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This ride leads through parts of Tuscany and
Lazio – an area that shows rich culture and
historic background - the settlement area of the
first Etruscan population and the border area of
the former Vatican state. Follow the
tracks of the oldest Italian inhabitants through
the "Vie Cave" These are ancient Etruscan
pathways carved out of the rock. You can ride on
them just like the Etruscans did thousands of
years ago. They are carved deep into the rock,
so it is almost like being in a cave, but they
are open at the top.
Ride across Tuff plateaus, through evergreen
forests - mostly following old border trails and
ancient Etruscan and Roman roads of South Tuscany
and Northern Lazio. Discover one of the most
unique, rural and original landscapes of Italy,
where the horse tradition was born and for centuries
took part in the lives and culture of
its inhabitants.
Overnight in two different medieval castles, and a
fortress: Castle Proceno, Castle Santa Cristina
(close to Onano), and the Fortress of Sorano.
 IT-ITETR
Included: Accommodations in castles and country inns,
gourmet
meals, 6 riding days
8 days/ 7 nights $ 3,025 Single: + $320
--
based on € 2125 / € 225
2008 Dates:
04/13-04/20 04/20-04/27
04/27-05/04
05/25-06/01 06/01-06/08
06/08-06/15
08/31-09/07 09/07-09/14
09/14-09/21
09/21-09/28 10/19-10/26
10/26-11/02
availability & reservation
Meeting: Proceno
Airport: Rome
Train Station:
Orvieto
Transfer: from Orvieto train station
included at ~4 PM
Level:
Intermediate
Tack:
English
Horses:
Anglo Arab, Thoroughbred
mix, Italian warmblood
Pace : Moderate with trots
& canters
Min/Max: 5-8
riders
Note: good train connections from Rome to
Orvieto approx
1.5 hours
A similar ride is available with overnights in
farmhouse accommodations
- see Etruscan Ride
Accommodations:
We overnight in two different medieval castles, and a
fortress: Castle Proceno, Castle Santa Cristina
(close to Onano), and the Fortress of Sorano.
The first castle is located in the little fortified
walled village with rooms on different levels along
the only passage through the village. The pool is
below the protective wall in the middle of the
castle’s park area.
The second castle is located outside the village in
an agricultural area. The castle walls are covered
with green edera and the pool in front of the castle
reflects the surrounding countryside.
The fortress of Sorano is located above this unique
Etruscan town. From your rooms look down upon the
fortress walls, onto the town and across the
canyon. There are just few steps down to stroll
through though the town centre with all its maze of
passages, gates, arches and small staircases.
Come and take a breath of medieval lives style –
with modern comforts of course.
Itinerary
Day 1
Group transfer from Orvieto station to Proceno and
settle into your first local castle. Dinner in the
local restaurant – the only independent restaurant
in town. A local lady cooks in the traditional
style and creates also sometimes new, very tasty
filled pasta – called Tortelli. The deserts are very
special and always freshly prepared.
Day 2 We begin our ride in
the area of the medieval town Proceno, through clay
hills down in the valley of the river Palia - with
marvellous views of the mountains of Amiata and
Cetona. Lunch in the former boarder places from the
Vatican state to Italy - called Dogana - also on hot
days a fire lights in the dinning room to cook on.
The way back leads uphill in the afternoon sun with
warm view on soft rolling wheat fields or pasture
for sheep herds. Dinner in a local farmhouse out in
the countryside - the oldest real agriturismo - with
all kinds of animals around and from them many kind
of home produced and home cooked foodstuff.
Day 3 We ride
from Proceno to Onano. The area changes completely -
after you passed the private wood property of
Montorio with its books, you ride over huge plateau
fields with various agricultural business built on
tuff (a volcanic soft stone) ground. Farmers settled
here with their sheep already in the past and
started a good traditional cheese production. Lunch
in a restored restaurant with hand painted fresco in
San Quirico. Thanks to the Tuff rocks on the ground
the terrain remain always well drained and ready for
nice trots and canters. In the afternoon you arrive
directly in the stables of Castello di Cristina
where a local cook prepares a tasty dinner in the
former stable below the rooms - the ceiling held up
from several arch Bowes.
Day 4 Today we ride
around in the area of Onano until we reach the
unique national park of Selva di Lamone. This is an
indescribable wood area, created from the now “cold”
volcano in the Lago di Bolsena. Stones all spread
around like crumbs on a cake. The leaves and the
trees create shade and light in a fantastic,
surreal mix on the inhospitable ground beside the
dirt road. Lunch in a remote farmhouse beside a
private little lake that was also once a volcanic
and is 200 mt deep. You get tasty home made starters
and barbecued meat outside on the lawn in front of
the house with view down on the lake. After the
afternoon ride back you will have dinner today in
the former stable part of the castle in front of a
nice green garden and a centenary tree.
Day 5 Travel on horseback
from Onano to Sorano. Romantic wood, steep ditches,
narrow canyons and old Etruscan roads are on your
route today. The closer you get to Sorano, the more
the area ‘breaths’ culture and history. Stop for
your lunch break in San Quirico. Today we overnight
in the medieval fortress high above the old Etruscan
town. Dinner in a restaurant down in the centre.
Day 6 Today we ride in
the unique area of Sorano with its deep and narrow
roads in the tuff rock and with its uncountable
tombs all over in the hills. Lunch break in Sovana
– one of the most famous villages of the Etruscan
civilisation – with its immense above ground tombs.
Back in Sorano dinner in a restaurant in the
village.
Day 7 Travel back from
Sorano to Proceno with lunch at a local farmhouse
with home cooked food. Farewell Dinner in the castle
restaurant.
Day 8 Shared transfer in
the morning from Proceno to Orvieto station.
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