horseback from Onano to Sorano, where the scenery will change once again. From romantic woods and open farmland to steep ditches, narrow canyons as you follow ancient Etruscan paths. The whole area is breathing culture and history the closer you get to Sorano which is where the Etruscans first settled in 900BC. After lunch en route, we ride up to the fortified town, through the ancient gate, and up steps especially paced for horses, right through the narrow passageways of the town. Arrive at the medieval fortress just as visitors have done for thousands of years. The rooms all have spectacular views. Free time for shopping and exploring the narrow passages of this ancient and historic Etruscan town. Dinner in a restaurant down in the center. 2 nights here.
Day 6 (Friday): Local ride in the unique area of Sorano with its steep and narrow paths cut into the tuff rock. Climb up high above the Lente river to Sovana, one of the most famous villages of the Etruscan civilisation. The Etruscans buried their dead in the hundreds of tombs visible all over the limestone cliffs and were once stuffed with treasures, which can be seen in the local museum. Lunch stop here and time afterwards to wander in these historic streets, now lined with interesting shops and bars. Ride back to the fortress in Sorano for dinner in a village restaurant.
Day 7 (Saturday): Ride back from Sorano to Proceno and our first castle. Lunch stop in a different isolated farmhouse with delicious home cooked food. Dinner in the castle restaurant.
Day 8 (Sunday): Departure day. Shared transfer in the morning from Proceno to Orvieto station or by private transfer to the airport.
Availability for 2009
26.04. - 03.05.
03.05. - 10.05.
10.05. - 17.05.
17.05. - 24.05.
13.09. - 20.09.
20.09. - 27.09.
27.09. - 04.10.
04.10. - 11.10.
Accommodation
Three different castles with traditional atmosphere, double rooms with bathroom, all beautifully and sympathetically restored. Two of them with outdoor pools. Full board with Italian breakfast, lunch as picnic or in café or farmhouse, dinner with min. three courses, table wine and coffee.
£1640 per person.
The price includes six full days of riding, seven dinners with wine, six lunches, six breakfasts, seven overnights in unique accommodation, transfers from Orvieto train station on arrival and departure and transfer of luggage during the week.
Single room supplement £187 and non riding price £1306 (plus meals and transfers).
Holidays can generally be of any duration and start on any day (except where specified).
Make a reservation / enquiry.
These prices are guidelines only. Please contact us for an exact quote since prices will vary depending on the season, the amount of riding you wish to do and whether you are travelling alone or with a group. To calculate the equivalent cost of your holiday in another currency, please visit XE.com's Universal Currency Converter.
Getting there
Fly to Rome (Fiumicino or Ciampino airports). Then take the train to Orvietto (c.1.5hrs) station where we will meet you or we can organise a private car transfer from either airport (add £160 per person). The transfer from Orvietto station is included.
Flights to Rome Fiumicino airport (main airport with good train link to Orvietto). The link to the train station from Ciampino is by bus.
British Airways and Alitalia have flights from Heathrow.
Jet 2 fly from Manchester and Leeds/Bradford.
BMI Baby from Birmingham.
Flights to Rome Ciampino (the no frills airport) from Stansted, Luton, Nottingham, Liverpool and Prestwick.
Easyjet fly from Gatwick, Nottingham, Bristol, Newcastle and Belfast.
Flights to Pisa:
Ryanair from Stansted, Bournemouth, Nottingham, Doncaster, Sheffield, Liverpool and Prestwick.
Jet 2 flies there from Edinburgh, Leeds/Bradford, Newcastle, Manchester and Belfast.
Thomsonfly has links from Glasgow, Doncaster, Sheffield, Manchester, Coventry, Bournemouth and Gatwick.
Easyjet from Gatwick.
Transfer from Pisa to Proceno, supplement required.
By Rail: The quickest route is via Paris and Milan (just 11 hours) then on to Rome. Italian train timetables.
Train travel: For everything you need to know about any train journey visit Seat Sixty-One.
You can also arrive in Florence (Firenze), Sienna (99km) Arezzo or Pisa. Florence is about the same distance as Rome, Arezzo closer and Pisa further.
Lowcostseats - internet travel agent for charter flights offering good deals.
Jetnav - an independent website searching schedule services, budget airlines and some charters.
Dohop - searches charter and schedule services.
Travelocity - internet travel agents for schedule services.
Self-drive: Car rental can be booked easily and inexpensively online with Holiday Autos. Please tell us so that we can reduce the quote of your holiday. Avis car hire can also be arranged at the airport (approx €300 for 7 days).
Riding
Intermediate to advanced. Max weight 90kg. 4-5 hours per day in the saddle, 30-40km per day. English tack. Lots of opportunity for canters and some jumps. Min 2 in a group, max 6 and occasionally 8. No novice riders. No children. The rides will be guided by Cristiano or Michaela. The support vehicle is always within easy reach if you should need extra clothes etc. Saddles have a leather attachment for water bottles.
Best time to go
Tuscany has a temperate climate due to the proximity of the coast, but it gets very hot in July and August. Riding in Tuscany is perfect in the Spring to see the glorious meadows filled with wild flowers and Autumn to see the red and golden colours of the beech and chestnut woods and of course, the grape harvest. Actual weather.
Tailor made
Different itineraries are available such as farmhouse tours, riding combined with Italian cooking courses, wine tasting weeks and spa visits. Non riders are also welcome. Please contact us for a price.
Environmental issues
You can calculate the CO2 emission of your journey to Italy at Climate Care and compensate for your 'environmental footprint'. If you let us know how much it is we will be happy to pay this on your behalf.
In the office, we use paper from sustainably managed forests and recycled material where possible.
We encourage you to travel onwards from your arrival airport by rail when possible, and will book seats on your behalf.
How to book
To make a non-binding enquiry or a provisional booking, please fill in the reservations & enquiries form. Once we have checked availability, we will send you a quote with a holiday reference number by email. To secure your holiday, a deposit is required of £200 per person (or half the cost of the holiday, whichever is lower) and forward any insurance premiums to the insurance company. You should book your flights at this stage, and forward details to us so that we can organise your transfers. The balance of payment must be received by us not less than eight weeks before departure. Payment instructions.
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Insurance: all riders must be fully insured. We can recommend this travel insurance policy. The application form may be printed out to send with your premiums direct to the insurance company.
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