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A trek through the history and nature of Tuscany. The mystical beauty of
the hill country surrounding Florence always been a special place amongst the forest-covered
peaks.
For those that want to explore the beautiful Tuscany on horseback,
but prefer a Western saddle and riding style, we have put together these
new relaxing treks that explore the Monte Giovi mountain rage and
vineyards in the vicinity of Florence in the midst of a typical Tuscan
countryside - olives, vines and woods
surrounding ancient farms, villas, towers and castles. You can opt for
daily starrides or a combination of 3 days stationary followed by a 3 day
trek. Except for when on the trek (2 nights) you can either stay at the
comfortable riding center or upgrade to lovely country inn accommodations.
In any case you can expect wonderful Italian dishes for every meal.
 IT-ITVALCH
Rates include accommodations at riding center and country inns, excellent
meals, 6 riding days (total of 18 hours)
8 days/ 7 nights $ 1,195
Single: + $75
-- based on
€ 875 / € 50
add $50 to High Season dates
2008 Dates:
...
Chianti
Colline Fiesole itinerary:
04/12-04/19 05/24-05/31
... Vallombrosa
itinerary:
06/07-06/14 06/21-06/28
... Monte Giovi
itinerary:
09/13-09/20 09/20-09/27
Meeting: Riding center
Airport: Florence
Train Station: Pontassieve
Transfer: from Pontassieve train station
at 4:30 PM $50 (€
35)
Level:
Low Intermediate+
Tack:
Western or English
Horses:
Maremma, Sardi horses
Pace : Moderate with trots and canters
Min/Max Riders: 3-14
Note: good train connections from Florence to Pontassieve - 10
minutes
Riding Center Accommodations:
We reserve private double rooms for you with
shared bath at the riding centre. On the trail
single rooms are not available.
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Also available:
Code:
IT-ITVAL
Star Rides
instructions and trail riding from the riding center
Weekly from
mid March to Jan SA-SA
... deduct ~$200
US$
995 / € 6955
Your riding week:
Day 1 Saturday Arrival, dinner and overnight.
Day 2 You start with a lesson in the schooling arena, followed by a
hack out in the surrounding countryside (2 riding hours).
Day 3 and 4 We take you out on rides in the hills, and come back to
the center in the evening (2 hrs of riding). Time for sightseeing.
Day 5 to 7
On Wednesday we leave for the 3-day trek, riding all day
and carrying lunch in saddle bags. Every day you will ride for 4-5 hrs and
visit villas and castles, including a visit to cellars for wine-tasting.
The riders sleep in typical, clean and well kept farmhouses, and in the
evening enjoy a meal of traditional local dishes. Lat night back at the
riding center.
Day 8 Departure
Sample itinerary
Chianti Colline di Fiesole Trek
A trek, which passes over the Tuscany hills, through
ancient vineyards and olive groves, with visits to
traditional wine cellars. This trek is based very
much in the centre of the Rufina and Pomino Chianti
wine area. It is an ideal small trek, also for those
who wish to combine riding with rest, sport with
culture.
Wednesday will see the start of the trekking, with
all-day rides and pauses for picnic lunch. You will
stay overnight in a charming "Agriturismo" belonging
to friends of the guides, in a perfect farming
style, situated 10km from Fiesole. During the trek
you will visit the famous Villa Demidoff and its
monumental Park, and stop for lunch at Castello del
Trebbio, where we will also visit the cellars for a
"wine tasting".
Sample Itinerary Monte
Giovi
Trek:
Passing through the Chianti vineyards of the beautiful Vetrice villa
(12th-century), we follow the River Sieve past the village of Rufina,
famous for its wines, and forge the river twice. At mid-day you climb to
the top of the mountain range along age-old wooded paths and after
reaching the top you will be astounded by breath-taking views of the whole
of the Chianti valley, the valley of the Arno and of Mugello. You stay at
the very charming Casa Palmira, an
authentic rural B&B located on an ancient road leading from the great
Renaissance city of Florence to the cooler climes of the Mugello (summer
residence of the Medici family). There is a large lounge with fireplace,
patio with shady pergola and barbecue, and a sweeping lawn. The trek back
is a dive into the landscapes and nature of a Tuscany unknown to mass
tourism but rich with pleasant surprises, such as the villa and chapel of
Petroio, a tiny 12th-century hamlet perfectly conserved that looks over
the mystic valley of the Argomenna torrent. On the last day again the
picnic will be consumed on the banks of a fresh-water lake and we return
to the center for a farewell dinner and overnight.
Sample Vallombrosa Trek:
Riding through the villa of Grignano we need to forge the River
Sieve close to the ruins of an old roman bridge. Passing through the
Chianti vineyards of villa Selvapiana and the beautiful castle of
Nipozzano, famous for its wines, then we reach the forest of Consuma in
the afternoon after passing by the castle of Ristonchi. The night will
be spent at Podernuovo - situated in the mountain forests - a property
of a composer and conductor who gives us hospitality in his charming
villa dated back to Napoleon, where a music school is organized. The
place is simple and charming, with typical Tuscan cuisine. On Thursday
we climb from Podernuovo to Monte Secchieta and stop for view of the
large windy meadows and the peak of the Pratomagno (1,450m) - we admire
the spectacular scenery of Tuscany. We’ll stop for a picnic in the
secular woods of Vallombrosa, one of the biggest forests of Europe,
beautiful and luxuriant of oaks, firs, and beech, close to a refreshing
spring. We at the impressive Abbey of Vallombrosa and visit this
historic place. The monastery was founded by the monk Giovanni Gualberto
in 1008, and is enriched with many works of art. We ride back to
Podernuovo through the heart of the 3,000 acre forest full of animals
and plant life with the highest trees (Douglasie) of Europe: 180 feet!
Friday morning on the way back to the riding center we ride through the
old village of Castelnuovo close to the chapel of Tosina, -sec. XI - and
then we arrive at the lake of Falgano where will have the picnic and a
swim before returning to the center for a farewell dinner and overnight.
Horses:
The 35 horses, mostly Italian breeds (Maremma,
Sardi horses) are all schooled at the farm in
western-style, although English saddle is also
available. The horses are sure in any kind of
terrain and well trained for schooling in our arena.
There is a large outdoor arena: 35x75 m: sand, well
drained. |
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Star Rides Holidays:
The program of a week with 18 hours riding
comprehends a daily ride of 2 hours in the
first 3 days of stay Sunday - Monday -
Tuesday, then in the last 3 days - Wednesday
-Thursday - Friday - 4 hours a day.
The days' timetable is based around the work
with the horses, where the guests are
welcome to participate. A holiday therefore
is all about entering into close contact
with the horses and learning to recognise
their characters and needs.
Riding lessons conducted in English, German
and Italian are organized according to
experience. The arena is a "panorama
viewpoint" overlooking the Val di Sieve, and
the Tuscany countryside with its widely
varied terrain is the best "work out" for
the Western horse, and a spiritual tonic for
the riders. The horses are well balanced
because of the natural way of maintenance,
living outside in big groups. There are calm
horses for beginners and lively ones for the
more experienced riders. |
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